NORMAL – Decatur MacArthur High School’s football team may have marched into Hancock Stadium on Illinois State University’s campus expecting to gain a Central State Eight road victory over Normal University High Sept. 13, but the Generals discovered the Pioneers quickly demoted their visitors in a 48-7 win before the home crowd.

University High (2-1, 1-0 Central State Eight) scored first after receiving kickoff on a 50 yard pass from senior quarterback Alek Weiland to senior wide receiver A.J. Holden to put the Pioneers on the score first followed by senior kicker Demir Spaulding’s extra point giving the Pioneers a fast 7-0 lead after going 80 yards on two plays at 11:25 in the opening quarter.

But following the ensuing kickoff, Decatur MacArthur’s first play from scrimmage on their own 29 was intercepted by U-High giving the Pioneers the ball back at the Generals’ 44 yard line. U-High, however, was able move forward from there but couldn’t score.

Each team had possession but couldn’t advance. When Decatur MacArthur got the ball and couldn’t advance, they had to punt to U-High, the Pioneers from their own 47 yard line. U-High’s next possession began at their own 24 yard line. Six plays later, with the Pioneers on Decatur’s 36 yard line, U-High senior wide receiver Carson Stevens took possession dodging Generals defenders for a 36 yard touchdown at 3:11 in the first quarter followed by Spaulding’s next extra point, increasing U-High’s lead, 14-0.

Each team exchanged the ball twice through punts but U-High was able to start their first possession of the second quarter at 11:14 on their own 31 yard line. Six plays later, Weiland connected with junior wide receiver Cade Cunningham for a 30 yd. touchdown followed by Spaulding’s extra point to put U-High up, 21-0.

U-High’s ensuing kickoff put Decatur MacArthur at their own 40 yard line the Generals punted after three plays which included a penalty they were flagged for, forcing a punt back to U-High. The Pioneers took possession at their own 41 yard line, and two plays later, Weiland connected with sophomore wide receiver Lyfe Campbell from 23 yards out for a touchdown at 9:10 in the second quarter. But Decatur defenders disrupted Spaulding’s extra point. That increased U-High’s lead, 27-0.

Once Decatur MacArthur (1-2 overall, 0-1 conference) got the next kickoff starting at their own 30 yard line, U-High defenders and the Generals’ own foul-ups put the ball back their own 18 yard line. A bad 4th down snap gave U-High the ball at the Generals’ 18 yard line with 5:51 until halftime. Two plays later, Weiland and Holden reversed roles, with Weiland receiving the touchdown pass from 18 yards out followed by Spaulding’s extra point putting U-High up, 34-0 with six minutes left until halftime.

Decatur MacArthur’s next possession was the briefest of the night courtesy of a U-High interception from U-High’s Owen Kirby and starting U-High’s next possession at Decatur’s 8 yard line. One play later, senior running back Carson Stevens eluded Decatur tacklers to go into the end zone followed by Spaulding’s extra point putting U-High up, 41-0, just before halftime.

As a result of there being a 40-point difference in scoring, game officials employed IHSA’s Mercy Rule, using a continuously running clock, stopping it only for timeouts taken by a team or because of an injury.

Decatur MacArthur received the third quarter kickoff and began their march from their own 41 yard line. Eight plays later, the Generals managed to march down field using primarily a ground game with their 8 play 49 yard drive ending with sophomore quarterback Drew Renfro scoring from just inches away. The prior play put the Generals at U-High’s 3 yard line. Sophomore kicker Aiden Bruce successfully made the extra point, giving the Generals their only points of the contest, 41-7.

Pioneers sophomore quarterback Owen Kirby was behind center as he helped guide his team from starting at their own 31 yard line to seeing senior wide receiver Deegan Aeilts dash past Decatur defenders for an 8 yard touchdown followed by Spaulding’s extra point closing out the scoring, 48-7.

Normal U-High Head Coach Brody Walworth began his assessment of his team by saying, “Decatur MacArthur is always a tough team to play, and they have a style of play that’s unique. Preparing for them is always a challenge because you know you’re going to get a ton of man coverage, you know you’re going to get an aggressive defense up front, and you know they’re going to be physical all over the place.

“We really focused this week on being ourselves and we thought our first two games ,we tried to play a little too much hero ball and didn’t do our jobs to the best of our abilities”

Instead, Walworth said in critiquing his team against the Generals, fans “saw what we’re capable of when we get 22 guys bought into the idea that ‘I just need to do my job and not try to do someone else’s, too.’”

“I thought we did some good things defensively,” Walworth said, adding, “We still need to work on secondary, working on some jump ball situations, and we still have to get better at covering kickoffs.”

“Normal U-High came out and played a tremendous ball game, took us out of what we wanted to do,” explained Decatur MacArthur Head Coach Derek Spates. “They made it tough for us to get anything going. “Ultimately, you’ve got to make plays on either side of the ball.” For his players, Spates concluded, “This game is what happens when you don’t.”

NORMAL – CEFCU Arena on Illinois State University’s campus was packed on Saturday but there wasn’t a game taking place on the floor where players might be spotted in an athletic endeavor. While there were no athletes, there were 4,500 volunteers working in 90-minute shifts packing 25,000 ready-to-eat lentil jambalaya meals for distribution to one million people through Illinois.

Midwest Food Bank, locally based in Bloomington, was able to borrow Redbird Arena on Illinois State University’s campus Saturday in order to make the meal packing project a reality. Apsara Sorensen, assistant vice president of corporate responsibility for State Farm, helped oversee the venture taking place. Her division, Sorensen said, helps make events like the meal packing event take place in communities because, as she explained, “It’s about giving back and being a good neighbor.”

Sorensen said State Farm partnered with U. S. Hunger, a hunger relief organization which has innovative programs designed to help feed the 1-in-4 people who are struggling with food insecurity. She said this isn’t the first time the insurance giant has done this kind of activity before, citing State Farm did a similar operation in Georgia when they partnered with NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, an operation State Farm and the team have joined forces for five years to accomplish. The event in Normal Saturday was its first event.

Volunteers took on the task of packing boxes each containing 288 meals during 90 minute shifts working to pack and ready boxes ready for shipping to food pantries statewide from 8a.m. through 6p.m., Sorensen explained. She explained Midwest Food Bank would collect pallets of boxed meals, making sure those meals would be distributed among food pantries throughout the State.

“There’s about 1.5 million people in the State who face food insecurity in the State of Illinois,” Sorensen said. Sorensen added planning for this event began at the insurance giant the latter part of last year. Having done something similar with the NBA team, Sorensen added, “The company thought, why not bring it to Bloomington-Normal?”

State Farm approached Midwest Food Bank officials about being the recipents and said yes and insurance company officials approached ISU about hosting the volunteer effort, Bordner explained.

Roughly 5,000 volunteers, including State Farm employees, were joined by Illinois State University faculty, staff, and students, and various members of the community who came together to make the company’s event possible.

Leanna Bordner, chief operating officer for ISU’s Department of Athletics, explained Melissa Shrader, manager for corporate responsibility for State Farm reached out to the University for doing the Million Meal Pack project at CEFCU Arena. Approval for the day-long event moved up the University executive ladder from Bordner to ISU Athletic Director Jeri Beggs to ISU President Dr. Aondover Tarhule for final approval.

“Let’s do it,” was how Bordner said Dr. Tarhule gave his final approval for the event to go forward. Bordner said meetings to make the event possible began a year ago.

NORMAL – Normal Community High School’s football team got out in front of rival Normal Community West quickly scoring four touchdowns in the first half while holding the visiting Wildcats to just a single score on the evening en route to a 48-7 victory in the annual “Chili Bowl” contest.

Senior quarterback Kyle Beaty connected with senior wide receiver Mar’Quan Gary for the first of two touchdowns NCHS (2-0 Big 12 and overall) from 18 yards out to complete a 4 play 53 yard drive for the Ironmen’s first score on the night followed by junior kicker William Castro’s extra point giving the Ironmen a quick 7-0 lead at 11:01 in the first quarter.

Normal West (1-1 Big 12 and overall) received the ensuing kick but couldn’t get past NCHS defenders and punted the ball back to the Ironmen who began their next drive after a lengthy return at Normal West’s 28 yard line. But a deadball foul against the Ironmen pushed NCHS back to West’s 35 yard line. Three plays later, Beaty connected with Gary again from 27 yards out for another touchdown but an illegal procedure call against NCHS would push Castro’s extra point back five yards. Castro made that kick which gave NCHS a 14-0 lead with 7:07 in the quarter.

NCHS’ ensuing kickoff would go into the end zone for a touchback starting Normal West at its own 20 yard line. The Wildcats used a measured drive to get down field getting as far as NCHS’ 13 yard line before being flagged for holding. That put the Ironmen at West’s 23 yard line. One play later, junior quarterback Jrue Mangruem connected with junior wide receiver Maliq Givens for the Wildcats’ only score on the night followed by junior kicker Jace Flemming’s extra point reducing NCHS’ lead, 14-7 as the first quarter ended.

NCHS’ next set of downs began at their own 45 yard line where two incomplete passes and a penalty against the Ironmen hampered their progress until senior running back Calen Taylor dodged Normal West defenders for a 27 yard touchdown with 7:53 remaining in second quarter. Flemming followed with an extra point extending NCHS’ lead, 21-7. The drive NCHS had for the score was 55 yards on 11 plays.

Normal West would get the ball after the score and get as far as NCHS’ 45 yard line after the return only to be stopped by NCHS defenders nine yards later turning the ball over to the Ironmen. Once NCHS had the ball, a Beaty pass to Gary got the Ironmen to Normal West’s 24 yard line. Two straight Normal West penalties aided NCHS advancing the ball to Normal West’s 3 yard line. One play later, senior running back Antonio Montoya scored NCHS’ touchdown with 4:57 until halftime followed by Flemming’s extra point. That increased NCHS’ lead, 28-7, going into halftime.

Normal West received the ball to start the second half at their own 34 yard line and mounted a sustained drive which carried them to NCHS’ 5 yard line. But from there, Normal West’s offense couldn’t get past NCHS defenders with Normal West sophomore running back Cody Muhlbauer being halted by Ironmen defenders at NCHS’ 3 yard line forcing a turnover and downs. NCHS would take over from there. Eleven plays later, senior running back Caylen Taylor dashed past Normal West defenders for a touchdown increasing NCHS’ lead, 34-7 after Castro missed the extra point at the 3:31 mark in the third quarter.

NCHS’ ensuing kickoff resulted in a touchback starting Normal West at its own 20 yard line but NCHS’ defense forced the Wildcats to punt which put NCHS’ next starting drive at the Ironmen’s 37 yard line. One play later, Beaty connected with senior wide receiver Ivoreon Austin for a 63 yard touchdown reception with 1:57 left in the contest followed by another Castro extra point. NCHS’ lead jumped to 41-7 as a result.

NCHS’ last score of the contest came when Beaty dashed past defenders for a 3 yard touchdown capping a 6 play 58 yard drive for an Ironmen 48-7 final score after Castro missed the extra point.

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members unanimously approved a motion to initiate a comprehensive zoning text amendment regarding all sections of the Town Zoning Code. This was a first step to be followed by directing Normal Planning Commission members to begin a public input process. The proposed zoning changes are intended to clarify and try to modernize current regulatory code within the Town. The measure passed during the governing body’s meeting held Tuesday on the fourth floor of Uptown Station as Monday was Labor Day, a Federal holiday.

In prior years, various parts of the Town Zoning Code have been updated which have included sign code, community standards, and Uptown Design Review Code. Town Staff looked making modest changes to promote housing density, as a need for denser housing in an array of styles than is currently allowed by Town Code.

Town Staff also took time to make modest changes which would promote housing density. This was the result of the Town seeing the need for denser amounts of housing in a wider type of styles than what is currently allowed by Town Code. Key proposed amendments to be considered include: Transitional height and setback requirements which would help soften impact between intense land uses, conversion of attic space to residential space which would create a third floor and be allowed in homes built before 1890 regardless of single family zoning where code currently limits residences to two stories.

Among some noteworthy amendments which don’t fall into any specific categories was one which would tobacco and vape shops to be divided into a specific land use so such businesses wouldn’t be permitted as a form or retail within One Normal Plaza Planned Unit Development.

Ordinance Maintaining 1% Town Sales Tax Passes In Split Vote: A Town ordinance to maintain revenue from sales of certain items currently listed as part of State grocery tax using a 1 percent tax under a State Municipal Grocery Tax Law got passed in a divided Council vote, 4-3. The ordinance has been on Normal’s radar since the beginning of the year. Normal Finance Director Andrew Huhn explained the State of Illinois wants to eliminate the tax by January 2026.

As a result of keeping the tax in town, roughly $2.3 million will go into the Town general revenue fund. Mayor Chris Koos along with Council Members Kevin McCarthy, Chemberly Harris, and Karyn Smith voted in favor of the measure. Council Members Kathleen Lorenz, Scott Preston, and Andy Byars voted against the measure.

Smith said she believed the community would benefit from receiving the additional tax dollars. Byars explained his primary objection to the added tax was the Town “doesn’t need the money” from such a tax. He reminded Council members Bloomington Council members would be voting for the tax but he believed Normal couldn’t have the same assurances about residents wanting it.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved By Council included:

• Approval of the minutes of the regular Council meeting of Aug. 19, 2024.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of Aug. 28, 2024.

• A resolution authorizing a contract with Western Specialty Contractors for parking garage maintenance services in the amount of $178,762.

• A resolution authorizing funding of Connect Transit in the amount of $200,000 for FT2026-27 from American Rescue Plan funds.

• A resolution authorizing a contract with Luci Creative for schematic design plans for the Children’s Discovery Museum’s second floor as part of the established Exhibits Master Plan in an amount not to exceed $215,215.

• A resolution to accept a proposal from Brotcke Well and Pump for drilling test wells at up to four locations.

NORMAL – An incomplete pass to intended receiver from Peoria Notre Dame High School Benjamin Mullens not reach its target saved Normal Community High School from possibly losing their opening Big 12 Conference game Friday night at Dick Tharp Field Friday night and assured the home team Ironmen a 33-27 victory over the visiting Fighting Irish to the delight of Ironmen faithful who packed into Ironmen Field.

Sophomore Ironmen running back Cody Muhlbauer proved hard for PND defenders to retrieve let alone slow down as the sophomore scored five times on the night in effort for the Ironmen to secure their first victory of the season.

Muhlbauer got the night started off on a positive note for NCHS (1-0 Big 12 and overall) 31 yard touchdown run highlighting a 3 play 59 yard drive to give the Ironmen a fast 7-0 lead which was capped off with an extra point from Terrill Jackson with 11:19 left in the opening quarter for the only score that quarter.

Peoria Notre Dame (0-1 Big 12 and overall) countered with a 7 yard touchdown run from junior running back Tyler Miller which capped a 13 play 90 yard march to the end zone followed by a successful extra point from senior kicker Lawson Alwan, tying the game at 7-7.

The ensuing kickoff from PND (0-1) resulted in a touchback allowing NCHS to start their next drive at their own 20 yard line. But two straight penalty flags and not being able to get a sixth first down during their drive resulted in a turnover to PND where the Fightin’ Irish started their next drive at their own 12 yard line. Five plays later, senior running back Jack Hanley eluded Ironmen defenders from nine yards out for a touchdown which put PND up, 13-7 following a missed extra point attempt.

PND’s ensuing kickoff resulted in a touchback starting NCHS’ next drive at their own 25 yard line. In the first play from scrimmage, Muhlbauer found openings courtesy of PND defenders and scored on a 74 yard touchdown dash with 2:10 left until halftime. But Normal West’s extra point was missed resulting in a 13-13 tie at halftime.

PND received the ball starting the third quarter and wasted no time getting into Normal West territory starting from their own 46 and starting their downs at West’s 47. Ten plays later, Muhlbauer ran into West’s end zone at the 5:47 mark putting the Fighting Irish up, 20-13 after Alwan’s extra point.

PND’s ensuing kickoff sailed into the end zone for a touchback giving Normal West a starting point at their own 20. One play later, Muhlbauer took the ball and dodged past and through defenders to score an 80 yard touchdown but the Wildcats couldn’t convert the extra point giving PND a 20-19 lead with 5:27 left in the third quarter.

With 7:29 left in the contest, PND took a 27-19 lead followed by an extra point from Alwan to put the Fighting Irish up 27-19. The ensuing kickoff to NCHS had the Ironmen starting at their own 37. From there, in three plays, NCHS gave the ball to Muhlbauer on three plays where he dashed through and past defenders for a touchdown that closed PND’s gap to 27-25. Normal West used a 2-point conversion play featuring Muhlbauer where he scored to tie the game at 27-27 with 6:48 remaining.

Normal West kicked off to PND and the Fightin’ Irish began their series at their own 3 yard line with6:43 left in the contest. But PND started their drive at their own 3, Normal West defenders and a penalty by the Fighting Irish forced PND to punt. When NCHS got the ball back, the Ironmen offensive line gave the ball to Muhlbauer who scored his last touchdown from 4 yards out to result in the final score after PND defenders blocked Alwan’s extra point attempt.