The Weekly Post
Thursday August 14, 2014 Vol. 2, No. 25 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Questions swirling around Williamsfield EMS (Aug. 11), the Board went into executive session for 45 minutes to discuss unspecified legal issues and later unanimously approved hiring Chicago lawyer Edward F. Bruno at a rate of $300 per hour. Bruno has argued cases at the state’s Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, but did not reply to a request for a comment. Likewise, the Williamsfield Fire Protection District
By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – Rural communities can be strong yet fragile, so a recent rescuesquad shakeup and reported warnings of decertification of Emergency Medical Technicians and the local Emergency Medical Services program in Williamsfield have been a topic of hot conversation. At the Williamsfield Fire Protection District Board of Trustees’ meeting on Monday For The Weekly Post
(WFPD) attorney, Dawn Conolly of Galesburg, Fire Chief Jamie Klein, and five trustees all declined to comment on why Bruno needs to represent the district, a tax-supported operation that’s received annual tax payments of more than $230,000 from Knox County plus more than $8,000 from Peoria County, service fees, bequests and other revenues. One trustee later spoke on the condition his name not be
used since he wasn’t authorized to speak, and said Bruno will represent the WFPD in a dispute with the state. However, details remain scarce. Some claimed correspondence was received with an imminent deadline after which dissolution was possible. Others cited OSF St. Mary Medical Center and a disgruntled Oak Run resident as involved. However, OSF EMS System Coordinator Melissa Stokes re-
ferred questions to OSF attorney Anca Adams, who said OSF’s only role is as WFPD’s area resource hospital. Adams said any letter did not originate with them. The WFPD has dozens of volunteers at stations in Williamsfield, Dahinda and Oak Run. Some are certified Emergency Medical Technicians, but several recently resigned, according to sources at the fire protection board meeting.
Farmington school OKs solar panels
TOM STRAPPE MEMORIAL RIDE
Riding on in memory of Strappe
By MICHELLE SHERMAN
FARMINGTON – The Farmington Community Unit School District 265 Board of Education on Monday (August 11) approved a $2 million contract to install a 2,600-module solar array on the roof of the school building. The contract, which includes a provision to not begin meaningful work for seven days in Inside the event of a petition • Williamsfield from the public, was School Board awarded to Farnsworth eyes a likely Group Inc. of Peoria. budget deficit District 265 was for this year. awarded a $1.15-million See Page 13 grant in May from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The remaining $800,000 of the project cost will be bonded out to the taxpayers over the course of seven years. The district’s current bonding limit is $3.2 million. “We’ve looked at it every single way, and $800,000 working cash bonds, on paper, I understand that’s sticker shock,” said board member Dakota Horn, responding to public questioning of the district’s capability to carry the debt. “I think it would be an absolute disservice to the taxpayers and the students to not pursue it.” Members of the public have until MonFor The Weekly Post
By KIM BEHRENS-KAUFMAN
The rumble of the engine. The rush of the wind. The relief of hitting the open road. Just three reasons why Rhonda Strappe loves her motorcycle. “My husband Tom got me into it. He’d been riding all of his life,” she smiles. The fun and thrill of the ride motivated the Elmwood couple to hit the road each weekend, and even join For The Weekly Post
Continued on Page 8
The late Tom Strappe of Elmwood helped start a benefit motorcycle ride for the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Now in its sixth year, the annual event has been renamed the Tom Strappe Memorial Ride.
Weaver legacy went beyond angus herd By MICHELLE SHERMAN
PEORIA – When Robert “Bob” Weaver passed away in July at age 90, he left behind a legacy far beyond that of his prized Black Angus cattle. “He was 25 when he bought the farm on (Illinois Route) 150” in Peoria, said one of his sons, Steve Weaver. “He was willing to take that risk.” Bob Weaver and his wife, Virginia Weaver, took risks on many other enterprises in the intervening decades, For The Weekly Post
including Kentucky Fried Chicken franchising and helping to found Youth Farm. Born Aug. 25, 1923, on a farm in Fisher,, to Avery and Lena Weaver, Bob Weaver drove horses to school everyday, which he Weaver credited with the start of his lifelong love of horses. At age 12, he purchased his first
Angus heifer, Enid Dell III. According to the September 2005 issue of “Angus Journal,” she was pregnant with a bull that Bob Weaver later sold at auction. With that money, he purchased another bull for $330 at the auction. That bull sold the following year for $2,000. These transactions set off a chain of choices which eventually lead to the Weavers owning “one of the premiere herds of Black Angus cattle in the country,” his obituary said. Continued on Page 9
Continued on Page 2
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED • SEAMSTRESS: Part-time seamstress. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Smither’s Upholstery, 30 E. Fort St., Farmington, IL 61531. (309) 635-6250. • JOB OPENING: Varsity Boys Baseball Head Coach, ROWVA/Williamsfield Athletic Coop. Deadline to apply – 3 pm Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The ROWVA/ Williamsfield baseball coop is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Varsity Head Coach. Qualified candidates can send a letter of interest and resume to Pam at pam.courson@billtown.org or Laura at lwoodside@rowva.k12.il.us. More information can be found at http://goo.gl/w7HSwZ or by contacting Pam at (309) 639-2219 • JOB OPENING: Varsity Girls Softball Head Coach, ROWVA/Williamsfield Athletic Coop. Deadline to apply – 3 pm Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The ROWVA /Williamsfield softball coop is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Varsity Head Coach. Qualified candidates can send a letter of interest and resume to Pam at pam.courson@billtown.org or Laura at lwoodside@rowva.k12.il.us. More information can be found at
Classified Rates Classified ads cost $7 for up to 20 words and must be prepaid. Call (309) 741-9790 or visit 115 W. Main St. in Elmwood. http://goo.gl/w7HSwZ or by contacting Pam at (309) 639-2219 • WANTED TO HIRE: Petroleum Transport Driver. Local hauls, home daily. Preferably 2 years work experience with tanker hazmat endorsement. Must have clean DMV. We offer health insurance, vision insurance, paid vacation, and simple IRA. Please call (309) 879-2221 • WANTED TO HIRE: Dump truck driver: experienced in hauling rock, lime, etc. Must have Clean DMV. We offer health/vision insurance and simple IRA. Please call (309) 879-2221 • JOB OPENING: Dietary & Housekeeping Positions. Farmington Country Manor has Part Time positions available in Dietary & Housekeeping. Please apply in person. Drug test and physical required. Farmington Country Manor, 701 S. Main St., Farmington, IL 61531 EOE • JOB OPENING: Williamsfield Schools is currently seeking: Bus Drivers, Substi-
tute Teachers, Substitute Paraprofessionals. If you are interested, please call Pam Courson (309) 639-2219 for details.
FOR RENT • APARTMENTS: Apartments include appliances and utilities. South of Farmington on Rt. 78. NO SMOKING OR PETS. (309) 224-0395.
FOR SALE • CLARINET: Why pay $785 from a music store? Clarinet used 1 school year for sale $375. (309) 696-7540. • AC UNIT: Used Heil AC unit, Max Performance 10, make an offer. (309) 7428248. • DUCK BOAT: Otter Stealth 2000 duck boat, large trailer, seats, $800. (309) 741-9790.
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WANTED • HUNTING LEASE: Seeking land to lease for deer and turkey hunting. (309) 2316040.
SOLAR: One-third of energy from panels Continued from Page 1
day to submit petitions to force the bonding issue to a referendum, and any petitions must consist of more than 500 signatures. Should the bonds be forced to a referendum, the project essentially would be dead, said Su-
perintendent John Asplund. The referendum couldn’t be put on the ballot prior to the April 2015 election, and the grant expires in January. Once completed, the panels will generate approximately one-third of the district’s electricity annually. Going into the future, there may be the possibility for District 265 to use the electricity generated by the solar
array to sell some carbon credits on the market. “If and when that (carbon) market actually comes to Illinois, that is a whole monetized system that your district would be able to take advantage of,” said Steve Smith, director of business development for Farnsworth. The school complex setup could not be better suited to a project of this magnitude, Smith added.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the Bank of Yates City, Quick Stop, & My Place
Friday, August 15, 2014
4:30pm—Food Stand Opens 5:00pm—Boden Amusements/Beer Tent Opens/Bossy Bingo 5:30pm—Baby Contest Registration 6:00pm—Baby Contest/Bingo by Elba-Salem Fire Department 7:00pm—Ashley Bean on Stage
Saturday, August 16, 2014
6:30 to 7:30am—Gazebo Run Registration 7:30am—1 Mile Walk/Run & 5K Race 8:00am—Food Stand Opens 9:00am—Vendor/Craft Fair Opens 10:00am—Parade Registration at Gazebo Ashley Bean Band 11:00am—Parade begins 12:00pm—Parade winners announced at stage/ Boden Amusements/Bossy Bingo 1:00pm—Tractor Pulls/Pedal Tractor Pulls/Face Painting 2:30pm—Family Feud on stage 5:00pm—Beer Tent Opens/Bags Tournament/Tomcats on stage 6:00pm—Bingo by Elba-Salem Fire Department 7:00pm—Dirt Road Junkies on stage
Tomcats
The Dirt Road Junkies
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“This one is really, from our perspective, tailor-made,” he told the board. “When this school was designed, I don’t think anyone thought about solar, but you’ve got a perfect roof on. It reduced the cost overall.” The installation is expected to take four months. In other business the board: • Approved an agreement with the YMCA regarding district beforeand after-school care. • Approved a threeyear contract with Gayon High Performance Chiropractic to provide health services at a cost of $7,000 per year. • Approved a threeyear contract with Heart Technologies for monitoring and administration of the district’s servers at a cost of $1,125 monthly.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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THE WEEK AHEAD HOT PICKS This Week!
s Tractor Show – Central Illinois Farm Heritage Tractor Club 9th annual Antique Tractor and Equipment Show Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 16-17) at Stark County Junior Fairground in Wyoming, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.citractorclub.com or call Kevin Engquist at (309) 579-3293.
s Golf Outing – Billtown Booster Club Superball Golf Outing Saturday (Aug. 16). Contact Jeremy Eagle (309) 639-2346 or Tracie Peterson (309) 3354205.
This Week’s Events
Leo Schaub (309) 446-9550. s Blood Drives – St. Mary’s Church in Kickapoo will host a blood drive Saturday (Aug. 16) from 7 to 11 a.m. Princeville Presbyterian Church will host a blood drive Aug. 20 from 2-7 p.m.
s Farmers Market – Fresh produce and bakery goods on sale at a farmer’s market today (Aug. 14) from 4-7 p.m. at Brimfield Public Library. s Heritage Days – A fund raiser is today (Aug. 14) from 4-8 at Culvers at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie. A portion s Craft Night – Ladies Craft night Aug. of the night’s proceeds will be donated 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Morrison and Mary to Heritage Days. Wiley Library, Elms Free Bread – Bread Publicize Your Event wood. available every Friday, s Hunters Safety – Call us at (309) 741-9790 10 a.m. at Elmwood Hunters Safety Course or email information about Methodist Church. Aug. 21-22 from 5-10 your upcoming event to p.m. at Maple Lane s Family Bingo – martha@wklypost.com. Family Bingo today Country Club, Elm(Aug. 14) at Morrison wood. Dinner provided. and Mary Wiley Library in Elmwood at Call (309) 742-2141. 6 p.m. Call (309) 742-2431. s Heritage Days – Hanna City Hers Well Mobile – The Wellness mobile itage Days carnival Aug. 22-23. Race, will be at the Kickapoo Firehouse on food, carnival, music and more. Call Saturday (Aug. 16), 8 to 11 a.m. Contact Laurie Whitmore at (309) 565-7217
Future Events
NEW LIST! 505 N. PINE ST., WILLIAMSFIELD: Great 3BR, 3BA ranch on just under an ACRE with mature trees (white pines/oaks), part. fin. walkout base., vaulted great room, sliders from kitchen to deck, master suite, main level laundry, open floor plan, close to schools, park! $189,900 NEW LIST! 620 E. FORT, FARMINGTON: Cute 3BR ranch home, master suite, large liv. room, nice kitchen w/stove, microwave & dishwasher, spacious fenced back yard too! $52,000 NEW LIST! 207 N. KELLOGG, YATES CITY: Many updates in this adorable 2BR ranch on huge lot w/2 car garage, spacious eat-in kitchen, spacious rooms PLUS covered patio! $59,900 NEW PRICE! 9301 N. BRIMWATER, BRIMFIELD: Breathtaking location, landscaped corner lot/mature trees, 48x63 outbuild. on 4.6 acres! Brick 3BR/ 3.5BA ranch, open floor plan, huge master suite, fantastic kitch. (granite/ island/pantry/all appliances), fin. base. w/2nd kit./fam. room/rec room, over 3000 total fin. sq. ft. Enjoy serenity from deck! $349,000 305 N. MAGNOLIA, ELMWOOD: Nice updates in this 3BR home w/ newer foundation, large rooms, stained glass/pocket doors/ higher ceilings, newer 2 car gar., above ground pool, deck & front porch. $109,900 23814 W. NIGHTINGALE, LAURA: Nicely updated 2 poss. 3BR 1 1/2 story home on 1/2 acre lot. Awesome kitch., finished encl. porch, newer: roof, furn./AC, updated wiring PLUS oversized 2-car gar. Move right in! $84,000 308 W. MAIN, YATES CITY: Nicely updated 2BR, full partially furn. base., main level laundry & large family room w/huge windows overlooking back yard. Fireplace in liv. room, cute kitchen, patio & mature trees. $89,500 312 W. MAIN, ELMWOOD: Beautiful 3BR/3BA home w/28x24 gar. (loft above). Complete update in 2007 plus newer foundation, nice woodwork, great kitch, master suite & main-level laundry! $179,500 GOLF COURSE LOTS in ELMWOOD! PENDING 207 W. Main, Elmwood 201 Holly, Elmwood 212 Cherry Ridge, Peoria 106 Kent, Yates City 405 Walter, Yates City 9711 Countryside, Edwards 603 Fairgrounds Way, Elmwood
Music and more featured at Yates City Harvest Home fest By BILL KNIGHT
YATES CITY – Music, carnival rides and food this Friday and Saturday will combine with homespun favorites such as a baby contest, “Bossy Bingo” and the Gazebo Run for the 2014 Harvest Home Festival here. On stage will be two area talents and a touring act from Missouri. Ashley Bean, a 21-year-old Elmwood native, brings her distinctive blend of rock ’n’ roll to town at 6 p.m. Friday. A performer since she was a pre-teen, Bean has played at area venues for years and last summer released her first album. The title cut from that Eclipse Studios release, “My Kind of Ride,” is about drag racing and street racing, but her original material and stage presence shows a variety of approaches, much of it compared to the likes of Alice in Chains and Joan Jett. On Saturday, another local group, Tomcats, is scheduled to perform at 5 p.m., mixing up its cover band/Christian band repertoire to feature material from the likes of the Foo Fighters and the Beatles, Patsy Cline and the Monkees. With musicians including guitarist Tom Hayes and keyboardist Kris Petermeyer from Yates City, and bassist Tom Tracy and guitarist Mike Case from Elmwood, Tomcats says it donates the money it makes to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Also Saturday, at 7 p.m., the headlinFor The Weekly Post
ers will be Schuyler Prenger & the Dirt Road Junkies. Described as a Southern Rock group, the band – Prenger on guitar and vocals, Adam Fairchild on lead guitar, Hunter O'Donnell on bass, and Kameron Reams on drums – hails from Columbia, Mo., and likens themselves to Cody Jinks & his Tonedeaf Hippies, Jonathan Tyler, and Lucero. Offstage, Boden Amusements’ rides open for fun at 5 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, and the always-popular food stand starts serving at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday. Also on Saturday morning, the onemile Gazebo Run/Walk starts at 7:30 and the 5K run at 8 (with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m.). Both nights, the Elba-Salem Fire Department is running bingo starting at 6, and preceding that, “Bossy Bingo” – at the batting cage just east of the stage – will see a calf named Missy “doing her doody” at 5 p.m. (repeating her feat at noon Saturday). Also Friday, registration for the baby contest is at 5:30 for a 6 p.m. competition, with four age categories. Other activities include a “Family Feud” game with local contestants at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, face painting, a vendor/craft fair, tractor pulls at 12:30 Saturday afternoon followed by a Kids Pedal Tractor Pull at 1:30, and the 11 a.m. parade with the theme “Oh, The Games We Played,” with Grand Marshal Ken Miars.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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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. Deadlines – News due Tuesdays by noon. Retail ads and classifieds due Mondays by noon. Quotable – “Marriage is like putting your hand into a bag of snakes in the hope of pulling out an eel.” – Leonardo da Vinci An Illinois Press Association Member
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Rambling through central Illinois pondering pigskins. uuu Not everybody in our office is depressed no snakes came through the front door this past week (at least no reptilian snakes) to claim a $20 reward. Seems the ladies were not excited at the prospect of a live serpent in their midst, particularly when I mentioned that fish biologist Rob Hilsabeck of Edelstein was reputed to have Jeff a “big snake” in LAMPE his workshop. Nobody quit, but the reward offer is officially null and void. ... Then there was Ron Cluskey of Brimfield, a close reader of the paper (which means he finds many of the typos), who fretted this would lead to widespread killing of snakes. ... Well, for the record, we were not advocating killing snakes, just bringing live ones into the office. What’s more, nobody showed up. So I took the money to the Middle Tap and bought soda pops for Rich Powers and Ray Holford in appreciation for all their hard work mowing the parks of Elmwood, which – incidentally – is where I was going to release any snakes (or into a Streetscape planter). uuu Moving on from snakes to de-
velopers, news arrived in Elmwood this week that a much-discussed corner development would not be built by Katie Kim. She did not sign an extension to develop the lot at Main and Magnolia and appears to have lots going on in Peoria. Kim is also part of a possible Grand Station Plaza in Kewanee. But Elmwood economic development coordinator Chris Zimmerman said others may be interested in the Elmwood lot. Feel free to give Chris a call. uuu If you live in the city of Farmington, you probably already know our paper is delivered on Fridays (except during holiday weeks when delivery is Saturday). For contractual reasons, Farmington’s two letter carriers only deliver one paper per day. Because Farmingtonians are lucky enough to receive five newspapers in a week, our day is Friday, based on when we bring our publication to the post office. While this has created some problems for people reading about funerals after the fact, there’s not much we can do. For now we have to be content being called “The Weekend Paper” in Farmington – which is better than some nicknames I’ve heard! ... Speaking of Farmington, this year’s Italian Fest will include a Cruise-In starting at 6 p.m. Here’s hoping it goes as well as Brimfield’s recent Super CruiseIn, which attracted 200 cars and
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raised more than $8,000 for the American Diabetes Association. Kudos to Joe and Kelli Arbogast of Brimfield. uuu Among the many reasons I enjoy driving into Elmwood is the chance to see calves bound through the grassy pasture of Gerald Carroll’s Highway Angus Farm on the north edge of town. Those calves remind me of the football players I watched rolling through green grass this week. ... Congratulations to Rose Bush of Edwards for finding The Mayor of Oak Hill last week. We’ve did not have a new winner for two weeks prior to that, so, to change things up, this week’s prize is doubled and the contest is open to adults age 84 and under. Sorry Mayor, you can’t find yourself and win! ... Parting Shot: Hilsabeck, the aforementioned biologist with a love of snakes, brought many slithering menaces into his home as a child. That practice stopped abruptly one day because snakes generally seek out warm places. In the Hilsabeck home, the warmest spot on that fateful day was a basket of clothes just out of the dryer that his mother Sue left unattended a few moments too long. Try to imagine being greeted by a snake the next time you go to fold clean, warm clothes. It’s a wonder Hilsabeck is still alive. Contact Jeff Lampe at 231-6040 or jeff@wklypost.com
The Elmwood Post Office Lobby will be closed August 16 at noon and reopen regular hours on the following Monday the 18th. This is a result of tile work being done at the entrance of the Post Office.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
GUEST VOICES
Lost again, or, Where the heck is Hollis? I won’t be using Google Maps again, at least not any time in the near future. I plugged an address into it recently and am convinced that it had no idea where it was either, so it just started making up stuff as it went along. It started off innocently enough. My daughter’s softball team had a Jon tournament game GALLAGHER to play. It was scheduled for a place called “Hollis.” I was told it was somewhere over by Mapleton. Armed with this information and a computer, I plugged it into my computer, which in turn gave me a turn-by-turn description of how to get there. Since I don’t have a battery for my laptop, I sent the information to my phone, not realizing that Google Maps would have a hard time directing me from the Post Office in Elmwood to the Uptown Café 10 feet away. Google Maps told me that it was going to take me 35 minutes to make the trip, so I left 45 minutes early. Besides the fact that I don’t drive fast, I’ve also dealt with Internet directions before. I made it to Hanna City before the problems began. That’s when I tried to access the information from my phone. My smart phone acted like it’d never heard of ME before. Worse, it had no idea where Hollis place was.
I tried going from memory (my printer also isn’t working), knowing that it was some place close to Mapleton. I drove around out in the country, past many nice big houses that seemed to be clustered together in some sort of subdivision. None of the roads had names that had been on my list. Finally, I employed my failsafe method of figuring out where I am. I drove straight ’til I found a major road. Instead, I entered a town from the back roads. A sign welcomed me to Limestone Township. “Gee,” I thought, “This is where Jim Thome went to school,” and as soon as I had that thought, Limestone High School popped up on my left. I was in Bartonville. I wasn’t lost, but I was seriously misplaced. It was time to employ my highly technologically advanced “GPS” system. I pushed the button, the window went down, and I asked two ladies in a parking lot where the heck Hollis Park was. They gave me simple directions that, in fact, took me to the door of Hollis Grade School, an educational facility out in the middle of nowhere. I’ll bet Daniel Boone didn’t even know about this place. Across the road was a park with a softball diamond. And not a single player on it. I tried the smart phone route again, punching in “Mapleton” as my destination. (I think I actually heard my phone laugh at me.) I put a few more miles behind me, ending up in another cluster of
houses. There was no softball field, but this appeared to be more of a town than anything I’d found yet (other than Bartonville). I used my own version of “GPS” again, this time with a lady walking her dog. Her directions put me in the general direction of the place, but by now, the game was almost an hour old. I finally gave up on finding it and pulled into a road to turn around and noticed a sign pointing down a gravel road. At the end of the gravel road were plenty of other parents who obviously had not had the same navigational problems as me. They finished the game within minutes of when I sat down. About three years ago, I took a road trip to Minnesota to watch my Dodgers play at Target Field. I had to stop in Waterloo, Iowa, for the night because I was sleepy. The next morning, I made a wrong turn and drove for an hour before I started wondering why I hadn’t come upon Interstate 80 yet. I pulled off at the next exit to find out where I was. Dyersville, Iowa. “If you build it, he will come.” Must have been talking about me. I found the Field of Dreams movie location almost by accident. And it was a heck of a lot easier to find than this Hollis place over by Mapleton. But the coaches and the kids found it and that’s the important part. I got a hug from my daughter, and that made the 105-minute trip worthwhile.
I see many are upset about vandals changing flags on the Brooklyn Bridge from regular American flags to bleached out versions. The concern is twoRandy fold: 1) the FRITZ “desecration” of our national symbol, and 2) the implied threat
to terrorist attacks – that people could penetrate the high security of this much-prized and, undoubtedly, appealing target to terrorists. Concern 2 is legitimate. Allnight guard duty would be tedious and this flag-changing group certainly evaded it all. Almost 13 years after 9-11, it’s human nature to “let one’s guard down.” Brief pictures of some of the security measures on the bridge show that the security is, indeed, impressive.
Or seems to be. My concern is with issue 1: the “desecration” of the U.S. flag. I’ve come to believe that we have, effectively, substituted symbolism for substance. I see lots of angst when a flag is, somehow, not dealt with properly – whether burned in effigy, walked on, or any of a hundred other ways of showing disrespect. Do we remember when Muslims
Flying a flag is actually quite complex
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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF CITY OF ELMWOOD APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NOTICE is hereby given to the residents of the CITY OF ELMWOOD that the Annual City of Elmwood 2014-2015 Appropriation Ordinance was adopted at the City Council meeting held on August 5, 2014 and thereafter published in pamphlet form. The pamphlet setting forth the full text of the Appropriation Ordinance is available for public inspection at the City Clerk's Office.
MELISSA B. MORRIS, Elmwood City Clerk
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Elmwood is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build a Home for a Hero. We are looking for a Military family interested in owning a home. Anyone interested may contact Habitat for Humanity: 931 N. Douglas, Peoria, IL 61606. Call:309-676-6729. Their website is habitatpeoria.org/homeowners/qualifific cations
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Page 5
8514 N. Ford Rd., Edwards – $199,900 3 BR, 1.5 BA ranch on 2.35 acres Price Reduction! 4900 N. Knoxville, Peoria – $84,900 2 BR, 2 BA Condo, Updated kitchen 00 N Kellstadt Road, Brimfield – $155,000 8.5 acres, wooded, great building site 30 Acres, Knox Road 300N – $250,000 30 acres, 20 tillable, some wooded, barn, 3 grain bins 111. W. Main, Yates City – $135,000 Halls Tavern, Great investment opportunity! 1,600 SF Bar, full kitchen, rented apartment PENDING: 14601 W. Schlink Road, Brimfield 405 Runkle Street, Hanna City
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NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Billtown firefighter pleads guilty to arson
WILLIAMSFIELD – A volunteer fireman on Aug. 6 pleaded guilty to three counts of arson in connection with fires set between November 2013 and this April. Blake Walsh, 24, was arrested on April 16 after he was reported to be in the vicinity of a suspicious dumpster fire in Galesburg. A subsequent investigation by area fire departments and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office resulted in multiple charges, but prosecutors agreed to drop some charges, including criminal damage to property, at sentencing. Walsh originally was charged with five counts of arson. Walsh remains in the Knox County Jail. His next court date is Sept. 24.
FARMINGTON – Ian Goggil, 22, of Farmington on July 31 was stopped by Knox County police for speeding on Illinois Route 78 near Elmwood and issued a written warning for excessive speed, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Then, after Goggil permitted police to search his 1990 Pontiac Sunbird, three bottles of three different prescription drugs were found, and he was arrested for possession of controlled substances. He was transported to the Knox County Jail and his car impounded. Yates City police officers Randy Benson and Allison Buccalo assisted in the call.
Loud muffler leads to drug charges
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Alleged speeder busted for prescription drugs
Opening Soon In Elmwood C ountry Comfo rt Retirem ent Ho me A ssi st e d L i vi n g a n d Me m or y C a re
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
ELMWOOD – Elmwood police stopped a Honda Civic for excessive noise about midnight on August 8, when a K-9 unit alerted to the car and a subsequent search yielded various items of drug paraphernalia, according to re-
ports. Haley Holt, 18, of Hanna City was ticketed for a loud muffler, and two passengers, 18-year-old Cody Capen, who gave an address in Wyoming, and a 17-year-old Farmington boy were issued ordinance violations. The Honda was impounded.
Elmwood motorist victim of hit-and-run accident
ELMWOOD – Wendy Barbour, 31, was driving eastbound on Illinois Route 8 on Aug. 2 when her car was struck by a car that briefly stopped but left the scene after an altercation, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. However, acting on a description of the vehicle, police located Jeremy Carter, 28, of Bartonville, who in connection with the incident was ticketed for Driving Under the Influence, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and leaving the scene of an accident, police said. Carter’s car was impounded and he was given a Sept. 3 court date.
Suspected drunks lose it
DAHINDA – Two juvenile girls on July 29 were seen at a dock on Parkside Court in Oak Run, where one lost her iPad and one lost her lunch, according to Knox County Sheriff’s officers. A witness called police that the two were apparently intoxicated, both unsteady as they walked, one throwing up, and one falling about 40 feet and possibly injuring herself, reports said. They were picked up by a vehicle before the arrival of a deputy, who found no evidence of an injury but did discover an iPod Touch left at the scene. The device was brought to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department for someone to claim.
One injured in t-bone crash near Brimfield
BRIMFIELD – Edwin Strong, 37, of Brimfield was injured and transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center about 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6 after his 2010 Chrysler
was struck by a 2004 Ford truck driven by Mike Keup, 42, of Bishop Hill at the intersection of Maher Road and U.S. Route 150, according to reports. Police said failure to yield the right of way was a contributory factor in the crash.
Motorcyclist hurt in crash on U.S. Route 150
BRIMFIELD – Kevin Gilles, 28, of Brimfield was injured and transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center about 3 p.m. Aug. 2, when he lost control of his 1999 Harley Davidson at the intersection of U.S. Route 150 and Maher Road, police said. Gilles was eastbound on 150 and slowed for a 2014 Ford driven by Gary Crowder, 57, of Indianapolis, Ind., which had started to proceed onto 150 from the Maher stop sign.
Police reports
• A 32-year-old man from rural Brimfield on Aug. 2 reported the theft of two outboard motors from a boat on his property on McClellan Road sometime in the previous two weeks. • A 69-year-old woman in Princeville on Aug. 6 reported a theft of more than $9,000 in jewelry from a safe in the home in the 300 block of West South Street. Peoria County Sheriff’s officers noticed no forced entry and continue to investigate. • Jason Cluskey, 20, of Brimfield, on Aug. 9 was arrested by Yates City police for Driving Under the Influence and transported to the Knox County Jail.
Deer accident
• Aug. 8 – George Murphy of Edwards on Lancaster Road near Cameron Lane in Limestone Township.
Marriage licenses
• Ashley Kurtz and Steven Love, both of Dahinda. • Alec Debord and Brittany Hawkins, both of Princeville.
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Page 7
FRITZ: Patriotism goes beyond merely flying the stars and stripes Continued from Page 5
became enraged when some idiot pastor in Florida decided to burn copies of the Qur’an? How silly! It’s not as if burning a few copies in any way de-legitimizes the religion! There are, literally, billions of Qur’ans in the world. What’s the big deal? (I have a Muslim friend and he wouldn’t let me, as an infidel, touch his copy.) We laughed at how primitive Muslims were that were so upset with burning some holy books. But aren’t we the same way with our flag? If some Hanyak burns a flag, steps on it, or whatever – who cares? Is the U.S. less secure? Are other flags less genuine? Is patriotism compromised? No. We only legitimize the fool by calling attention to him/her. The best cure for such behavior is to ignore it. Going further: For how many is displaying a flag the end of their patriotism rather than the beginning? How many of them don’t vote? How many do vote but understand little or nothing about why they vote the way they do? How many vote against their self interests because of negative political ads or because they sense something “wrong” with a certain candidate? How about “I pledge allegiance to the United States and the flag that stands for it?” Do I pledge allegiance to a piece of sewn (or printed) cloth? No. My allegiance is for the substance behind that symbol. And not just ethereal
“allegiance,” but by understanding the history and politics of our nation and using them to be an informed citizen. The U.S. flag is problematic. Having sewn horizontal stripes leads them to easily coming apart in the wind. When they do, too many cut the flag from the end and re-sew it, thereby making its legal dimensions wrong. I also like the red, white and gray flags people fly, after keeping them out in bad weather too long. Flying a flag is a commitment. There is actual U.S. Code regarding the flag. When is it proper to fly a flag in bad weather? NEVER, regardless of whether there’s a light on it or not. You take it down in bad weather. With no light, you take it down at dusk and don’t fly it until dawn. What do you do with a flag that touches the ground? PICK IT UP! Everybody says “burn it,” but after you’ve picked it up, unless it’s now dirty (and you can wash it), who knows it’s touched? WHY burn worn-out flags? So they can’t be used for other things, like rags. When do you turn flags into hats, doo-rags, shirts, swimming trunks, or any other article of clothing? According to U.S. law, the only time to use a flag in clothing is on military uniforms, at the top of long sleeves, field on the upper left as you view it. ALL other stuff is disrespectful (and illegal, although there are no flag police). I could go on...
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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RIDE: Benefit ride now a sixth annual event Continued from Page 1
motorcycle groups. But their passion for the pastime revved up when they learned about the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. “Tom went to a monthly meeting at OSF where they were talking about hospice,” Rhonda explained. “In the past, we’d organized motorcycle rides to raise funds for children with cancer, but adults with an illness need help too.” So, in 2009, the couple organized their first hospice fund raiser ride. “Tom sought help from motorcycle clubs and groups in Peoria, asking them to raise $300,” said Rhonda. “Our first ride was about 150 miles. We traveled four counties – starting in Galesburg.” The event yielded $6,000 for the OSF Hos-
pice Home. Community support began to accelerate, and the couple made the ride an annual event. Their commitment to the hospice home had such a big impact, staff members named the facility’s patient therapy room in the Strappe family’s honor. Rhonda is now organizing her sixth annual OSF Hospice Ride to be held August 23rd. But, for the first time … she’s planning it without the help of her husband Tom. “This ride is in his memory,” she says warmly. “He passed away last year.” Just six months after hospice home opened, Tom collided with two deer while riding his motorcycle. “He couldn’t get stopped, it happened so
Ride headquarters at Burnzee’s
BRIMFIELD – The Tom Strappe Memorial Ride is Saturday, Aug. 23, out of Burnzee’s Bar & Grill. Sign-in is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the last bike in is at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by Damm Strate and there will be raffles, an auction Rhonda Strappe and her and a pulled pork late husband, Tom. meal for $7. Entry is $10 per person and all proceeds benefit the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Center. Contact Rhonda Strappe at (309) 213-6661.
fast,” Rhonda said. Tom spent five weeks in the hospital. But his condition deteriorated. “In addition to his injuries, pneumonia and meningitis set in. That’s what really took him down,” Rhonda explained. “The medical team talked with me about alternative care, and they recommended the hospice home.” When Tom arrived, Rhonda says the staff immediately made her husband comfortable. “They gave him the proper doses of medication, and you could see it in his face, he was at peace.”
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Tom died the next day. “It was on a Sunday. He had a room that looked out onto the garden … I was with him.” As Rhonda thinks back over the past six months, she admits, it still feels surreal. “When we started our benefit rides five years ago, it never occurred to me we’d be using the hospice home. I’d always figured we were fund raising for someone else, for other families.” But Rhonda plans to keep moving forward. “This year’s OSF Hospice Ride is in Tom’s memory. It’s being continued.We’re doing this.”
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
WEAVER: Offered help to many Continued from Page 1
The Weavers also raised broiler chickens in the 1950s, a venture which led Bob Weaver to call Col. Harland Sanders in 1958. He thought his farm could supply chickens to Sanders’s fledgling string of chicken restaurants, Kentucky Fried Chicken. As Sanders’s enterprise grew, the Weavers decided they wanted to get into the chicken restaurant business as well, opening their first KFC in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1964. The family eventually owned roughly 30 KFC restaurants. “One of his sayings was, ‘Never kick a man when he’s down,’” Steve Weaver said. “You give him a helping hand.” Bob Weaver extended his helping hand to many throughout the years, and he had a special affinity toward causes that involved children. He helped found Youth Farm in the mid-1960s. The residential treatment program, now part of Children’s Home, assists children whose problems require 24-hour, intensive care to help them
transition into the next stage of life. The group will hold its 50th auction this year “honoring the legacy of my parents,” Steve Weaver said. The annual Wines and Polo on the Prairie event, founded by Bob Weaver, benefits Easter Seals of Central Illinois. He also was involved with the Salvation Army, serving as an emeritus board member and receiving both the William Booth Award and the “Others” Award. Weaver Angus Farm also played host to the Illinois Angus Field Day several times, and the Weavers created a junior incentive program for those who excel showing cattle bought from the Weaver Angus Farm Production Sale.
“They gave back even when they didn’t have a lot,” Steve Weaver said. But it wasn't the cattle or serving others, or even his cherished collection of carriages, that made Bob Weaver the most proud, Steve Weaver says. “They took great pride in their family,” he said. Bob Weaver left behind his wife of 69 years and five children – Jerry (Nancy) Weaver, Phyllis (Don) Crouch, Steve (Shelley) Weaver, Karen (Bob Vespa) Weaver and Chuck (Laurie) Weaver) – 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one sister. “He and my mother were a wonderful partnership,” Steve Weaver said. “They enjoyed the same sorts of things. They were a team.”
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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Two readers fear leptospirosis may have caused dog’s deaths By TERRY BIBO
BRIMFIELD – At least two Weekly Post readers think their dogs were infected with leptospirosis. Last week’s Weekly Post told the story of an Elmwood woman who lost her 13-month-old Scottish terrier in June. The diagnosis is not certain, but her veterinarian, Dr. Suzanne Harshbarger of Brown Animal Hospital, suspects leptospirosis. The disease is rare in this area. But Harshbarger said it may be the culprit when an otherwise healthy dog suddenly develops symptoms of renal failure and more common causes, such as rat poison, have been ruled out. Farmington’s Chris White Carlyle posted on Facebook that she lost a mini Australian shepherd in mid-July, 10 days after the bitch had seven puppies. The dog had seemed fine, but began vomiting, essentially shut down and suddenly died. Although bloodwork was not done, they now suspect she was a victim of leptospirosis. “For a fact, my golden retriever (Dandi, age 4) was one of them,” emailed Kasey Eberle Simmons of Brimfield. “In February, she went into kidney failure in a matter of only weeks and despite thousands of dollars in treatment costs.” Eberle said her dog’s case was confirmed by a blood test. She now wonders if the sudden death of another golden retriever, 6-year-old Duke, in For The Weekly Post
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2012 was caused by leptospirosis. Here are leptospirosis facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. It can lead to potentially fatal infections of the kidney, liver, brain, lung or heart. Leptospirosis occurs world-wide, but is most often found in temperate or tropical climates. Sources: Drinking water contaminated by urine or body fluids of infected animals. Contact with contaminated soil or the urine or body fluids of infected animals. Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice, skin rash, red eyes. The time between exposure and illness is usually two to four days. Leptospirosis can come in two phases; the second is also called Weil’s disease and may include kidney or liver failure or meningitis. Without treatment, it can take months to recover. Animals affected: Dogs, pigs, raccoons, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rodents and opossums. High Risk: Farmers, miners, military personnel, veterinarians, animal caretakers and those who work in sewers or slaughterhouses. Treatment: Antibiotics. Prevention: Get pets vaccinated. Avoid contact with animal body fluids. Avoid contact with water that may contain animal urine.
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FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 14
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1. MOVIES: What sport was featured in the 2009 movie "Invictus"? 2. PSYCHOLOGY: What fear is represented in the condition known as hemophobia? 3. MUSIC: Which well-known 1979 song contained the lyrics, "It's better to burn out than to fade away"? 4. GEOGRAPHY: Which two countries surround the Dead Sea? 5. ANIMALS: How many muscles does a cat have in each ear? 6. MEDICINE: What does the oldfashioned medical term "apoplexy" refer to? 7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: When did U.S. Sen. John Glenn make an unsuccessful bid for the presidency? 8. CARS: Which car manufacturer had a hit with the 1955 Thunderbird? 9. GAMES: What color is the $20 bill in the game of Monopoly? 10. FOOD AND DRINK: What are the chief ingredients in a White Russian cocktail? Answers 1. Rugby 2. Fear of blood 3. "My My, Hey Hey," by Neil Young 4. Israel and Jordan 5. 32 muscles that control the outer ear 6. Stroke 7. 1984 8. Ford 9. Green 10. Coffee liqueur, vodka and cream 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
MOVIES 1. Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) 2. Lucy (R) 3. Get on Up (PG-13) 4. Hercules (PG-13) 5. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) 6. Planes: Fire and Rescue (PG) 7. The Purge: Anarchy (R) 8. Sex Tape (R) 9. And So It Goes (PG-13) 10. A Most Wanted Man (R)
ELMWOOD UNDER CONSTRUCTION BUT OPEN FOR BUSINESS 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.
BRIEFS Guest ministers to visit Crossroads church Aug. 17 ELMWOOD – Guest ministers Bonnie and Tom Lentz from The Jesus House will be at Crossroads Assembly of God church on Sunday (Aug. 17) for a 6 p.m. service. The Jesus House serves the homeless. There will also be burgers and hot dogs served at 5 p.m.
Yates City man charged with soliciting a child
YATES CITY – A Yates City man was
charged in Henry County Circuit Court on Thursday with one count Class 3 felony indecent solicitation of a child. According to court files, Dale E. Broadfield, 51, solicited Kewanee Police Detective Michael Minx, who was posing on the Internet as a 13-year-old female, to perform an act of sexual penetration between Aug. 4 and Aug. 6. Judge Theodore Kutsunis arraigned Mr. Broadfield, setting bond at $100,000 and appointing public defender James Cosby. A preliminary hearing was set for Monday. Mr. Broadfield remained in custody on Thursday.
To promote foot traffic, Lampe Publications, David Vaughan Country Financial, Uptown Cafe, Tootʼs Treats, Bees and Blooms and Sarahʼs True Value will be offering a $10 gift certificate each week. More businesses will be signing up soon! For Details call Chris at 309-313-3078
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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Patrick Heinz
KICKAPOO – Patrick “Pat” M. Heinz, 71, passed away at 11:49 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, in Toulon after battling Alzheimer’s, with his daughter, Carol, granddaughter, Cary, and friend, Tony, by his side. Pat was born March 17, 1943, in Peoria to Sylvester “Bess” Heinz and Beatrice (Choiniere) Heinz. He married Barbara N. Cary on May 2, 1964, in Kickapoo. She passed away Feb. 26, 1991, in Peoria. Pat was also preceded in death by his infant son; his parents; nephew, Randy Heinz; and his long time lady friend, Geraldine (Geri) Furnald. He is survived by his daughters, Barb Heinz of Indiana and Carol Sollenberger of Kickapoo; two brothers, former Peoria County Coroner, Daniel “Dan” (Bonnie) Heinz of Peoria and Larry “Horse” (Roberta) Heinz of Kickapoo; four grandchildren, Michelle Fitzwater, Justin Barnette, Melanie Fitzwater, Cary Sollenberger; and one greatgranddaughter, Kadi Hudson. Pat retired from Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria in 1993, with 30 years of service. He was a volunteer fireman for the Brimfield/Kickapoo FD, Oquawka FD, Keithsburg FD, and Gladstone FD for many years. He was a long time member of the Slowpokes Car club and Kickapoo Sportsman’s club. After his wife passed away, Pat started performing clown shows for kids with cancer and other terminal illnesses. He allowed the kids to choose his name; it was then he was known as “Crumbo the Clown”. You would also find Crumbo performing at dirt racetracks all over Illinois and Iowa, as well as parades and nursing homes, with his clown car and sidekick “Jack the High Flying dog.” He had such a passion for bringing laughter and smiles to all young and old with his quirky antics and tricks with his car and clown dog. His thoughts were, if
This Week’s Obituaries
• Marilyn Bruniga, 87, Knoxville • Maryann Castaneda, 79, Germantown Hills • Patrick Heinz, 71, Kickapoo • Donald Hoffman, 88, Peoria • Albert Johnson, 89, Galesburg • Ken Kincaid, 53, Chillicothe • Joanne Luick, 82, Tremont
he could make someone smile and forget about their issues for even just a few moments, it was all worthwhile. A funeral service will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Kickapoo. Father Joseph Dondanville will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at St. Mary Parish Hall in Kickapoo. An additional visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Kickapoo. A luncheon will be held at Brimfield/ Kickapoo Fire Station #2 in Kickapoo. Wright & Salmon Mortuary is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Patrick M Heinz to Tazewell Animal Protective Society (TAPS) no kill animal shelter or Chinos Cause for Children with Cancer. Offer tributes and condolences at www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Marilyn Bruniga
WILLIAMSFIELD – Marilyn R. Bruniga, 87, sister of a Williamsfield man, died Aug. 3 at her home in rural Knoxville. She is survived by her husband, Floyd Downing of Knoxville; three brothers, John (and Johanna) West of Williamsfield, Ron “Budge” (and Norma) West of Ellisville, and Joey West of London Mills; three children, Judith (and Dan) Doubet of Galesburg, Janet (and Gary) Carstensen of DeWitt, Iowa, and Jackie (and Stephen) Stone of Knoxville; two step-children; one sister-in-law; 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Her funeral was Aug. 8 at HurdHendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville, with internment at
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Knoxville Cemetery. Offer condolences at www.hurdhendricksfuneralhome.com.
Maryann Castaneda
BRIMFIELD – Maryanna V. Castaneda, 79, of Germantown Hills, mother of a Brimfield woman, died on Aug. 1 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. She is survived by her husband, Alex J. Castaneda; children Lori (Kevin) Anderson of Brimfield, Lisa (Tom) Lindsey of San Benito, Texas, Bruce Baumgartner of East Peoria, Barry (Diane) Castaneda of Austin, Texas, Randall (Shelley) Castaneda of Indianapolis, Ind., and Anthony (Mary Ann) Castaneda of Troy, Ohio; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister and a brother. A celebration of life was held Aug. 10 at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel. Offer online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.
Donald Hoffman
PRINCEVILLE – Donald L. Hoffman, 88, of Peoria, father of a Princeville man and an Edwards man, died on Aug. 7 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. He is survived by his wife, Judith; three sons, Dave (Kathy) Hoffman of Princeville, Steven (Bev) Hoffman of Edwards and John (Nancy) Hoffman of San Diego, Calif.; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two brothers and one son-in-law. A funeral service was held Aug. 11 at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Peoria. Offer online condolences at www.cumerford.com.
Albert Johnson
WILLIAMSFIELD – Albert P. (Bud) Johnson, 89, of Galesburg, died on Aug. 8 in the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville. He is survived by a daughter, Julie (and Roger) Newell of Williamsfield; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane DeWeese and Pat Henry, both of Galesburg; and a brother, Dick Johnson of Hialeah, Fla. A graveside service was held Aug. 13 at East Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg, with military rites. Offer online condolences at www.h-p-w.com.
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Billtown school board eyeing deficit By BILL KNIGHT
WILLIAMSFIELD – The community can start discussing Williamsfield schools’ budget for next year, as the Board of Education on Monday (Aug. 11) got a briefing on it from Superintendent Tim Farquer. The tentative budget projects revenues of $4,039,269 and expenses of $4,693,222, according to the Board’s work sheet. The document was to go on display this week, and an annual budget hearing is set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22 in the District office. Besides District finances, plans For The Weekly Post
OBITUARIES
for professional development were outlined by Principal Zack Binder, who said the first session Aug. 18 will address professional practices, student growth, curriculum framework and instructional technology. “We’ll be helping teachers adapt to the seven-hour day, too,” he said. The District also is preparing students to use instructional technology, and spent about $63,000 on new devices, Farquer said. “We utilized REAP [Rural Education Achievement Program], Title II, and previously donated Norman Foundation monies to purchase additional Chromebooks, Nexus 7’s, and ASUS Transformer pads for
staff and student use,” he said. In other business, the Board: • approved looking in to the possibility of buying a lot adjacent to school property, at the equivalent of 421 Pine St.; • heard that the building’s upgrade on fiber-optic connections is almost complete. “We are on pace to be at 100mb up and down to start the school year,” Farquer said; • OK’d a $4,800 annual lease for various pieces of heavy equipment to use with the cooperative construction of the library and other building trades class projects; and • approved offering paid health insurance to qualified non-certified staff.
FOR ANSWERS SEE PAGE 14
Ken Kincaid
FARMINGTON – Kenneth “Ken” Glen Kincaid, 53, of Chillicothe, formerly of Farmington and Williamsfield, died July 30. He formerly ran Shooterz Bar & Grill in Farmington and operated his own milk-hauling business, Kincaid’s Milk Transport, in Williamsfield. A celebration of life was held in Chillicothe on Aug. 5. Ken’s online memorial is at www.hurdfamilyfunerals.com.
Brian McVey Licensed Plumber #058-129370
Joanne Luick
PRINCEVILLE – Joanne Luick, 82, of Tremont, grandmother of a Princeville woman, died Aug. 5 at her residence. She is survived by her husband, Richard; two sons; five grandchildren, including Johnetta (Tim) Connolly of Princeville; and numerous greatgrandchildren and greatgreat grandchildren. Funeral services were Aug. 9. Offer online condolences at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.
Mike Cecil Financial Advisor Farmington, IL 61531 Office 309-245-2947 Cell 309-357-1001 mike.cecil@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com FOR SALE BY OWNER
190 S. Heaton St. Farmington, IL $149,900 4 bedroom, 2 bath, heated garage Check it out on fsbolocal.com
Obituary Policy: We print basic obituaries for free. Longer obituaries cost $1 per column inch and $5 per picture. If you are a family member submitting an obituary, we will have to confirm the death with a funeral home or cremation service. Forms are available at The Weekly Post, 115 W. Main St.; Elmwood, IL. Or call 309-741-9790.
Hunter Safety Course Aug 21 & 22 5-10 pm both days
At Maple Lane Country Club Dinner will be provided both nights No cost, donations accepted
Call 309-742-2141 to sign up for class Sponsored by Elmwood Insurance Agency
New Construction Replacement Repairs
(309) 251-7278
FOR SALE
438 E. Pearl St. Farmington, IL 309-346-0023
Ranch-style home - quiet neighborhood: 4 bedrooms, lg. family room, main-floor laundry, 1 full bathroom, open kitchen/dining room, extra long 1-car attached garage w/workbench & storage. Large back yard w/ good-sized detached garage/storage building.
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Page 14
THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
Elmwood Volleyball Club
Elmwood’s budget trimmed and ‘grows’
August Smash Volleyball Camp
Saturday Aug. 23rd and Sunday Aug. 24th 3rd, 4th and 5th grades 1:00-3:00 pm 6th, 7th and 8th grades 3:00-5:00 pm
$30 Includes a T-shirt
Registrations will be accepted between now and the first day of camp, but you must register by 7 pm on August 17th to guarantee a T-shirt. Open to Boys & Girls!
Contact Penny Silzer, elmwoodvbclub@frontier.com to register or for information.
Please join us at the Brimfield Food Pantry of the Union Church for the annual “Great Give Away”! On August 16th and August 23rd
The food pantry will be open from 8am-12pm for the opportunity to pick up some school supplies and gently used clothes for “Back to School”. Friends of the Pantry
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED In The Weekly Post! Call (309) 741-9790
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By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – The City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 is about 24 percent higher than last year, but the growth from $3,044,118 last year to $4,164,307 this year is most dramatically affected by a $500,000 bond issued to help pay for Streetscape II. “It’s not as big a change as it might seem,” said city attorney Bob Potts. The Council on Aug. 5 unanimously approved the budget, which included renewing a contract with B.Y.E. Ambulance Service. Future budgets may show additional revenues from property taxes, according to an analysis of Equalized Assessed Valuation for the City reported by Potts. Examples of changes from the new, 21-page budget are included in the chart above right. Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) for Elmwood dropped with much of the nation after the Great Recession began in 2007-2008, but significant damage after the 2010 tornado also caused a decline, Potts said. Excluding the Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Elmwood’s EAV fell $367,629 after 2011, and an additional $202,816 drop after For The Weekly Post
2012. ELMWOOD BUDGET EXAMPLES “The tor(FY 2013-14) (FY 2014-15) nado and the Revenues economic $54,597 54,090 Property taxes 217,000 205,000 downturn re- Income taxes Video Gaming tax 8,500 9,500 ally affected Water-Sewer 929,584 1,057,520 the EAV,” Drug fines 6,000 3,000 Potts said. Expenditures 155,500 162,900 “But with the Police Protection Park Fund 64,000 52,500 TIF, the 35,000 55,000 Equipment Reserve overall Street & Bridge Fund 240,300 229,281 changes have Tax Increment Financing #1 415,393 860,339 been offset. Tax Increment Financing #2 24,318 31,272 So I see the taxpayer support in 2003, has douEAV being [about] level one more bled its assets since then, according year, then going up. There is a lag to the nonprofit corporation’s fedin assessed valuations and the aceral tax returns, highlighted by tual values of properties.” posting assets of more than threeElmwood’s total EAV with TIF quarters of a million dollars for the districts for 2013 is $24,779,373. last three years. B.Y.E. reported Meanwhile, the City’s new conthat it has no financial liabilities. tract with B.Y.E. is for a $54,600 Below is BYE’s annual reported contribution. That’s the same income or loss (revenue less examount as last year. penses) and accumulated assets: Overall, three of the four taxing Yr. End Income or Loss Assets bodies that fund B.Y.E. are pro2013 $71,836 $828,324 viding the same financial support 2012 <minus-$15,409> $767,318 as in the 2013-14 Fiscal Year. $171,177 $782,727 2011 The Brimfield Fire Protection 2010 $118,645 $611,550 District has pledged $132,168 and 2009 $123,751 $492,905 $22,460 $369,154 Elba-Salem Fire Protection District 2008 2007 <minus-$13,426> $346,694 is at $62,000 for a second straight 2006 $25,402 $360,120 year. Only the Elmwood Rural Fire 2005 $19,145 $334,718 Protection District has increased its 2004 <minus-$19,657> $300,593 contribution, going from $25,300 2003 $46,366 $320,250 to $25,970. SOURCE: Internal Revenue Service Form 990 B.Y.E., which started receiving
Cantu receives Fulbright award
PUZZLE ANSWERS
ELMWOOD – Elmwood High School graduate Derek Cantu has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to the Slovak Republic for an English teaching assistantship. A Bradley University student, Cantu is one of 1,800 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad in 2014-15 through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
CryptoQuote Answer Married men have better halves, but bachelors have better quarters – Source Obscure
AREA CHURCHES BRIMFIELD
ELMWOOD
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod “Liturgical & Reverential” Pastor Michael Liese 204 W. Clay St., Brimfield (309) 446-3233 Summer Schedule Sun. Divine Service: 10 am Brimfield United Methodist 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
Crossroads Assembly of God Pastor Tim Cavallo 615 E. Ash St., Elmwood (309) 830-4259 www.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 First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood Reverend Marla B. Bauler 201 W. Evergreen, Elmwood (309) 742-2631 firstpresbyterianofelmwood.org Sun. Worship: 10:30 am Sun. School: 9:30 am St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Father Paul Stiene 802 W. Main St., Elmwood
EDWARDS Christ Alive! Community Church Pastor Lance Zaerr 9320 W US Hwy 150, Edwards (309) 231-8272 www.christalivecc.com Sun. School: 9:15 am Worship: 10:30 am
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(309) 742-4921 Sat. Confession: 3:45 pm Sat. Mass: 4:30 pm Sun. Mass: 10 am Tues. Rosary: 8:15 am United Methodist Church of Elmwood Pastor Bradley F. Watkins II 821 W. Main St., Elmwood (309) 742-7221 www.elmwoodumc.org Sun. Worship: 9 am, 10:30 am Youth Sun. School: 9 am Adult Sun. School: 8 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 pm
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
Brimfield board votes to expand park By TERRY BIBO
BRIMFIELD – With a $1,000 down payment making an 8.99acre expansion of Brimfield Village Park look likely, Village President Dan Fishel offered a suggestion. “I was thinking ... a three- to five-member park board?” he mused at Monday’s regular village board meeting. “This is just food for thought.” Trustees had voted 5-0 for a purchase agreement to obtain the land from Ronald L. Jenkins and Terry Sewell. Trustee Brian Porter was absent. Assuming all inspections and paperwork proceed without a hitch, the total price will be $115,000. The village’s share is roughly $102,000. Brimfield Area Men’s Club, which donated the original For The Weekly Post
park, will pitch in the remainder. Fishel has been negotiating the deal for a year. Originally, the board had approved $120,000, but after numerous discussions with Jenkins, the price was reduced. Second Class Boy Scout Mitchell Perry, 12, was in attendance to work on a merit badge. He asked what the village intends to do with the land. Fishel pronounced it “a very good question” and said parking will be improved for safety reasons. Then trustees indicated most of the land will continue to be farmed on a cash rental basis as it is now. “We’re going to be open for ideas,” Fishel said. In other business, trustees: • Voted 5-0 to approve the 2014/15 tax levy ordinance. Village attorney Rick Johnson said the
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$56,002 levy was “up a little bit” from last year, mostly because of increased Social Security costs. • Noted that letters about problem properties seem to be prompting clean-up and repairs, but trustees should remain vigilant. • Agreed to get more information about the possibility of moving trees to village property. Trustee Allison Porter was offered five trees, if the village would move them. • Heard Village Clerk Holly Johnson would like to have an Aug. 27 meeting with interested businesses and individuals to prepare for a Christmas Walk on the first Saturday in December. • Tabled a resolution for Motor Fuel Taxes.
TERRY BIBO can be reached at terry.bibo.freelance@gmail.com
PRACTICE: Summer keeps players ready Continued from Page 16
you can do a drill and still be productive.” Instead of focusing all the work into two weeks leading up to the season, high school teams have increasingly spread conditioning and practice over the course of the summer. Weight lifting and conditioning are virtually year-round activities in most programs and summer camps, “voluntary” team practices and seven-on-seven events allow players to be in shape and up to speed on the playbook when practice officially starts. That creates a more relaxed atmosphere for coaches, which was notable at both the E-B and Farmington practices. The summer work is particularly valuable for Toby Vallas, the new head coach at Farmington who has the doubly daunting task of teaching his players some aspects
of a new system (though he was an assistant last year) and of replacing a group of seniors who last year played 18 of the 22 starting positions. Having a few months to teach before practice has already paid off. “The kids are doing great,” said Vallas, who has close to 60 players out. “They’re adjusting to it well. We’ve got a great group of kids and very supportive parents and administrators.” At Princeville, coach Jon Carruthers welcomed 50 players, including a promising group of 30 juniors and seniors. Teams have 18 days to prepare for the season opener. Elmwood-Brimfield starts its season at Aledo against Mercer County on Aug. 29 while Farmington is at Kewanee Wethersfield that night and Princeville is at home vs. Lewistown.
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THE WEEKLY POST • Thursday, August 14, 2014
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Back on the grid Football practice starts By JEFF LAMPE
The start of football practice in Illinois isn’t what it used to be. Have you heard horror stories from your grandfather about Hell Week and grueling two-a-day practices? Kids throwing up on the field, regularly? There was not much of that this week in Elmwood, Farmington, Princeville – or the rest of Illinois (at least not at those schools that heed Illinois High School Association rules). As another prep football season began Monday, it did so under very explicit practice guidelines spelled out by the IHSA. For instance, players are limited to helmets only for the first two days and then are limited to wearing helmets and shoulder pads the next three days. Only after that, on Saturday this year, will players be alFor The Weekly Post
lowed to start dressing in full pads. And those two-a-day practices of old? Greatly reduced in quantity. Now each day has a stipulated hour limit for practice (maximum of five) and a minimum of two hours of rest between practices. And if you have two practices on one day, you can only have one the next. The rules, instituted to protect players from heat exhaustion, are fine with coach Todd Hollis of Elmwood-Brimfield. “When I first started it was regular two-a-day practices and you did all that stuff,” said Hollis, who entered his 16th season at E-B with a record turnout of 83 players. “Now that I look back and we’re not doing it, I realize how terrible it was. “We coaches would be all worn out. The players would be worn out. And after a point there’s only so many times Continued on Page 15
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Clockwise from above: ∆ Farmington’s new head coach Toby Vallas offers pointers to his team on the second official day of practice. Vallas was 4644 in nine seasons as head coach at Knoxville and made the playoffs five times, including his last three seasons. ∆ Elmwood-Brimfield coach Mike Dutton sports a stylish “old-school” tattoo and new sunglasses on a warm day. ∆ Marshall Martin runs the gauntlet while carrying the ball during a Princeville practice. ∆ E-B coach Todd Hollis evaluates his kickers. ∆ E-B junior Bob Hall pushes through a tackling dummy. ∆ Farmington quarterback Steven Gilstrap prepares to launch a pass. ∆ Photos by Collin Fairfield and Jeff Lampe.