Shore Acres Park Clubhouse in Chillicothe is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo Chillicothe Park District)

Chillicothe

Park District to celebrate centennial of historic building

The Chillicothe Park District is marking the 100th anniversary of  the historic clubhouse at Shore Acres Park from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. The clubhouse was built in 1915 and served as the original home of the Peoria Automobile Club and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program will feature activities highlighting the clubhouse’s and park’s history and will include an antique car cruise and music by the Central Illinois Banjo Club, the Pride of Peoria Barbershop Quartets and students from the IVC School District. The building has been both privately owned and served as the  headquarters for the Chillicothe Park District, and is a place for community and private gatherings. For more information on the clubhouse, visit www.chillicotheparkdistrict.org/shore-acres-clubhouse.

Downtown Thursdays will return for summer 2016

The city’s Economic Development Office has said the weekly Downtown Thursday events will be back for next summer. The event has generated enthusiasm from both residents and local businesses, according to the office. The program began as a way to spotlight the businesses on Second Street, but it may get moved to City Park for next year to increase attendance, according to reports.

City renews discussion on UTVs on roadways

The Chillicothe City Council continued Aug. 24 its discussion on a proposal to legally permit utility vehicles on local streets and voted in favor of directing matter for further review to the Public Safety Committee.  The committee is charged with looking into what regulations would be needed to allow UTVs on city streets.

Peoria

Two juveniles shot during fight

Two youths, one male and one female, were shot during a fight in the 700 block of  East Kansas Street on Aug. 31. Their wounds are not life threatening and the victims are recovering, according to police.  Police responded to a call around 4:45 p.m. about shots fired in the area, which is near the Glen Oak Community Learning Center,  and the two victims were found, according to reports.   Two juveniles are being held in related to the shooting, according to reports. After the shooting, additional officers were called to the area for crowd control.

CWTC celebrates 55 years of helping disabled adults

The Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., is celebrating this year its 55th anniversary of serving adults with disabilities. On Tuesday, Sept.  1, CWTC  and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at 3215 N. University in Peoria with a reception for the public. On Sept. 8, CWTC hosted  the annual Pathway Awards Dinner and Auction at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in East Peoria to honor accomplishments of their consumers and acknowledge their community partnerships.  CWTC provides residential and vocational services to a large population of adults with varying disabilities and assists them increasing their independence.

School District 150 praises bus driver for quick action

A CityLink bus driver has been praised by School District 150  for alerting police of a suspicious person hanging around a Peoria grade school on Aug. 28. Just prior to  9 a.m. on that day,  the driver said a passenger told him he needed to get off the bus immediately and began walking toward Calvin Coolidge School. The passenger reportedly was acting in an odd manner, and erratic.  Once the man, later identified as  Azzam Quattoum, was off the bus, the driver warned a sheriff’s deputy who was standing outside the school about the man, according to reports.  The school had just finished an emergency drill and the school was on lockdown. Quattoum apparently attempted to enter the building but through several doors but they were all locked. Parents were notified and police did a sweep of the school building, according to school district officials.  The lockdown lasted about 20 minutes. Quattoum was arrested a few blocks away from the school and was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass, according to reports.

Enrollment down in District 150 schools

According to School District 150, early enrollment numbers for this school year are down from 2014-15 by 444 students. Enrollment is at 12,824, compared to 13,268 last year and 13,354 in 2013, District Superintendent Sharon Kherat recently reported. Along with dropping enrollment there also are fewer teachers, 53, in the district schools this year as compared to last year.  School officials did say that lower enrollment could affect classroom sizes. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the budget at its Sept. 28 meeting and the district hopes to cut the district’s $13.6 million  deficit in half by next year, according to reports.

Peoria County

Health Department, city get federal grant for lead safety

The Peoria City/County Health Department has been awarded $3,231,610 in Lead Hazard Control grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The three-year funding will reduce the rates of lead-poisoning to children and protect families by targeting health hazards in 180 low-income homes that have significant lead or other home safety hazards. The Health Department said Rep. Cheri Bustos and Sen. Dick Durbin supported the HUD grant application that cited zip codes in Peoria County with child lead poisoning levels higher than those of state and national action levels. The City of Peoria collaborated with the Health Department by committing Community Development Block Grant funds toward this project. Other grant activities will include a community-based approach to build capacity to address home hazards. Qualified contractors will receive lead-safe work practices training.  For more information on public health issues, visit the Peoria City/County Health Department website at www.pcchd.org.

Jail in need of major upgrades and improvements

Peoria County officials agree the county jail facilities are in need of major improvements, including security software and basic infrastructure. The last major upgrades were done in 30 years ago. On the top of the needs is the Central Control, which is the communication hub. Locks on cell doors also need upgrading to resolve current safety concerns and that could cost around $1 million, according to reports. The county has reportedly budgeted for many of the much-needed improvements, which also includes plumbing and H-vac systems, according to reports.

Railroad crossing closure

Peoria County just announced a few railroad crossing closures that will begin this week.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad will close the crossing on Mendenhall Road (Township Road). It will remain closed for repairs until Sept.18.

The BNSF is also closing the crossing on Rice Road (Township Road) beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, and it will remain closed for repairs until Sept. 18 as well.

State

Schools could be getting CO2 detectors under new law

Illinois schools may be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms soon under legislation approved Aug. 27 by Gov. Bruce Rauner.  The law, House Bill 152,  goes into effect Jan. 1 and requires school districts must install carbon monoxide alarms in each school building. The legislation passed through the Illinois House with a vote of 106-1, according to reports.  The measure moved through the Senate on a unanimous vote.

— Peoria County news briefs —