Thursday May 23, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 14 THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS!

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More help could be coming for flood victims By BILL KNIGHT

Peoria, Knox and 14 other Illinois counties could be declared federal disaster areas as a result of April flooding, according to Gov. Pat Quinn, who on Friday (May 17) requested the designation by President Barack Obama. Quinn asked for Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Warren and Woodford to be added to a May 10 federal disaster declaration for Fulton and 10 other counties hit by the flooding. Damage assessment documentation For The Weekly Post

identified in the 16 counfected. Listen Up FEMA ties 14 homes that were Also, Knox and Peoria Randy Fritz isn’t destroyed and 202 that have higher percentages of thrilled with FEMA’s suffered major damage people in poverty and treatment of Edwards. (losing more than 50% of more elderly than either See Page 5. their value). Almost 300 the state or nation, noted other homes also were afthe report, which accomfected by the floods, which hurt companied Quinn’s request. mercial and industrial enterprises, too. “I want to thank President Obama Just in residential terms, Knox had 4 for his fast approval of our first request homes with major damage, 8 with for federal assistance,” Quinn wrote, minor damage and another 5 adversely “and I urge quick federal approval of affected, according to Jennifer Ricker, this request so people in these counties Chief of Staff at the Illinois Emercan access the critical help they need.” gency Management Agency (IEMA). After the storms last month, Quinn Peoria had 49 homes with major damdeclared 49 of the state’s 102 counties age, 94 with minor damage and 58 afas disaster areas.

Continued on Page 2

Veterans earn deserved thanks

BENEFIT A SUCCESS

Response to flood benefit ‘fantastic’

By JEFF LAMPE

The return home in the late 1960s was often not an easy one for veterans of the Vietnam War. Public support for that war was lukewarm at best. Too often those who came back from serving the country were greeted with the brunt of that negative opinion. Fortunately, times have changed. Whatever the opinion of a war today, there is more widespread appreciation for military service. One such expression of gratitude comes Monday during Memorial Day celebrations around the area, details of which are listed at the end of this story. For Ron Cox of Elmwood, recognition has already come once, and unexpectedly. A Vietnam veteran Elmwood veteran Ron Cox who earned a Silver holds a plaque he received Star during his tour, from the Peoria Chiefs for Cox was honored by his tour of duty in Vietnam. the Peoria Chiefs baseball team at a game this spring. The Chiefs regularly recognize active and retired military members with a Hero of the Day promotion. Cox received $100, a plaque, 10 game tickets and toured the field. “It was really very nice, but I never expected any of this,” said Cox, a retired Caterpillar Inc. worker who now drives an Elmwood school bus. “I think Weekly Post Staff Writer

By BILL KNIGHT

ELMWOOD – The response to a grassroots call for help for Edwards and other victims of April’s flooding was overwhelming, according to organizers Melissa Turner and Julie May, who led volunteers Friday and Saturday when contributors and others filled Elmwood Grade School’s Multi-Purpose Room with furniture, clothing, appliances, toys and appreciation. “I think it’s fantastic,” said Fran Siegel, who with husband Mel was flooded out of their Edwards home and stopped by to pick up mattresses, a microwave and other items. “I love everybody who helped.” A list of those who helped would be long, said Turner, who tried. “EB coaches Todd Hollis and Brad Crisco had football players here both days, unloading and loading, and [grade school principal] Tony Frost helped enormously,” said Turner, who listed the following groups that donated

Obama on May 10 issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois, declaring Fulton and 10 other counties federal disaster areas, releasing federal funds for qualified losses incurred from “severe storms, straightline winds and flooding” that occurred April 16 to May 5. The other counties were Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will. Already, more than 16,000 applications for assistance have been submitted from those counties, according to aides with the offices of State Reps. David Leitch (R-Peoria) and Don Moffitt (R-Gilson), who rep-

For The Weekly Post

items or money: Bridgeway Community Church in Pekin, Dunlap schools, Elmwood Foods, Every Little Thing, Farmers State Bank, Farmington Food Pantry, Elmwood’s First Presbyterian Church, Eileen Huber, Northwoods Community Church, the Oaks Community Church in Dahinda, Peoria Health Department workers, Sam’s Club, Elmwood’s United Methodist Church

Edwards flood victims Fran and Mel Siegel pick up items at a benefit Saturday that packed Elmwood Grade School. Photos by Bill Knight and Julie Kennelly-May.

and David Vaughan of Country Financial. “We were surprised; we really were,” Turner said. “There were even Chillicothe residents who drove over with stuff to give even though their town was hit, too.” May mentioned Farmington Central High School student Emily Altic, who changed her senior project to help with the benefit.

Continued on Page 2

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

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MEMORIAL: Area events scheduled Continued from Page 1

Elmwood veterans gather at a memorial to soldiers in Elmwood Township Cemetery during a celebration last Memorial Day. Photo by Amy Davis.

the word ‘Hero’ is overused a little today.” OK, but there’s nothing wrong with an overdue gesture of thanks. As a 19-year-old, Cox entered the Army in 1968 and after his training was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Tay Ninh Province in Vietnam. He served one year and earned his Silver Star in a battle in March of 1969. Many other deceased veterans have similar stories that will never be told. It is

for them that the following Memorial Day ceremonies are dedicated. • Elmwood Historical Society will have a Memorial Day Continental Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Monday at Lorado Taft Museum at 302 N. Magnolia St. • Elmwood’s Memorial Day parade starts at 10 a.m. with a march from Central Park to Elmwood Township Cemetery and a return to the park where students will read essays A transport bus is available. • Brimfield American Le-

gion Post 452 has a ceremony Monday starting at 11 a.m. at the town’s monument to veterans at the corner of Galena and Route 150. Afterward the Legion Auxiliary will have a light lunch at the Legion Hall. • Williamsfield veterans will visit area cemeteries at 8 a.m. to do a roll call of deceased veterans. A potluck and program will be held at 11 a.m. at the Legion Hall. Veterans will then proceed to Williamsfield Cemetery for another roll call.

No registration fee increase at Brimfield By TERRY BIBO

BRIMFIELD – Registration fees will not increase at Brimfield Unit School District 309 schools in 2013-14. “I was informed we just raised fees last year,” BHS principal Joe Blessman told the school board at its May 15 meeting. “I think my recommendation to the board is that we not raise fees this year.” Despite mounting budget concerns, the board concurred with the incoming school superintendent. As another way of stretching district dollars, Blessman said BGS principal Jeannie Blane is applying for a maintenance grant that could translate to $100,000 in health safety improvements. Potential improvements include For The Weekly Post

new sidewalks with handicap-accessible ramps, replacement windows or new exterior doors. Blessman said the portion of the district tax levy dedicated to life safety improvements equals the $50,000 match. “We can do repair work for 50 cents on the dollar,” he said. “We replaced $100,000 worth of windows with it last year.” Retiring Superintendent Dennis McNamara said it might be a good idea to check with the village to see if there is an opportunity to cooperate with sidewalks leading to the school. “When the kids walk, they have to walk on the side of the road,” McNamara said. He also announced that Blane was named Regional Elementary

Email Terry Bibo at terry.bibo.freelance@gmail.com.

munities made Preliminary Damage Assessment of 4,300 Illinois homes since April 29. “Teams have been tracking communities along rivers in the state,” said Matt Wahl, director of Peoria County’s Planning & Zoning, “from the Des Plaines and Fox Rivers down the Illinois to the Mississippi. We expect a FEMA office to open down here this week.” If the counties are added as expected, residents may apply for help from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program at www.disasterassistance.gov, calling (800) 621-3362, or visiting a FEMA disaster recovery center. Assistance would be in the form

of grants for temporary housing, home repairs, replacement costs and related expenses. Also, the SBA would make low-interest loans available to qualified people for some uninsured losses. Also, local governments could seek partial reimbursement for expenditures, as Quinn is seeking federal assistance to help local governments recoup some costs. U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Schaumburg) is credited with leading the state’s entire Congressional delegation in a bipartisan appeal to Obama for help. U.S. Rep Aaron Schock (R-Peoria), Republican Senator Mark Kirk and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin signed the group’s letter.

Principal of the year by the Illinois Principals Association and said the district has begun updating its job descriptions. “When I went to look at them, they were about 20 years old,” McNamara said. After an executive session to discuss personnel, the board agreed to have president Dave Harmon offer a one-time $40,000 post-retirement bonus to Alan Stufflebeam. The 57-year-old BHS math teacher suffered a severe stroke in March 2012 and has been unable to return to the classroom. After discussion with attorney Dennis Triggs and the teacher’s union, it was determined Stufflebeam’s early retirement and bonus was in everyone’s best interest.

FLOODING: FEMA may open office this week Continued from Page 1

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resent The Weekly Post area. Besides an inundated Edwards, damage in Peoria and Knox counties was listed. Details forwarded to the Oval Office included widespread basement flooding in Knox, extensive backup of sewage and storm runoff in Peoria County basements, and record flooding along the Illinois River. “The disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond state and local capabilities,” said IEMA director Jonathon Monken. Personnel from IEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and affected com-

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

THE WEEK AHEAD HOT PICKS This Week!

s Yates City Alumni Banquet – The Yates City Alumni Banquet All-School Reunion is Saturday, May 25 at the Yates City Community Center. Doors open at 6 p.m., meal is at 6:30. Tickets $15 per person. Reservations required. Call (309) 358-1467 or email ycalumnibanquet@yahoo.com. s Reading program – Registration runs through Saturday for the Summer Reading program at Morrison & Mary Wiley Library in Elmwood. The program starts June 7 and is open to children age 4 as of June 1 through sixth grade. Email elmlib@elmnet.net.

This Week’s Events

s Craft program – A mother-daughter craft program will be held May 23 at 6 p.m. at Morrison & Mary Wiley Library in Elmwood. Make a flower vase.

Future Events

s Poetry reading – George Tanner will read poetry at Morrison & Mary Wiley Library in Elmwood on May 30 at 6:30 p.m. No registration required. s Peoria SWCD sales – The Peoria County Soil and Water Conservation District is taking orders for 16 varieties of prairie plants. To make an order or to receive order forms call (309) 6717040, Ext. 3 or visit peoriacountyswcd.tripod.com. All plugs are being sold for $2 each. The order deadline is May 31st and pickup will be June 14. s St. Jude Fund Raiser – Barb McKown is organizing a St. Jude

Fundraiser Saturday, June 1 at the American Legion Hall in Brimfield. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the band Sailing Cashews plays at 7 p.m. Cost is $10 for dinner and $10 at the door for the band. s St. Jude Benefit – The 11th annual My Place St. Jude Benefit Run event is June 8 in Yates City. The allday event starts with breakfast from 710:30 a.m. and a 5K run/walk at 7. The rest of the day includes carnival games, a benefit ride, a tractor drive, a bags tournament, a benefit auction and plenty of food. Donations are welcome. To learn more call Jody or Sharon at (309) 358-2003. s Elmwood St. Jude Run – Anyone interested in running the Elmwood to Peoria St. Jude Run in the first week of August should contact Lynn Tannock at (309) 303-2411.

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25th Annual Strawberry Fest June 1 ELMWOOD – Elmwood will hold its 25th annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 1. In addition to strawberry pie, shortcake, pizza, sundaes and other strawberry delicacies, the day-long event includes entertainment, food, craft booths and a car show. The morning kicks off with the Elmwood Fire Department’s Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the firehouse on North Magnolia Street from 6-10 a.m. Antique and show cars will begin lining Elmwood’s Main Street at 8 a.m. and 50 or more crafters will be selling their items during the craft show also starting at 8 a.m. and running throughout the day. A Hula Hoop Contest will be held at 12:30 pm. Kids will have fun in the Kids Corner, which includes kid’s games and pony rides. The Food Tent is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and featurers butterfly pork

chops, beef BBQ, hot dogs, brats and many strawberry treats. LaMar Harris, the “One Man Band,” will begin the day-long entertainment at 10 a.m. Other entertainers throughout the day include Scott Wattles and The Blue Suede Crew with their Rock ‘N Roll Revue Show, and Matt Barber returns for his second year in a row singing Sinatra and Manilow songs. Nashville Recording Artist Chris Krause will end the evening with a two hour concert starting at 5 p.m. New this year are the Dancing Dogs and More Show, a Canine Musical Freestyle Demo from Peoria Obedience Training Club and the Brown’s Oakridge Zoo from Smithfield. The Heartland Cloggers are also new and, as always, the Rainbow Cloggers will be featured during the day. For more information about the festival call Pat McGuire at (309) 7428272 or visit www.elmwoodil.com.

Illinois Central College Wants YOUR Input! Illinois Central College will host meetings in four communities to assess interest in offering college courses in Elmwood, Brimfield, Farmington and Princeville. ICC representatives will gather community input on ICC’s role in each community, share information about degree and certificate completion programs, and announce the fall schedule for classes in the area. Meetings will be from 6- 7 p.m. on the following dates and locations: • Tuesday, June 4, Elmwood High School, 301 W. Butternut Street • Thursday, June 6, Brimfield High School, 323 E. Clinton Street • Tuesday, June 11, Farmington High School, 310 Lightfoot Road • Tuesday, June 25, Princeville High School, 302 Cordis Avenue

Illinois Central College will also be represented at the Elmwood Strawberry Festival on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Princeville Heritage Days, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact icconline@icc.edu, 309-694-8888 We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

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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 Website – www.wklypost.com (Under construction) Office Hours – Mon-Wed 9-5, Thurs 9-12, Fri 9-4 News – Jeff Lampe 231-6040 Classifieds – Shelly Brodine 741-9790 Advertising – Steve Neal 696-6130 Contributors – Mit Beres, Terry Bibo, Keith Butterfield, Melinda Cote, Amy Davis, Kasey Eberle, Jon Gallagher, Bill Knight, Crystal Prahl and Gabbie Sloan Deadlines – News due Tuesdays by noon. Retail ads and classifieds due Mondays by noon. Circulation – The paper is delivered via mail for free in Brimfield, Dahinda Edwards, Elmwood, Kickapoo, Laura, Oak Hill, Williamsfield and Yates City. Subscriptions are available outside the communities listed above. A one-year subscription is $100. Obituaries, Births, Weddings – Forms are available at our office at 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood. Quote of the Week: – “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.”

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Of bullfrogs, baseball and clock towers

Rambling through west-central Illinois pondering bluegill and bullfrogs. uuu A lengthy career of being wrong prepared me well for my first meeting with Carolyn Dean of ElmJeff wood. She visLAMPE ited the office to say hello and then, very politely, told me the error of my ways. Specifically, “Dahinda means bullfrog.” In a column a few weeks ago I said the town name came from a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem. Not so says Carolyn, who helped research the name for a Knox County Scenic Drive booklet. ... To me that raises a question: Why isn’t there a special festival in Dahinda on June 15? That’s opening day of bullfrog season in Illinois and I for one would gladly attend FrogFest. Bet the Mayor of Oak Hill would come too. I bet The Mayor even has a story about “the big frog that got away.” ... For those scoring at home, you are

allowed eight frogs per day and can use the following to obtain your Kermits: hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand or landing net. No shotguns. uuu Spoke to a fellow who told me the city of Elmwood had to be rich or dumb, maybe both. Why? We were paying to build a clock tower along with “those fancy new sidewalks downtown.” Hmm. Just for the record, the two are separate. The sidewalk is part of a streetscaping project that should see most sidewalks poured in time for Elmwood’s 25th annual Strawberry Festival on June 1. The clock tower is part of a building being built by Doug Whitney, who already has the clock in possession and says it can play a whole repertoire of songs and chimes – if city fathers give the OK. Hey, if we can put up with a fire whistle we can surely live with chimes. ... If Fred Lantz or Roger Woodcock tell me one more story about how good bluegill fishing is right now I will explode with jealousy. uuu Thanks to you kind readers. The only person who complained

about the lack of answers to our first crossword puzzle last week was my wife. We won’t make that mistake again. ... Unfortunately, the constraints of a tight 12-page issue (maybe our last 12-pager) left many newsworthy items on the cutting floor. So in our next issue look for: Elmwood scholarship winners, baseball and softball pictures, graduation pictures and a handful more interesting stories by the unstoppable Bill Knight. uuu Summer’s almost here and bats will soon be pinging on diamonds everywhere. For my money, there’s no better place to watch a game than in downtown Kickapoo – where games have been played since 1920 according to the “Kickapoo Sesquicentennial” book given me by Annie Snider. According to that history book, some folks grumbled about turning town square into ball diamonds. Odd that. I can’t imagine Kickapoo without its baseball. ... Parting Shot: I bet a guy with the middle name Wadsworth got picked on even in the 1800s. Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com

Freedom of expression a reason for thanks Two weeks ago, I wrote an article indicating that two reasons to be thankful in Elmwood are the Elmwood Kiwanis Club and all the previous members who have been in the club since 1924. There are many more reaGene sons to be VAUGHAN thankful, most of which we Americans take for granted. For example, I am thankful that I live in a country where I can freely express my opinion. Speaking of opinions, it seems like we are hearing many negative ones nowadays.

ULM

As we read current information, we often see the words “scam” and “scandal.” I looked up the word “scam” in my dictionary and it wasn’t there. I googled it, however, and there it was. As we all know, we can find the answer to everything on the internet. Scam was defined as “a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, especially for making a quick profit, swindle, to cheat or defraud.” I went on to look up “swindle”. It is defined as “to cheat.” This led me to look up “scheme,” which is defined as “an underhand plot.” As I read a recent article about the IRS, I just had to look up the

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word “scandal.” Please look that one up yourself. The same article used the word “boneheaded.” Look that one up, too! The same article had the following statement, “A healthy democracy demands a system in which citizens can trust that their government does not punish political dissenters.” That word “trust” is a very good word. Before I write something cynical, I’ll stop here. Oh, by the way, I’m thankful that we can write words like “boneheaded” in American newspapers, and I’m thankful for all the veterans who have guaranteed that privilege for me!

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GUEST VOICES

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Let’s treat Los Angeles like Edwards I see that, for about the eighth time in the past 10 years, there are huge brush fires in California, whipped up by the annual Santa Ana Winds (which can blow in excess of a hundred miles an hour), especially in the L.A. area. Houses and entire neighborhoods burn. The Los Angeles area is Randy also prone to FRITZ mud slides (when it happens to rain). The metropolitan area also sits atop one of the worst fault lines in the world, where there hasn’t been a major earthquake for too long (say the seismologists). Oh, and: the L.A. basin is basically a desert. All of us, as loyal American taxpayers, are subsidizing this mess, of course. The homes get built farther and farther into the canyons, making them more prone to everything from mud-through-theback-door to incineration and – it wouldn’t surprise me – plagues of locusts (actually, that’s the East Coast right now). In spite of that, government-underwritten insurance pays these people to rebuild on their current homesites while others, buying that same insurance (which is underwritten by government because no insurance company would touch it), build ever farther into the mud and fire danger zones. Rewind to 1993: the location is Appleton, Ill., which was situated about 12 miles east of Galesburg, just north of US Route 150. That was, of course, the year of the “Great Flood,” a.k.a. the “500Year Flood.” Appleton, which was then little more than a few houses and a fire station, was flooded because it was somewhat low-lying,

located near a creek and hemmed in by the Santa Fe railroad tracks. FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), in its glory and arrogance, muscled in and declared: “this town is prone to floods, we must move it to higher ground.” Which, within a year, they did. If you lived in that small town you could elect to stay there but you would receive no future federal money, none of the “moving money,” and you would no longer be eligible for flood insurance. Of course, nobody stayed – I don’t blame them. Can you guess where I’m going? This poor little town, which had no political connections whatsoever (Reagan had the gall to be born 60 or 70 miles north), found itself thoughtlessly relocated. Did it have historical significance? Were there ties or memories for residents? I honestly don’t know but the feds didn’t care. And this just because the place was flooded for the first time in anyone’s memory. So now we see poor Edwards in the same situation. Do those residents have the bad luck of living where flooding is possible? No, quite frankly: they have the misfortune of lacking political power. So, U.S. government, do this: after the current crisis is over (if it ever is), relocate L.A. like you did Appleton and are trying with Edwards. Get it away from the mud, the floods, the fires, the winds, and that nasty little San Andreas business that runs through it. Also, move it closer to the water it sucks out of the rest of California, Oregon, Washington and most other western states (maybe Fresno would like a few more residents). “Hey, citizens of L.A., this is your FEMA talking. Either move

with the city or face the prospect of no federal dollars and no possibility of future insurance for your dwellings. Move now or you’re outta luck.” If it’s good enough for Appleton (and Keithsburg, and now Edwards, and a bunch of other small towns in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri), then it’s good enough for L.A. Ever heard of the 14th Amendment? There’s something about “equal protection of the laws” in there, I believe. In fact, it makes much more sense to relocate L.A. with its annual wraths of God than Appleton and Edwards, which had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time just once. Am I being facetious? Well, yes, sort of. What I’m trying to say, really, is that if the good citizens of Edwards want to live there who is the U.S. government to come along and just move them out with, apparently, very little thought about what the residents want (any more than any other place)? But maybe FEMA and other federal agencies should step in and say, to the idiots building in the canyons and the forests of southern California: “go ahead and build there if you want, but do so at your own risk. We’re not insuring you under any circumstances and when it burns (or shakes or whatever); it’s you’re problem, not ours. When the news cameras come by and document the tears you’re shedding for your loss, don’t act like you didn’t know. Oh, and, by the way: when that big shaker comes, and it will, it’s not the job of the U.S. taxpayers to bail your butts out. You know the dangers of living there. Better plan for that yourselves, too.

Whatever happened to Big Frank’s stories?

To The Editor: Where’s Frank Mavetz’s column in The Weekly Post? Don’t tell me he has run out of stories already. Have to love any publication that uses a Charlie Brown “Quote of the Week” as you did a few weeks back. And Dave Lampe’s letter to the editor was spot on! – Joe Bates, Washington Joe – We plan to start printing more of Big Frank’s Mavetz’s stories again soon. No, we’re certain he has not run out of stories. We

just have not had much space in the paper these past few weeks. But we hope to address that problem soon.

Thanks for puzzles!

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To the Editor: I love reading The Weekly Post and now a Super Crossword and Sudoku too! Great job! Looking forward to the website also! – Drea Gallagher, Edwards Drea – We have hired a new computer guru (Anthony Dust of Edwards) to help us get our Web presence up to speed. Look for

positive changes soon!

Letters Policy

The Weekly Post welcomes letters from readers. Email us at editor@wklypost.com or mail to: Letters, The Weekly Post, P.O. Box 745, Elmwood, IL 61529. Include your first and last name, your full home address, home phone and a phone number where you can be reached during the day. Letters should be no more than 300 words and must be signed. Longer letters may be used for Other Voices. Letters will be edited and may be used in print or electronic form.

ATTENTION

Brimfield Residents The Village of Brimfield will be flushing hydrants on:

Thursday, May 23rd and Friday May 24th

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

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PUBLIC RECORD Brimfield prowler report

BRIMFIELD – Valerie Mushrush, 53, of Brimfield called police about 10 p.m. May 11 to report a possible prowler and a power outage after hearing voices outside her home. Sheriff’s officers and Ameren employees responded and found the power had been cut off because someone had tampered with a circuit breaker.

Attempted burglary report

ELMWOOD – Duane Coe of Dahinda on May 17 reported an attempted burglary at a property in the 300 block of W. Fremont, according to Elmwood police. Officers noticed a broken window and damage to door locks and are continuing to investigate.

Tractor caught in wires

BRIMFIELD – Richard Shane, 64, of Brimfield was driving a 2012 John Deere 8335RT tractor in the 7000 block of North Kickapoo-Edwards Road near Interstate 74 when it snagged low-hanging electrical wires, according to the Peoria Sheriff’s Department.

There were no injuries and the tractor was driven from the scene.

Deer-vehicle mishaps

Micheal Goodley, 61, of Milan on May 15 was driving his 2000 Cadillac westbound on U.S. Route 150 near Trigger Road in Rosefield Township when he struck a deer in the road. Jennifer Anderson, 38, of Brimfield on May 16 was driving her 2006 Chevrolet eastbound on Interstate 74 and struck a deer. Brimfield Fire Department responded, but Anderson declined medical treatment.

Cars keyed at concert

ELMWOOD – At least two Elmwood vehicles were damaged in the Elmwood High School parking lot during the 5th and 6th grade Spring Concert May 14, according to police reports. Theresa Bristol’s 2008 Chevrolet Impala and Tab Schmick’s 2007 Ford Explorer both had been scratched some time that evening. Police are investigating.

Police Reports

• Bookings – James Ennis, 40, of Brimfield on May 14 was booked

on charges of driving on a revoked license, according to the Peoria Sheriff’s Department. Leroy Toebbe, 48, of Edwards on May 14 was arrested by the Peoria Police Department and booked in the County Jail on a charge of residential burglary. • Disorderly conduct – Michael Schaub, 43, of Edwards on May 15 was issued a Notice To Appear on a charge of disorderly conduct after a confrontation with his uncle, 67-year-old Hugo Schaub of Brimfield, according to the Peoria Sheriff’s Department. Officers instructed Michael Schaub to not have any contact with Hugo Schaub until the court date on June 19. • False alarms – Police on May 15 and May 16 were summoned to Farmers State Bank, where a holdup alarm had been triggered. There was no break-in, and the cause for the alarm being tripped was unknown, according to bank personnel.

Marriage Licenses

Rebecca Pommerville, 30, of Brimfield, and Matthew Vanantwerp, 24, of Brimfield.

Elmwood schools facing $536,836 deficit By BILL KNIGHT

Elmwood schools will save about $8,000 by switching insurers for For The Weekly Post

the next fiscal year, but that may be a drop in the bucket at a time the district faces a deficit of up to $536,836. The board of education at its Monday meeting approved changing insurance providers from Indiana Insurance to Selective Insurance and modifying policy terms. Renewing with Indiana would have cost the dis-

trict $91,891, up 9.6 percent from this year. Selective, a New Jersey firm offered through independent agents, gave a quote of $83,155. The board voted unanimously to OK the move, except secretary Bill Frietsch, who was absent. Meanwhile, Superintendent Roger Alvey presented a budget report and projections that

showed a possible deficit of more than half a million dollars, which would draw down working cash accounts from $728,531 at the beginning of this fiscal year on July 1, 2012, to $382,087 at its end, on June 30. Some budget change is due to delayed payments from the state of Illinois and a pending $40,000 Clean Energy grant, which total $131,915.29 and “most likely” will be paid to the district in the 2014 fiscal year, said Alvey. He added,“if that’s received, the deficit would be reduced to about $400,000.” That is the potential Continued on Page 9

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

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OBITUARIES Ronald Aman

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GERMANTOWN HILLS – Ronald E. Aman, 80, an Edwards native living in Germantown Hills died on May 17 at Mercy Medical Center, in Clinton, Iowa. He was active in the Edwards and Kickapoo baseball teams. Graveside services, with military rites, were scheduled for Wednesday (May 22) in Cottonwood Cemetery in Edwards. The Wilton Mortuary in Peoria was in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.

Frances M. Arrenholz

GLASFORD – Frances M. Arrenholz, 84, of Glasford died May 18 at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria. Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life will be Thursday (May 23) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Maple Lane Country Club in Elmwood.

Susan Bedwell

ELMWOOD – Susan L. Bedwell, 63, of Elmwood died May 12 at her residence. Born March 29, 1950, to Robert and Alice Foster Halsted, she married Terry D. Bedwell on Sept. 30, 1967, in Edwards. He survives, along with her mother, Alice Halsted of Farmington; son, Troy Bedwell of Princeville; daughter, Jamie Bedwell of Elmwood; grandchildren, Ashley and Tanner; and brother, Robert (Joyce) Halsted of Pinckneyville. Cremation was accorded. A celebration of life was held May 18 at the Farmington Moose lodge. Offer condolences at csmico.com.

John Doran Sr.

PEORIA – John E. “Bobo” Doran Sr., 67, of Peoria, brother of an Elmwood woman, died on May 15 at his residence. He is survived by his sons, John Doran Jr. of Peoria, Donald (Brandy) Doran of Rolla, Mo., Bryon Scott (Lisa) Doran of Pekin, Thomas (Marnie) Doran of Springfield and Dale Edward (Lindsie) Doran of Morton; 19 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Sharon Stear of Elmwood, Phyllis (Earl) Melton of Bartonville, Pat Birch of Peo-

Today’s Obituaries

• Ronald Aman, 80, Germantown Hills • Frances M. Arrenholz, 84, Glasford • Susan Bedwell, 63, Elmwood • John Doran St., 67, Peoria • Twila Ketcham, 67, Farmington • Larry Page, Fort Myers, Fla. • Wendy Poland, 66, Galesburg • Mary Ralston, 99, Peoria • Gale Sherman, 77, Yates City

ria, Linda (David) Bell of Peoria and Marianne (Mike) Cannon of Peoria; and brother Raymond (Connie) Doran of Peoria. Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of life is 5-7 p.m. Thursday (May 23) at the Eagles Club, 1704 E. Lane in Peoria. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Peoria. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com.

Twila Ketcham

FARMINGTON – Twila J. Ketcham, 67, of Farmington, sister of an Elmwood man, died May 18 at Farmington Country Manor. She is survived by two sons, Craig Ketcham of Peoria and Patrick Ketcham of Farmington; and two brothers, Melvin Brewer of Elmwood and Ervin “Ernie” Brewer of Peoria. Cremation rites were accorded. There will be a visitation from 6-8 p.m. Friday (May 24) at AndersonSedgwick Funeral Home in Farmington. Burial will be at a later date in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Farmington. Post condolences at www.sedgwick-funeralhomes.com.

Larry Page

ELMWOOD – Larry Curtis Page, formerly of Elmwood, died Thursday, March 21 at his residence in Fort Myers, Fla. Cremation was

EDWARDS Christ Alive! Community Church Pastor Lance Zaerr 9320 W US Highway 150 Edwards (309) 231-8272 www.christalivecc.com Sun. School: 9:15 am Worship: 10:30 am

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accorded and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.

Wendy Poland

GALESBURG – Wendolyn M. “Wendy” Poland, 66, of Galesburg, sister of an Elmwood man and a Maquon man, died May 16 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Bradley W. (and Jan) Poland of Monroe, Iowa, and Kenneth D. (and Valerie) Wallace of Highland, Ind.; eight grandchildren; and two brothers, Jon Gallagher of Elmwood and Gilbert (and Linda) Lewis of Maquon. Her funeral was planned for Monday (May 20) at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, with burial in East Linwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Mary Ralston

PEORIA – Mary Ralston, 99, of St. Sharbel Village in Peoria, grandmother and mother-in-law of Kickapoo women, died May 12 at Rosewood Care Center. Surviving are her daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Kent (Jack) Negley of Dunlap; her daughter-inlaw, Beverly Ralston of Kickapoo; five granddaughters and 10 greatgrandchildren. A memorial service was planned for May 18 at Northwoods Community Church. Mary’s story is at www.davisonfulton-bartonvillechapel.com.

Gale Sherman

YATES CITY – Gale L. Sherman, 77, of Yates City, died May 13. Cremation was accorded. A memorial service and celebration of life were planned for Friday (May 24) at the First United Presbyterian Church and the Yates City Community Center in Yates City. Condolences may be sent using www.peoriafuneral.com.

Church Listings ELMWOOD Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St., Elmwood (309) 830-4259 Sun. Worship: 10:30 am

YATES CITY Faith United Presbyterian Church Rev. Chris Deacon 107 W. Bishop St. Yates City, IL 61572 (309) 358-1170 Worship: 9 am Sun. School: 10:15 am Thurs. Choir: 7:30 pm

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

Page 9

1. HISTORY: Who was the last president of the Soviet Union? 2. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: What famous writer once said, "Any idiot can face a crisis -- it's day to day living that wears you out"? 3. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of South Carolina? 4. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What are the wild dogs of Australia called? 5. BUSINESS: What company's slogan is, "Don't leave home without it"? 6. ASTRONOMY: What is our solar system's sun composed of? 7. HOLIDAYS: When was Mother's Day declared a national U.S. holiday? 8. THEATER: What city was the setting for the original "The Phantom of the Opera"? 9. COMICS: What comic strip had an imaginary character called "Stupendous Man"? 10. WAR: What was the last former Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union after the Civil War?

FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 8

Answers 1. Mikhail Gorbachev 2. Anton Chekhov 3. Columbia 4. Dingos 5. American Express 6. 98 percent hydrogen and helium 7. 1914 8. Paris 9. Calvin and Hobbes 10. Georgia (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

SCHOOL BOARD: Discussion of bus fleet options Continued from Page 8

gain from a county-wide School Facilities Sales Tax on the ballot in a March 2014 referendum. “People will want to know how that money would be spent,” Alvey said, “and we have to be clear that it can only be used for facilities and paying off debt. Our focus will continue to be on education. If it passes, it would generate more than $400,000 annually for us [in Elmwood].” The board continues to investi-

gate and discuss options for the bus fleet, and possibilities range from buying used buses from other school districts to leasing buses after selling the fleet of aging vehicles. After consulting with one company, Alvey said a few buses are valued at less than $1,500. “Buses depreciate rather quickly,” he said. In other business, elementary school principal Tony Frost said air conditioners for the grade school had been installed – which

cost about $12,000 for equipment, materials and installation. And president Tom Conklin named committees. They are: Building – Mark Davis, Frietsch (chair) and Terri Osmulski; Curriculum/Education – Dean Cantu (chair), Conklin and Veronica Haskell; and Finance – Conklin (chair), Rick LeHew and Osmulski. The board went in to executive session to conclude its meeting, but took no action on those deliberations.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

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Elmwood approves assisted living project By BILL KNIGHT

ELMWOOD – Elmwood’s City Council on Tuesday unanimously granted a special use ordinance for an assistedliving facility at Fairground Acres. It was OK’d by the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals on For The Weekly Post

May 14, and stipulations on landscaping, and limits on both parking and the size of the free-standing sign were included. Developer Tom Meyers of Elmwood Development Company said the project could be done this year. The council also unanimously voted for to have Peoria County replace street signs to comply with new standards from the Federal Highway Ad-

ministration. The total cost will be $46,092, according to Mayor J.D. Hulslander, and the city will pay 10 percent. The council discussed but took no action on a suggestion for the city to be annexed into the Elmwood Rural Fire Protection District (ERFPD). In attendance were Elmwood Fire Chief Chad Jordan and ERFPD trustee Dave Wagner, who said they’d discuss

FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 8

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the idea with their organizations. ERFPD’s trustees, appointed by the Peoria County Board, are Wagner, Daniel Bowhay and Thomas Shissler. In other business, the council accepted plans from Elmwood Development Company engineer Scott Hobart for Fairground Acres’ Extension 5, an area of 15 lots in the center of the subdivision.

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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, May 23, 2013

Page 11 NEW LISTINGS! 1207 W. Armstrong, Peoria - $164,900 Updated charmer w/original woodwork, hdwd, completely renovated. Beautiful fenced bkyd w/pergola, 3-level patio, hot tub. Meticulous!

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538 N Jefferson, Brimfield - $133,000 - REDUCED! 3BR/1.5BA Move-in condition, all new windows, finished lower level with office space, heated garage.

9364 W Lake Camelot, Mapleton - $174,500 - NEW PRICE! Well maintained 3BR/2BA ranch with new 3 season room, hot tub, deck, walkout basement & private backyard

REGIONAL REVIEW: Clockwise from left are Tyler Doubet of Williamsfield-Galva (Photo by Kathy Wight), Matt Dwyer of Brimfield-Elmwood and Hannah Huber of B-E (Photos by Crystal Prahl). Look for more photographs and season recaps for baseball and softball teams in our upcoming issues

1405 N Autumn Lane, Peoria - $108,000 3BR/2BA Ranch, fresh paint & flooring, Attached garage, quiet street

1777 N Route 26, Metamora - $112,500 2+ Acres, 3BR/1.5BA, MF Laundry, wooded backyard PENDING: 205 W. Independence, East Peoria - $163,000 SOLD: 4610 Weaverridge Blvd., Peoria - $213,150 9625 W. Littlefield, Mapleton - $114,000

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mariah Dunniway, Brimfield

Track and cross country runner, Mariah Dunniway, can be described as a determined, quiet, and hard working student-athlete. The junior from Brimfield High School has been running since she was in seventh grade. Mariah ran three miles in 19:01 minutes, making it her personal best in cross country. Her best in track was 2:39 minutes running the 800. Mariah recently competed at the state meet with the Elmwood-Brimfield 4x800 relay. She refers to her friends and her coaches as her biggest motivation to become a successful runner. Dunniway always listens to motivational music on her way to cross country and track meets. The boys and the girls on Mariah’s teams are her inspiration and motivation every day in practices and meets. A great deal of credit is also given her coaches, Coach Davis and Coach Morse, for encouraging her to do her best. Mariah has many other interests aside from running track and cross country. One of her favorite foods is cheesy potatoes. She also likes bread and pasta the night before her meets. In her P.E. class, Mariah’s favorite games include playing soccer and kickball. Outside of school, the junior enjoys playing basketball with her friends. Mariah’s favorite quote is, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” In 10 years from now, Mariah hopes to have a career in nursing with cancer patients. Her advice to others is that pain is only a temporary thing. For other athletes she says, “Always have a positive mental attitude. A poor mental attitude can break you or your team down fast.” To her, being a Brimfield Lady Indian means that she needs to always be representing her school and her team not only by what she does in practice, but also the way she acts and behaves off the track

Kickapoo youth baseball and softball teams enjoyed an opening day event last Saturday that included tball and pony league games, food and a “Kickapoo Style” tailgate. Photo by Bill Knight

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TRACK: Relay has potential Continued from Page 12

The 4x800 relay consists of Jake Osmulski, Collin Reichenecker, Ben Adkins and Ian Armbruster. Osmulski, Reichenecker and Adkins were on the 4x800 that went 8:04.14 at state last year to finish second to Monticello. “They have the potential. Now they have to go run a good race,” Coach Gregg Meyers said. At girls state, senior Katelynn Fricke had a time of 5:43.50 for the prelims of the 1600. Fricke placed 19th in the 3,200. The girls 4x800 relay (Mariah Dunniway, Olivia Althiser, Jordan McCoy and Gab Nelson) placed sixth in its heat in 10:27.20. “The relay ran good,

not great. And at state you can’t get anywhere just running good,” Coach Brett Morse said.

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Billtown wins regional By JEFF LAMPE

VARNA – All spring, the potential was there. Armed with two hardthrowing pitchers in brothers James and Tyler Doubet, everyone knew Williamsfield-Galva could be a postseason threat in Class 1A baseball. Last week in Varna the promise became reality as the Doubets helped lift W-G (13-7) to a pair of 10-0 wins and the first baseball regional title for either school in the coop. “I am so happy for them,” Coach Charlie Sams said. “This is something they will remember the rest of their Weekly Post Staff Writer

lives – especially being the first time in either school’s history.” Junior Tyler Doubet (4-2) got the win in the title game, striking out eight and allowing no hits or walks to down Stark County 10-0. He got plenty of support from James Sams and James Doubet, who each had two hits and two RBIs. Collin Landis also had two hits in the regional title game. “We also had two successful squeeze bunts, so we did a lot of little things,” Sams said. “You’ve got to have kids who are good to win games.” Hard-throwing pitch-

ers help too. Senior James Doubet (6-1) was every bit as impressive as his younger brother in a 10-0 regional win over Princeville. He fanned 11 and walked one and added three hits– as did James Sams and Logan Smith, who also had three RBIs. James Doubet leads W-G in batting average at .547. Next up for Williamsfield was a sectional semifinal meeting with Illini Bluffs Wednesday at Illinois Wesleyan at 6 p.m. The winner of that game advances to Saturday’s sectional final at 11 a.m. against the winner of Lexington vs. Woodhull AlWood.

Williamsfield-Galva baseball players start celebrating after a 10-0 win over Stark County on Saturday that handed the schools their first regional baseball championship. Photo by Annette Sams.

TITLE GAME WOES

Top-seeded Brimfield teams fall in regionals By JEFF LAMPE

BRIMFIELD – The ball diamonds at Brimfield went silent last Saturday in a span of under six hours. First the Brimfield-Elmwood baseball team suffered a 3-0 loss to Annawan-Wethersfield (25-7) in the morning. Then the B-E softball team fell to rival Farmington, 5-3 in the afternoon game. So ended a promising Class 2A postseason for both B-E teams which had been seeded first in their regionals. The main problem for the Indians baseball team was Wethersfield junior left-hander Matt Jenkins, who held B-E (20-8) to three hits. On the season Jenkins is 8-2 with a 1.31 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 64.3 innings. On Saturday he outdueled Matt Dwyer, who “pitched well enough to win” according to B-E coach Steve Paxson. Weekly Post Staff Writer

“(Jenkins) was really good,” Paxson said. “When a kid comes out with a performance like that you’ve got to tip your hat to him and say, ‘Good job.’” Four days earlier in the semifinal B-E had rolled past Kewanee 8-1 behind four RBIs from Jason Harkness – who hit his seventh home run of the year – and a strong outing Baseball and softball seasons didn’t end as planned for Brimfield-Elmwood last by pitcher Nick Jehle. Jehle took a no-hitter into Saturday in a pair of regional championship losses. Photo by Crystal Prahl. the seventh. “Nick pitched a great 4 with two doubles and three game and he really ended up RBIs for Farmington and broke doing a good job on the mound open a 2-2 tie in the fifth with a for us toward the end of the two-run double. year,” Paxson said. Florey also came in to pitch in The softball loss was tough to relief after B-E scored two runs swallow for B-E (22-8) and in the first. She struck out 13 and could also be attributed to one allowed just three hits, including main factor: Morgan Florey. a solo homerun by Ryleigh Keith At the plate Florey went 2-for- in the sixth inning.

Isbell, relay headed to state By GABBIE SLOAN

Maybe it should come as no surprise that a school known for cross country excellence also turns out state-caliber distance runners in track. That was the case once again last weekend for the ElmwoodBrimfield boys and girls track teams. The boys team competed in the Class 1A State Track Sherrard Sectional on FriElmwood-Brimday while girls runners were in Charleston for the field’s 4x800 relay should run its semifiClass 1A State Meet. nal heat about 11 a.m. While several E-B boys Thursday at Eastern participated in the secIllinois University in tional, only the 4x800 Charleston. Finals are relay and Noah Isbell are Saturday morning for headed to this weekend’s the relay and for Noah Class 1A boys state meet. Isbell. Isbell placed second in the 3,200 at Sherrard with a time of 10:07.27. The 4x800 won in a time of 8:19.74, beating MonmouthRoseville by .22 seconds. The relay is ranked fourth out of all the state qualifiers while Isbell is ranked 31st. “I didn’t run a very good race,” said Isbell, who qualified for state for the first time this year. “My goal is to improve my time at state.”

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Weekly Post Staff Writer

Continued on Page 11