IHSA return to play guidelines pave way for some contests By JEFF LAMPE Weekly Post Staff Writer High school sports teams can officially practice in Illinois once again. Even so, the larger question remains: will prep athletes be able to compete this fall when, and if, school resumes? The answer appears to be that some, but very possibly not all, sports will have some sort of season if Covid-19 case numbers do not require Illinois to move back from Phase 4 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. A step toward allowing competition came last week when the Illinois Department…

NOTE: Charges are merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Peoria County releases May, June crime stats The Peoria Sheriff’s Department has released its Crime Statistics Report for the months of May and June for the eight Peoria County townships in The Weekly Post’s circulation area. The data reflect calls where the County was the primary responder. • Brimfield village and township together had 1 assault, 1 identity theft, 1 battery with an arrest, 1 mob action with an arrest, 1 disorderly conduct, 1 driving with a suspended or revoked license…

Rambling through central Illinois, pondering the distances we critters will travel for love. Well, that was one heckuva fireworks show in Elmwood Saturday night – and not just at Sweetwater Park, which was impressive. It seemed like half the town shot off fireworks, leaving smoke lingering long after the last boom. I’ve been hearing similar reports from other towns. This was a year for fireworks galore. Thanks to everyone who lit up the night, in particular the display a few blocks south of West Main Street. … Kudos to Blanche Wilson of Farmington, who on July 5 celebrated her 102nd…

Yates City, Brimfield festivals called off By JEFF LAMPE Weekly Post Staff Writer The foregone conclusion that this is a summer like no others keeps being reinforced. Latest from the “Summer of Covid” are a string of recent cancellations for this August. In the past week, organizers of Brimfield’s Old Settler’s Days and Yates City’s Harvest Home Festival have both opted to call off their August events due to restrictions related to Covid-19. Also canceled is the annual Small Town Tractor Pull in Laura. Patty Tusek sent this release from the Harvest Home committee: “It is with heavy hearts that…

By Jeff Lampe TOULON – SGS is closing its Toulon soil-testing office and laboratory, with July 10 the final day of operation at 117 E. Main St. SGS staff confirmed information in a letter taped to the front door stating that the company is “centralizing” all soil testing at its newer Brookings, S.D. laboratory. The Toulon office stopped taking samples June 26 to prepare for the move. SGS has a staff of seven full-time workers affiliated with its Toulon office, which has been a center for soil-testing since Mowers Soil Testing Plus Inc. consolidated its operations here in March of…

By Becki Hoffert BRADFORD – The long-awaited 2020 Bradford Community Scholarship Fund Ceremony was held at the Bradford Firehouse on June 30. Normally the event is held in April, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony had to be postponed. However, the Scholarship Committee was determined to make sure that the class of 2020 had a safe version of this recognition event. All graduating seniors living in the Bradford School District were invited to attend to be reunited one last time, be honored for their high school accomplishments and to be presented with scholarships and awards from the Community…

By Carol Townsend GALVA – The Galva Park District pool opened July 1 after a decision was made at a special meeting Sunday morning. The Park District decided to open the pool and will be following Gov. JB Pritzker’s restrictions as well as CDC recommendations. The pool will be open every day, but will restrict the capacity to 50 people at one time. Only Galva School District residents will be allowed to use the pool, whose hours will be noon to 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 to 6 p.m. You must show proof of residency to enter. If you do not…

Rambling through central Illinois, pondering what life with bears in our woods will be like. Bruno, the black bear who wandered through Iowa into western Illinois in June and has since voyaged south into Pike County, has been on my mind Monday morning as we set up an electric fence around what remains of our sweet corn. We planted corn knowing deer would make it hard to get a good crop. So we planted extra – just not enough extra to avoid some real angst on the part of my youngest son, who has worked hardest on the project. Even…

Traffic citations & Ordinance violations 6-22-20 – Jacob T. Worden – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 6-22-20 – Cathy L. Sheaves – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 6-22-20 – Anthony J. Cotta – Driving 21-25 mph above limit. 6-20-20 – Chad D. Leverette – Transport/carry alcoholic liquor/ passenger. 6-20-20 – Kyle W. Leverette – Operating an uninsured motor vehicle. 6-20-20 – Kyle W. Leverette – Registration expiration. 6-23-20 – Heather A. Murphey – Driving 11-14 mph above limit. 6-23-20 – Brandon K. Smith – Driving 15-20 mph above limit. 6-25-20 – Casandra R. Davidson – Driving 15-20 mph above limit….

By BILL KNIGHT For The Weekly Post PRINCEVILLE – The Village Board last week (June 16) discussed establishing a new deposit fee for new water customers, and by consensus seemed to favor $100. Trustees asked Village lawyers to draft an ordinance to be considered at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for Monday, July 6. Previously, Princeville had no required deposit, Village President Jeff Troutman said. A follow-up discussion related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recognized that the state’s “Restore Illinois” is proceeding and was expected to relax some restrictions when it enters Phase 4 on Friday (June 26), so the…