With a new Illinois recreational cannabis law taking effect Jan. 1, city leaders want to know what you think of the legalization of cannabis. Go to City Hall 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 to learn how this could affect our community and to express your opinion. The big question is whether the city should allow dispensaries. An on-line survey will be available at the West Peoria web site the week of Oct. 7.

The West Peoria Residents’ Association and Franciscan Park are co-hosting a Halloween Party 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. A costume judging contest is planned for 6:30 p.m. The party is $3 per child for children ages 1 to 10.

Lawn waste pickup continues every Friday until the end of the calendar year. Bundle your limbs and bag your leaves. When rain is forecast, make sure that your leaf bags are not getting wet and tearing.

The annual donations for the Jimmy Binkley Christmas events are being collected in West Peoria City Hall. Mr. Binkley’s tradition of having gifts for seniors continues to grow. Gift items can be socks, footies, smaller stuffed animals, shaving cream, soap, lotions, puzzles, crossword puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils and should be unwrapped.

Mr. Binkley was a long-time entertainer who each holiday season brought joy and gifts to many seniors.

The West Peoria Fire Department recently purchased a new ambulance to service our community. The new addition cost $211,000 with add-ons bringing the total cost to $286,000. The old ambulance will be sold to help offset the cost. The department has been saving several years to be able to pay cash for the purchase. Ambulance service started in 1975. We are most fortunate to have the dedicated and hard-working volunteers who serve the citizens.

The fire department fund-raiser sandwich sales will conclude the year 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12 at Haddad’s. Firefighters are also going door-to-door selling raffle tickets for $1 per ticket. Drawing will be Oct. 16 at the fire station.

More help for our community is the use of Knox Boxes that can be secured over the top of a door with a residence key inside. The box will only open with a special key by first responders to get in after receiving an emergency call. This is ideal for residents living alone or with medical issues. For more information, call the fire department at 674-6615.