Kent and Tana Utley, co-chairs of the 2015 Heart of Illinois United Way campaign (Photo courtesy United Way)

Central Illinois

Heart of Illinois United way kicks off annual campaign

Organizers and fundraisers for the Heart of Illinois United Way kicked off its annual fundraising initiative during a breakfast Sept. 11 Friday morning.  The annual campaign is second only to the government for funding health and human services in the central Illinois region.  On the day of the kickoff, more than 1,500 volunteers participated in service projects across the area for United Way’s annual Day of Caring.

Kent and Tana Utley have been named co-chairs for this year’s annual campaign. The Utleys have deep roots in central Illinois and have long served their communities through professional and personal affiliations, according to the United Way. Kent began contributing to the United Way since he first was employed at Caterpillar in 1987. He is now retired from Caterpillar and spends much of his time on their small farm, according to the United Way. Tana is a vice president at Caterpillar where she has profit and loss accountability for the company’s large engine products. She also serves on the board of the Energy Technologies Institute based in London, England. Tana also has contributed to the United Way since she started working for Caterpillar in 1986.

Founded in 1921, the Heart of Illinois United Way brings together people from business, labor, government, health and human services to address our community’s needs. Money raised through the Heart of Illinois United Way campaign stays in our community funding programs and services in Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford Counties.

Youth Symphony presents trivia night fundraiser

The Central Illinois Youth Symphony is hosting a music-themed trivia night fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Life Together Center, 3601 N. Sheridan Road, in Peoria. All proceeds from this family-friendly event will be used to support programs for the young musicians in CIYS, including scholarships and workshops. The trivia questions cover a large range of genres, including classic rock, Broadway musicals, and jazz. The winning team will earn the title of “River City Musical Masters” and will also receive tickets to see the Peoria Rivermen play this season.” Tickets are $10 per person, and teams of eight are encouraged but not mandatory. They can be purchased online at www.CIYS.org .

Chillicothe

City gives police more responsible on ordinance enforcement

Chillicothe police have been given the responsibility for enforcement of local ordinances as part of the recent update of the city’s comprehensive plan.  The policy was adopted in an effort to beautify the city and keep neighborhoods clean. The plan also divides the city into nine zones assigned to individual officers who will make sure any code violations are resolved. Residents will have a 10-day courtesy notice to resolve a violation by the officer in charge of their zone. After that period is up, the officer who gave out the violation will then check on any progress and then it is under the officer’s discretion on whether to issue a fine.

Cynthia Smith, Lincoln Library branch manager, and Margaret Cousin, Peoria Public Library Board Trustee, unveil the plaque recognizing the Lincoln Branch as being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo courtesy of Peoria Public Library)

Peoria County

CWTC announces Pathway Award winners

Community Workshop Training Center, Inc. presented their “CWTC Pathway Awards” Sept. 8 at their annual banquet at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in East Peoria. The evening festivities paid tribute to the many people who have helped CWTC and have contributed in extraordinary ways.

This year’s awards and winners include:

Advocacy Award – Brad Guidi

Ralph B. Fairchild Volunteer Award – Wayne Tessier

Business Partnership Award – The gitm Foundation & Caterpillar Morton

Employer of the Year – Culver’s

Nancy Fine Volunteer Award – George Stout

Robert Craig Friend of CWTC Award – WMBD TV

CWTC is in its 55th year of providing programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

State’s Attorney seeks another term

Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady announced last week (Sept. 15) he will run for re-election in 2016. Brady was originally appointed to the position in 2011 and was then elected to the post in 2012.

Peoria

Historic Register Plaque goes onto Lincoln Branch Library

On Sept. 15, the Peoria Public Library unveiled a plaque recognizing the Lincoln Branch as having been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and honoring the memory of Kathleen Powers Ditewig. The Lincoln Branch was placed on the Register of Historic Places in 2014 and the new plaque will mark the 1911 Carnegie Library as such.  Ditewig led the charge years earlier to keep the branch open and succeeded. Her story has been written by her daughter, Kathleen Ditewig-Morris, who was at the reception.

HeartCare Midwest, CIRA team up to launch OSF Vascular Institute

Interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons from HeartCare Midwest and the interventional radiologists from Central Illinois Radiological Associates (CIRA) have joined together to form the new OSF Vascular Institute, a unique collaboration in the Peoria area.

The new OSF Vascular Institute is a team of experienced experts, including interventional radiologists and cardiologists, cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons, and advanced practice nurses. The OSF Vascular Institute is located in the HeartCare Midwest building, 5405 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria. More details about the vascular institute can be found at www.osfhealthcare.org/vascular or by calling (309) 589-2050.

Civic Chorale seeks local young artists

The Peoria Area Civic Chorale is seeking applicants for its 17^th annual Young Artist Competition. Singers in grades eight to 12 are invited to participate in this program that honors talented young vocalists in the Peoria area. Auditions will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.  24 at Grace Presbyterian Church on 8607 N. State Rt. 91 in Peoria. An alternative audition date will be Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.  at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on 3601 N. North St., Peoria. Winners will be featured soloists in the Civic Chorale’s An American Family Christmas concert series to be held Dec.r 18-20 at Five Points Washington and receive a full scholarship to summer music camp at Eureka College. Applications are due Oct. 16 and may be found at peoriacivicchorale.org. For more information, emailpacchorale@gmail.com or call (309) 693-6725.

District 150 forms pilot program with ICC for credit courses

Peoria School District 150 is launching a new free program with Illinois Central College to give low-income students an opportunity to take dual credit courses. Under the program, students would be able to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at the same time. District 150 School Board approved the plan Sept. 14 with board members expressing an interest in expanding the program beyond low-income families and to more students. Peoria Public Schools Foundation might be able to help cover costs for middle-income students, according to Interim Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat .

South Side Mission hosting Senior Health Fair

The South Side Mission, 1127 South Laramie, Peoria from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17.   Featuring community partners: Central Illinois Agency on Aging, Peoria Area Blind People’s Center, American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Association. There will be a free blood pressure screenings and free cholesterol scanning. Must fast 12 hours before test. Learn more at www.southsidemission.org or call (309) 676-4604.

Washington

Morton H.S. wins championship at annual Marching Panther Invitational

Morton High School’s marching band was named grand champion of the 29th annual Marching Panther Invitational held Sept. 13 at Washington Community High School. In addition to being grand champion, Morton also won the Class 7A title and the drum trophy for the best drum score in Class 5A through Class 7A, according to reports. Other winners by class were: Bethany Okaw Valley (Class 1A), Farmington (Class 2A), Eureka (Class 3A), Chillicothe IVC (Class 4A), Geneseo (Class 5A) and East Moline (Class 6A). East Peoria won the drum trophy for Class 1A through Class 4A. A record 25 high school marching bands competed in the invitational.

— Peoria County news briefs —