Woodford County Health Department Administrator Hillary Aggertt, MS. presents Doug Long of Germantown Hills with his Public Health Award honor on April 2. (Photo courtesy of WCHD)

 Residents honored for their work in public health

The Woodford County Health Department announced the 2019 Public Health Award recipients. To receive the award, a resident of County must be nominated and be an example of someone who has dedicated their time to help improve the health and well-being of the community.

The Woodford County Board of Health approves recipients to receive the annual award.

Doug Long of Germantown Hills was selected this year as he is a Woodford County Medical Reserve Corps volunteer, is part of the Partnership for Healthy Community HEAL initiatives as well as the Woodford County Fresh Food Partners.

Long volunteers at Open Arms Food Pantry in Metamora, and has helped community partners collect data regarding access and fresh food consumption. He willingly gives his time to assist his community in a variety of ways and continues to inspire others to do the same.

Lisa Doty (left), RN at Metamora Township High School gets her Public Health Award honor from Woodford County Health Department Director of Nursing Melissa Theleman, RN, BSN, MPH. (Photo courtesy of WCHD)

Lisa Doty, R.N. at Metamora Township High School also was selected this year as she continuously promotes public health by supporting immunizations and works endlessly to make sure all MTHS students are up-to-date on required vaccinations.

Doty partners with the Health Department each fall to offer MTHS staff the influenza vaccine, protecting the staff and students, and promoting vaccine awareness.

Furthermore, Doty provides care to students in a variety of ways and is a resource for many students not only for health but also personal issues.

The award ceremony took place on April 2 at Woodford County Health Department. The award is given annually in celebration of National Public Health Week.

Since 1995, National Public Health Week has been observed during the first full week in April to encourage people to actively pursue stronger, healthier lives.

For more information please call 309-467-3064 or visit www.woodfordhealth.org.

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Health Dept. to host household hazardous waste collection  

Woodford County Health Department (WCHD) will host a free household hazardous waste collection sponsored Illinois Environmental Protection Agency on Saturday, June 15^, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The collection will take place at Woodford County Highway Department, 301 S. Main St. Roanoke,

For more information, visit the Woodford County Health Department website at www.woodfordhealth.org. For additional Illinois household hazard waste collection events and sites, visit www.2illinois.gov/epa.

PEKIN

St. Joseph Church hosting spring festival

St. Joseph Catholic Church of Pekin is hosting its annual Spring Festival with a variety of activities on April 26-27, and May 3-4.

The weekend kicks off Friday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. with a euchre tournament for the jackpot cash prize, food and drinks at the Parish Center.  Participants can register that evening; $20 per person or $40 per couple.

The annual veteran’s ceremony will be Saturday, April 27, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church.  Veterans of all faiths are invited for a special ceremony in their honor.

The annual golf classic will also be on April 27 at noon, at Lick Creek Golf Course in Pekin.  The event includes green fees, cart, a box lunch, and dinner at Venezia Italian Restaurant for $100 per person or $400 per foursome.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams. Register at the St. Joseph Church Parish Office by calling 309-347-6108.

The Carnival and Family Dinner will be held on Friday, May 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  The event will offer food, games, prizes, inflatables, balloon art, photo booth, Kona Ice Truck, silent auction, plant and bake sale, and other family fun.

This event is free to attend; tickets can be purchased for the games and food.  Raffle tickets for a 1 in 3000 chance to win $10,000 will be available for purchase for $20; tickets can also be purchased by phone by calling the Parish Office at 309- 347-6108.

The weekend concludes with St. Joseph’s ‘Cinco De Mayo’ Gala, on Saturday, May 4, at 5 p.m. at the Par-a-dice Hotel in East Peoria.  The evening includes dinner, music, dancing, live and silent auctions.  Tickets are $50 per person or $400 per table.  The public is invited to attend.  Tickets can be purchased at the Parish Office, or by calling 309-347-6108.

REGIONAL

CASA urges residents to act against child abuse

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit challenges residents of Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties to stand against child abuse and take action to support children who have been abused or neglected.

. “The number of children coming into care continues to grow and we aim to meet that need,” said Pamela Perrilles, executive director. “Every child deserves the support of a caring, consistent, trained adult, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), to help them find a safe, loving home where they can heal and thrive.”

CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit is calling on members of the community to help our program serve more of the Tenth Judicial Circuit’s most vulnerable children.

Volunteer informational meetings will be held Monday, April 22, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Two25, 225 NE Adams, Peoria and on Tuesday, April 30 from 5:30 – 7 p.m., Tazewell County Justice Center, 101 S. Capitol St., Pekin. Or join in the Hands Around the Courthouse on Tuesday, April 26 at noon, Peoria County Courthouse Plaza.

To become a volunteer or a supporter or for more information about CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, visitwww.casapeoria.org or call 309-669-2939.

WASHINGTON

Park District plans Good Neighbor Day races

The Washington Park District presents the 2019 Washington Good Neighbor Days 5K Run and 1- Mile Fun Run on Saturday, June 1.

This event will feature our chip time races and Kids Fun Runs. These runs are presented by the Uftring Chevrolet-Washington. The races all will begin in front of Five Points Washington at 7:30 a.m.

The entry fee for the 5K is $28 through April 28 and $32 up until race day. Race day registration is $36. Registration includes an event performance running shirt to every registered runner. Packets will be available for pick up on Friday, May 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 1 from 6 to 7 a.m. at Five Points Washington.

Check- in and late registration is available at Five Points Washington from 6 to 7 a.m. on race day.

The 1 Mile Fun Run is an event for the entire family, or for those individuals not wanting to compete in the 5K race. The route will follow the same path as the 5K event, but just before Dallas Road, the 1-Milers will turn into the access road and complete an out and back course around Central School.

The 1-Milers will get an official time and use the same finish line as the 5K participants. Each participant will receive a T-shirt. This event will also start at 7:30 a.m. The entry fee for the 1- Mile Fun Run/Walk is $15 through April 28, and $20 up until race day. Race day registration is $25.

Kids Fun Runs is Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m. for a fee of $12.

Kids aged 1-to 10-years-old can run races from 50-meter, 1⁄4 mile and 1⁄2 mile. Kids Fun Runs take place at the finish line for the Good Neighbor Days 5K event. Check in anytime during the packet pickup times or after 8 a.m. at the Good Neighbor Days 5K finish line near the Central School Bus Barn. Park at Five Points Washington or in the Central Intermediate School parking lot.

Register online for all races at www.goodneighbordays5K.com. For any questions contact the office at 309-444-9413.

STATE

 Pritzker names new members to Council on Women and Girls

Gov. J.B. Pritzker named 21 new members of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls at a reception in Springfield. Formed in 2018, the council’s mission is to advise the governor and the General Assembly on policy issues impacting women and girls in Illinois.

“The new members of the Illinois Council on Women and Girls will help Illinois become a national leader in addressing issues impacting women and girls,” said Pritzker. “For decades, I’ve been committed to making sure that the voices of women and girls are heard in our debates, and I look forward to listening to the Council and its members to advance our shared priorities.”

Pritzker named Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton as chair of the council.

The new members of the Council are Pamela Althoff, Amanda Basso, Candace Coleman, Sylvia Collins, Rochelle Crump, Brandy Donaldson, Veronica Espina, Theresa Forthofer, Monique Garcia, Kaethe Morris Hoffer, Aileen Kim, Ines Kutlesa, Jennifer Lee, Maaria Mozaffer, Wendy Pollack, Dr. Vidyha Prakash, Nikita Richards, Drella Savage, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Rhonda Thomas and Amina Zaffer.

The council consists of 21 members. The governor, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives are each able to appoint four public members to the council.

The reception included speakers from across the state who congratulated the new members and celebrated the Council. The reception’s featured guests included girls from Springfield’s Boys and Girls Club, I AM E.N.O.U.G.H, a Springfield program seeking to empower young women and girls from the Springfield Girl Scout Troop.