The Weekly Post
Thursday May 31, 2018 Vol. 6, No. 14 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Area roads, bridges to get facelifts By BILL KNIGHT
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday announced a plan to fix Illinois roads and bridges with a $11.05 billion investment over the next six years, and The Weekly Post area will see several sites that get attention. Among the planned projects are Interstate 74 from east of Illinois Route 78 to For The Weekly Post
This bridge on Brimfield Jubilee Road is one of several in the area scheduled to see repairs. Photo by Emmie Crisco.
west of Kickapoo/Edwards Road; resurfacing on 11.2 miles, a new bridge deck, bridge repair and a bridge superstructure at Bell School Road; and a new bridge deck and bridge repair at Maher Road are programmed during FY 2020-2024 at a cost of $22.3 million, IDOT says. “Our old strategy was like buying a new car and then not changing the oil, and just
wait until the car just stopped running, and then buy a new car,” Rauner said at an appearance at McCluggage Bridge in Peoria. All part of the Illinois Department of Transportation's Multi-Year Proposed Highway Improvement Program, the projects’ funding includes $2.2 billion of state and federal dollars in the upcoming fiscal year, Rauner’s office
said. Other highlights from IDOT include: • $5.7 million to rehab and replace a bridge deck on I-74 over Spoon River and Township Road 238A in Knox County; • $3.9 million to rehab and replace a bridge deck on I-74 over Brimfield Road; • $1.2 million to buy land, Continued on Page 10
DAHINDA GENERAL STORE
Store reborn Dahinda business sells local products and baked goods By JEFF LAMPE
DAHINDA – From the colorful flowers on the new deck out front to the inviting smell of baked goods inside, it’s obvious things have changed dramatically at the old Dahinda General Store. After decades of serving as dusty storage space and an afterthought in this quiet town, the General Store has undergone a remarkable renaissance thanks to locals Andrew Fritz, 35, and Lacy Niebuhr, 30. In addition to fresh goods from Niebuhr’s Made With Love Bakery, shelves and walls inside the freshly Weekly Post Staff Writer
Andrew Fritz of Dahinda (right) and Lacy Niebuhr (middle) have breathed life into the old Dahinda General Store. Gwen Huls (far left) works in the store, which sells baked goods and local products. Photo by Jeff Lampe.
painted and inviting 102-year-old building are stocked with a variety of “locally grown, locally sourced and locally built” products, according to Fritz. “It’s a model I really believe in,” Fritz said. “I believe in knowing
who your grower is and who your farmer is.” There’s also value in knowing your baker, which is why Fritz contacted Niebuhr after acquiring the building last December. Niebuhr Continued on Page 2
Proposed food stamp cut could hurt rural areas By BILL KNIGHT
Anti-hunger advocates are concerned that proposed changes to the nation’s food-stamp system could mean people made ineligible for aid will turn to area food pantries for help. “Our numbers would go up,” said Kathy Stahl of the Brimfield Area Food Pantry. “If there are [cutbacks], volunteer and faith-based groups will try to fill the gaps. Already, a lot of our clients fall into a gray area and aren’t For The Weekly Post
getting food stamps and need the staples – people with medical issues or retired.” Jeanette Wennemacher of the Peoria Area Food Bank agreed, saying, “Any additional influx of people in need because of the lack of food stamps will only exacerbate an already difficult job. “We struggle year after year to keep up with demand as it is,” she continued, “including securing funding to keep the operation running, the lights
on, heating and cooling, equipment and vehicle maintenance, etc.” And though a bill with the changes on May 18 failed in the House of Representatives, 198-213, supporters of new restrictions want it to be re-considered. The House Freedom Caucus withheld support until a vote on its immigration bill. Freedom Caucus head Mark Meadows, a GOP Congressman from North Carolina, said, “It’s not a fatal blow, it’s just a reorganize.” Continued on Page 14
This is one of the winning entries from last year’s first Elmwood Strawberry Festival BakeOff. Entries are welcome this year between 910 a.m. at Bean’s Family Market.
Good Eats
Elmwood to feature strawberry delights By JEFF LAMPE
ELMWOOD – At the heart of most smalltown summer festivals is one crucial ingredient: Good food. That compelling attraction is still what makes Elmwood’s one-day Strawberry Festival such a hit with the crowds expected to show up as hungry hordes this Saturday, June 2, for the 30th annual food fest. The event opens with a pancake breakfast from 6-10 a.m. at the firehouse and then it’s on to the food tent in Central Park, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take that closing time with a grain of salt. Savvy Strawberry Festival veterans know it’s best to show up well before 4 p.m. to ensure you get a chance to savor some of the sweet treats on hand: strawberry pie, pizza, Weekly Post Staff Writer
Continued on Page 11