Rolan Johnson Christmas prints are on display at the Pekin Public Library through Jan. 3. The prints are from the library’s collection of Johnson’s work.

COUNTY

New mental health help will replace jail time

The Illinois Supreme Court has approved an expansion of an innovative strategy to help control local jail overcrowding, and Tazewell County will benefit.

Problem-solving courts are a way for county judicial systems to reduce jail populations, save taxpayers money, and enhance public safety. Each year Tazewell County’s jail makes room for about 500 people with mental health issues ranging from slight to severe. Many are repeat visitors. They cost significantly more to house and feed than the $40,000 the Tazewell County Board has earmarked for the new Mental Health Court, based on the Supreme Court’s action.

The Tazewell County Court can now take offenders with behavioral health issues and connect them with appropriate social services with interventions such as housing, assistance with job skills including daily living skills. This effort is designed to help them make positive lifestyle changes to get treatment and remain out of the court system.

The jail is not in the business of counseling those whose crimes were the products, at least in part, of their mental problems. That help will now be available through the Mental Health Court process that joins Drug Court as a potential alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders.

PEKIN

Johnson Christmas prints on display

The Pekin Public Library has its collection of Rolan Johnson Christmas prints on display through Jan. 3, 2017, at the library, 301 S. Fourth St.

For 40 years, during the Christmas season, Johnson used his artistic talents by creating unique, original, screen-printed greeting cards that he designed and mailed out to more than 2,000 relatives, friends and business associates. More than just a card, the Christmas prints were large enough to be framed, and are considered to be collectables by many. He would donate a copy of the print to the library each year, which then were traditionally displayed at the library for the holidays. The tradition came to an end with Johnson’s death on Sept. 23, 2000.

Currently, the Heading Avenue Franciscans have exclusive permission to use Johnson’s designs from his unique Christmas prints for an ornament fundraiser in Johnson’s memory.

For more information, contact the library at (309) 347-7111, Ext. 0.

East Peoria

Teamwork helps build house for vet

In less than a week, a local military veteran received a new home, built from the ground up by volunteers. Habitat for Humanity Greater Peoria Area, Team Rubicon and Team Depot started construction on the basement of the house at 109 Mabee Ave., East Peoria, on a Wednesday, and by Saturday, the house was standing.

Team Rubicon started when a group of veterans traveled to Haiti to help those in need. The team grew from there and began traveling across the country to help people affected by disasters. Home Depot’s own Team Depot volunteered to help build the house.

The home was built for James Stevens, who was referred by a fellow veteran who had a home built for him in Morton. Several volunteers pitched in to help with construction and brought snacks and beverages to help aid the workers. Others hauled away unneeded pieces of debris and garbage from the site.

Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers for its new building on North Prospect Road in Peoria. Anyone interested in volunteering for a program or donating with Habitat for Humanity or Team Rubicon can visit their websites at habitatpeoria.org and teamrubiconusa.org.

STATE

Deer hunting down this season

Illinois hunters harvested about 8.5 percent fewer deer during the seven-day firearm season that ended Dec. 4 compared to last year. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said that hunters this year harvested 79,429 deer. That figure is compared to the seven days of the firearms season in 2015 when hunters harvested 86,847 deer.

Adams County in western Illinois had the top number of deer harvested at 2,358. The fewest deer were harvested in Lake County in northern Illinois where five deer were taken. The totals in other counties were:

• McLean: 607
• Peoria: 1,106
• Tazewell: 555
• Woodford: 699

Deer hunting opportunities remain available in Illinois this late fall/early winter:

• The Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Season and CWD Deer Season first segments (in designated counties only) will be Dec. 29, through Jan. 1.
• The second segments of the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and CWD Deer Seasons (in designated counties only) will be Jan. 13-15.
• Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 15.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–