The Metamora Courthouse Civil War Dancers present costumed period dance demonstrations. The troupe will perform in El Paso Oct. 13.

STATE

Medical marijuanasales top $20 million

Medical marijuana sales reached more than $3.8 million last month at licensed dispensaries throughout Illinois.

The state recently released new monthly sales figures. September’s sales figures bring the total retail sales in Illinois to $23.5 million since purchasing began in November last year, topping the $20 million mark for the first time.

The program now includes 11,100 patients with state approval to buy marijuana legally.

REGION

Anti-abuse centerpromotes longtime staffer

A longtime staff member of the Center for Prevention of Abuse has been named the center’s new associate executive director. The center helps women, men and children live free from violence and abuse. All victim services are free and confidential, and offered to residents of Tazewell, Woodford and Peoria counties.

Joyce DeRenzy recently celebrated her 20th anniversary at the center, and has served in many capacities, including most recently as the director of the Adult Protective Services Department, Long-term Care Ombudsman Program and Family Violence Intervention Project.

In addition to her new role overseeing the day-to-day operations of the center, she will continue to supervise the Long-Term Care Ombudsmen and Family Violence Intervention Project in East Peoria.

Chefs’ auction to raise funds for newborn wellness work

One of the area’s most popular charity food events, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, will be partnering with Advocate BroMenn Medical Center of Bloomington for its annual gala on Oct. 20. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Brown Ballroom of the Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center.

A who’s who of prominent area chefs will prepare their signature dishes created exclusively for the evening, paired with fine wines and spirits. Chef chair, Chef Phillip Cade of Illinois State University Campus Catering, will be joined by a stellar lineup of chefs from the area’s most prominent restaurants, including Chef Troy Tomlinson of Biaggi’s, Chef Zack Poleto of Braize, Chef Karl Bronnbauer of Doubletree by Hilton Bloomington, Chef Anthony Atkinson of Kings Table Catering, Chef Steve Promenschenkel of Hy-Vee, Chef Jesse Dobrinich of Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Signature India, Fresh Market, and desserts from Denny’s Doughnuts and Bakery.

Following the tasting, there will be a live auction featuring unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Funds raised by the auction help support prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit family support programs and advocacy efforts for moms and babies.

Today, one in every 10 U.S. infants is born premature, including over 16,000 every year in Illinois. The March of Dimes is committed to funding research to find the answers to problems that continue to threaten the lives and health of babies.

Tables of 10 for the event are $1,000, and individual tickets for the event are $125 per person. For more information, visit signaturechefs.org/blono or contact the March of Dimes office at (309) 840-7914

EUREKA

City locks out illegal use of yard waste site

Faced with the continuing problem of old tires and construction materials being dumped at the yard waste site, the Eureka City Council voted to chain and lock the site. City residents with yard waste can get access to the site by picking up a key at City Hall, the water plant and some other location to be determined.

The new procedure will deter commercial tree services that now are also dumping tree trunks and branches at the site that is intended to be used only by city residents.

The city burns the leaves and brush periodically. However, when tires are in the mix, the burning produces a stench. Also, the presence of construction materials is dangerous, city officials say. Nails and metal pieces can damage backhoe tires, which are expensive to repair or replace.

EL PASO

Performance showcases Civil War-era dances

The Metamora Courthouse Civil War Dancers will present a costumed period dance demonstration at 7 p.m. Oct. 13, at the South Pointe Park Community Building, 523 S. Sycamore, El Paso. for The dancers perform dances of the early 1800s through 1865 wearing period costumes.

The free performance is open to the public. For information, call (309) 360-6772.

–Woodford County News Briefs–