The Weekly Post 5/5/16

Page 1

Thursday May 5, 2016 Vol. 4, No. 10

The Weekly Post

Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790

“We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Duncan, Edwards, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City

****************ECRWSS*****

PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Elmwood, Illinois Permit No. 13

FREE!

Carrier Route Presort RURAL BOXHOLDER LOCAL P.O. BOXHOLDER

Compliments of Our Fine Advertisers!

Mine reclamation progressing By BILL KNIGHT

FARMINGTON – Construction equipment still towers above rough land near the Fulton, Knox and Peoria County lines, as work continues on the Farmington Embankment Abandoned Mined Lands (AML) project several hundred yards west of Illinois Route 78 north of here. Reclaiming public-safety hazards resulting from operations For The Weekly Post

of the Middlegrove Mine in southern Knox County, the project is on schedule to finish this fall, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The $1.9 million project undertaken by Midwest Foundation Corporation of Tremont, started last year and is 75 percent complete despite the state not yet appropriating the AML funds to the contractor for this Fiscal Year. IDNR receives federal rev-

Young Gun

enues from the AML Fund for the exclusive purpose of eliminating public health and safety hazards and environmental degradation at coal mine sites abandoned prior to 1977. The program is funded by a fee paid by all mining companies to the federal government on each ton of coal mined. According to Illinois State Geologic Survey reports, three Middlegrove operations surface-mined more than 13,000 Continued on Page 12

Work is 75 percent complete on restoring a parcel of abandoned surface mind ground north of Farmington. Photo by Bill Knight.

MEMORIES MADE HERE

Kassidy Groeper a top international trapshooter By CHERYL HARLOW

WILLIAMSFIELD – Kassidy Groeper isn’t your typical central Illinois teenager. A junior at Williamsfield High School, she last fall participated in the first round of the Olympic Trials in Tucson, Ariz., for trapshooting. But that’s a natural progression for the 16year-old daughter of Russell and Teresa Groeper, who has steadily been making a name for herself in the world of International trapshooting. She has competed against some of the most famous shooters in the world since 2013 and has numerous medals and Groeper trophies under her belt. Kassidy became interested in trapshooting after being encouraged by the father of fellow Williamsfield student, Ava Alford. Kassidy had already been shooting guns since age 4 and has been on many hunting trips over the years with her father. She now hunts on her own. “I hunt deer, turkey, squirrel, coyote, pheasant … you name it,” she said. Groeper also bowhunts. But she spends most of her time with a shotgun. After starting trapshooting, Kassidy discovered she was a

By BILL KNIGHT

For The Weekly Post

Continued on Page 13

Elmwood OK’s Maple Avenue construction ELMWOOD – The City Council on Tuesday approved letting bids for the renovation of about four blocks of Maple Avenue between Fairground Way and North Magnolia/Illinois Route 78 on the north side after engineer Patrick Meyer and Alderman Bryan Davis trimmed about $60,000 off the job’s original estimate. Meyer said he would let bids this week and open them before the next Council meeting May 17. Using Public Works employees for some work as well as Mas Concrete of Maquon cut initial costs for the work, which will entail grading, tilling and resurfacing the street; adding a sidewalk on its north side; widening the street; improving drainage; and paving entrances to driveways. After a neighborhood meeting, concrete work could start late this month, with most construction probably starting in mid-June, Meyer said. City Treasurer Harold Jehle said he’s investigating whether to help finance the project with a loan or a bond, but regardFor The Weekly Post

Brimfield’s Community Park features a lake, playground equipment and a popular ball diamond. Photo by Bill Knight.

Community key to Brimfield parks

memories rekindled by military markers outside the Village Hall or BRIMFIELD – Brimfield puts the new memories on the diamond, “community” into Brimfield Comswing sets or shorelines, munity Park, and makes memories are made almemories at both its local Our Parks most daily. facilities. “We take a lot of pride This is the Several community orin the park and how peosixth story in a ganizations have been inteseries on parks ple use it and help with gral to the development and everything,” said Village in local ongoing use of the park on communities. president Dan Fishel. the Village’s south side, A friendly reminder where a ball field, playground equip- greets anglers arriving at Commument and a lake attract people most nity Park, noting limits of one 15months of the year. Whether it’s old Continued on Page 2 By BILL KNIGHT

Weekly Post Staff Writer

Continued on Page 6


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Weekly Post 5/5/16 by The Weekly Post - Issuu