Tazewell County News Briefs

Chronicle Media

TAZEWELL COUNTY

There’s still time to vote early

Early voting will be conducted at the county clerk’s office in the McKenzie Building, 11 S. Fourth St., Suite 203, through Monday, Nov. 7.

Weekday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 28 and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 7.

Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6.

Ahen, the Pekin Police Department’s K-9 officer, is running for top dog in a nationwide popularity contest through social media. You can vote for him on the police department’s Facebook page.

Ahen, the Pekin Police Department’s K-9 officer, is running for top dog in a nationwide popularity contest through social media. You can vote for him on the police department’s Facebook page.

PEKIN

Police dog vyingfor national title

In another election, a “candidate” seeking public support is Ahen, the Pekin Police Department’s K-9 officer.

He is running for top dog in a contest sponsored by Aftermath, a nationwide company that deals in trauma cleaning and biohazard removal.

The 7-year-old Dutch shepherd has been in first place during voting in the nationwide popularity contest through social media among departments with police dogs. The contest runs through the end of the month.

Should he win, Pekin Police Department’s K-9 unit will receive a $5,000 grant.

Citizens, both in Pekin and elsewhere, can vote for Ahen once a day, every day, through the month by registering for that opportunity on the police department’s Facebook page.

Since he joined the department about four years ago, Ahen with his assigned handler, Officer Ron Jones, has handled hundreds of calls, most of them involving drug detection, and is highly trained in other capacities.

Local residents have seen Jones run his partner through his skills at past Night Out Against Crime events. They will get that chance again at this year’s event, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 20, at Avanti’s Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave. Night Out Against Crime focuses on safety and security, crime awareness and public health and safety services available locally.

Arts academy has new home

The Pekin Academy of Fine Arts is relocating to The Mansion on Walnut. The Mansion on Walnut, 420 Walnut St., is transitioning into an arts, culture and events center to serve Pekin and surrounding communities, and the presence of the arts academy there is helping the facility establish its new role.

The Academy of Fine Arts has a new bright art space/classroom at the back entrance and classes and workshops will now be held there. Adult classes and workshops will be held in the dining room of the house surrounded by beautiful art from some of the best Central Illinois artists. Any questions can be directed to pekinacademyoffinearts@gmail.com or (309) 267-2058.

EAST PEORIA

Contestants sought for queen pageant

Local young women have until Oct. 28 to enter the annual Festival of Lights Queen Pageant.

Contestants must be residents of East Peoria, students at East Peoria Community High School or alumni of EPCHS; be single and between the ages of 16 and 20. They will be judged on poise, appearance, personality and a final question. The queen will receive a $1,500 college scholarship and a package of prizes donated by local businesses. The first and second runners-up also receive prizes.

The contest will take place at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel ballroom.

The queen and her court will ride on a float in the 32nd annual Festival of Lights Parade Nov. 19. The queen will also reign over all 2016 Festival of Lights activities, make appearances at community events in 2017 and crown the 2017 queen.

Entry fee is $75 and sponsors may be a business or individual. Entry forms are available at Fondulac District Library, 400 Richland St.; EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Drive; and East Peoria Community High School, 1401 E. Washington St., and online at www.folepi.org and the East Peoria Festival of Lights Queen Pageant Facebook page.

Pageant tickets cost $10 per person. Tickets will be available Oct. 31 through Nov. 11 at East Peoria City Hall, 401 W. Washington St., and EastSide Centre. Queen contestants and their escorts do not need to purchase tickets.

For more contest information, call Teresa Mustain, (309) 369-7030.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–