The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria has joined with the NAACP and the ACLU in hosting events during the past month around Peoria County to educate voters on redistricting legislation and to seek signatures from registered voters on petitions for redistricting reform. For more information, email League@lwvgp.org or MapAmendment.org website. (Photo: League of Women Voters)

Eureka

Free ebooks and music available through the library

Residents who have an ereader and want to know how to download free books or music with their Eureka Public Library card can get help.  Tech Tuesday is a weekly time when Eureka Public Library staff are available to help with ereader set up and how to use library cards to download free ebooks, audiobooks, and music. Staff is available each Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. and are also available by appointment. The library is located at 202 S. Main Street. Call the library at (309) 467-2922 for more information.

Illinois Central College

Seven students complete study abroad in China

Seven Illinois Central College students and their program coordinator spent five weeks this summer  studying in China with ICC’s sister institution, Xiamen Huaxia Vocational College.  The trip was part of ICC’s Study Abroad Program. Local students participating in the program this summer included: Grace Newton of Peoria, Ileia Hall of Washington, Marisa Wiegand of Mackinaw, Noah Bond of East Peoria, Claudia Cummings of Edwards, Andrea Bonetto of Roanoke, and Rachael DeLost of Peoria Heights.During their stay, the students participated in a variety of cultural activities throughout China and traveled to important sites including the Forbidden City and The Great Wall and much more. All students received seven course credits for their time in China.

Tri-County region

LWV event to discuss ways to reduce toxins, pesticides

The Prevalence of Toxic Chemicals and Lack of Federal Regulations will be discussed at Drinks & Dialogue, a new, free program hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria. The public is invited to participate in the dialogue, at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the Hearth Restaurant, 4604 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights. The League is committed to reducing exposure to all pesticides and encourages the use of non-toxic alternatives.  Drinks & Dialogue is offered monthly, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, for one hour starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Hearth with local, state, and national political topics. The League is a non-partisan, issues oriented, volunteer, member-directed organization open to both men and women in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. For more information, go to www.lwvgp.org.

U of I Extension

Wet soil, high pH causing yellowing of leaves on trees

The University of Illinois Extension is letting homeowners and farmers alike of a condition known as  iron chlorosis, most likely caused by the frequent rains and consistently wet soils the area has experienced this summer.  It causes leaves to yellow while the veins remain green. It is most common to pin oak, red maple, white oak, river birch, tulip tree, sweet gum, bald cypress, magnolia and white pine. Some food crops like apple, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, grape, pear, plum and strawberry can show symptoms of iron chlorosis. Iron is integral in the making of chlorophyll, and when limited, plants show poor growth and health, It can stunt flower and fruit production. If iron chlorosis is suspected, suggested options for correction include taking a professional soil test and sending it to a lab to analyze for pH. Anyone having problems with newly planted or existing trees, can visit the Master Gardener help desk at your local extension office.   Contact Kelly Allsup, Extension unit educator, Horticulture, Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties, 309-663-8306, kallsup@illinois.edu

University of Illinois

Board reverses position on resignation of former chancellor

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees is not accepting the resignation of  Chancellor Phyllis Wise and reversed its position on a resignation deal it accepted that included a  $400,000 bonus. The board Aug. 12 instead reassigned her position and initiated formal dismissal proceedings against her, according to reports. Wise announced Aug. 6 she would no longer serve as chancellor, and at the time Gov. Bruce Rauner criticized the bonus. With this latest move, the  board will try to fire Wise from her administrative role, but she will keep a  tenured faculty appointment. Barbara Wilson, dean of LAS, will serves as both dean and acting chancellor according to announcements made by the board. President Timothy Killeen recommended Wilson on Aug. 12, and her appointment was approved later that day by the board. Wise will report directly to Killeen.

Woodford County

Health Department participating in community health survey

The Tri-County Community Health Collaborative, representing health care, public health, and the United Way, is conducting a community health needs assessment in each of the communities it serves. The results of this assessment will help identify the most important health issues impacting individuals and families. Partners in this assessment are: Advocate Eureka Hospital, Heart of Illinois United Way, Heartland Community Health Center, Hopedale Medical Center, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Pekin Hospital, Peoria City/County Health Department, Tazewell County Health Department, Unity Point Methodist and Proctor Hospitals, and Woodford County Health Department. As part of the assessment process, these organizations are asking for survey participation from residents of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential. The survey will close on Wednesday, Sept. 30.  For more information, visit http://www.woodfordhealth.org/healthAlerts.php

–Woodford County news briefs —