Peoria County Deputy James Middlemas will become police officer for the City of West Peoria on duty Tuesday through Saturday from 6:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. beginning Jan. 5, 2015. We are fortunate to have a day officer on duty. Keep your yard lights on, windows, doors and vehicles locked. Yard lights help the police, and lights on mean lights out for the criminal.

The Neighborhood Watch will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 in City Hall and receive updates on various issues in our community. Plan to attend. The West Peoria Residents Association will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 in City Hall. Carla from the Center for Prevention of Abuse will be the guest speaker. Public is invited. The West Peoria Senior/Retiree Social Group will meet 1 p.m. Thursday Jan. 22 at City Hall. You are invited to participate and help the new year’s activities.

Landscape waste pickup ended the last Friday in December and will begin again on the first Friday in April. This service is included in your Waste Management bill. For winter storm damage and limb pick up needs check with the city website: office@cityofwestpeoria.com or call City Hall at 674-1993.

Here are ways to cope with snow routes and right-of-way obstruction: The city street department manager asks that you not shovel to the end of driveways until the plows have been down your street. It is against city code to shovel your snow into the street because it slows down clearing the street. Parking bans will be posted on all local television stations. All streets in West Peoria are snow routes which means vehicles need to be off streets if 2 inches or more snow is predicted.

City Council meetings for West Peoria are 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in City Hall. Mark your calendars now for the first part of 2015. Dates are Jan. 13 and 27, Feb. 10 and 24, March 10 and 24, April 14 and 28.

The West Peoria Garden Club meets on the third Monday of each month. Dues are $10/individual. The Club will hold its annual planning meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall and will take ideas from members and others, set the schedule of topics for 2015 and make assignments. If interested in joining, call Donna at 256-8233.

It was exciting to hear that Sterling Avenue hill was reopened both ways. Work will resume in the spring, weather permitting.

Wish you all good health, enjoyment in 2015. Let us continue living in this community where living is best to the west of Peoria.