Wayne Bertola’s untitled mixed media assemblages are among his works that will be displayed at Eureka College’s Burgess Hall Art Gallery Oct. 1-30. (Photo courtesy of Eureka College)

Woodford County

County coroner to seek another term
Woodford County coroner Tim Ruestman says he will seek a seventh term.  Ruestman, 49, made the announcement on Sept. 18.

The El Paso Republican said he plans to seek re-election to continue to manage the coroner’s office in a professional and fiscally responsible manner.  

Ruestman is a member of the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association and a member of the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Funeral Directors and Embalmers Disciplinary Board.

He is a 1986 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and is a partner and owner with several funeral homes throughout the county and region including Ruestman-Harris Funeral Homes, Minonk and El Paso; Argo-Ruestman Harris Funeral Home, Eureka; Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home, Eureka; and Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Memorial Home, Bloomington.

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.

Tri-County health initiative seeks community input
The Tri-County Community Health Collaborative, representing hospitals, clinics, public health, and the United Way, is conducting a community health needs assessment in each of the communities it serves. Through the assessment, we hope to identify the most important health issues impacting individuals and families.

One part of the assessment is a survey.  This survey was first conducted in 2013 and gave the county health departments a baseline to build on. During the survey process, new partnerships and developed innovative approaches to solving some of the most important health-related challenges our communities face. Examples include programs that focus on:

• increased physical activity;
• increased access to healthy fruits and vegetables;
• mental health awareness, screening and accessibility; and
• collaboration to reduce substance abuse issues.

The community is encouraged to fill out surveys to continue with the process of addressing the needs of residents in the Tri-County area.  The survey is available through this  web site, http://bradley.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d44bMdtsVv0wPBP.

Eureka

Wayne Bertola’s untitled mixed media assemblages are among his works that will be displayed at Eureka College’s Burgess Hall Art Gallery Oct. 1-30. (Photo courtesy of Eureka College)

College art gallery to exhibit work of Wayne Bertola
An exhibit of more than 30 mixed media assemblages by Chicago artist Wayne Bertola will be displayed Oct. 1 – 30 at Burgess Hall Art Gallery at Eureka College. The exhibit titled “Prosaic Alchemy” will demonstrate how contemporary art and the mediums it encompasses are a result of individuals finding new meaning in objects that some would simply ignore, discard.

“My work combines found objects and images that are the discarded debris of the once functional and the most humble of materials,” Bertola said. “I demonstrate their capacity for transformation into objects that engage the viewer in a creative dialogue of new associations and possibilities beyond the limitations of the utilitarian and preconceived notions of what is worthy of notice and what constitutes value.”

The Eureka College gallery is located on the third floor of Burgess Memorial Hall, 300 E. College Ave. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment by calling 467-6866. Admission is free.                                                                                      

Illinois Senate

Committee to select person  to fill LaHood’s State Senate seat
The process has begun to fill the 37th District Illinois Senate seat that was previously held by Republican Darin LaHood, who left the seat after winning the election for the 18th District Congressional seat earlier this month. Republican party leaders in the counties included within the 37th District met Sept. 21 to create a formal selection committee to be led by Henry County’s Republican leader Jan Weber, according to reports. Those interested in being considered for the Senate seat can request an application at the website applyforsenate37.com or emailing to applyforsenate37@gmail.com. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, a registered voter and have lived within the district for two years.

–Woodford County News Briefs–