By JOHN A. BALLENTINEFor The Prairie News TOULON – The Toulon City Council on Monday passed a motion to hire Peerless Well and Pump, Inc., of Dubuque, Iowa, to perform necessary repairs on the city’s No. 1 well. Total cost is not to exceeed $45,000 for Peerless to pull the well parts out, including the pump, and replace it with a new one if required. During the council’s May meeting, Mayor Larry Hollis said an immediate repair was required for a leak in well No. 1. At that time, an estimate was to be obtained for the cost of a…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINEFor The Prairie News TOULON – After a closed session Tuesday evening to discuss the purchase of real property, the Stark County Board of Supervisors hired the services of an architect firm. Board Chair Kari Bush said Mackinaw-based Atelier, P.C.was hired to design the new highway building.No other details on plans for the new building were provided during or after the board meeting.This was the board’s eighth closed-session discussion on the topic of purchasing real property since May 2024. In the closed session Tuesday were board members Bush, Vice-Chair Robin Nowlan, Tom Howes, Jamie Schaffer, Adam Wilson, Melissa…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – A new restaurant in Elmwood is receiving some city financial assistance for its signage.During its meeting June 3, the Elmwood City Council approved a $1,027.57 tax-increment-financing grant to Otera Brinson, proprietor of Elmwood Junk Food Café, 102 W. Main St. That’s half the cost of the sign and installation, according to Amy Davis, the city economic-development director. Elmwood Junk Food Café opened June 4. Chicago-style hot dogs, baked potatoes with toppings and meatball submarine sandwiches are among the menu items. The cafe occupies space a Subway restaurant once filled. “This building came open…

Rambling through central Illinois, pondering fathers. • • • For a long time, Father’s Day was an issue for me. My Dad was 12 hours away and getting him a card and gift required foresight – not my strength when it comes to most things outside of work. Too many times FedEx rushed him cards or Amazon overnighted gifts. Then there was the envy. Seeing other sons and dads fishing, golfing and grilling made me jealous. No card or gift can replace the simple satisfaction of time together. Worse yet was the guilt of having left the family, heightened on…

Traffic citations &Ordinance violations 6-8 – Emily J. Burdett – Uninsured vehicle.6-8 – Thomas A. Null – Expired registration.6-9 – James D. Stutler – Uninsured vehicle.6-9 – Trevor L. Shimmin – Uninsured vehicle, driving 11-14 mph above limit.6-9 – Aaron T. Arduini – Speeding 25-34 mph over limit. Misdemeanors &Felonies6-2 – Criminal misdemeanor – Caleb A. Deck – Escape: Did not report to Stark County Jail on June 2 at 9 a.m. and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Incidents & AccidentsStark County6-2 – Melvin O. Rodriguez Espinoza, 19, Wyoming, cited for driving without vehicle insurance, while his license…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PEORIA – An out-of-court settlement was reached in a civil lawsuit on behalf of a Princeville-area woman killed in a two-vehicle crash last year. The settlement of $300,000 was to be paid to the estate of Nevaeh Mitchell, according to documents filed April 30 in Peoria County Circuit Court. The lawsuit her estate filed against the other driver, Levi Dietz, was dismissed with prejudice. That means the case is closed permanently and cannot be refiled. Mitchell, 18, died May 4, 2024, when her vehicle collided head-on with Dietz’s vehicle on Orange Prairie Road north of…

By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post WILLIAMSFIELD – A shuttered-restaurant site in Williamsfield will have an added attraction to help lure a new tenant. The Williamsfield Village Board decided June 2 to expand by one the number of video-gambling licenses in town, to four. That would allow the building at 102 E. Gale St., which has housed several restaurants in recent years, to house alcohol and gaming. Building owner Lee Strom requested the gaming expansion, according to Village President Robert Johnson.“He has several people interested in setting up a restaurant in there, but they want to have gaming machines and they…

Princeville likely to assist new business By NICK VLAHOSFor The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – The new owners of the old Alcoa Building Products plant in Princeville probably will receive long-term village financial assistance for property improvements. When it meets June 17, the Princeville Village Board is likely to consider an official agreement with West Jersey Express, according to Village President Jeff Troutman. The board’s Tax Increment Financing Committee discussed an agreement when it met June 2, immediately before the full board convened. According to Troutman, West Jersey Express probably will be eligible to receive 70% of the increase in property-tax revenue…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.Police reports • FARMINGTON – A Farmington man’s blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit after he was arrested in connection with a domestic-battery incident. Christopher R. Roper, 29, was accused of beating and attempting to strangle a 27-year-old woman about noon May 24 at a residence in the 100 block of S. Main St., according to a Farmington police report. The woman sustained bruises and bleeding on her face. Roper refused to talk with police, who transported him to Graham Hospital in Canton….

Summer is not officially here, but festival season is starting Saturday, when Elmwood holds its 37th annual Strawberry Festival. Elmwood’s food fest in Central Park will look much the same as in years past, featuring a wide variety of sweet strawberry treats, kids activities, a car show, a food tent, craft vendors, a quilt show, a 5K race and live music in the bandstand from the River Valley Big Band and the Aristocrats. The event opens with the 5K and a pancake breakfast at the firehouse starting at 6 a.m. Festival food is served until 5 p.m., but the sooner you…