Thursday Jan. 21, 2016 Vol. 3, No. 45
The Weekly Post
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Princeville petition would force ballot on bonds By BILL KNIGHT
PRINCEVILLE – A Board of Education proposal to consider issuing working cash bonds in case the state cuts funding, freezes property taxes or otherwise affects financial support may have been derailed. The District has received a petition with 383 signatures regarding the District’s intent to issue working cash bonds. No decision had been made to do so. If the Board decides it needs to issue the bonds, the petition now makes it necessary for the Board to put the question of issuing those bonds on the November 2016 ballot. “Due to the added timeline, if there are Weekly Post Staff Writer
Judge may recuse self in Vicary case
major cuts to [state] education spending predicted for next year, the Board will not have the ‘safety net’ of the added revenue before the Reduction in Force deadline in April of this year,” said Superintendent Shannon Duling.
Though the construction schedule has been revised, completion of the ongoing renovation of Princeville Schools is on target to be finished by Aug. 1. At left are new classrooms. Photo by Collin Fairfield.
“Therefore, if funding looks like it will be cut next year, we will have some very difficult decisions to make about reducing staff for the 2016-2017 school year, and likely increasing student class size.” Also at its Jan. 13 meeting, the school
KICKAPOO CONSTRUCTION
board learned that the construction project’s timeline has been revised after general contractor P.J. Hoerr adjusted some tasks to address delays. The original target completion date of June 1 is now pushed back to mid-June to late July. “We have modified the schedule to allow the final part of renovation (concession area, corridor, foyer, restrooms) to begin earlier than originally planned, which should help keep the project on track to be completed before August 1,” Duling said. Meanwhile, the Chemistry/Physics lab floor has been leveled and most of the gas issues fixed, added High School Principal Rich Thole. Continued on Page 2
Repairs slated in Yates City
By BILL KNIGHT
The Judge assigned to preside over the lawsuit filed against Rosefield Township is taking under advisement a request from plaintiff Megan (Miller) Vicary to recuse herself because of concerns about previous connections. Judge Jodi Hoos on Jan. 8 heard from the Vicarys’ lawyer, Christopher Ryan, that Megan was worried about Hoos having prosecuted a Miller-Vic- Hoos ary relative years ago when Hoos was with the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office. Hoos was appointed to the 10th Judicial Circuit bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in December 2014. Hoos, who prosecuted more than 125 jury trials since 2000, said she didn’t remember the case, but added that she would look through her records and consider the request. The Vicarys are suing former Township Supervisor Steve Davis and three others who’ve done work for the
By BILL KNIGHT
For The Weekly Post
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YATES CITY – Progress on repairing the roof of the waterworks building and the concrete drive of the firehouse was made at the Village Board’s Jan. 13 meeting, despite trustees postponing action until February. Public Works Director Chuck Eiker reported on estimates for each project, and bids for the roof ranged from $6,400 to $9,600, but the most expensive bid also involved removing an unused chimney. Estimates for the concrete work ranged from $2,890 to $6,700. Trustee Leslie Gavelys asked for contractors to confirm that they’re insured and bonded, and the Board told Eiker to get that information before the February meeting. Another issue arose with the entrance/exit and sidewalk in front of the Elba-Salem Fire District building on West Main. Trustee Ron Smith reported that Bruner, Cooper & Zuck engineering in Galesburg said the area was the village’s responsibility, but Trustee James Bewley and others thought residents and businesses might For The Weekly Post
The New “Norma’s” Work is well underway on a new restaurant and bar being built on the site in downtown Kickapoo formerly occupied by Gilles Tavern (at right). Reputed to hold the oldest liquor license in Illinois, Gilles Tavern – or “Norma’s” as it was called thanks to longtime bartender Norma Gilles – drew an eclectic mix of customers, including the cigar-chomping fellow (below right) who rode a mule in for a few sips. Local businessman Jim Feuchter is developing the 3,500-square-foot restaurant and tavern. Wagenbach Builders of Pekin is constructing the facility, which will have entrances from the east and also off U.S. Route 150. Current photo by Collin Fairfield
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