The Weekly Post 1/26/17

Thursday January 26, 2017 Vol. 4, No. 46

The Weekly Post

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Heated meeting prompts Brimfield board response

By TERRY BIBO

BRIMFIELD – At least 50 people turned out when school board candidates introduced themselves at a meeting which turned out to be anything but regular.

Bills and business matters were dispatched handily. Yet many people in the crowd appeared unhappy and discussion devolved into personal comments about Superintendent Robert Richardson.

For The Weekly Post

“The school’s been in the paper a lot for all of the wrong reasons,” said candidate Steve Updyke, a 1988 graduate of Brimfield High School who said he has four children in the district.

Dan Heinz, the current board president, has served on the board for the last four years. In his candidate introduction, Heinz agreed some of that time has been tough. But he countered with the positive: strong Continued on Page 10

School working to solve mold issue

By TERRY BIBO

BRIMFIELD – When school board candidate Phil Molleck claimed the six-year-old Brimfield High School building has mold, current school board members were taken aback.

“This school was built too quick,” said Molleck, himself an electrical contractor, who added that the builder has since ceased business. “... I know I’m For The Weekly Post

Brimfield School Board president Dan Heinz points to a shelving unit that had some mold on shelves, which have been replaced.

Continued on Page 11

Princeville boards seek new members

COUNTY CONTROVERSY

McCoy: Do more with less is BS

By BILL KNIGHT

PRINCEVILLE – Sharing plans last Thursday (Jan. 19), board members from the school, village and library, plus folks from the museum and Civic Association, all showed their gratitude for community as well as innovative programs ahead. (See sidebar, Page 5.)

However, along with information, concern about a dwindling number of particiInside pants was ex• The Elmwood pressed by several School Board apboard members, proved issuing and that lack of inbonds for Phase II of volvement could an ongoing school jeopardize the furemodel. Page 7. ture – planned or not.

“These meetings are good,” said Village President Sid Stahl. “It helps the right hand know what the left hand is doing.”

The boards and a small audience now know what Stahl is doing, too: He’s not seeking re-election, after serving more than 30 years on the Village Board.

“The Board will be able to carry on,” said Village Trustee Dave Sutherland. “We have For The Weekly Post

By BILL KNIGHT

Small towns that depend on the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office for police protection may not suffer cutbacks as a result of big budget cuts, but police presence and programs could decline, according to Peoria Sheriff Mike McCoy. Meanwhile, the number of elected officials who are resigning due to budget cuts or politics now includes Auditor Carol Van Winkle and Treasurer Edward “Tripp” O’Connor. Van Winkle quit in November; O’Connor last week.

This week, McCoy joined the chorus of voices objecting to budget cuts.

You don’t ‘do more with less’,” McCoy says. “That’s BS. And with police you can’t do more with less.

You just can’t.”

The notice bothers McCoy as much as the dollars involved.

“We’d been told to cut $200,000 from our budget, and we worked for

rough around the edges (but) this mold’s a bad deal. You’ve got kids in here.”

President Dan Heinz said he knew Molleck had concerns about the district, but he was surprised to hear about mold in the school. Some board members had been told there was mold several months ago, but they thought the problem had been rectified.

For The Weekly Post

Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy is not pleased to be cutting an additional $600,000 from his budget. Photo by Bill Knight.

four months to get that done,” he says.

“We negotiated with the administration and they agreed that the $180,000 in cuts we came up with were OK. Then at about 7 one Friday night I was told to cut $600,000 by noon that Monday.”

Peoria’s Sheriff’s Office serves some 183,000 people in an area of 629 square miles containing more

than 1,200 miles of County, township, state and federal roads. That means deputies answer calls and write their reports as they go, from their cars, and they assist the City of Peoria when several squads are called to one area. (“We cover them,” McCoy said.)

The department has nine contracts with small towns, says McCoy, who Continued on Page 2

Continued on Page 5

Page 2

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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McCOY: Sheriff’s employees taking buyouts Continued from Page 1

suggests the office could reconfigure the department’s districts to expand geographic areas that patrols must cover, adding, “We can’t NOT patrol.”

Also, officers serve process papers, “although there’s not enough time to have officers on patrol to do both,” he says.

The County Jail is staffed, too, but needs a “minimum shift strength,” he says, and it handles courthouse security, both at two entrances and in moving prisoners and being on hand in some courtrooms, and maintains a presence at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport.

In downtown Peoria, the County is offering a two-part incentive to shed personnel: $10,000 in cash and $10,000 in a health-insurance contribution, and eight or nine Sheriff’s employees have taken the deal, says McCoy, who added that 29 are eligible to accept the buyout terms in the next few weeks.

“But there will be no layoffs,” he says.

“It’s tough. We may have to backfill some

jobs, combine jobs, or promote younger guys,’ he continues. “We’re going to lose institutional knowledge.

“I’m not really surprised at the need,” he adds. “Everybody sees [there’s] less revenue from sales taxes and property taxes, and the [proposed road] tax didn’t pass in November.”

McCoy says he understands why his department was affected, but adds that it also isn’t sensible.

“We were targeted,” he says. “It’s a percentage game. We have more money, so I can see how that’s tempting. But it’s not thoughtful.”

The County Board is making most cuts in its General Fund, which pays for most operations, so the brunt of the goal of cutting $2.5 million is falling on elected officials’ departments.

“The ‘Collaborative Committee,’ which is supposed to be County Board members and elected officials, never worked on this,’ McCoy says. “We were left out. We want some input; it’s supposed to be ‘collaborate’, not ‘dictate’.”

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Next year’s budget for the Sheriff’s Office will be about $15.7 million, hundreds of thousands of dollars less than this year.

Elsewhere, the State’s Attorney’s office had to cut more than $200,000.

“Take the jail,” McCoy continues. “A couple of years ago, we had 600 inmates and now there’s about 400. But that could change pretty quick. So it’s a fallacy to think that’s a simple place to cut.

“I make no apologies for the size of our staff,” McCoy says. “The County had a consultant come in and analyze staffing and spending and so on and said our department was already short 11 staff positions.

“We keep people safe [and] crime rates are going down,” he says.

“Even though in poll after poll, people say what they

want out of government is safety, schools and jobs – usually with safety at the top – the hard part is trying to convince some people of the value of law enforcement.”

McCoy may accept the cuts, but is not pleased.

‘It’s disappointing, but we’re not stupid,” he says.

“We have to work together with the Board and administration. All in all, we get along, but relations are strained.”

At least McCoy has some internal flexibility, he says.

“Once the budget is approved, elected officials can move money around,” he says. “But we can’t do more with less. No way.

“I can’t complain exactly,” he continues. “I love my job. We’re just going to have to continue to be vigilant in how we do things.”

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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THE WEEK AHEAD HOT PICKS This Week!

s Whitney’s Walk – 10th annual Whitney’s Walk

for Life chili cook-off, Saturday (Jan. 28), 5:30 p.m., at Brimfield American Legion. Registration for chili cook-off participants, 4-5 p.m., entry fee $20. Winners announced, 7:15 p.m., awards follow. Taste all chili by purchasing endless bowl for $5. Hot dog, brats, silent auction, live auction and more. Call (309) 446-9678. s Soup Day – Douglas Methodist Church Soup Day is Saturday (Jan. 28), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Chili, veggie and broccoli soup, maid rite or hot dog, dessert and drink. Free-will offering.

Public Library until Feb. 4 during open hours to make a valentine for a veteran. s Love Poetry – Program of love of s Knitting Guild – Heart of Illinois poetry by Judith Dublin and George Knitting Guild Meeting is Feb. 7, 9 Tanner of Peoria Poetry Club at Salem a.m. in Community Room at Maple Township Public Library in Yates City Lawn Homes, Eureka. All welcome. is today (Jan. 26), 6-7 p.m. Judith Program is February Favorites. Bring a Dublin will read selections from her friend, free pattern, fiber tip and nee2013 book “Living in the Wind.” dles. Call (309) 472-7085. s Free Bread – Free bread available s Book Discussion – Book Discusat Elmwood Methodist Church Friday sion, open to adults, for the book “My (Jan. 27) from 10-11 a.m.

Grandmother Asked s Makers Club – to Tell You She’s Young Makers Club Publicize Your Event Me Sorry” by Frederick “Paper Airplane SciCall us at (309) 741-9790 Backman is Feb. 9, ence” is Monday (Jan. or email information about 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Alpha 30), 4:30 p.m. at Brimyour upcoming event to Park Library, Barfield Public Library. news@wklypost.com. tonville.

Book available Sign up at (309) 446at check-out desk. Call 9575.

(309) 697-3822 Ext. 13. s Historical Meeting – Elmwood Hiss Chocolate Festival – Galesburg Historical Society Meeting is Tuesday torical Society Chocolate Festival is (Jan. 31), 7 p.m. at Lorado Taft muFeb. 11-12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 156 East seum house. Public welcome, refreshE. Main St. $8 per person, $10 at door. ments served after meeting. s Blood Drive – Farmington CommuFuture Events nity Blood Drive at St. Matthew’s s Pancake & Sausage – Elmwood Ki- Catholic Church is Feb. 13, 2-6 p.m. wanis Club Pancake & Whole Sausage Call Alice at (309) 245-4770 to sign up.

Day is Saturday, Feb. 4, at Elmwood s Book Club – YA Book Club! at High School Cafeteria, 6-10:30 a.m.

Alpha Park Library, Bartonville is Feb. Donation $6 adults, $3 ages 6-11.

13, 7-8 p.m. Book is “Three Dark s Pancake & Sausage – United Crowns” by Kendare Blake. Teens 13 Methodist Church of Farmington has and older welcome. its 60th annual Pancake & Sausage Day s Vintage Luncheon – Vintage Tea Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 187 Luncheon, “Celebrate the Founders of West Fulton St. Donations only. the Peoria Women’s Club” is Feb. 16, s Valentines for Veterans – In honor 301 NE Madison in Peoria. Pay tribute of “National Salute to Veteran’s Pato founding members. $25, RSVP to tients Week” stop by Williamsfield (309) 427-1180 or (309) 266-7811.

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The Weekly Post The Weekly Post is published every Thursday (except the last weeks of December and June) by Lampe Publications LLC, 115 W. Main St., Elmwood, IL 61529.

All phone numbers listed are in area code (309).

Postmaster - Send address changes to The Weekly Post, P.O. Box 745, Elmwood, IL 61529 Phone - 741-9790 Fax - 741-9365 Email - news@wklypost.com Office Hours - Mon-Wed 9-3, Thurs 9-12, Fri 9-3 News - Jeff Lampe 231-6040, jeff@wklypost.com Classifieds - Shelly Brodine 741-9790 Advertising - 741-9790 Subscriptions - Subscriptions $50 for 50 issues.

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Of warty democracy, mold, snows & thanks

Rambling through central Illinois pondering the many reasons our country is so strong. uuu The democratic process can be an ugly thing of beauty. Consider last week’s meeting of the Brimfield School Board. Some harsh words were spoken and no doubt some feelings got hurt.

Just for the record, blaming Jeff a new superinLAMPE tendent for mold problems that existed for years is not fair – unless he was aware of the mold and did nothing. But back to my point.

After all the huffing and puffing, what happened was good. It was established there have been mold issues in the school. Problem areas were identified and tested by a mold specialist. Possible solutions have been mapped out. All that is the positive result of what was at times an adversarial situation.

Democracy does not have to be pleasant to be effective. uuu In contrast to that open discussion of issues, I received an anonymous letter from someone who wanted to set me straight on what

was “really going on in Brimfield.� Please. The writings of cowards never interest me. Sign your name. Or save the stamp. ...

And finally, to those who say, “It’s better to keep school board business behind closed doors and not air dirty laundry in the open,� I ask this: Would a mold inspector have been in the Brimfield High School last week if the issue had not been raised at a public meeting? Every public institution has problems.

Finding out a board is dealing with those problems openly is good news. ... Some see the 55-degree weather last Saturday as a sign that our new president is already making things happen. At least John Herman of Elmwood does. “This is the first time I’ve been able to golf the day after an inauguration,� he said. “The country is in better shape already.� uuu You know there are a lot of snow geese around when they wake somebody sleeping inside their house. So it went for Elmwood insurance man Ted Richardson, who was raised from a slumber Tuesday by thousands and thousands of snow geese flying low over his home north of town. For some reason, the white geese sure seem to like that area northwest of Elm-

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wood all the way west to Maquon.

One note of caution for any hunters eager to shoot snow geese: the regular waterfowl season is still open. That means there are limits on snow geese (20 per day with no possession limit), unplugged guns are not yet legal and hunters may not use electronic callers. That all changes Feb. 1 with the Conservation Order snow goose season, when bag limits are unlimited and hunters can use ecalls and take out their shotgun plugs. uuu Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to say, “Thank You.� So we want to make showing gratitude a little easier for you. Effective immediately, we are offering FREE THANK YOU NOTES of 25 words or less to run in our Classified section. So take time to thank someone. Call (309) 741-9790. ...

Parting shot: While this is not my line, it makes me chuckle. Under Barack Obama the country made history with its first black president. Under Donald Trump, we have our first orange president.

Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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PRINCEVILLE: Fiscal responsibility is a key Continued from Page 1

a budget and we stay within it – not like Springfield or Washington, or even Peoria County. We have money in the bank.”

Stahl agreed, and said it wasn’t just the Village that was fiscally responsible.

“Princeville’s pretty fortunate that we all take care of our finances,” Stahl said.

Finances were indirectly addressed by the school and library.

Princeville Superintendent Shannon Duling said the boards and community should be concerned about a property-tax freeze being considered by the state legislature.

“The impact would be very significant for all of us,” he said. “What that could do to local infrastructure is not going to be positive.”

The idea being floated is for a two-year freeze, which is probably not a coincidence, Duling said.

“Legislators run for reelection every two years,” he said to some grumbling and laughter.

At Lillie M. Evans Library, library President Gayle JohnsonBrackett said that when they decided to build an addition now underway, they stressed to bidders a preference for buying from local businesses whenever possible.

“We owe it to taxpayers to be competitive, and we owe it to local residents to patronize area businesses,” she said. “After we were asked to check on what was being bought where, we did, and it was not acceptable.”

Corrections by the contractor were made, she said.

Library Director Beth Duttlinger agreed, adding, “We’re committed to local. It’s not something we’re going to let go.”

Princeville Civic Association President Rudy Roger applauded the library’s commitment, recalling a claim that “for every $1 spent locally, $7 is generated.”

Roger also said that the civic organization is more financially stable than in previous years, but it can always use help.

“We don’t have that many participants,” he said. “It seems like with volunteers, the trouble is you keep meeting the same people.”

Village Trustee Jeff Troutman, who will run for Village President, echoed that, especially as it pertains to the fire department and ambulance service.

“We’ve been helped by some high school students, but they can’t go on calls. We’ve got to step it up, or it’s going to be a bigger financial burden for everybody,” said Troutman, who noted that because of too few volunteers, paid emergency responders are going to have to be hired.

Shown at last Thursday’s joint meeting of the boards in Princeville are, left to right, School Board Member Ron Streitmatter, District Superintendent Shannon Duling, Library director Beth Duttlinger and Library treasurer Diane Smith. Photo by Bill Knight.

Princeville has plenty of plans for 2017

Here are plans for upcoming months from Princeville civic groups.

Lillie M. Evans Library This year is the library’s 90th anniversary, and the staff is encouraging patrons to read 90 books in 2017.

In addition to ongoing activities including the “Biggest Loser” program, yoga, Zumba, Focus on Tech offerings and a Healthy Meals demonstration (Feb. 4), LME Library will present: • A Friends of the Library meeting Feb. 7, with ceramic painting Feb. 25 and glass painting March 11.

• A May program series featuring local history, starting with “Highlights of Princeville History” May 3 at Princeville Heritage Museum.

• September’s “Princeville Reads” program will feature author Bill Bryson talking about his book “One Summer: America, 1927” – the year the library was founded.

• In November or December, an Open House is planned after completion of current construction.

Princeville Civic Association Besides its major annual event – Princeville Heritage Days (June 22-25 this year), the group is: • hoping to create welcome packets for new arrivals to Princeville; • proposing to increase and refurbish flower bins; • suggesting adding more trash cans to Stevens Square Park; • recruiting for a new treasurer; • helping Princeville Heritage Museum programs.

Princeville Community Unit School District #326 After input from parents, students, teachers and Board members, the District is working to

“That means spending money for [living] quarters and this comes at a time when our trucks are getting old,” he said.

From the audience, Dana Regier of Akron-Princeville Ambulance said, “I wasn’t going to come, but

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implement “Future Ready,” an 8point program fostering personalized student learning and leadership. Also, • A 21st century learning program to effectively use technology is being planned.

• A new professional-development system is being considered in cooperation with Districts from Elmwood and Illini Bluffs.

• Plans are underway for 2018 to abate taxes and tackle needs such as a new, all-weather track, better parking and improved grade-school bus lanes.

Village of Princeville “We’re thankful that the TIF districts are contributing to the community,” said Village President Sid Stahl.

Money generated through local TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts have funded projects at the library, Post Office, school, ambulance, fire district, Main Street LLC, German-Bliss, Northern Avenue, Cutters Grove Park playground equipment and a new Village well.

• A water-main upgrade is planned.

• Discussions continue with the County to address needed road improvements on Cottage Street as grain trucks and increased traffic coming from Princeville Jubilee Road have damaged the surface of the “80,000-pound limit” road.

• County Deputy Jason Patterson is the Village’s new Community Policing Officer.

• The Village continues to look for a new Village Clerk to replace Mary Ann Mercer, who resigned in November.

• Lifeguard applications for summer at the Princeville Aquatic Center are available at Village Hall, Jeff Troutman reported.

– By Bill Knight

I’m glad we did. The community can sometimes take for granted all the work that’s being done. We appreciate all you do.”

The next Joint Meeting of the Boards is scheduled for July 20 at the library, with the Village Board presiding.

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PUBLIC RECORD NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Peoria County released year-end crime data

The Peoria Sheriff’s Department released its Crime Statistics Report for last year for the eight townships in The Weekly Post’s circulation area. Data reflect calls where the County was the primary responder: Brimfield city and township together had 3 assaults, 4 battery incidents, 3 burglaries of motor vehicles, 2 burglaries of non-residences, 1 criminal sexual assault, 3 domestic battery cases, 1 drug arrest, 15 thefts, 1 identity theft, 2 auto thefts, 5 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 1 DUI, 5 accidents with injuries, 25 accidents with no injury and 52 traffic tickets.

Elmwood city and township together had 1 battery incident, 1 burglary of a motor vehicle, 1 burglary of a residence, 1 criminal sexual assault, 2 domestic battery cases, 1 theft, 5 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 1 violation of an order of protection, 4 accidents with injuries, 11 accidents with no injury and 8 traffic tickets.

Jubilee had 1 burglary of a residence, 2 domestic battery cases, 2 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 1 violation of an order of protection, 5 accidents with injuries, 27 accidents with no injury and 34 traffic tickets.

Kickapoo had 3 battery incidents, 5 burglaries of motor vehicles, 7 burglaries of non-residences, 1 burglary of a residence, 2 criminal sexual assaults, 1 domestic battery case, 5 drug arrests, 57 thefts, 3 auto thefts, 9 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 5 DUIs, 11 accidents with injuries, 71 accidents with no injury and 69 traffic tickets.

Millbrook had 1 burglary of a residence, 5 domestic battery cases, 2 thefts, 1 auto theft, 2 vandalism/ criminal damage to property incidents, 1 accident with injuries, 8 accidents with no injury and 10 traffic tickets.

Princeville city and township together had 3 battery incidents, 1 burglary of a motor vehicle, 2 burglaries of non-residences, 1 criminal sexual assault, 9 domestic battery cases, 3 drug arrests, 12 thefts, 1 identity

theft, 2 auto thefts, 10 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 1 violation of an order of protection, 3 accidents with injuries, 16 accidents with no injury and 19 traffic tickets.

Radnor had 1 assault, 3 burglaries residences, 1 domestic battery case, 2 drug arrests, 2 thefts, 2 identity thefts, 2 auto thefts, 5 vandalism/ criminal damage to property incidents, 1 DUI, 10 accidents with injuries, 24 accidents with no injury and 57 traffic tickets.

Rosefield had 1 arson, 1 battery incident, 3 burglary of a motor vehicle, 1 burglary of a residence, 2 domestic battery cases, 2 thefts, 1 identity theft, 2 vandalism/criminal damage to property incidents, 2 DUIs, 4 accidents with injuries, 10 accidents with no injury and 16 traffic tickets.

New trial ordered in Brimfield DUI conviction

BRIMFIELD – A Brimfield man convicted of aggravated Driving Under the Influence in May 2015 may be released from prison early after an appeals court reversed his conviction and ordered a new trial.

Stephen Corlett, 48, was sentenced to three years in prison in a bench trial before Peoria Judge David Brown, but testimony Brown accepted into evidence denied Corlett a fair trial, according to the 3rd District Appellate Court in Ottawa.

In an order written by Judge Tom Lytton, the three-judge panel on Jan. 19 ruled Brown shouldn’t have allowed testimony saying that both a defense witness and an Illinois State Police scientist agreed concerning the possibility that the drug alprazolam was in Corlett’s system.

The case stems from a September 2013 crash that killed 60-year-old Joseph Spears of Hanna City. About 12:20 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2013, Corlett was westbound on U.S. Route 150 when his 1996 Buick struck Spears’ 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Spears was stopped behind a van preparing to turn south on Gilles Road.

Spears was thrown from the motorcycle and was transported to OSF St. Francis Medical Center, where he died 10 days later.

Corlett was taken to Methodist Medical Center, where urine and

blood samples were taken and showed the presence of the drugs alprazolam, methadone and diazepam, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors said Corlett had prescriptions for methadone and diazepam, but not alprazolam, sold under various names, including Xanax.

Corlett’s lawyer, Luke Taylor, argued Corlett didn’t have alprazolam in his system and that the method to test for that drug was unreliable, but Brown allowed the testimony.

“The state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the presence of alprazolam in defendant’s urine,” the judges decided. “Without those results, there was no evidence that defendant had taken alprazolam before driving.”

Brown had found Corlett not guilty of a second count of aggravated DUI, which alleged impairment. A new trial date wasn’t scheduled at press time.

Police reports

• The Knox County Sheriff’s Office this week reported that Timothy Lynn, 20, of Dahinda on Dec. 18 reported someone breaking a rear window in his Ford truck between 1 and 10 a.m. that day.

• Kaitlynn Cole, 25, of Princeville reported a burglary from her 1995 GMC truck in the 100 block of West Marlynn on Jan. 13.

• Kaleb Buck, 19, and Noah Welker, 21, both of Hanna City were apprehended by Peoria County police and arrested for retail theft stemming from an incident at Casey’s in Farmington. Farmington Police issued Notices To Appear to both.

• Carrollyn Kelly, 19, of Yates City on Jan. 19 was stopped by Peoria County police and issued three traffic citations, including operating an uninsured vehicle and driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Her 2000 Ford Explorer was towed from the scene in Bellevue.

• John Rose, 34, of Farmington on Jan. 20 was ticketed for driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license and issued a Notice To Appear.

• Debra Qualls, 22, of Galesburg on Jan. 20 was stopped by Elmwood police and ticketed for driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license. She was issued a Notice To Appear.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

Page 7

Elmwood board OK’s bonds, construction price due today

By BILL KNIGHT

ELMWOOD – The Board of Education on Monday set a special meeting for 6 tonight (Jan. 26) to receive, reveal and discuss the Guaranteed Maximum Price for its ambitious Phase II building project, which moved ahead with a unanimous Board approval of two bond resolutions.

“We’re finally to the end of the [bonding] process,” said David Pistorius, senior vice president of First Midstate Investment Bankers of Bloomington. “The buyers are in place. The bonds are sold.”

Projected in October to be 3.1 percent, the bonds’ interest rate will be 3.9136 percent, said Pistorius, who said the bond market since the election went up considerably.

“They settled down a bit in January,” he said. “Four percent on a 20-year deal is a good rate.”

With Board member Bill Frietsch absent, the Board first unanimously OK’d issuing General Obligation Bonds, refunding some outstanding bonds, levying enough taxes to pay the bonds, and authorizing the bonds’ sale. Atlanta National Bank in Atlanta, Ill., will be the “bond registrar” administering the semi-annual payments to bondholders.

Then the Board unaniFor The Weekly Post

mously passed a resolution setting up an escrow account for previous bonds that were restructured. The account will be administered by Heartland Bank as escrow agent.

The bond transaction’s closing is scheduled for Feb. 3, when the District will receive the money, including an additional $158,000 premium to be applied to the first year’s payments, Pistorius said.

He also noted that although the bonds are for 20 years, the arrangement lets the District restructure the agreement in eight years, if desired.

“Bonds rarely get to the end,” he said. “And you can pre-pay if a windfall came along.”

The effect on taxpayers should be minimal, said Superintendent Chad Wagner, who estimated that owners of $100,000 homes would pay an additional $50 to $60 per year, depending on changes in the area’s assessed valuation.

“We’re managing [the restructure of $600,000 in previous bonds] and keeping the tax levy down,” Wagner said. “This will handle the tax rate.”

As to the work itself, the Building Committee has been working with Demonica Kemper Architects of Peoria and KJWW engineering from the Quad Cities to Value-Engineer some plans to keep

the project within the Board’s $7.2 million goal.

They’ve also been plugging in needed work such as unforeseen water and sewer lines that date to the early 1950s.

“We’re looking forward to getting the GMP [Guaranteed Maximum Price] from River City,” said Board member Mark Davis, who’s on the Building Committee with Claude Keefer and Val Ramirez.

River City Construction of East Peoria is construction manager for Phase II. In other news: • Wagner said the District is working to improve teachers’ professional development. Cooperating with Illini Bluffs and Princeville, Elmwood plans to bring in Matt Miller for a presentation next January on Dave Burgess’ book “Teach Like A Pirate,” and this September participate in a County-wide Educators’ Institute Day dubbed “Peoria-palooza”; • Elementary Principal Tony Frost said ongoing work on improving English Language Arts programs is “nearing the end of the process”; • Junior/Senior High Principal Stan Matheny said WHOI-TV 19 and CEFCU awarded English teacher Rusty Koll with a $1,000 “One Class at a Time” grant to use for his audio-visual class; and • in personnel, the Board approved Tom Gorham as High School boys’ track volunteer coach, and Tammy Herman and Kristen Bonsor as High School girls’ track volunteer coaches for 2016-17.

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Page 8

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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BRIEFS Rosefield right of way lawsuit ‘settled’

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ROSEFIELD – A lawsuit over a stretch of Rockhill Road in Rosefield Township “is settled,” according to Judge Katherine S. Gorman, who on Jan. 19 presided over a brief morning hearing in which the parties agreed that the dispute had been resolved.

“Everybody’s signed off on it,” said attorney Christopher Ryan, representing Mark and Megan Vicary, plus Max and Olivia Hutchison and Alex Cusack.

Gorman in December ordered the parties “to attempt to agree on the location of the rededicated roadway of 40 feet.”

The case stemmed from the five Rosefield Township residents seeking a permanent injunction against Rosefield Township Road Commissioner Matt Windish and three colleagues – Shane Richards, Josh Walker and Richard Walker – in connection with what constitutes the public right-of-way.

The plaintiffs claimed that Rosefield Township improperly claimed jurisdiction over land adjacent to a township road.

The settlement is subject to a final re-dedication by Rosefield Township, which is having lawyers from Whitney & Potts complete the required paperwork, said Gorman, who’d added, “The Township has the right to snowplow the entire

Flocks of snow geese have been circling the area of late, with huge flocks in fields like this one west of Yates City. An estimated 1.5 million snow geese moved into the Illinois River Valley last week. Photo by Jeff Lampe.

length of Rockhill Road.”

Gorman scheduled a 9 a.m. hearing on April 20 to confirm the rededication as agreed.

F&M Bank earns banking accolade

F&M Bank, a local Galesburg bank, with offices in Peoria and Brimfield, was named among the top 1 percent most extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ (BankyAwards.com).

F&M Bank was recognized with the Institute’s Banky® Award for its commitment to strong community banking. This recognition is given to the top 60 out of 6,000 community banks in the country.

Criteria used by the panel of

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judges comprised of community banking experts to determine the award winners include internal culture, customer service, financial literacy, philanthropy and extraordinary banking practices.

“We are honored to be presented with this award and be ranked among the top community banks in the country. We are proud of the active role we play in making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Not only do we support our area with loans and donations, our employees volunteer more than 5,000 hours of their time every year to schools, churches, civic clubs and economic development. We work hard to surpass client expectations each day,” said Doug Sanders, President and CEO of F&M Bank.

Page 10

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

www.wklypost.com

BRIMFIELD: Richardson under fire Continued from Page 1

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teachers and staff.

“I’ve learned a lot. I have a lot to learn,” Heinz said. “I want to be a part of making something good even better.”

Eight people will vie for five spots on the board in the April 4 election.

Former board member Maribeth Dura resigned last year to coach the girls basketball team. Brent Graham was appointed to fill her position until the election and now runs for the remaining two years of her term. He is opposed

by Phil Molleck. (Kickapoo Township Road Commissioner Dan Kelch, who had asked to be appointed last year but was rejected in favor of Graham, had about 200 signatures on petitions but ultimately did not run.)

Current board members Constance Johnson, John Moon and former board president David Harmon opted out. Monte Kenney, Shirley J. Kelstadt, John M. Thompson and Rick Linthicum will join Updyke and Heinz on the ballot for four four-year terms.

But it was Molleck’s second turn before the board, apart from the candidates, which ignited a

Yates City ups payments to park district

YATES CITY – The Yates City Village Board on Jan. 11 increased from $275 to $300 monthly payment to the Elba Salem Park District for use of the Main Street building where the Village has its offices and meeting room, Park District official Jim Ralston said.

The Weekly Post erred in a report based on incorrect information on which group received the money.

We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion

mini-firestorm.

Backed by several in the crowd, Molleck expressed displeasure with the way several issues are being handled in District 309. He alleged staff is unhappy and fearful, some parents and volunteers have been treated disrespectfully and the new high school was built shoddily.

“There’s $200,000 in salaries in you and your secretary,” he told Richardson. “I feel you owe these people some answers ... In order to get respect in this town you’ve got to earn it.”

Molleck said he had already taken his concerns to Richardson and a few board members. Harmon

said there are procedures for handling such complaints; Molleck said everything can’t be handled behind closed doors.

Board Vice President Scott Bauer said he had talked with Molleck about his concerns and, “a lot of people agree with you.”

Of Richardson, Bauer said, “The jury is still out.” But Bauer also backed the generally silent superintendent, who started July 1.

“It’s a work in progress,” Bauer said of building concerns which date back to previous administrators. “We have to give him an opportunity to right the ship.”

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

MOLD: Issues with mechanicals Continued from Page 1

“Everybody in the school knew it.

How could they not know?” Molleck said Tuesday.

According to Heinz, several board members and custodians spent 90 minutes checking immediately after last Wednesday’s meeting.

There has been mold in high-humidity areas in the kitchen, in a receiving office and near the kiln in the art room. Aside from mold under some wood shelves in the kiln room – which were replaced – those areas were cleaned and nothing was readily visible. But Bob Meyer of PeoriaMold was called to investigate.

“We’ve done a lot in the last 30 hours,” Heinz said Friday. “And we think we know what the problem is. ...We’re pretty confident it’s the mechanicals.”

Heinz invited The Weekly Post to tour the building last Friday to let people know how mold claims are being addressed.

“We don’t feel there’s a problem,” Heinz said. “We just want to be proactive.”

After consulting with Dewberry, the district’s architectural firm, initial assessment points to an air conditioning unit that was never wired. There were no problems the first four years, and the building is largely constructed of concrete block, which is not prone to mold.

“If the building was constructed improperly it (mold) would have come up sooner,” Heinz said.

But tinkering with humidity in the gym a few years ago may have inadvertently created a problem elsewhere. The mechanical systems are governed by computer, so the balance may have been thrown off because that’s about the same time condensation became a problem in the kitchen. At one point, condensation

Mixed news in air tests

Air quality tests performed in Brimfield High School by PeoriaMold offer good and not-so-good news.

“The kitchen area was below (normal levels), as was the receiving area,” said Brimfield School Board President Dan Heinz. “The room that (apparently) wasn’t the biggest problem, the kiln, turns out to be the biggest problem.”

Four tests had spore counts under 1,000 per cubic meter, which Heinz said is considered normal. However, the sample taken in the kiln room was 1,928. That room has been locked and will be cleaned after students leave Friday. Air scrubbers will be used over the weekend and a second air quality test will be taken.

Heinz said the district is being proactive; the mechanical systems were being checked Tuesday.

“We’re going to try to work through this and figure it out,” he said.

And while the type of mold makes a difference, it’s worth noting that 1,928 is not considered a very high number.

Page 11

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ran down the walls and repeatedly tripped a fire alarm. Staffers were dealing with the problem, sometimes mopping up water with towels twice a day and propping open a door for airflow.

Heinz said it’s not the best time of year to investigate because humidity is low.

But it appears the slate is being wiped clean of mold and now the district can deal with root causes.

“We’ve got to basically look at all the mechanicals and start over,” Heinz said, cautioning that it may be necessary – and expensive – to recommission everything.

“We’ve got to dig into a lot of stuff yet.”

Illinois deer harvest drops to 144,150

SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois shot a preliminary total of 144,150 deer during the 2016-17 seasons, which ended Jan. 15 – below the 155,229 shot in 2015-16.

Hunters shot 44 percent does and 56 percent males.

Archery: Archery deer hunters took 53,479 deer from Oct. 1, 2016, to Jan.

15, 2017. Last year’s harvest was 56,767.

Youth: Youth hunters harvested 3,259 deer vs.

2,850 deer last year.

Shotgun: Hunters shot 79,429 deer Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4, 2016, vs.

86,847 in 2015.

Muzzleloader: Harvest of 3,297 Dec. 9-11 was above last year’s 2,403.

The harvest of 4,686 deer was down from 6,362 shot last year.

There were 14 northern Illinois counties open to the Special CWD Season in 2016-17. There were 24 counties open for the Late-Winter Antlerless Season, four fewer than last year.

Late-Winter Seasons:

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AREA CHURCHES BRIMFIELD St. Joseph Catholic Church Father John Verrier 314 W. Clay, Brimfield (309) 446-3275 stjosephbrimfield.org Sat. Confession: 3:30-4:45 pm Sat. Mass: 5 pm Sun. Mass: 10:30 am (10 am in the summer) Daily Mass: Tues.-Fri. 8 am

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School: 9:30 am AWANA: Wed. 6:15 pm, ages 3-12

Email: williamsfielddahindaumc@yahoo.com Sunday services: 9:30 am

Brimfield United Methodist Church

Bethany Baptist Church

Pastor Leonard Thomas 135 S. Galena St., Brimfield (309) 446-9310 Sun. Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 9 am Thurs. Bible Study: 7 pm

Union Church at Brimfield United Church of Christ

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod “Preaching Christ Crucified” “Liturgical & Reverential” Pastor Michael Liese 204 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3233 Sun. Divine Service: 10 am

Pastor Stephen Barch 105 W. Clay Street, Brimfield (309) 446-3811 brimfieldunionchurch.org Sunday Worship: 9 am Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 pm First Sunday each month is Communion Sunday (gluten free communion offered)

Brimfield E-Free Church

DAHINDA

Pastor Donald Blasing 11724 Maher Road Brimfield, IL 61517 (309) 446-3571 brimfieldefree.org

Dahinda United Methodist Church 1739 Victoria Street, PO Box 14, Dahinda IL 61428 Church phone: 309-639-2768

EDWARDS 7422 N. Heinz Ln., Edwards (309) 692-1755 bethanycentral.org Sun. Worship 8:15 & 11 am Wednesday Awana: 6:15 pm

Christ Alive!

Community Church Pastor Lance Zaerr 9320 W US Hwy 150, Edwards (309) 231-8272 christalivecc.com Sun. School: 9:15 am Worship: 10:30 am

ELMWOOD Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St., Elmwood (309) 830-4259 crossroadselmwood.org Wed. Worship: 7 pm Sun. Worship: 10:30 am

Elmwood Baptist Church

Pastor Dennis Fitzgerald 701 W. Dearborn St., Elmwood (309) 742-7631, 742-7911 Sun. School: 9:30 am Sun Worship: 10:30 am, 6 pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 7 pm

(309) 742-7221 elmwoodumc.org Sun. Worship: 9 am, 10:30 am Youth Sun. School: 9 am Adult Sun. School: 8 am

First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood

First Presbyterian Church of Farmington

Reverend Marla B. Bauler 201 W. Evergreen, Elmwood (309) 742-2631 firstpresbyterianofelmwood.org Sun. Worship: 10:30 am Sun. School: 9:30 am

Reverend Dr. Linda Philabaun 83 N. Cone Street, Farmington (309) 245-2914 firstpresfarmington.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Fellowship: 10:30 am Worship: 11:00 am

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Father Paul Stiene 802 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-4921 Sat. Confession: 3:45 p.m.

Sat. Mass: 4:30 p.m.

Sun. Mass: 10 am Tues. Rosary: 8:15 am

United Methodist Church of Elmwood Pastor Bradley F. Watkins II 821 W. Main St., Elmwood

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FARMINGTON

New Hope Fellowship Assembly of God Pastor Tom Wright 1102 N. Illinois Route 78 Farmington (309) 245-2957 Sun. Worship: 10 am Wed. Worship: 7 pm

PRINCEVILLE Princeville United Methodist Church Pastor Ken Dees

420 E. Woertz, Princeville (309) 385-4487 princevilleumc@mediacombb.net Sun. Worship: 9 am Sunday School: 10:15 am

WILLIAMSFIELD St. James Catholic Church Father John Verrier Legion Road Knox Road 1450 N Williamsfield (309) 446-3275 stjameswilliamsfield.org Sun. Confession: 7:30-8 am Sun. Mass: 8 am (8:30 am in the summer)

YATES CITY Faith United Presbyterian Church Reverend Marla B. Bauler 107 W. Bishop St., Yates City (309) 358-1170 Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 10:15 am Thurs. Choir: 7 pm

Page 12

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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OBITUARIES Loretta Loveridge

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Donna Brewer, Local Representative (309) 742-4661

FARMINGTON – Loretta L. Loveridge, 78, of Woodhull, mother of a Farmington woman, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

Services were 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at Peterson-WallinKnox Funeral Home in Woodhull. Burial was to be at the OakLoveridge lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg.

Memorials may be left to TriCounty Ambulance or the Clover Township Fire Department. Online condolences can be made at petersonwallinknox.com.

She was born June 5, 1938, in Warren County, Ill., to Roger and Mary Smith Loveridge. Loretta graduated from ROVA High School, where she was homecoming queen.

She attended auctioneers school in Mason City, Iowa, and married Robert L. Swanson Aug. 5, 1956, in Rio. They were later divorced.

Loretta was employed at Gale Products in Galesburg and retired from Maytag in 2002. She was a licensed auctioneer and assisted Hier Auctioneering in Kewanee.

She was a member of the Rio Presbyterian Church and volunteered at the Niabi Zoo and Riverside Park and Gardens in Moline.

Loretta enjoyed gardening, landscaping, horseback riding, fishing, trapshooting and being with her family.

Survivors include two daughters, Debbie (Randy) Barton, Farmington; Laurie Wolf, Milan; six grandchildren, Gabe, Ashley, Cheney, Haley, Rebecca, Rachael; 11 greatgrandchildren; soulmate, Dan Gilliam, Galesburg; one sister, Alta

He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

He truly enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was Jan. 20 at Knoxville United Methodist Church, with cremation following.

Condolences may be left online at www.h-p-w.com.

This Week’s Obituaries • Loretta Loveridge, 78, Farmington • Terry McLeese Sr., 71, Dahinda • James E. Meyer, 91, Dahinda • Patricia E. Walker, 78, Williamsfield • Donna Mae Wolford, 83, Elmwood

We print basic obituaries for free.

Longer obituaries cost $1 per inch; $5 per picture. Call (309) 741-9790.

James E. Meyer

Kay (Gary) Pittard, Appling, Ga.; one brother, Jim (Marsha) Loveridge, Keithsburg; one sisterin-law, Lucille Loveridge, Grovetown, Ga.; several nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, David.

Terry McLeese Sr.

DAHINDA – Terry L. McLeese Sr., 71, of Knoxville, father of a Dahinda woman, died Jan. 13 at his home.

Survivors include his wife, Ida Watters (Clevenger) McLeese; daughters Dena (and Greg) Mummey of Dahinda. Kimberly (and Robert) Morris of Maquon, Kristie (and Troy) Marquith of Galesburg, and Tracy Brennan of Knoxville; son Terry Lee (and Ann) McLeese Jr. of Paris, Tenn.; brother Jim “Luke� McLeese of Galesburg; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Terry was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Eugene McLeese, Robert Arthur McLeese and Willis Edward McLeese; and by four sisters, Jackie Smith, Patty Jo Syron, Betty Jean Shaw and Connie Kay Foote McLeese.

Terry worked at Gates Rubber Company for 28 years. He was a member of Knoxville United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and reading.

DAHINDA – James E. Meyer, 91, of Galesburg, father of a Dahinda woman, died Jan. 15 at Hawthorne Inn in Galesburg.

He is survived by daughters Carol (Steven) Cramer of Dahinda, Laura Davis of Mt. Vernon, Julie (Robert) White of Savage, Minn., and Paula (Larry) Cusick of Westminster, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

A private service for family members took place Jan. 20 in Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, with entombment at the mausoleum at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be left online at www.h-p-w.com.

Patricia E. Walker

WILLIAMSFIELD – Patricia E. Walker, 78, of Knoxville, a Williamsfield native, died Jan. 20 at her home.

Born Oct. 22, 1938, in Williamsfield, the daughter of Roland and Evelyn Savage LaFollette, Patricia married Frank E. Walker on May 10, 1958, in Galesburg. Frank and Patricia were Knoxville High School king and queen. He survives.

Also surviving are children Monte Eugene (Delores) Walker of Dunlap and Mark Edward Walker of Lewisville, Texas; three grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and sister Marjorie (Ron) Cottom of Wataga.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

Page 13

OBITUARIES Cremation rites will be accorded. Funeral services will be at a later date.

Condolences may be left online at hurd-hendricksfuneralhomes.com.

Donna Mae Wolford

ELMWOOD – Donna Mae Wolford, 83, of Hanna City, mother of an Elmwood man, died Jan. 18 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

She was born on Sept. 16, 1933, in Tama County, Iowa, to Verle O.

and Dorothy P. (Wiseman) Edwards. She married Merle Lee Wolford on Sept. 23, 1949, in Peoria; he preceded her in death on May 17, 2004.

Donna was also preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Velva Marlat; and two brothers, Verle Edwards Jr. and Robert “Bob” Edwards.

Surviving are five children, Bill (Kathy) Wolford of Elmwood,

Sandy (Dale) Vogel of Glasford, Daniel Lee (Jeanne) Wolford of Hanna City, Scott B. (Debbie) Wolford of Hanna City, and Lloyd O. Wolford of Washington; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and sister Beverly Buhl of Hanna City.

Graveside services were Jan. 21 at Cottonwood Cemetery in rural Hanna City.

Condolences may be left online at www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

ALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

Farmington lone 7th grade hoops team alive MONMOUTH – Top-seed Farmington is the last seventh-grade boys basketball team alive in the IESA postseason.

The Farmers topped Monmouth United on Monday, 52-34, to advance to the title game of the Monmouth Roseville 7-3A Regional.

Farmington was to play No. 3 seed Monmouth-Roseville on Wednesday. M-R had topped No. 2 seed Abingdon-Avon in the semifinals, 35-23.

Area teams were all eliminated at the 7-2A Brimfield regional earlier in the week.

No. 3 seed Elmwood fell to Colona last Saturday, 40-37, while No. 4 seed Brimfield toppled No. 5 Princeville, 44-27.

In Monday’s semifinals, Brim-

seed Princeville against No. 7 seed Brimfield at 11:30 a.m.

Winners advance to the semifinals Monday at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

In 8-1A, Williamsfield is No. 6 seed at Monmouth ICS and plays Carthage at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 28).

In 8-3A, Farmington is No. 2 seed at the Avon Regional and has a firstround bye. The Farmers first game is Jan. 30 at 6:15 p.m.

• Beware Bushnell – Peoria Quest (22-1) is the top-ranked team in Class 1A, but the Gators needed a 24-17 fourth-quarter rally to top Bushnell-Prairie City on Saturday, 59-55. Chaz Sardin had 28 points for Quest while Devin Yocum scored 26 to lead BP-C and Jason Housenga added 18.

field lost to top seed Peoria St. Vincent de Paul, 33-24.

Elsewhere, Kickapoo St. Mary’s lost in the semifinals of its own 71A regional on Monday, falling 4336 to Monmouth ICS. On Saturday in Kickapoo, Williamsfield fell to Annawan, 4642.

• 8th grade hoops – While most local 7th graders are done with hoops, the postseason is just around the corner for 8th graders.

Three local teams are competing at the 8-2A Peoria Heights Regional starting Saturday.

No. 4 seed Elmwood battles the No. 5 seeded host team Peoria Heights at 10 a.m. on Saturday (Jan. 28).

Next game that day pits No. 2

CLASSIFIED AND LEGAL ADS - Call (309) 741-9790 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE OF KEN AND TRUDY HOWARD, OWNERS OF TOOT’S TREATS, TO THE CITY OF ELMWOOD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The City of Elmwood Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the City of Elmwood City Hall, 201 W. Main Street, Elmwood, Illinois, on the application of Ken and Trudy Howard, owners of Toot’s Treats, for a variance to the setback requirements for signage on property commonly known as 608 W. Main St., Elmwood, Illinois (Parcel Identification Number 11-07-402-001), legally described as WILCOX & CONE’S ADD SE ¼ SEC 7-9-5E LOT 4 BLK 11 (EXC BEG NE COR THEREOF: TH S 73’ W 2’ N 73’ E2’ TO POB), in the City of Elmwood, together with adjacent rights of way. The applicants are the owners of the property.

The applicants have requested a variance from the setback requirements for signs in a C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District.

By order of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Elmwood, Peoria County, Illinois.

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Page 14

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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TRIVIA TEST By Fifi Rodriguez 1. MOVIES: What was the last movie that Nancy Davis Reagan appeared in?

2. GEOGRAPHY: What desert exists in parts of California, Arizona and Mexico?

3. PROVERBS: Where should you “never look a gift horse”?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state is an anagram of the word “anime”?

5. LITERATURE: What was author Thomas Mann’s native country?

6. ANATOMY: How much of blood’s volume is made up of plasma?

7. RELIGION: Which religion’s places of worship are called “Kingdom Halls”?

8. MEASUREMENTS: What is the base unit of mass in the metric system?

9. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition called “neophobia”?

10. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which president began appearing on the half dollar coin in 1964?

Answers

FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 12

1. “Crash Landing” (1958) 2. Sonoran desert 3. “In the mouth” 4. Maine 5. Germany 6. 55 percent 7. Jehovah’s Witnesses 8. The gram 9. The fear of anything new 10. John F. Kennedy

(c) 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

MOVIES 1. Hidden Figures (PG) 2. La La Land (PG-13) 3. Sing (PG) animated 4. The Bye Bye Man (PG-13) 5. Rogue One: A Star War's Story (PG-13) 6. Patriots Day (R) 7. Monster Trucks (PG) 8. Sleepless (R) 9. Underworld: Blood Wars (R) 10. Passengers (PG-13)

2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

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GIRLS HOOPS: All Brimfield losses by 8 or less Continued from Page 16

continued Monday with a home matchup versus Lincoln Trail rival Galva. In a 59-44 victory the Lady Princes steadily took every quarter.

Balanced scoring worked for Princeville, as Horton-Meza and Waid each had 15 points. Brinlee Bauman and Sandall each had nine.

Princeville has home games ahead, vs. Peoria Christian today and Monmouth United on Monday.

Brimfield Brimfield (17-8) lost to visiting Havana Monday, 46-38, in a firstplace Prairieland Conference clash The Lady Indians led 15-4 after one quarter, but were shut out 17-0 in the second quarter – which proved too much to overcome.

Leading scorers were Camryn Swietek with 16 and Kamryn Cuevas with 10. Cuevas led in rebounds with 10.

“After good recent wins over Lewistown and South Fulton, we were sluggish tonight, maybe following this weekend’s homecoming activities. We didn’t execute very well on our possessions,” coach

Maribeth Dura said. “I am overall proud of our team’s success at this point of the season, as all but one of our losses have been by eight points or less.”

The Lady Indians defeated South Fulton Saturday, 55-50, in overtime.

Nicole Thurman carried Brimfield with 32 points. Key rebounds came from Delaney Smith and Swietek, with 11 each.

Brimfield topped Prairieland foe Lewistown last Thursday, 47-27. An 18-7 first quarter, followed by a 126 second was key. Meinke had 21.

The Lady Indians visit RoanokeBenson today (Jan. 26), then have a Monday matchup at Elmwood.

Elmwood Elmwood (18-8) won a close one at Abingdon-Avon Monday, 49-47.

Allie Meyers hit an eight-foot jumper with two minutes left for a tie at 47. In two following possessions, A-Town was blocked by Meyers, then missed a shot that was rebounded by Meyers. With eight seconds left, Regan McFall found Grace LaFollett sneaking to the hoop for the game winner.

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Meyers had 26 points, 14 boards, and six blocks. Rachel Jacobson had nine points.

“We had a very good third quarter on both offense and defense. Regan and Rachel both hit some big shots,” Elmwood coach Gregg Meyers said. “Their outside shooting forced A-Town to come out on defense and open up the lane.”

The Lady Trojans went to Cuba last Thursday for a 46-13 win over North Fulton. Meyers had 17 points and 11 boards in the game, while Jacobson had 12 points.

Elmwood travels to face South Fulton in Astoria today.

Farmington Farmington (13-10) had a rough visit to Lewistown Saturday in a 5434 setback. Morgan Powell had nine points.

The Lady Farmers topped Midwest Central last Thursday, 42-37.

Powell and Megan Gilstrap, playing very strong around the basket, led with 16 points each.

Farmington’s is home vs. North Fulton today and faces RushvilleIndustry on Monday on the road.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

BOYS HOOPS: Football a college option for Higgs Continued from Page 16

day’s game to thank him for a meeting last summer.

“He’s one of the big reasons Farmington basketball has the history it does,” Higgs said on Nelson.

In recent years, that’s also been true of Higgs.

“His ability to score off the dribble is what has been the most eyecatching thing about him,” Otto said. “Now that he’s able to do that I think he’s starting to realize there’s a lot of things he can do to affect the game.”

That’s been critical for Farmington (17-4).

Against Orion, Higgs tallied 28 and Farmington got 10 from Jarod DePriest and 9 from Jake Uryasz.

“Uryasz had a really good game defensively. He and Judd (Anderson) forced several turnovers that we converted into baskets when we needed them,” Otto said.

And Higgs?

He did what he does best, mixing long shots with mid-range jumpers and drives to the basket.

Higgs added 19 on Tuesday in a 72-29 win over Lewistown.

“He’s a great kid. He’s easy to root for,” Otto said.

Yet Higgs may opt to play football in college after opening eyes with his play at wide receiver.

“I really enjoy both sports,” he said. “I’ve probably got more looks for football at this point, but that may be because basketball season is not over yet. So I’m not sure yet.”

The Farmers are off until a Jan. 31 game at Rushville-Industry.

Brimfield Scoring remains an issue for

Judd Anderson (left) and Jake Uryasz battle for a loose ball with an Orion player last Saturday in a 59-54 win for the Farmers.

Brimfield (10-11), which has lost five straight, including Tuesday’s defeat at Illini Bluffs (62-45) and last Friday’s Homecoming loss vs.

Lewistown (50-35).

“I had heard (Taylor) Bruninga was going to visit Valparaiso Monday,” coach Scott Carlson said. “I was kind of hoping he’d go Tuesday, instead.”

Brimfield outscored I.B. 22-4 in the final quarter.

Against Lewistown, the Indians shot just 25 percent from the field and 18 percent on 3-pointers.

“We didn’t get many steals or touches on defense and the easy ones you get off those tend to help you come out of shooting slumps,” Carlson said.

Brimfield travels to face Bushnell-Prairie City on Friday.

Elmwood You don’t need to tell Elmwood (13-9) about the woes of facing Bruninga and Illini Bluffs. The 6-8 Division I recruit dropped 28 points on the Trojans in the first half last Friday and had 39 in a 75-53 win.

“Did he miss a shot in the first half?” coach Josh Fugitt asked.

“He’s the best player I remember in 1A or 2A in the last 10 years.”

Vince Lenzi had 12 points and Cooper Hoffmann added 11 at I.B. Elmwood fared better Tuesday at home, topping Abingdon-Avon on a last-second shot by Ethan Jehle from the top of the key, 40-38.

Hoffmann led with 12 points and Jehle and Lenzi added 10.

The Trojans travel to Knoxville Friday.

Princeville Princeville (6-11) faced the Lincoln Trail Conference elite last Friday, falling to Annawan, 75-40.

Things got easier Tuesday in a 68-42 home win over Stark County.

Noah Bauman had 19 points and Justin Janssen had 15.

Next up is the LTC Tournament at Stark County, Jan. 26 to Feb. 4.

ROWVA-Williamsfield The Cougars (5-15) dropped a game at Galva last Friday (53-38) and on Tuesday lost at Ridgewood.

Next up is the LTC Tournament.

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Page 15

Page 16

THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, January 26, 2017

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Weekly Post Sports

Princeville girls 2nd in LTC tourney

Guard sets Farmington point mark

By JEFF LAMPE

FARMINGTON – If you were to look over the Farmington basketball team as they stood still for the national anthem, you might not guess which player is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

“If you scan our lineup, he’s probably not the first kid you pick out,” Farmers coach Jeff Otto said. “Until he steps out on the floor and you see him shoot the ball.”

Then it all becomes clear.

As Eric Higgs fires up silky shot after silky shot, you begin to understand why he’s racked up more than 1,700 points to lead the Farmers’ alltime list of scorers.

“His shot is such a pretty looking shot,” Otto said. “But that’s because he’s put so much time into working at it and developing it.”

Last Saturday in a 59-54 win over Orion, Higgs moved past former Farmers standout Seth Nelson (1,674 points) to lead the scoring list. That his go-ahead points came on a Weekly Post Staff Writer

For The Weekly Post

Continued on Page 14

Text Your Scores To (309) 231-6040 or email news@wklypost.com

Higgs atop list

By PHIL JOHNSON

GALVA – Top-seed Princeville came close Saturday, but ultimately could not hold off Annawan off from winning its seventh straight Lincoln Trail Conference Tournament, 42-37.

Down 21-15 at the half, Princeville finished the third period within 26-25, but a strong Annawan fourth kept the title from the Lady Princes.

Karlen Sandall led Princeville with 12 points, while Lucy Waid added nine (and 12 rebounds) and Jessica DeVries had seven.

Princeville got to the championship game last Thursday by way of a close final over pesky Stark County, 42-39.

Marisa Horton-Meza led a balanced scoring attack with 12, while DeVries had 10 and Waid scored nine.

Princeville continued to face strong competition in tournament play last Wednesday in a 43-37 win over Mercer County. Leading the Lady Princes was Horton-Meza’s 16, Sandall’s 11 and Caitlin Pullen’s seven.

Princeville’s very busy schedule

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Eric Higgs became Farmington’s career scoring leader in boys basketball with this shot Saturday in a 59-54 win over Orion at Abingdon. Photo by Dave Giagnoni.

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Prolific Farmers Here are top career scorers in Farmington basketball history, according to records back to 1988.

Player Points *1. Eric Higgs 1,716 2. Seth Nelson 1,674 3. Ryan Welker 1,423 4. Rhet Wierzba 1,256 5. Trey Swearingen, 1,216 6. Clay Richardson 1,182 7. Ben Wierzba 1,089 1,042 8. Bryan Doubet 9. Josh Watznauer 1,040 10. Gavin Welker 1,031 * Still active

drive to the basket is an indication of Higgs’ development.

Early in his career he was known mostly as an outside shooter, with range impressive enough to earn a Class 2A state title in the IHSA 3-point shootout as a sophomore.

But in the two years since, Higgs has made an effort to add strength to his 6-foot, 160-pound frame, and to his game.

“As I’ve gotten older I’ve really focused more on driving to the basket,” said Higgs, who texted Nelson after SaturContinued on Page 15