The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch is again this year sponsoring the annual West Peoria Night Out Against Crime on Saturday, September 7th from 3:00 until 5:30 p.m. Other local organizations assisting are the City of West Peoria, West Peoria Township, Peoria County Sheriff’s Department, Peoria Park District Franciscan Recreation Complex and Travelers Protective Association. Special events include a bicycle rodeo, drawing for a bicycle, and a demonstration by a canine member from the Sheriff’s Department. A Bearcat armored vehicle, fire trucks and firefighting equipment will be on display. Boy Scout Troop 11 will be present; gate prizes, hot dogs and sno cones will be served. Live music will be performed by the Eclectic Living Room Band. And guess what? Not only are you encouraged to attend but if you choose, you can be part of the dunk tank, an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day!
Everyone in our community is encouraged to show their support for a safe and crime-free West Peoria by using their outdoor lights on that evening in support of Night Out Against Crime.
Another annual event for West Peorians is the West Peoria Fire Department’s Family Day on September 15th from noon until 3:00 p.m. at the firehouse on Waverly. The WPFD uses this opportunity to teach the whole family about fire safety, take kids on fire truck rides. The Ladies Auxiliary hosts a bake sale.
The family day is the official kick-off for the big WPFD fundraiser each year. This year’s hog roast is scheduled for October 20th at Crusen’s on Farmington Road. Our firefighters will be selling tickets in our community. We as a community and individuals are most fortunate to have these fine people serve on the department. They devote countless hours to protecting us, hours that they could be spending with their families or on favorite activities of their own.
Several Troop 11 members and adult leaders experienced the beauty, majesty and experiences on their trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico this summer. Philmont Scout Ranch is the largest youth camp in the world and features 200+ square miles of pristine wilderness. The Troop 11 group consisting of scouts Joseph Zilkowski, Jim Hoerdeman, Nathan Wagner, Tyler Franciscovich, Kane Hudson, Ted Lewis and Bradon Langfeldt experienced a “once in a lifetime” event. Adult leaders: Monica Franciscovich, Jeff Van Ness and Bruce Zildowski accompanied the boys. This is another outstanding group that represents West Peoria to various parts of our world. Boys, stand tall and be proud.
Peoria County and future residents of Heddington Oaks are looking forward to the opening and moving in of Heddington Oaks in September, the construction phase is complete and the facility should soon be able to welcome residents and visitors very soon.
City Link is making provisions for visitors or employees that will need late evening bus service to Heddington Oaks. Once the facility is opened, the #11 Western bus will stay on its regular route until end of service at 6:00 p.m. Then the #5 Main bus will deviate from Main and Western, go to the facility and then return to its regular route at Main and Western to continue its trips both inbound and outbound ending service at approximately midnight at the transit center. Saturday service ends earlier. To be certain of the schedules, visit www.ridecitylink.org and get a rider’s guide available in city hall, township building and Heddington Oaks.
Code enforcement hours for the City are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Tuesday hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Concerns and complaints can be directed to Bill O’Neill, Code Enforcement Officer at 674-1993 or 370-1142. Visit www.cítyofwestpeoria.com to review regulations and requirements in our community. No open burning of trash or landscape waste is allowed. To report some, call the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department at 672-6011.
The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch meeting is Sept. 11th at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. A representative from the Peoria County Crime Lab is the scheduled speaker. The West Peoria Residents Association has a meeting scheduled for September 19th at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. The public is welcome to attend these meetings.