Serving in 126 Countries Around the World- And Providing Disaster Relief in Illinois and Iowa

 Peoria, Illinois. –  The Salvation Army is celebrating the 149^th anniversary of its founding today much as it began-by serving those in need. Heavy rains and tornadoes that affected Iowa and north central Illinois have brought out Salvation Army Emergency Disaster teams. Captain Quentin Boyle and EDS volunteers from Ottawa responded to a tornado in Earlville that caused damage, and are working with local Red Cross folks to assist those in need. “We provided about 40 area residents with food, water and clean-up kits,” said Miek Levine, Emergency Services Director for The Salvation Army.

Additional EDS response teams are also ready along the Illinois/Iowa border, where flooding is expected along the Mississippi River as well. “We are pre-staging folks now, and expect we will be assisting as sandbagging efforts get underway,” said Levine.

Founded by William and Catherine Booth in London, England in 1865, The Salvation Army is busy across the Heartland Division to serve those in need every day across 72 counties in  Illinois and Iowa.

Find out more about the 149^th anniversary at www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/foundersday2014.

HANNA CITY – The state of Illinois is honoring Assistant Fire Chief Brian T. Hauk of the Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District by dedicating a stretch of Illinois State Route 116 that runs from Hanna City to Elmwood in his memory.

Hauk was a volunteer firefighter for 15 years before becoming assistant fire chief. Tragically, only six months after taking on his new responsibilities in 1997, he gave his life in the line of duty. He was survived by his wife, Tina, and their two young children.

 This afternoon, Hauk’s friends and family gathered at the Hanna City Fire Department, where the Illinois Department of Transportation unveiled the signs that will mark Route 116. They then traveled to the location of the eastern sign.

 “More than a decade after his death, the Hanna City community still remembers Brian Hauk’s commitment to protecting their homes and loved ones,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), who passed the legislation authorizing Hauk’s memorial. “His family, friends and fellow firefighters still grieve his loss. This memorial will help everyone remember his sacrifice and remind them of the risks that firefighters take for all of us every day.”

 Hauk was honored at the Illinois Firefighters State Memorial and at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in 1998

 (Peoria)- Beginning Wednesday July 2, University Street at Bradley Avenue will have partial lane closures due to the installation of the lighted crosswalk. Weather permitting, the lane closure and construction will last approximately four weeks.

For more information, contact Scott Reeise, Peoria Public Works City Engineer at (309) 494-8800.

CWTC and Morton Collision Repair’s race team will be honoring Veterans in the CWTC parking lot on Wednesday, July 2nd and the public is invited.

Ryan Bunton, driver of the Morton Collision Repair #6R sporting its new patriotic paint scheme, will have his car on display at CWTC, Wednesday July 2nd from 11AM-1PM. U.S. Armed Forces Veterans employed by CWTC will be among the first to sign the sprint car while veterans throughout central Illinois are invited to add their names as well. Signing will begin at 11:30AM and the public is invited to stop by to meet Bunton and take pictures. The team is putting the spotlight on their winged sprint car for the Independence Day weekend race at Knoxville Raceway.

Ryan manages Morton Collision Repair and was the 2002 Jacksonville Speedway Rookie of the Year. He got into the sprints after a successful quarter midget career that saw him win the 1997 ALQMA Indoor Dirt Championship. He went on to win the National NMMA championship in 1999 before getting into the sprints. He first hit the road with the MASS series in 2008, finishing fourth in points. He followed that up with a runner-up finish the next year. Hitting the All Star series proved successful in 2009, finishing fourth in points. He has been running at Knoxville Raceway the past three seasons, and has a quick time to his credit. He finished fifth at the Front Row Challenge in Oskaloosa in 2012, and worked his way into the top ten in Knoxville 410 points last season.

For more information contact Rick Stephenson at 686-3300.

CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc., provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

Who: CWTC, Community Workshop and Training Center, Inc.

What: CWTC & Morton Collision Repair Sprint Car Signing

When: Wednesday, July 2, 2014, 11AM-1PM

Where: CWTC Parking Lot

3215 N. University Street

Peoria, IL 61604

Photo courtesy of Morton Collision Repair