By John A. Ballentine Galva and Stark County schools are closed through March 30, and possibly longer, as part of the state’s response to COVID-19. Stark County School District No. 100 has suspended all extracurricular events until further notice and has discouraged functions that would have “large gatherings of any kind.” In addition, the school district continues to sanitize all “high-touch surfaces” and stresses personal hygiene practices of handwashing, covering one’s coughs and sneezes, etc. “We will continue to follow the government mandate and plan to have virtual learning for grades 5-12 while instituting daily activity packets for K-4 grades….

COVID-19 is causing widespread event cancellations and closings across Illinois. Here is a look at local events, organizations and buildings impacted. Banks urge drive-up – Local banks are urging patrons to use drivethrough services. Princeville State Bank has suspended walk-in services in its bank lobbies. New account staff and loan officers will be taking appointments at (309) 385-4375. Farmers State Bank in Elmwood encourages use of its drive-up window, but as of Tuesday afternoon its lobby remained open. Court cases postponed – Some cases are being postponed starting today, March 19, in Illinois’ Tenth Judicial Circuit for Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall,…

GALVA – Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation officials arrested George W. Price, 56, and Clair E. Whiteside, 47, both of Galva, on March 11 for a Class X Felony of Methamphetamine Possession of 100-400 grams. The arrest occurred following a traffic stop on U.S. 34 in Henderson County and was the a result of a multi-agency investigation. Both men are being held at the Henderson County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Traffic citations & Ordinance violations 3-5-20 – Katina M. Bogner – Exceeding speed in a school zone. 3-7-20 – Rod A. Pauli – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 3-10-20 – John D. Lee – Driving 11-14 mph above limit. 3-12-20 – William Cody Wentz – Improper turn signal. 3-12-20 – Christine A. Coppenbarger – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. 3-12-20 – Kyrsti J. Cotton – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. 3-12-20 – Mary B. Goeke – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 3-13-20 – Michelle R. Washington – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 3-12-20 – Tyler R. Peterson – Driving 21-25…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Peoria County releases February crime stats The Peoria Sheriff’s Department has released Crime Statistics Report for February for Peoria County townships in The Weekly Post’s area. • Brimfield city and township together had 2 identity thefts/frauds, 1 theft, 2 incidents of vandalism/ criminal damage to property, 1 accident with no injuries and 4 traffic citations. • Elmwood city and township together had 1 domestic battery, 1 identity theft/fraud, and 1 accident with no injuries. • Jubilee had 1 burglary, 1 theft,…

New York publisher printing book written by Galva sisters By Carol Townsend and Jeff Lampe GALVA – A new book that tells the tale of “The Most Amazing Harvest” is available in print. Written by Galva twin sisters Pam Bates and Paula Patty, their non-fiction book tells the heart-warming story of the local community helping farmer Carl Bates – Pam’s late husband – who in 2015 was unable to complete his harvest due to a battle with terminal cancer. After originally planning to self-publish the book they worked on for three years, the sisters were directed instead to Morgan James…

By JEFF LAMPE Weekly Post Staff Writer Brimfield junior Haley Wallace earned a spot on two all-state girls basketball teams so far, as coaches have been busy meeting to select players for various postseason honors. Wallace was picked for the 10-player second-team Class 1A all-state team by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Senior Brinlee Bauman was a third-team IBCA pick, while senior Morissa Martin was a special mention selection. Wallace was picked for Class 1A honorable mention by the Associated Press, the same recognition voted to Bauman. In other girls postseason awards, Brimfield dominated the ICAC’s all-conference awards. Wallace and…

FARMINGTON – An afternoon fire on Fort Street here last Saturday was probably due to faulty wiring, according to officials, who said the house at 917 E. Fort is a total loss. An adjacent property damaged when the fire spread is expected to be repaired. No one was injured in the blaze, where Farmington fire fighters were assisted by first responders including Brimfield, Elmwood, Fulton County, Logan/Trivoli, Maquon and Elba/Salem in Yates City. Fire fighters were on the scene until about 8:30 p.m., according to City Administrator Rollen Wright. “The residents smelled an electrical odor, opened a door and saw…

By LIZ CAREY For The Weekly Post Urban residents are more at risk for person-to-person spread of the coronavirus, but those in rural areas aren’t off the hook, a global health researcher said. “Overcrowding and high population densities, which can be common to cities, can play a major role in the transmission of diseases with epidemic potential – including respiratory disease, like COVID-19,” said Matt Boyce, senior research associate in the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University. At this point cities are the point of transmission for the virus, he said. “Thus far, travel to and…

By Jeff LampeRambling through central Illinois, wishing the IHSA had not sucked the life out of Illinois small-school basketball by increasing to four classes. ———— Here’s a decision that will reveal something about you. This Saturday, you can celebrate National Pi Day by sitting down, sharpening a pencil and doing some really fun math problems. Or you can pretend you thought it was National Pie Day (which is actually Jan. 23) and enjoy a built-in excuse to savor sweet, home-made baked treats. So what’ll it be, rhubarb or ’rithmetic? Are you a mathematician, or a man? … Lynn Travis, a…