The 29th annual Festival of Lights East Peoria River Trail Classic will be held on Nov. 30. Registration is now open.

EAST PEORIA

Time to register for the River Trail Classic run/walk

The 29th annual Festival of Lights East Peoria River Trail Classic is an Illinois Valley Striders-sanctioned grand prix event that attracts participants from throughout the country. The event, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, is open to men, women and children of all ages. Dogs are not allowed on the course.

The event involves two races —2-mile non-competitive walk at 8:30 a.m. and a 4-mile competitive run at 9 a.m.

The entry fee is nonrefundable.

The cost is $40 pre-registration if received by Oct. 31 and includes a gender specific, half-zip, long-sleeve running shirt with thumb holes and back zippered pocket. Shirt sizes are not guaranteed after Oct. 31, and there will be a limited availability of shirts on race day.

Cost for run or walk only, no shirt is $20.

Ways to enter and pay:

• Register at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/.  And you can download the entry form at https://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/DocumentCenter/ and mail it with a check.  Take it to EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Drive, to pay with cash, check or credit/debit card.
•       Pick up the entry form at East Peoria City Hall, Fond du Lac Park District Administration Building, EastSide Centre and Fondulac Banking Center and mail it with a check.
•       Take a completed entry form to EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Drive, East Peoria to pay with cash, check or credit/debit card.
•       Call EastSide Centre at 309-698-5437 to register and pay by phone with credit/debit card.

New Awards for 2019

Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers and the top three male and female finishers in five-year age divisions from age 10 to 75. No awards are presented in the 2-mile walk.

New Post-Race Party Location

The post-race party will occur at Mickie’s Pizzeria, 1051 East Washington Street, East Peoria. All River Trail Classic finishers will receive pizza, and those age 21 and older will receive a free beer.

More Information

For more information, call Jim McIntyre at 309-253-2420.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS

Red Cross holding blood drives across the region

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood or platelets to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and more than 268,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy may require red blood cell or platelet transfusions. In fact, more than half of all platelets collected by the Red Cross are used by patients with cancer.

Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are needed to ensure a stable supply for cancer patients and others this fall. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

MORTON

 Village offers yard waste disposal during fall

The village of Morton offers free yard waste disposal for residents only at Sewage Treatment Plant #2, 2625 S. Fourth, at the corner of S. Fourth and Broadway Road.

Hours of operation are Saturday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Verification of name and address are required.

The program is “self-serve” as it has been in the past.  A fenced area at STP#2 will be designated for yard waste disposal.  Assistance will not be provided for removal or dumping of landscape waste, so please plan accordingly.

The following regulations and limitations must be met:

• Only leaves, grass clippings, and tree branches (no greater than 5′ in length or 4″ in diameter), and any associated landscape waste will be accepted.
• No paper or plastic bags will be allowed for disposal.
• Neither landscaping timber (railroad ties) nor construction lumber is allowed.
• No commercial enterprise may deposit landscape waste at this site.
• “Root mass” from trees, bushes, or shrubbery is not allowed.
• No pet waste, household garbage or plant containers of any kind at this site.
• No yard waste is to be left outside the designated fenced area.
• Video surveillance will take place during the program.

Please follow, or help us police these rules to ensure the continued operation of this free yard waste disposal program for all citizens of Morton.

Remember that it is a violation of Village ordinances to deposit landscape and yard waste on Village property (in the streets, in Prairie and Bull Run Creeks, down storm sewers, etc.), and that open burning of landscape waste or any kind of garbage is prohibited within the Village limits.

The service is closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 for Thanksgiving.

PEKIN

Police supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness month is a yearly campaign that’s intent is to educate people about the importance of early screening, testing and more.

The Pekin Police Department says that some of its officers and support staff will be wearing pink ribbons or pink ribbon bars, for those who are in uniform, for Breast Cancer awareness month again this year.

“Everyone knows someone in our lives affected by cancer. We are proud to show our support to those who have battled and are battling this disease, and for those that are searching for a cure,” the Police Department stated.

The annual Fall Festival at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 26-27. (Photo courtesy of enjoyillinois.com)

PEORIA

 Bond reform topic of next League of Women Voters event

The Greater Peoria League of Women Voters will discuss the Bond Reform at its Drinks and Dialogue event, 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Lariat Steakhouse, 2232 W Glen

Ave., Peoria.

Anthony Walraven, community activist with Change Peoria, will discuss why communities are pushing to reform the cash bond system currently in place.

In Illinois, over 90 percent of people incarcerated in jails across this state have not been convicted of any crime. Often, they remain behind bars because they cannot afford to pay the bond that has been set.

Walraven will explain the current system in Peoria County, how it adversely affects people of color and the working class, and what can be learned from other communities that have

implemented reforms.

The event is free and the public is invited.  Refreshments are available for purchase.  Social time is 5 to 5:30 pm.

Drinks and Dialogue is offered on the third Wednesday of the month always at a local restaurant, to discuss local, state and national topics relating to approved LWV positions,

aimed at “Making Democracy Work.”

For more information, go to www.lwvgp.org

SPRINGFIELD

Lincoln’s New Salem site hosting fall festival

The annual Fall Festival at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Site interpreters in period clothing will demonstrate daily tasks throughout the historic village such as candle dipping, soap making, basket making, spinning wool, gardening, natural dyeing, and broom making.

Admission is free, and donations are always welcomed. Lincoln’s New Salem, administered by the IDNR, is located two miles south of Petersburg and 20 miles northwest of Springfield on Illinois Route 97.