By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – Though two major issues remain to be resolved, plans are moving forward for the construction of an OSF HealthCare complex on the east edge of Brimfield. “OSF is committed to the project, with the donation of land and a specified amount of philanthropy,” said Christine Bare-Kemper, the strategic philanthropy officer for OSF. “This is a project that’s been going on for two years.” Rita Kress of Brimfield said Tuesday that she will donate 3.5 acres on the southeast corner of Maher Road and U.S. 150 for construction of a new health care…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE For The Prairie News TOULON – Progress on a new sanitary lift station, or the lack thereof, was a hot topic at the latest meeting of the Toulon City Council. When city engineer Ed Andrews told the council he did not have an exact date when Stark Construction would start moving dirt for the new sanitary sewer system, Mayor Larry Hollis asked, “What about the fabrication of the lift station itself?” Andrews replied that the USEMCO [the fabricator] package is “progressing.” Hollis then asked, “They don’t have a date when that’ll be finished, either?” Andrews went…

Outpouring of support for Jacob Look By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – The tragic death of senior Jacob Look has generated an outpouring of support from the Brimfield community and elsewhere in central Illinois. Look, 17, was found unresponsive in a hot tub by his parents on the evening of Dec. 6. Despite resuscitation efforts by his parents and first responders, Look died shortly after 4 a.m. on Dec. 7. Cause of death was drowning, according to Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood. Friends, coaches and administrators uniformly praised Look as an outgoing and inclusive person. Last Sunday, hundreds attended…

Three local county sheriffs retiring By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post The law enforcement scene is changing rapidly across the country – and locally. All three sheriffs in counties where The Weekly Post circulates have announced they will not be seeking reelection next November. That is part of a growing trend in Illinois. Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell said he has heard that 18 sheriffs in Illinois have left office since January. “And the rumor is that 80 percent of the sheriffs are not going to run for reelection,” Asbell said.  While each case is different, common motivations to quit include…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE For The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – The Elmwood City Council approved the purchase of a refurbished street sweeping machine during an abbreviated monthly meeting on Dec. 7. Cost of the refurbished street sweeper is $57,500. Economic Development Director Amy Davis was not present, but had submitted a written report to the council. Davis wrote that she has helped in finding a replacement business for Cerno’s, which is to close in Elmwood in the near future. Davis reported that the Horeb Lodge repairs are completed and that the café and post office “are both fully open.” There was…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post WILLIAMSFIELD – Masks are not going away anytime soon in Williamsfield schools, but Superintendent Tim Farquer said efforts are being made to return to some “traditional practices.” “The mask mandate does not look like it’s going anywhere, but by and large, everything else we’re trying to get back to normal as much as we can,” Superintendent Tim Farquer said at Monday’s Williamsfield School Board meeting. Farquer told the board that positive COVID cases have doubled in Knox County since Thanksgiving and that there were more positive COVID cases among Williamsfield students than at any…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Man threatens to ‘set his dog’ on officer ELMWOOD – Responding to reports of harassment, loud music and bright lights shined into neighbors’ homes on Dec. 6, an Elmwood police officer was dispatched to the 400 block of E. Cypress St., where he reported hearing music “five blocks away,” according to an Elmwood police report. The officer knocked on the door of the residence multiple times, asking Zachary D. Beintema, 36, of Elmwood to step outside. On one attempt, Beintema slammed…

Farmington, Brimfield boys battle back from injuries, sickness to win By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post The tragic death of area player Jacob Look overshadows what has already been a difficult week for players sidelined with flu and the aches and pains of bodies relearning the toils of a basketball season. Some of those players, however, were able to return to play last week to help their teams. Farmington The Farmers (5-1) got back to full strength in time to win at Monmouth-Roseville on Friday, 44-43. The Farmers rallied from a 15-7 deficit after one quarter despite foul trouble and…

BRIMFIELD – Tragedy struck the Brimfield basketball team Tuesday with the death of senior Jacob Look. “It’s a big loss for us,” Brimfield Coach Kevin Kreiter said. Brimfield’s game at ROWVA-Williamsfield Tuesday was cancelled. Kreiter said the status of Friday’s home game vs. Havana is uncertain.

Lady Indians ranked first in Illinois in AP Class 1A girls hoops poll By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post Polls mean nothing real when it comes to sports, except in college football. But they are fun. And that’s the way the Brimfield girls basketball team has been treating its spot atop the state Class 1A rankings released last week by the Associated Press. “They’re having a blast with it,” Brimfield Coach Maribeth Dura said. “There’s been a couple pieces about them in the papers and on the internet and they’re having a good time.” Part of the reason for that…