The West Peoria Residents Association thanks members for their continued support and announces that Jamie and April Silver will be in charge of the Jamboree Run again this June. WPRA has agreed to sponsor the Heart of Illinois Special Olympics encouraging them to join the Run. Other projects are in the planning stages. Randy Couri, President of Peoria County Genealogical Society, and Barb Benner will be guest speakers at the group’s meeting 6 p.m. Feb. 18 in City Hall. Your attendance is encouraged.
Detective Joseph Vissering, Children’s Advocacy Center, was the speaker at the January Neighborhood Watch meeting. He spoke about the various situations encountered in this field of work. Deputy Middlemas, Sheriff’s Department, gave an update on criminal activity in the area reporting that the annual comparison figures on crime show minimal increase and remain relatively low in West Peoria. Jennifer Fulton, Director of Strategic Communications with the Sheriff’s Department, will be speaker at the Watch meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 in City Hall.
If you are not a registered voter, you can register before the March 15 primary. The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, Feb. 16. Online voter registration can be found at www.peoriaelection.org/registration. If you need assistance in registering online stop in at City Hall, and someone will assist you.
Early voting in West Peoria is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 11 at West Peoria City Hall. Voters are encouraged to use the side entrance of the building for best access. Voting polls in West Peoria will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Center and the West Peoria City Garage. Polling place assignments can be found on your voter registration card.
Now that winter is definitely here, there are city regulations to follow. All streets within the corporate limits of the city of West Peoria are designated emergency snow routes. It is unlawful to park any vehicles on these streets at any time within 12 hours after a snowfall of two or more inches. When there is a snow forecast of two or more inches for any calendar day it is unlawful to park any vehicles on that calendar day. The owner or lessor of a vehicle in violation of this section will be subject to the following fine schedules: 1st offense, if paid within seven days of violation $50; if paid after seven days but within 10 days of violation $75; 1st offense, if paid after 10 days of violation $100; 2nd offense $150; 3rd offense towing of the vehicle, any and all charges at vehicle owner’s expense. In all events, each day the violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
The Street Department manager has the authority and discretion to take any and all actions to remove any vehicle in violation of the parking regulations including, but not limited to, the towing of such vehicle at the owner’s expense, to allow clear and unimpeded snow removal from snow routes. A copy of the winter storm damage limb pick-up policy is available through City Hall and on the City’s website, cityofwestpeoria.org.
The Seniors on the Go group will meet 1 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Woodridge Building lower level. Sumie Mahnen will present a program on origami, the art of artistic paper folding. As the Page Turns book club meets the third Monday of each month. Call Maggie Moore, 673-0535 or Loretta Fehl, 637-0326, for more details.
Landscape waste pick-up will begin again on the first Friday in April. All vehicles without up-to-date license stickers are considered inoperable and are in violation of city code. Any vehicle without an up-to-date license sticker must be stored in a garage.
Congratulations to the 2015 Holiday Lighting Contest winners: 2224 W. Kellogg, 2527 W. Laura, 714 St Anthony and 3113 W Kenwood. The Holiday Lighting Contest is sponsored by Haddad’s West Peoria Market. Thanks to all who participated in decorating their residences and making the holiday season just a bit brighter in our community.