The Weekly Post
Thursday August 31, 2017 Vol. 5, No. 26 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
High speed car chase in Farmington
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Princeville man has passion for pumpkins
For The Weekly Post
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PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Elmwood, Illinois Permit No. 13
GREAT PUMPKINS
By BILL KNIGHT
FARMINGTON – An earlymorning chase Monday from Hanna City to a cornfield west of Farmington started with a report of a stolen car and ended with a crash and police arresting a man on a related charge. Val C. Burks, Jr., 25, of Peoria was apprehended by Farmington Police Chief Chris Darsham following a police pursuit that reached speeds of 110 miles per hour, according to the Peoria Sheriff’s Office. Burks was transported to the Peoria County Jail for questioning by detectives, Darsham said, and the Sheriff’s Office reported charging Burks with criminal trespass to a vehicle. Burks Jr. A Hanna City resident shortly before 4 a.m. Monday reported the theft of a 2009 silver GMC Yukon, which had been taken from an Ashbury Court property and driven westbound on Illinois Route 116, followed by an unknown car, police said. Peoria County Deputy Gabriel Martinez was eastbound when the SUV passed him heading west. Martinez turned around and before Martinez activated his lights and siren, the Yukon accelerated and was traveling at speeds between 90 and 110, police said. At the intersection of Illinois Routes 116 and 78, Farmington officer Andy Steck deployed Stop
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By JEFF LAMPE and COLLIN FAIRFIELD
PRINCEVILLE – If Charlie Brown has any chance of ever encountering The Great Pumpkin, he’d better hook up with Joe House soon. House and wife Lauri run The Pumpkin Place just northeast of Princeville, a hobby that has turned into a regular business thanks to Joe House’s passion for growing big, unique vegetables. A retired Princeville ag teacher, House raises 185 varieties of pumpkins, 35 kinds of gourds and 20 different trains of Indian corn and popcorn on his 5-acre farm located Weekly Post Staff Writer
Joe House of Princeville shows off an 825-pound pumpkin he started growing in the Princeville High School greenhouse. Overall, House offers more than 185 varieties of pumpkins at The Pumpkin Place northeast of Princeville. Photo by Collin Fairfield.
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Quilts of Valor Local quilters honor veterans, servicemen By JEFF LAMPE
ELMWOOD – Local quilt makers are seeking active duty servicemen and veterans who would like to receive free “quilts of valor” as a symbol of thanks for their sacrifice and service. Members of the Prairie Quilters of Central Illinois will hold a quilt show on Sept. 9 at Elmwood Presbyterian Church during the final day of the annual Fall Festival. Quilt show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. As part of the show, members will give away quilts at no charge to veterWeekly Post Staff Writer
Quilts of all sorts will be on display during a show by the Prairie Quilters of Central Illinois on Sept. 9 in Elmwood.
ans or servicemen who show up to pick a favorite quilt, said Carolyn Schelkopf of Elmwood. Last year, the group gave away 15 quilts. In addition to the Quilts of Valor, the show will feature a display of weighted blankets made for special needs children, quilts made to be donated to Children’s Hospital of Illinois, a display of personal quilts and quilted items and quilted items that are for sale. Veterans and servicemen are encouraged to spread the word to others who might be interested in a hand-made symbol of thanks.