PREP FOOTBALL 2017 Special Pullout Section Inside
The Weekly Post
Thursday August 24, 2017 Vol. 5, No. 25 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790
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Elmwood transgender student seeks restroom access By JEFF LAMPE
ELMWOOD – According to several sources, a male Elmwood High School student who identifies as transgender has asked the school to be allowed to use female restrooms and locker rooms. At a special meeting on Aug. 16, the Elmwood School Board discussed the issue. According to superintendent Chad Wagner, the purpose was “to discuss a student issue in closed session.” Weekly Post Staff Writer
Said Wagner, “The Board and administration will strive to offer the greatest level of support to ensure the academic success of all Elmwood students while adhering to the precedence and guidance of current statutes and laws.” Board vice president Dean Cantu reiterated that comment Monday at a regular meeting of the school board. On the federal level, there is not a single, clear legal precedent. In May, the Court of Appeals for the
Christian artist Gray in concert
Elmwood board talks budget. Page 10
7th Circuit – which includes Illinois – ruled against a Wisconsin school that had barred transgender student Ash Whitaker from using the boys bathroom. Whitaker cited the 14th Amendment and Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination. In March, the Supreme Court sent back a case to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals involving a transgender student. Virginia high schooler Gavin Grimm had sued to
ARMADILLOS AMONG US!
Armadillo found on Route 116 By JEFF LAMPE
By NANCY DAVIS
ELMWOOD – Central Illinois has an opportunity to hear nationallyknown Christian artist Jason Gray, and help launch a local mental health initiative during a free, family-friendly outdoor concert open to all at the United Methodist Church Sunday Gray (Aug. 27). Jason Gray is a musical artist, singer and songwriter who plays Christian music for all ages. Local artists New Day and Gracelynn Ulm will kick off the event, which starts at 5 p.m. The Kids’ Praise Team will also perform. Janet Mottaz, an Elmwood resident and member of the United Methodist Church of Elmwood, organized the event, and Tom Hayes, the church’s media specialist, arranged for the musical artists. “The purpose is three fold,” said Mottaz. “We want to celebrate back to school, have fun, and launch our ‘Glow in the Dark’ mental health
TRIVOLI – The discovery of an apparently road-killed armadillo on Illinois Route 116 last week is just the latest of a string of sightings of these southern creatures in central Illinois. Jason McGee found the dead ninebanded armadillo (at right) on Route 116 just east of Cramer Road on Aug. 17. This is at least the third armadillo reported in the past year in central Illinois. Weekly Post Staff Writer
For The Weekly Post
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use the boys bathroom after he was required to use an “alternative restroom.” The lower court ruled in Grimm’s favor, but the Supreme Court sent that decision back for further consideration. The High Court noted a February “guidance document” from the Trump administration rescinding 2016 federal guidelines of the Obama administration – which had directed public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice.
Don’t rule out encountering one of these curious-looking critters digging up your bulbs. Armadillos are continuing their northern migration, with the recent discovery of a dead ’dillo on Illinois Route 116 just one more example.
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Book mixes universal themes, area references By BILL KNIGHT
ELMWOOD – As the Fall Festival approaches, a 1974 book that mentions the annual event – plus Yates City’s Harvest Home Festival and other community homecomings – still offers a wistful remembrance of times-gone-by. Readers of “The Summer Gary Cooper Won The War,” published by St. Louis’ S&R For The Weekly Post
Press and written by Elmwood native Mary Duffe, may recognize area references, but its more universal appeal comes from all of the familiar or similar moments of childhoods’ imaginations and delight, dread and wonder. The 91-page hardback’s main character, Kathy, is an energetic, headstrong and curious pre-adolescent given to questioning, and she’s sometimes
tempted by wandering as well as wondering, if not exactly rebelliousness or mischief. “Dad, why can’t I have a pony,” she asks her father in one exchange. “Too dangerous. There’s too much traffic nowadays.” “But you used to have one.” “I know,” he responds. “Doc Milton and I used to race our ponies through the center of town. But that was before there
were any cars.” “The Dark Ages,” Kathy thinks to herself. “But they seemed to have more fun then.” Featuring a lot of woodcut-style illustrations by St. Louis colleague Tim Nadeau, the slim volume offers a nostalgic mix of fantasy and drama that kids may have experienced in smalltown America in the 1930s. Kathy visits with her grandContinued on Page 5