Brimfield reverses decision on masks By JEFF LAMPE and PETER HANCOCK For The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – After a lengthy and emotional meeting last Wednesday, the Brimfield School Board reversed its stance on wearing masks in school. The board had previously opted to follow its own Return to School plan when classes started on Aug. 18, which meant mask wearing was optional so long as local COVID case numbers remained under a certain threshold. But Brimfield schools were placed on probation by the Illinois State Board of Education, and board members voted 4-2 at the Aug. 18 special meeting to heed Gov….

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – With an unusually small senior class of five, Elmwood-Brimfield won’t have its usual depth and will likely play more starters both ways than was once the custom for the Trojans. But that’s OK with Coach Todd Hollis, who says the seniors have been great leaders and deserve to play both sides of the ball, anyway. Hollis said he was looking back through game films of his first two playoff teams and was struck by how many players on those teams started on offense and defense. “So the two-way doesn’t matter. If they’re…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post ONEIDA – A promising offseason ran into a rocky interruption in mid-August when the new ROWVA-Williamsfield football co-op was temporarily sidelined for a COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, R-W had to call off its Community Night on Aug. 20 and there was no team picture taken. The lack of practice also put third-year Coach Grant Gullstrand – who generally likes to keep information close to the vest anyway – at some disadvantage in finalizing a starting lineup. “We haven’t practiced for the last 10 days and I’m not listing any starters,” Gullstrand said on…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – Sometimes, a very strong senior class can leave a void that is hard to fill in a football program. So it was with remorse and intrigue that Princeville bid adieu to last year’s strong senior group, which led the Princes to a 5-1 record.  But so far, Coach Jon Carruthers has mostly praise for his nine returning seniors and for a group of 10 juniors who also figure to play a key role. “We didn’t play a full season last year, but that was one of the stronger senior classes we’ve had….

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post FARMINGTON – Chris Haggard looks around him and sees lots of new faces filling key roles for the Farmington football team. A three-year starter on the line, Haggard has a simple message for those inexperienced teammates, many of whom gravitate toward the senior. “He’s got many young guys around him and has taken them under his wing,” Coach Toby Vallas said. “But he doesn’t want to be their buddy. He wants them to be their best.” At stake is a six-year regular season home win streak that stretches back to Aug. 28, 2015, and a…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Police reports • FARMINGTON – Three Farmington residents were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor on Aug. 12 according to a Fulton County Sheriff’s report. Charged were Ellise D. Anderson, 18, Alexis J. Lansford, 18, and Todd M. Way, 20, all of Farmington. Marriage licenses • Joanna Lynn Sanstra and Aaron Nicholas Bernal, both of Elmwood.

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post ELMWOOD – Moments into a school board meeting that had drawn an unusually large crowd of more than 30 people, Elmwood Superintendent Chad Wagner made an announcement. “We are not going to be mandating masks,” Wagner said. “For non-vaccinated people it is recommended to wear masks. That’s it.” From there the board went on to discuss and to vote on a return-to-school plan that features optional mask wearing and no provisions for remote learning. Instead, students who are unable to attend school will participate in what Wagner called “synchronous learning” by following a…

By JEFF LAMPE For The Weekly Post  FARMINGTON – Wearing masks will be optional for Farmington students when they return to school this year. That was among the points in a back-to-school plan approved by the school board at its July 19 meeting by a 4-3 vote. Voting against the plan were board members Travis Mahr, Keith Depperman and Eric Stanley. And while masks will be optional in school – unless positivity rates increase or guidelines change – wearing masks will be required of students who ride the buses based on Centers for Disease Control policies regarding public transportation. Remote learning…

By JOHN A. BALLENTINE For The Weekly Post BRIMFIELD – After a special meeting on July 14 that drew nearly 100 people, the Brimfield Board of Education met again on July 21 to finish a return-to-school plan. The crowd at the July 21 meeting was closer to 30 people, including a Peoria County Sheriff’s deputy, and was more reserved than during the previous meeting, when 11 audience members spoke. Board members discussed remote learning, quarantining and contact tracing, mask requirements and vaccinations. A number of changes to the school plan were suggested by board members, some of which became part of…

Traffic citations & Ordinance violations 7-11 – Kristopher J. Kyarsgaard – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. 7-14 – Felicia M. Potter – Operating an uninsured vehicle. 7-24 – Wade A. Hunt – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. 7-24 – Brooke L. Everette – Speeding 35+ mph over limit. 7-25 – Preston L. Nanninga – Unlicensed and headlight violation.. Incidents & Accidents Stark County 7-6 – A deer-related accident occurred on Route 40 near the intersection of 1750N. The driver involved was Chad M. Cade, 26, of Lacon, No injuries were reported. Damages were estimated at over $1,500. 7-17 – A…