The 2016 Miss Marigold Queen is Jordan Finneran.

EAST PEORIA

New tools for researching genealogy at Fondulac library

Fondulac District Library has made tracing family trees easier with new resources. Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online are web-based reference tools, which allow users to start exploring their roots by searching a name.

Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online are available to users in the library, and HeritageQuest Online is also available remotely with a Fondulac District Library card. Ancestry Library Edition, powered by the popular website, Ancestry.com, scans a vast selection of U.S. federal and state census data, birth, marriage and death records, military records, Social Security death records and immigration lists.

The web site also includes an extensive collection of information from the United Kingdom, including images, census records and civil registrations. Additionally, probate records dating back to the 1500s are included from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. HeritageQuest Online provides genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries, with coverage dating back as early as the 1700s.

The new resources are in answer to many requests the library staff has received for more access to genealogical information from those looking to learn more about their roots. The new tools are said to be simple enough for those just starting their research, but also sophisticated resources for advanced genealogists.

The library, 400 Richland St., East Peoria, plans to offer workshops for using these resources in the fall.   

PEKIN

State law makes it easier to sell houses built by students

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that will make it easier for Pekin Community High School and other districts around the state to sell homes built by building trades students.

The measure now allows districts to list the home directly with a Realtor rather than first trying to sell the home through a sealed bid process. The current method — used to deal with most government property — takes longer and generally has discouraged members of the public not familiar with the process from getting involved.

The bill unanimously passed the Illinois General Assembly.

Pekin Community High School Board officials worked on the legislation sponsored by state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, and Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria.

In the Pekin program, profit from each year’s construction is invested in building a new home the following year. This year’s house is being built at 1836 Whitetail Lane in Deerfield Estates.

Walgreens installs safe way to toss out medications

An area Walgreens store has a drug take-back kiosk, as part of the company’s push to have kiosks in 45 drugstores in Illinois.

The launch is part of Walgreens’ effort, announced in February, to install safe medication disposal kiosks at more than 500 of its drugstores around the country. The kiosks are designed to be a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and over-the-counter medications at no cost.

The area kiosk is in the Walgreens at 2020 Court St., Pekin.

2016 Miss Marigold is Jordan Finneran

The winner of the Subway Miss Marigold Pageant is Jordan Finneran. She was crowned as the 41st queen Aug. 13.

She will reign over this year’s festival and play an active role in a variety of community events throughout her year-long term. Miss Marigold also received a $2,000 scholarship.

The queen’s court includes: Naomi Klingbeil (first runner-up), Keri Whitford (second runner-up), Cassidy Savage (Miss Congeniality and Community Service Award), Emma Chapman, Jessica Erps, Justine Ulrich, Riley Cascia and Amanda Rockhold.

The 2016 Marigold Festival will be held Sept. 8-Sept. 11.

MORTON

Village board selects new village clerk

Morton has a new village clerk. He is Sam Ritthaler. The Morton Village Board unanimously approved his hiring at a recent board meeting, and he was sworn in after the board meeting by Village Attorney Pat McGrath.

Joe Nohl served as village clerk from 2007 until last month, when he retired because of poor health. Nohl died July 21. Village Administrator Julie Smick served as interim clerk for several weeks.

Clerk is a part-time position that pays $6,600 annually.

Ritthaler, 31, has a full-time job as technology and project coordinator at Technical Publication Associates in Morton. He said his work schedule is flexible enough for him to serve as clerk and work at Technical Publication Associates, a short car ride from Village Hall. Technical Publication Associates designs, writes, illustrates, formats and produces technical documentation and artwork.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–