(Left to right) Crystal Kyle, South Side Mission co-executive director; Brian Brackney, Ameren Illinois – senior operations manager; and Kenny Blum, Ameren Illinois – community and public relations (Photo courtesy South Side Mission)

East Peoria

The city is selling off property lots

The City Council has authorized the sale of city-owned property by the public sealed bidding process. The city-owned parcels are described as follows:

• Parcel #1: 107 Neumann Lane, East Peoria
• Parcel #2: 118 Woodlawn Boulevard, East Peoria
• Parcel #3: 320 Park Avenue, East Peoria
• Parcel #4: 119 Eden Street, East Peoria

Each parcel of property is being sold in its “as is” condition, and the city makes no warranties regarding the condition of the property. Bids are to be submitted for each individual parcel, and can be submitted on one, two, three, or all four parcels. If bidding on more than one property, a separate sealed bid must be submitted for each property. The sealed bid must identify the Parcel Number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the Parcel Address. All bids must be submitted to the city clerk before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, either in person or mailed in. If they are mailed in they need to be marked as follows: Morgan Cadwalader, City Clerk Attn: Sealed Bid for Parcel #__ [Insert Parcel Number]. East Peoria City Hall, 401 W. Washington St., East Peoria.  The City Council reserves the right to reject any and all bids received for this property sale. Any questions can be directed to City Clerk Morgan Cadwalader by phone at (309) 698-4715 or by email at MorganCadwalader@cityofeastpeoria.com. For more information on the legal description of the parcels, go to http://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/for-businesses/bidsproposals/.

Man charged with aggravated robbery

George Pomeroy, 21, of East Peoria, is charged with aggravated robbery charge for reportedly interrupting a drug deal by threatening the dealer by pointing a BB gun at his head. Pomeroy allegedly walked up to a car in a Creve Coeur parking lot on Dec. 9 and an 18-year-old man was inside the vehicle talking to a young woman who approached the car.. The woman reportedly said she was about to buy marijuana from the man. Pomeroy pulled out the BB gun, pointed the gun at the dealer’s head and demanded his money. The car pulled away but Pomeroy was reportedly arrested two days later. He was in custody on $20,000 bond following his arrest and his next court date is set for Jan. 7. The charge could carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

Peoria region

South Side Mission receives $10,000 grant from Ameren Illinois

Just in time for the holidays, South Side Mission received a $10,000 grant from Ameren Illinois to replenish food supplies and continue its mission of helping those most in need throughout the winter season.  

South Side Mission offers 50 transformational ministries supporting more than 15,000 low-income, women, men and children in the Peoria area annually. The ministries include youth services, homeless shelter, food pantry, teen center, Hope Builders and career training.

“The Mission thrives on partnerships.” said Crystal Kyle, South Side Mission Co-Executive Director, in a released statement. “We are able to succeed and grow due to Ameren, and so many generous donors, who believe in the Mission’s Christ-focused service. This generous gift is crucial at the time of year with the greatest challenges; it will be used to serve those most in need whether it be food, shelter, activities, companionship or spiritual support.”

The grant funds were made available through the Ameren Cares program, which connects Ameren Illinois with the communities it serves through charitable giving and volunteering. Brian Brackney, senior operations manager, Ameren Illinois, said a key focus of this program is to partner with nonprofit organizations like South Side Mission to improve the quality of life in Ameren Illinois’ service territory.

Pekin

Former Pekin H.S., student charged with theft at school

Alexis Grubb, 20, is charged with burglary after allegedly stealing cash, debit cards and other items from offices and locker rooms from Pekin Community High School while a girls basketball game was going on. Grubb allegedly walked through halls and entered unlocked offices and the girls locker room, taking items from every room she entered, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. She allegedly stole cash from the library director’s desk and took cash, a debit card and perfume from the girls locker room, according authorities. Grubb had been released less than a week earlier on bond for burglarizing an unlocked car in October, according to reports.

Burglaries to storage sheds reported

Crimestoppers is citing some recent reports of burglaries to storage sheds in the Bartonville area. Anyone with information about this crime, or any serious crime or wanted fugitive, should call Crimestoppers at 673-9000, or text the tip to 274637 and enter GPCS before typing your message. For more information, visit the Pekin Police Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Pekin-Police-Department-232199486832529/.

Washington

Man charged with beating former girlfriend

Bryan L. Wilson, 29, of 2324 Washington Road, Apt. E9, has been indicted on two counts of aggravated kidnapping, unlawful vehicular invasion, aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery for allegedly spraying pepper-spray on his former girlfriend, beating her and forcing her into a car. Wilson allegedly did all of this on July 19 after the woman said she had used her friend’s cellphone to send text messages to another man. The indictment was returned by a Tazewell County grand jury. The victim suffered cuts on her head that needed 15 staples to close after she was attacked, and there were bruises on her face, and her left arm was injured, according to reports. She was treated at a Peoria hospital. Wilson was unable to be found until police caught up with him on Nov. 17 and arrested him. He was jailed on $250,000 bond, according to reports.

Tazewell County

Animal control offers extended hours.

The county animal control in Tremont is having extended operating hours every third Wednesday of the month, beginning Jan. 20. Normal adoption hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The adoption fee for a cat is $65, a dog is $80.  If the animal comes to the center already altered the fee is $50. Those looking to adopt must pay in cash or check and bring in a current picture ID. The adoption fee covers the spay/neuter surgery, the first set of parvo/distemper vaccines, and a microchip. The adopting person would then be required to take the animal to a veterinarian of your choice within 10 days of adoption to get the rabies vaccine/tag and anything else that is necessary at that time. The adoption process generally takes 48 to 72 hours. Any current pets the owner has must be up to date on rabies vaccine and registration (rabies tag) in their county. Those looking to adopt who do not own a home will need to supply us with the owner’s information and telephone number. For more information, visit the web page at http://www.tazewell.com/AnimalControl/AnimalControl.html.

–Tazewell County Area News Briefs–