Ben Zobrist, of the Chicago Cubs and a native of Eureka, will be honored at the Nov. 26 Peoria Rivermen’s game.

WOODFORD COUNTY

Holiday road safety crackdown has begun

The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office has increased its presence on area roads as its involvement in the 2017 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program. This program targets times of the year where statistics show an increased likelihood of fatalities or injuries while driving. One of these times is the Thanksgiving holiday period. Increased enforcement efforts began Nov. 14 and continue through Nov. 28.

Motorists in Woodford County should expect to see an increased number of deputies enforcing both impaired driving and occupant safety violations. Impaired driving is considered violations such as DUI for either alcohol or drugs or illegal transportation of alcohol. Occupant safety violations are seat belt usage both front and back seat, child restraint, distracted driving (talking/texting while driving) and speeding.

Deputies growing beards for charity

The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office is again participating in “no shave November” for charity. In last year’s first attempt at the campaign, just over half of the department participated and raised $1,500, which was donated to St Jude’s Midwest Affiliate in Peoria.

The office’s goal is to exceed that amount, Deputies can pay $50 and forgo the sheriff’s department’s facial hair policy for the month. If they choose, deputies can extend the shaving reprieve until Dec. 16 for an additional $20. This year’s proceeds will be used to purchase food for the local food pantries.

REGION

Zobrist guest of honor at Rivermen game

The Chicago Cubs Ben Zobrist, named the 2016 World Series MVP, will drop the first puck at the Peoria Rivermen’s Nov. 26 game against the Evansville Thunderbolts. The Eureka native will be honored with a special pre-game ceremony and Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis will present him with a proclamation. Zobrist will attend the ceremony, at which the Rivermen will acknowledge his career and accomplishments on and off the playing field. Throughout the night, the Rivermen will honor Chicago’s historic 2016 season by giving away Cubs memorabilia and prizes to fans in randomly selected seats.

Fans are encouraged to wear their “Cubbie blue” and pack Carver Arena to honor a native son of Central Illinois. Additionally, one dollar of every paid ticket will be donated to Zobrist’s charity of choice, Patriot Forward.

Game time is 7:05 p.m. For tickets, call the Peoria Civic Center or go online at ticketmaster.com. For more information, call (309) 676-1040 or log on to rivermen.net.

Medical marijuana clinic opens

The Medical Cannabis Pain Management & Wellness Clinic, at 530 Margaret St., Pekin, is open for business. It will, with physician approvals, register people eligible for the state’s medical marijuana program, then analyze how those patients respond to the drug’s treatment. It will not dispense marijuana, but will use a small team of “cannabis-friendly doctors” and registered nurses to screen applicants and monitor their progress.

STATE

Rauner names first state day of service

Governor Bruce Rauner has announced that April 22, 2017, will be the first State Day of Service in Illinois.

The state’s previous contract with AFSCME, the largest union of public employees, restricted the use of volunteers to do state work. However, a recent decision by the Illinois Labor Relations Board will now allow the state greater flexibility in using volunteers.

Rauner is looking at the day of service as a way to provide additional services at no cost to taxpayers. On the State Day of Service, groups and individuals will participate in activities such as cleaning up state parks, working on projects at the state fairgrounds and volunteering at the state’s veterans’ homes.

In the coming weeks and months, more information regarding the timing, location and activities for April 22, 2017, will be released. The announcement of the day of service comes on the heels of recent demonstrations by public service workers in Illinois state government.

The “Don’t Dictate, Negotiate” events came after a state board ruled that contract talks between Rauner’s administration and the state’s largest public-employees union are deadlocked.

–Woodford County News Briefs–