Wayne Baum

John Bearce

PEORIA COUNTY

Early voting, mail voting for primary ready

Peoria County Election Commission Executive Director Thomas Bride has announced that ongoing objections to several presidential candidates have been resolved by the State Board of Elections, and the ballots and early voting equipment are now available.

 Voting was expected to begin Feb. 9.

“We have received the Ballot Certification from the State Board of Elections and are in the process of finalizing the ballot, preparing and testing the voting equipment,” Bride said before Feb. 9. “It’s unfortunate that there was a delay in our receiving final certifications from the State Board of Elections, but the delay was short and we will soon be able to begin the voting process.”

 Voters seeking to request a Vote by Mail ballot may visitwww.peoriaelections.org/vote-by-mail-ballot-application. For Early Voting schedules and locations, visit www.peoriaelections.org/early-voting, or contact the election commission office via email at electioncommission@peoriacounty.org  or by phone at (309) 494-8683.

County issues phone scam alert

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a phone scam. The caller claims you have missed jury duty and a warrant has been issued for your arrest. There are several similar scams, but this one has been prevalent recently, the sheriff’s office reported. The caller identifies himself using a real officer or deputy’s name and a real law enforcement agency. The caller states that he can cancel the warrant if you pay a fee and instructs you to withdraw money or buy a green dot card or other purchase card and provide the card number to the caller.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies do not call to collect fines. Officials ask that the public shares this information with family and friends. For more scam alerts and other public safety news, “like” the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PeoriaCountySheriffsOffice.

PEORIA

It’s the time of year to celebrate Fasching

The Peoria German American Society to hold its 13th Annual Fasching Ball (Traditional German Costume Ball) on Feb. 13 at the Lindenhof, 7601 N. Harker Drive.  

The event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight and is open to the public. Cost is $8 a person, plus a cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to bring an appetizer to share. There will be a costume contest with prizes.

Area favorites, the West MacQueen Street Band, will perform from 7-11 p.m.

Fasching Balls are the German version of Mardi Gras parties or karnivals. Fasching is celebrated across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, usually in predominately Catholic areas. Fasching is the last celebration before Lent or as the day is known in the U.S. as Fat Tuesday and in New Orleans as Mardi Gras.

German Fasnacht relates to the fasting period, which begins immediately after Fasching and is what is known as Lent.  

Contact Trudy Smith for more Information at (309) 697-4195 or info@peoriagermans.net.

Also, more information can be found at www.peoriagermans.net

Business leaders to be honored

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois will host the Central Illinois Business Hall of Fame Laureate Induction Ceremony, which will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette, 501 Main St.

The group honors esteemed local business leaders at the induction ceremony. Hall of Fame Laureates serve as inspiring role models for young people and epitomize leaders that inspire the next generation with their passion, values, and commitment. The Central Illinois Business Hall of Fame is the highest honor for the area’s most distinguished business leaders. Attendees have the opportunity to network with influential leaders from Central Illinois and hear inspiring success stories from this year’s honorees.

This year’s Hall of Fame Laureates are Wayne Baum, chairman of the board of CORE Construction and John Bearce, president of John Bearce Companies.

For more information, go to the Junior Achievement of Central Illinois website at www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-centralillinois or contact Jeff Scheirer at jeff.scheirer@ja.org.

The Junior Achievement office phone number is (309) 682-1800.

Dinner on the Diamond to be served Feb. 18

Peoria Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with title sponsor Larry H. Miller Volkswagen, Avondale, is hosting its annual Dinner on the Diamond 5-8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave.

Tickets are $60 each/$110 for two, or $400 for a table of eight. All table purchase receive the option of purchasing specially priced spring training ticket packages. The evening includes a silent auction and raffle.

More than $7,000 in prizes are available, including:

• Two round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets
• Foursome at Forest Highlands Golf Club
• Phoenix Suns tickets
• Two night stay at any Caesar property in Las Vegas
• Two night stay at Eureka Casino Resort in Mesquite, Nev.
• Arizona Diamondbacks tickets
• Foursome at Arrowhead Country Club
• Foursome at Hillcrest Golf Club
• Wine tasting for two at Oak Creek Vineyards
• Wine tasting & tour for two at Page Springs Cellars

Sponsorships are still available. Contact Ashley Scott at ascot@peoriachamber.com, or (623) 979-3601.

STATE

Illinois declines marijuana treatment for 8 conditions

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently announced that it has approved 4,400 patients for the pilot program. That includes 32 children. Advocates say that number could be higher but Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has decided not to allow patients suffering from eight conditions such as autism, irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, osteoarthritis and other pain-related conditions to use medical marijuana. The Department of Public Health recently announced that no new conditions would be added despite pleas from patients, advocates and medical marijuana business owners. The Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois issued a statement calling the decision “a gross injustice to patients.”

The pace of approvals is about the same as December. Marijuana industry players are watching the numbers closely as they push for more outreach to doctors, who have been reluctant to approve patients, the Associated Press reported. Qualifying patients pay an annual fee of $100 for a marijuana card and need a doctor’s written certification.

Regulated marijuana sales began in Illinois on Nov. 9. The pilot program is set to expire at the end of 2017 unless new legislation is passed.

–Peoria County Area News Briefs–