Morton

High school saves construction work with lime

School District 709 has been concerned that the wet summer is causing major delays on construction of the Morton High School outdoor athletic complex. But, a recent application of lime to the soil on Carper Field has reportedly firmed up the ground enough to permit the artificial turf to be installed during the first week of August. Cost for a three-day application of the lime was $73,000, according to reports. Lime also was applied on the site of new tennis courts, according to reports. The original cost for the athletic complex work, including new bleachers, lighting, press box, track and locker room at Carper Field, eight new tennis courts, a new marching band practice field with tower, was at $4.7 million

State

Unemployment rate falls again in Illinois, Tazewell

Unemployment in the state of Illinois has declined from a year ago, according to the latest reports from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The unemployment rate for June was at 5.9 percent, one full percentage point lower than 2014. In Tazewell County, the rate of unemployed workers fell 1.1 percent from a year ago, coming in at 5.5 percent,  according to the IDES. Nationally, the unemployment rate for June was at 5.3 percent, down from 5.5 percent in June 2014.

State

Edgar Fellows organization announces 2015 candidates

Forty Illinois leaders on both the public and private section have been chosen for the 2015 Edgar Fellowship, according to reports. The fellowship, named after former Gov. Jim Edgar and funded mainly through donations, promotes bipartisanship and regional cooperation statewide. This year’s Fellows class includes  several Illinois legislators, as well as business leaders and heads of civic groups, according to reports. The fellowship program is designed by Edgar and the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs and takes place from Aug. 2-6 in Urbana-Champaign. More than 140 people were nominated for the program with 40 chosen, according to reports.

Tremont

Torpedoes win Tazewell County swim meet

For the fourth year in a row, the Tremont Torpedoes have won the 58th annual Tazewell County Swim Meet championships. The event was held at July 25 at Tremont Pool. With 97 swimmers competing, the Torpedoes had the most of the five teams competing in the meet, according to reports.  The Torpedoes scored 1109 points on a day, with Morton Otters finishing second with 874.5 points. The Washington Water Jets came in third with 736 points, followed by the East Peoria SplashDown Sonic Waves at 354.5 and Pekin Water Dragons with 262 points, according to reports.

Tri-County Region

State budget problems impacting Tri-County Planning Commission

Officials with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission say the state budget woes are affecting its own budget. The regional planning commission says roughly 80 percent of  its funding comes from federal money used for transportation funds, but the group cannot access that funding without a state budget in place, according to reports.  The TRPC’s director has told the media the group has enough funds in reserve to cover costs through October, but he also is hoping the state will reimburse costs incurred at the level once a budget is passed, according to reports.  The TRPC serves Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.

U of I Extension

Cookbook serves as fundraiser for 4-H House

The 4-H House on the University of Illinois campus is 55 years old and in need of remodeling and renovations, according to the University of Illinois Extension. More than 1,000 students have lived in the house, located at  805 W. Ohio , over the past five-and-a half decades.  Currently, 51 young women who have leadership experience in 4-H or FFA are living in the house, according to the U of I Extension. To raise funds for the renovations, the U of I Extension and 4-H are selling cookbooks. “Nurture the Future @ 805” is a hard cover, spiral-bound book with 480 pages of favorite 4-H House recipes.  Money raised from the sale will go toward updating the house with air conditioning, electrical updating, new bathrooms, and more, according to the U of I Extension.  “Nurture the Future @ 805” can be purchased for $30 per book, which includes shipping costs. For details on how to order, visit www.4hhouse.com or send an email to Judy Taylor (judymtaylor1@gmail.com) or Linda Muehling atglmuehling@hotmail.com.

Washington

Registration open for Park District before, after school care

The Washington Park District is taking registrations for its before and after school program, called REACH, for the 2015-16 school year. The program is for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Children are divided by grade into classrooms at the facility at 105 S. Spruce St. Monthly plans are available from two days per week up to fives days per week and can be in either mornings only or afternoons only or both. Parent’s packet available at the Washington Park District office located at 105 S. Spruce St. Washington, IL 61571.  For more information, call the Park District at (309) 444-9413.