The Weekly Post
Thursday August 10, 2017 Vol. 5, No. 23 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, Douglas, Duncan, Edwards, Elmore, Elmwood, Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City
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OLLI offers variety for learners age 50+ In two weeks, participants gathering on Bradley’s campus are expected to be mostly gray-haired. But the anticipated crowd of hundreds are some of the liveliest, engaged students in the area, with interests that run the gamut from behind-the-scene glimpses of the world around us to insights into history, music and more. In fact, if variety is the spice of life, By BILL KNIGHT
the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – regularly attracting more than 1,000 students 50 years old and up – offers a virtual feast of zesty flavors. Michelle Riggio, associate director of Continuing Education and Professional Development at Bradley, says, “OLLI is an organization of Peoria-area residents who are at least 50 years old and want to stay vital and active as they reach and enjoy retirement.
Residents ask for sidewalk in Elmwood
“The work to make OLLI happen comes from Continuing Education staff and about 400 OLLI volunteers,” she continues. “All of our instructors, facilitators, docents and moderators are volunteers – they love to teach and be surrounded by those who are passionate about learning.” The event in two weeks – OLLI’s Third Annual Trivia Night fund raiser Continued on Page 12
Pictured are OLLI learners taking part in the program’s Trivia Night last summer.
Turnover in Brimfield HS bookkeeping
ST. JUDE RUNS
By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – Eight visitors appeared at the City Council meeting on Thursday (Aug. 3), when they appealed for progress on a promised sidewalk along North Magnolia, where neighbors ranging from retirees to kids face traffic accelerating to highway speeds. Comments rekindled a discussion of budget priorities and cash-flow worries, sparking talk of balancing reserve funds for future purchases with more pressing infrastructure needs. After a spirited debate, the Council agreed on a possible way to address residents’ concerns about safety without causing undue stress on spending plans. Preliminary engineering has been completed on a 500-foot stretch of new sidewalk along the west side of Magnolia (Illinois Route 78) near the entrances to the Meadows subdivision and Maple Lane Country Club. Authorization from the Illinois Department of Transportation was received, but other expenditures have delayed the $21,000 project. “After we brought this to the
By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
Continued on Page 2
BRIMFIELD – Brimfield High School will be replacing its bookkeeper at the end of the month and is apparently also searching for a new assistant bookkeeper. Brimfield’s office manager and bookkeeper Lynn England announced Monday that she is resigning after about 11 years on the job, according to Superintendent Robert Richardson. England’s last day is Aug. 31, Richardson said. That resignation came days after a special school board meeting on Aug. 3, during which assistant bookkeeper and high school secretary Tammy Ehnle was placed on unpaid administrative leave. That leave was effective Aug. 4, according to Richardson, though after the meeting the superintendent said, “The board took no action. She was not fired.” The board spent nearly two Weekly Post Staff Writer
Runners from the Elmwood to Peoria satellite run finish their 28-mile run into downtown Peoria on Aug. 5. A picture of Princeville to Peoria runners is on Page 8. Photo by Collin Fairfield.
Local runs boost St. Jude Telethon
PEORIA – Last weekend’s 40th St. Jude Telethon signed off with a record total $10,132,140, according to St. Jude Telethon producer Steve Shaw. And a good chunk of that came from the more than 3,200 runners involved in
36 St. Jude Runs, who combined to generate $5,208,698. Added Shaw, “$90,500 was how we rolled in 1978. The 40-year grand total is over $118 million.” Runners participated in organized satellite runs in
Elmwood, Brimfield-Kickapoo and Princeville. Elmwood’s group of 29 runners raised $26,000. Princeville had 45 runners and presented a check for $50,000 at the telethon. Brimfield’s runners generated $29,250.
Continued on Page 7