In response to the severe winter weather, the Central Illinois Red Cross Chapter opened shelters for area residents and stranded motorists. Three shelters were moved to standby status yesterday and one remained open last night at the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

The number of shelter occupants at New Morning Star steadily declined by morning. The decision was made to close this shelter after staff determined that the few remaining shelter occupants had places to go today and overnight.

The Red Cross is closing the following shelter locations as of today at 9:00am.

· First Baptist Church, 411 W. Lake in Peoria
· Morton District 709 Admin Blding, 1050 S. 4th St in Morton
· Lacon Area Community Center, 495 N. Washington in Lacon
· New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 413 W. John Gwynn Jr Ave in Peoria

If residents or motorists find that they are in need of shelter, they are encouraged to call the local Red Cross office at (309)677-7272. For a complete list of open shelters across the state, please visit http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/.