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Frye buys Brimfield, Princeville pharmacies By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – At a time when many small-town pharmacies are closing, the future looks much brighter for two local drugstores. On Jan. 1, Kevin Frye completed his purchase of Sherman’s Pharmacy and Princeville Pharmacy. His brother, Kody Frye, is the manager and pharmacist in Princeville and they become the second set of brothers to play active roles in providing medical assistance for local communities. Curtis Sherman, who started Sherman’s Pharmacy in September 1977, will continue working as a part-time pharmacist two days a week. His brother Keith Sherman, who worked…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – The Princeville School District appears to be in a bit of turmoil. Petition drives are underway to remove Superintendent Tony Shinall and return Peoria County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Crystal Strauss as school resource officer. The primary issue appears to be a late-October incident in which Shinall was accused of lifting a 4-year-old preschooler for disciplinary reasons. It isn’t clear if that incident was connected to the reassignment of Strauss after six years as Princeville SRO. The sheriff’s office notified the school district Jan. 2 regarding Strauss’ departure. WEEK-TV in Peoria first reported the…

Money, if allocated, would fund wastewater lagoon rehab By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – City officials are cautiously optimistic that the second time will be a charm for a $1 million federal grant to upgrade Elmwood’s wastewater lagoons. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen announced this week he has secured more than $33 million in federal Community Project Funding for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, including $1 million for Elmwood. Similar funding was secured for Elmwood in March 2024 by Sorensen, a Democrat, but was removed from the bill signed by President Donald Trump in March 2025. The project required by the…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports. Incidents & AccidentsStark County1-12 – Courtney D. Smith, 28, Springfield, was cited for speeding 80 mph in a 55 zone, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving on a suspended registration. Her vehicle was towed and impounded.1-12 – Steven J. Earthely, 25, Kewanee, cited for driving while his license was suspended. His vehicle was impounded.1-13 – Shannon W. Capen, 51, Peoria, was ticketed for driving on a suspended registration and for operating an uninsured vehicle.1-13 – Kenneth L. Meeker, 64, Kewanee, was cited for driving a…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • FARMINGTON – Police took two juveniles into custody temporarily following a fight during a high school boys basketball game in Farmington on Jan. 14. After that incident, one of the suspects threatened the other by posting on social media a photograph of a gun, according to authorities. Farmington police were notified about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 about a fight at the school. Farmington was playing Canton at the time. Farmington School District personnel broke up the fight and the two juveniles were removed from…

Focus on vacant or neglected properties has paid off By JEFF LAMPEFor The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – A concentrated effort to deal with vacant and neglected buildings and trailer homes in Farmington appears to be paying off. At Monday’s meeting of the Farmington City Council, Police Chief Chris Darsham reported he has received responses regarding 21 of 30 vacant or neglected buildings or trailer homes currently in violation of city codes. A few other responses arrived Tuesday morning, the chief said, though he has not processed them yet. Letters were sent to owners of the properties along with a form now…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy who for a decade has been stationed in the Princeville School District has been removed from that job. An internal investigation resulted in the action taken against Deputy Crystal Strauss, Sheriff Chris Watkins stated Monday. Strauss, who became the Princeville school resource officer in September 2015, has been reassigned to patrol duties. The Strauss investigation regarded alleged policy violations, according to Watkins. He was not more specific. The Princeville SRO job opening has been posted internally. Watkins expects it to be filled next week. According to Princeville…

By JEFF LAMPEFor The Prairie News and The Weekly Post BRADFORD – New hope has emerged for the future of Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Bradford. Slated for permanent closure by the Diocese of Peoria after a final service on April 19, the church has attracted interest from the Byzantine Catholic Church. Working with local supporters, a group is exploring using St. John’s to establish a mission church for the Ohio-based Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. Residents of Bradford and the surrounding area are invited to a community informational meeting on Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. at the…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • PRINCEVILLE – A 77-year-old Princeville woman was the victim of a scam, according to authorities.The scammer absconded with about $25,000, according to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office. The theft was reported at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9. An Asian male is the suspect. The sheriff’s office indicated the suspect was impersonating a federal agent. • EDWARDS – A Hanna City man was accused of domestic battery regarding an incident at an Edwards-area residence. Randy C. Cusack, 58, was arrested shortly before 4 p.m. Dec. 5…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Incidents & AccidentsStark County12-28 – Joseph M. Clark, 19, East Peoria, was cited for disregarding a stop sign.12-30 – Shauna C. Cooper, 47, Princeville, was cited for driving a vehicle without a valid registration. The vehicle was towed and impounded and Cooper was issued a court date to appear.12-31 – Bailey E. Leverette, 26, Galva, was cited for speeding 67 mph in a 45 zone.12-31 – Kaiden G. Sarnes, 18, Princeville, was cited for operation of an uninsured vehicle. He was issued a court date to appear.12-31…