Officer checking on Princeville businesses

By NICK VLAHOS
For The Weekly Post

PRINCEVILLE – Businesses in Princeville probably will be receiving regular messages from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.

Newly appointed Princeville officer Shawn Yarger has started placing cards in doors of local businesses. The cards indicate Yarger has checked to see if the buildings are secure.
“I would like business owners in town to know I’m checking the building, and that’s what this card means,” Yarger said.

The date and business name are included on the card. So are the time checked and comments from Yarger regarding the state of the property at the time he checked.

Village President Jeff Troutman suggested the time aspect might be the most important. If a business is burgled, the time stamp might help pinpoint when the crime happened.
“(Yarger) thought it would be an extra added security,” Troutman said of the cards.

Last month, Yarger became the sheriff’s-office dedicated deputy in Princeville. He told the Princeville Village Board about his business-notification plan when it met July 1.
The board agenda was light that night. Trustees approved milling and resurfacing thoroughfares in the Brockway Hills area, at the north end of Town Avenue. Tazewell County Asphalt Co. Inc. of East Peoria was the lower of two bidders ($154,266.35).

According to Troutman, the total cost of the project, including engineering costs, is expected to be in the $260,000-270,000 range. Original estimates were about $330,000. Work is expected to begin within a month.

The board also affirmed a tax-increment-financing agreement with German-Bliss Equipment Inc. Recent reorganization of TIF districts in Princeville necessitated the change, according to Troutman, who called it a formality.

Building permits were issued for front-porch remodels at 420 N. Town Ave. and 437 N. Walnut Ave.