Tazewell County news briefs

Chronicle Media
Kingdom Timber and Lumber Resources on Route 29 in Green Valley was significantly damaged by fire July 16. (CInewsNow)

Kingdom Timber and Lumber Resources on Route 29 in Green Valley was significantly damaged by fire July 16. (CInewsNow)

Medical marijuana exec helps Delavan tornado victims

Residents who lost homes in the July 16 tornado are getting assistance from the CEO of Revolution Enterprises, a medical marijuana growing business in Delavan. Tim McGraw is covering hotel costs for people who lost their homes, according to reports. The other option for residents was cots set up by the Red Cross in the in the American Legion Hall, said the mayor. At least nine homes were declared uninhabitable and more than 50 homes received some damage, according to reports. No one was killed in the EF2 tornado, which covered a one-mile path and reached wind speeds of 120 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Revolution Enterprises’s 75,000-square-foot facility in Delavan escaped damage, said a company spokesman.

City of East Peoria approves wage hike for city workers

The City Council on July 7 approved a 2.25 percent wage increase for city workers who are not covered by collective bargaining contract salary increases. The budget plan adopted by the council also included a $6,377 for merit increases, according to reports. In addition, the plan calls for market-rate adjustments to salaries as compared to nearby municipalities, according to reports.

New business opening in East Peoria Levee District

A new Carpet Weaver’s Furniture Gallery is opening in the Levee District, according to reports. The new store will reportedly be located next to Gordman’s and will be convenient for people in East Peoria and in Peoria’s Downtown. The new location is expected to be open Labor Day weekend, according to reports.The North Peoria store will remain open.

Fire destroys Green Valley lumber company

A Green Valley lumber company was destroyed by a late-night fire on July 16. A fire was reported around 11:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Timber and Lumber Resources on Route 29 in Green Valley, according to reports. The fire broke out in the wood storage building and the roof collapsed onto the lumber in the building, making the fire more difficult to fight, according to local fire officials. The company’s office building remained usable, according to reports. Green Valley was assisted by six other departments in fighting the blaze, which burned much of the night, according to reports. No injuries were reported.

Wet summer affecting Morton H.S. construction work

The record-setting rains this summer has caused delays to the work being done at the Morton High School outdoor athletic facilities. District 709 administrators said the $4.7 million project to improve the facilities at the school is behind schedule, including the installation of the artificial turf at Carper Field, according to reports. To dry out the grounds where the turf is to be installed, the district could apply lime but that would cost around $50,000, according to reports. But, the weather needs to cooperate as well and rain-free week with sunny dry conditions also would be needed, according to staff. Morton’s first home football game Sept. 4 may need to be moved to another location if the field is not ready on time. In addition, the low bid for building a new softball diamond at Birchwood Park came in at $653,000 by Stark Excavating, which was about $250,000 more than what the district had budgeted, according to reports. Morton Youth Softball Association teams also will use the field.

Morton High school booster club hosting annual golf outing

The Morton High School Booster Club is holding its annual golf outing at noon on July 31 at Pine Lakes Golf Club, 2705 S Park Ave., Herrin. The play is a four-person scramble and check-in starts at 10:45 a.m. The entrance fee is $75 per player and includes golf, cart and dinner. Checks should be made out to the MHS Athletic Booster Club and send payment, name, address and phone number to: Golf Outing, MHS Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 5382, Morton, IL 61550. Those who cannot make the outing, but still want to support the boosters, can send in a donation the above address.

Morton School District 709 holds registration for new school year

Morton School District 709 will be holding registration for the 2015-16 school year from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 30 at all buildings. Freshman and new student orientation will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 7 at Morton High School, 350 N. Illinois Ave. Student orientation for seventh- and eighth-graders will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Morton Junior High School, 225 E. Jackson St., Morton.

 

Pekin Park District wants you to learn about identifying wild edibles

There is time to register for Pekin Park District’s Incredible Wild Edibles program, from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Soldwedel Program Center, located just off Route 98 in Pekin, adjacent to McNaughton Park. The program will feature discussion and displays of wild foods with tips on how to identify plants that are safe to eat, when to collect and prepare them, sample recipes, and presentation of a short film. Many, readily available wild foods are considered to be super foods rich in antioxidants. The fee to register is $10. To register, call (309) 347-PARK (7275) or email your registration to: registration@pekinparkdistrict.org.

 

Pekin Academy of Fine Arts invites people to eat donuts, meet super heroes

The public is invited to Donuts with Superheroes at 10 am. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at The Speakeasy Art Center at 353 Court St., Pekin. The event is sponsored by the The Pekin Academy of Fine Arts. All of your favorite Super Heroes including Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Wolverine,Captain America, Batgirl, Harley Quinn,Robin, and Wonderwoman will be on hand. Donuts are being donated by Dunkin Donuts and there will be plenty of chocolate milk. There will be activities and plenty of photo opportunities. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are limited so email at PekinAcademyOfFineArts@gmail.com to reserve yours.

Pekin Library hosting book signing of Central Illinois author

The Pekin Public Library will host a book signing for author Cynthia Kortkamp Schilling for her latest book, ‘Grandma’s Pillow,’ from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. Schilling, a Champaign resident, is a native of Pekin. Accompanying Schilling is author Ida Kay Miller, who will present, “What it Takes to Self-Publish in Today’s World” at 1:15 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 347-7111.

Tremont  woman charged with food stamp fraud

Melissa P. Horton of Tremont has been accused of committing fraud by falsifying information to receive food stamps, according to reports. Horton, 36, 312 N. Chestnut St., was indicted earlier in July by a Tazewell County grand jury on a fraud charge with state benefits. according to reports. Horton is free on a $5,000 bond after entering a not guilty plea on July 9, according to reports. Her next court date is scheduled for Aug. 10, according to reports. She is out on if convicted, could get a sentence of up to five years in prison.

 

Eureka woman gives birth in car on bridge in Tazewell County

A Eureka couple welcomed their infant son to the world in the back of their car on the bank of the McClugage Bridge on July 18. Paxton Smith was born at 4 a.m. on July 18 weighing 6 pounds and 19 inches long. His mother, Elizabeth Riddle, was reportedly sent home after going to the hospital because contractions were not progressing, according to reports. She went home, but then decided to go back to the hospital because the pain was too much, according to reports. She and the baby’s father, Brandon Smith, decided to pull the car off the road where Riddle went into full delivery, according to reports. He was eventually born in the backseat of the couple’s Chevy Tahoe. They waited safely there until East Peoria emergency responders arrived. according to reports.

 

 

 

— Tazewell County news briefs —