Thursday January 19, 2017 Vol. 4, No. 45
The Weekly Post
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“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Duncan, Edwards, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
Kickapoo Twp. discusses 2017 budget
CUBS CARAVAN
By BILL KNIGHT
An early framework for a budget for next year was introduced at Kickapoo Township’s January meeting Monday, when Trustees began discussing the measure well ahead of a budget hearing at 6:45 p.m. March 20. Under the tentative plan, the General Town Fund would have $508,100 in total appropriations based on annual revenues of $171,170 and other available funds of $410,670, and planned expenditures of $410,600. Also, the General Road Fund would have $1,520,800 in appropriations, with $68,780 in new revenues and $190,780 other funds available, plus related line-item funds including $395,400 for possible bridge work and $673,900 in its Permanent Road Fund. Road Commissioner Dan Kelch said addressing the replacement of the Richwoods Boulevard bridge between Ill. Route 8 and Reservoir Boulevard in the southeast part of the Township may re-
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to appreciate the winter season. I’ve grown especially fond of the graceful silhouettes of stately old trees – those not butchered and disfigured by topping, that is. The winter season brings out the more subtle details of the landscape. No longer hidden beneath a coat of foliage, the beautiful textures of bark and the elegant For The Weekly Post
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Farmington weighing water choices FARMINGTON – It’s almost a certainty that Farmington’s water system will improve over the next several years, but it’s less clear whether it will stem from a new private, outside owner, or a substantial community investment. Either way, it’s going to take millions of dollars to upgrade local water. The City Council on Monday opened two bids from companies interested in purchasing the water system. The Council also scheduled a Water Committee meeting for 6:30 Monday (Jan. 23) to discuss the merits of either a sale or a commitment by the City itself to deal with Inside needed work. • The Elmwood City “The Council Council may try to took the position acquire an unsightly to make a final deW. Fremont property. cision no later than Page 7. 40 days from the bid opening,” said City Administrator Rollen Wright, “so we would announce the decision at the City Council meeting on Feb. 20.” Aqua Illinois, a water company based in Kankakee serving 225,000 people in 13 Illinois counties, including Oak Run in Knox County, proposed purchasing Farmington’s water system for $3,750,000. Aqua also committed to investing an additional $3.2 million in upgrading the Farmington system in the first five years of operation. Illinois American Water, a division of American Water based in Bolingbrook, submitted a bid within a range of between $3,150,000 and $3,450,000, depending on a subsequent appraisal. The Illinois Commerce Commission, which must approve such sales, requires For The Weekly Post
Local youngsters Bobby Zinser, 11, of Kickapoo (left) and Lawson Alwan, 10, of Hanna City got called on stage during the 2017 Cubs Convention during the Ryan Dempster Late Night Show last Friday. Posing behind the boys are (left to right) World Series Champion Chicago Cubs players Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Zinser is the son of Rob and Mamie Zinser and Alwan is the son of Jenna Alwood and Brian Alwan.
Beautiful barks, twigs brighten winter scene By RON DIETER
PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Elmwood, Illinois Permit No. 13
By BILL KNIGHT
For The Weekly Post
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structural forms of trees and shrubs become the focal points in the landscape. Several tree varieties offer outstanding winter color and texture. The paper-bark maple, Acer griseum, is not often seen in landscapes today because it is difficult to propagate, but is surely worthy of a prominent spot in the garden. The rich brown bark exfoliates and curls away from the branches to reveal beautiful cinnamon and red-
brown underwoods. The bluish green trifoliate leaves are somewhat reminiscent of some Japanese maple forms. At first glance you might mistake a paper-bark maple for a river birch since both have exfoliating (peeling) bark and grow to about the same height-20 to 30 feet. Like the birches, paperbark maples look best when grown in clumps of three or five main trunks to accentuate the beauty of the bark. Continued on Page 2
A peeling paper-bark maple reveals cinnamon and redbrown underwoods.
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