The theme of this year’s annual Pekin Marigold Festival was “Pickin’ the Perfect Weekend” and the weather cooperated to make that theme a reality. Large crowds were out all weekend to participate in the many events that took place Sept. 10-13. More than 130 entries marched in the Marigold Festival Parade sponsored by Busey Bank. For a wrap up of parade winners, contest awards and results of the race, visit http://www.pekinchamber.com/marigoldfestival.html. (Photo courtesy Pekin Chamber of Commerce)

County

Community Services group to manage energy assistance program
Tazwood Community Services, Inc. has been designated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to administer the 2016 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Tazewell and Woodford Counties. LIHEAP offers help with heating bills for qualifying low-income households. Clients will receive a benefit based on their household circumstances. This benefit covers gas and electric only. For those households with two utility companies the benefit is broken down between the two companies. A household may qualify during the month of October with someone living in the house over the age of 60 or disabled. Families with children under 6 years and disconnected households can apply starting Nov. 2.  Residents may call or walk in Thursday, Oct. 1, to schedule an appointment at (309) 266-9941 or (309) 694-4391, from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  For further information, contact Tazwood Community Services, at 2109 S. Main St., Morton.

No disaster help from FEMA
Tazewell County will not qualify for any disaster recovery assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to reports.  The county emergency management officials did apply for assistance following the tornado in Delavan that destroyed 10 homes and the flooding in Pekin this summer, according to WMBD.  The amount of damage in those incidents did meet the $400,000 level for a county, but it fell short of the state’s damage limit, which is why FEMA rejected Tazewell’s request, according to  WMBD

East Peoria

City to conduct fall cleanup week
The city of East Peoria will conduct its Fall Clean-up Week Oct. 5 -9, with some changes in how much material can be set out for pickup and who can participate. This special collection of junk and brush is open only to East Peoria residents whose garbage is picked up by the East Peoria Department of Public Works. The pickup is not for properties zoned commercial, business or multi-family. Additionally, junk may be set out only at residences that are occupied.

Junk cannot be hauled in by nonresidents. Anyone who is a nonresident or not eligible for cleanup week who is caught hauling junk to a city residence will be subject to a fine and hauling fees.

The maximum pile size can now be no larger than four-feet wide, four-feet high and eight-feet long, which is approximately the size of the bed of a normal pick-up truck. Any additional items or brush will be left behind and it will be the owner or tenant’s responsibility to remove it.

Junk, garbage and brush must be in separate piles and placed behind the curb in the approximate location of the regular household refuse. Small cleanup week items must be in a tote. A four-foot separation is necessary between garbage totes and clean-up week items. Clean-up week items cannot be set out until the weekend prior to cleanup week, and must be at the curb no later than 5 a.m. on the regular garbage day. If it is not picked up on the regular day, it will be collected the next day. For more information, visit the city’s web site at www.cityofeastpeoria.com/governmentdepartments/public-works/garbage-and-recycling-department/fall-cleanup/.

Accepted items: furniture, mattresses and other household items, tree limbs and brush. Tree limbs must be stacked with the ends facing the curb. Nothing over 3 inches in diameter or longer than 4 feet will be accepted. Leaves and grass clippings are not included. The brush pile size cannot be any larger than four feet wide, four feet high and eight feet long, which is approximately the size of the bed of a normal pick-up truck. Additional brush not meeting the pile size will be left and it will be the responsibility of the homeowner or tenant to properly dispose of it.

Not accepted items: TVs, computers, small electronics, tires, white goods, water heaters, water softeners, construction and remodeling materials such as shingles, siding, windows, wood, wallboard or tile; railroad ties, landscape waste, and hazardous waste such as paint, pesticides, gasoline and motor oil. In addition, clothing and other small items will not be accepted because they can be included with household trash inside the garbage tote.

Results in on city’s quality of life survey
The public’s perception on the quality of life in East Peoria, including safety and being a good place to raise children, are overwhelmingly positive, according to the results of a recent survey.

The survey, filled out by the public in May, was created by officials from the city of East Peoria, the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, East Peoria Community High School, East Peoria Elementary District 86, the Fon du Lac Park District and Morton Community Bank.  The survey’s purpose was to gain insight into how residents and visitors view some of the key aspects of community life. The 13-question survey included questions about safety, economic opportunity, housing, senior services, ease of travel around the city, cultural opportunities, accessibility to health care, services for children, and recreation. Open to both East Peoria residents and non-residents, it was distributed electronically through the schools, on paper and electronically through the park district, on paper at various sites in the city. The survey had 553 responses and was facilitated by Aaron Buchko, Ph.D. from Bradley University.  Of those responding 65 percent are female and 35 percent are male.  The respondents are overwhelmingly white and from ZIP code 61611. For more information on the survey’s results, visit,www.cityofeastpeoria.com/governmentdepartments/east-peoria-quality-of-life-survey-results.

Community High school celebrates homecoming week
East Peoria Community High School will hold its homecoming parade from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The parade will begin near Bolin School and then proceed down Fondulac Drive, ending at the top of Rosedale Hill. The parade will not proceed down the hill.

The variety show will follow the parade from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Students will present a variety of skits and we will introduce the senior football players and the homecoming royalty. Tickets for the show are $3 each. Faculty and EPCHS students are free of charge with ID. Typically, Yearbooks will also be distributed on this night in the main gym.  The pep assembly will be held on Friday, Oct. 2  at the school. The homecoming game and food fair  will follow. The game will start at 5 p.m. for freshman and 7:30 p.m. for varsity. During the game, student council will sell a variety of foods (walking taco, cider donuts, etc.) . For more information, visit http://www.ep309.org.

Washington

Taste of Washington winners announced
Mcmahon’s Pints & Plates won the Best of Taste and Best Entree and People’s Choice awards for their mini pork shanks with risotto balls at  the eighth annual Taste of Washington on Sept. 15.  McMahon’s also won Best Dessert with limoncello roll ups.  The event was held for the first time at the east end of the parking lot at Countryside Banquet Facility.  In all 11 vendors participated in the event, sponsored by the Washington Chamber of Commerce.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–