Billtown Oks WEA Contract, but Not Bonus
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****************ECRWSS***** PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Elmwood, Illinois Permit No. 13 Thursday Carrier Route Presort April 15, 2021 The Weekly Post RURAL BOXHOLDER Vol. 9, No.8 LOCAL P.O. BOXHOLDER Hot news tip? “We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion” Want to advertise? Serving the fine communities of Brimfield, Dahinda, Douglas, Duncan, Edwards, Elmore, Elmwood, FREE! Call (309) 741-9790 Compliments of Farmington, Kickapoo, Laura, Monica, Oak Hill, Princeville, Williamsfield and Yates City Our Fine Advertisers! MUSHROOM MANIA AHEAD Billtown OKs Morel memories WEA contract, All signs pointing to the season’s onset By GRETCHEN STEELE But certain times are better than but not bonus For The Weekly Post others. Signs that the time is near It’s April, spring is springing, include trees beginning to bud, By JEFF LAMPE turkeys are gobbling and legions flagship wildflowers begin to For The Weekly Post of morel mushroom hunters are make an appearance – when tril- WILLIAMSFIELD – Compensation and headed to the forests and the lium, phlox, trout lily, Dutch- extra compensation for teachers were the main creek bottoms, the bluffs and man’s breeches, violets, topics of discussion Monday at a three-hour berms all in search of the mysti- mayapples, wild strawberries and meeting of the Williams- cal, ethereal, magical morels. many more paint the timber floor field School Board. So grab your ’shroom sack, in a natural palette. In addition to approving a Inside walking stick, camera and head When the weather has warm, contract that provides three • Farmington on out – it’s the perfect time to rainy days and nights, with tem- years of raises for members adds to residen- get out in the spring woods and peratures ranging between high of the Williamsfield Educa- tial TIF program. capture “Morel Memories.” 50s at night to high 70s in the tion Association, the board Page 7. The key with morels is to find daytime, it’s definitely time to also voted against a one- • Elmwood City them. There are many myths, gather up your stick and sack and time payment of $2,500 for Council tables stories and suggestions about set out. certified staff members – a chicken discus- how and where one will find mo- Dandelions and lilacs, apple bonus proposed after a re- sion. Page 11. rels. The simple truth is morels blossoms and spawning crappie cent decision to return to can appear most anywhere; are also good indicators that it is five days a week of in-person learning. seemingly overnight or between time to hit the woods. Spring tur- Instead of the one-time bonus, the board a lunch and breakfast foray. One key season also coincides with voted 4-2 (Teresa Stewart and Lisa Hanson moment – it’s bare forest floor; morel season in many areas. Re- Gray morels like this one tend to appear later in the were “no” votes) to compensate certified staff the next there’s a stand of “Big member, in Illinois, on most De- spring than do black morels, which are more likely to fol- low a pattern. Photo by Gretchen Steele. members for additional instructional hours in Yellas” as far as the eye can see. Continued on Page 8 Continued on Page 2 Printing business owner picks Princeville By COLLIN FAIRFIELD from Princeville, as did her chil- For The Weekly Post dren. And Patterson said his son at- PRINCEVILLE – While his tends Princeville and he likes it printing business may have opened there. on April 1, Jamie Patterson assures The new storefront is part of a that Princeville Prints is no joke. natural progression. Patterson opening his business in “I started making t-shirts for a Princeville was no accident, either. band,” Patterson said to explain his A 2003 graduate of Stark County start in the business. High School who is originally That expanded to a home-based “I like the small-town charm.” from Bradford, Patterson said he business, then online and now to Another reason he picked Prince- did a lot of research in picking the storefront – one of four at Princeville to open his storefront at ville is because it is a central loca- which he looked. 116 E. Main St., the former Home- tion and a short drive from many The 116 E. Main St. location of- town Bank building. surrounding towns. fered more space for a showroom- Jamie Patterson has opened a new business called Princeville Prints “I looked around. Princeville, was It helps too that Patterson’s girl- and for printing equipment. In that offers a wide variety of graphic design options for small busi- the best fit for me,” Patterson said. friend, Melissa Sibley, graduated Continued on Page 2 nesses. Photos by Collin Fairfield. Page 2 THE WEEKLY POST • April 15 2021 www.illinoisweeklies.com WILLIAMSFIELD: Three annual raises OK’d Continued from Page 1 Chuck Ingle were the “no” lowed the WEA “to retain visions to the Williamsfield excess of 40 hours per votes) was a collective bar- the right to bargain the im- Schools Professional Eval- week caused by the impact gaining agreement with pact of remote learning and uation Plan, under which of COVID-19. WEA extending the con- the implementation of staff members are eval- Farquer said Tuesday the tract for three years with mini-courses for the dura- uated. rate of pay is $13.96 per annual percentage raises of tion of the contract.” • Hired Jaynee Bowker hour beyond 40 hours. He 3.25, 3.5 and 3.75. Board members had sev- as a full-time substitute said if a teacher worked The board also voted 4-2 eral questions in regards to teacher and administrative five extra hours per week (Stewart and Hanson were this item and others from assistant. for the school year, the “yes” votes) against a col- the negotiating process, • Approved adjustments bonus could be $2,652. lective bargaining Mem- prompting Superintendent to the RESTART plan al- Also passing by a 4-2 orandum of Understanding Tim Farquer to say, “The lowing parents to choose vote (Brian Howard and (MOU) that would have al- thing that is continually full-time, in-person learn- lacking is trust.” ing. That was implemented Countered board member last week and according to Brian Howard, “It’s called Farquer has gone “fine” governance.” except for some “anxious Absent was April Bou- folks” and some adjust- chez, who along with Ste- ments to meals and snacks 24001 W. Farmington Road, wart and Hanson were the necessitated by more stu- Farmington, IL 61531 board members on the ne- dents being in the school. gotiating commitee. • Heard that 38 percent In other action, the of staff members have re- board: ceived COVID-19 vacci- • Approved the latest re- nations. PRINCEVILLE: Offers graphic design options Continued from Page 1 and Saturday 9 a.m. to addition to screen print- noon. Patterson may close ing, Princeville Prints also at times on Mondays and offers graphic design, em- Tuesdays to make free de- broidery, signs, decals, liveries. tumblers and business Princeville Prints can be cards. reached by phone at (309) “I want to help the small 643-8159, by email at business owner,” Patter- princevilleprints@ son said. gmail.com, or just by Hours of operation for stopping by at the store- now are Monday through front at 116 E. Main St. in Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Princeville. ! 142 E Main Street 4924 W American Prairie Dr. Princeville, IL 61559 Peoria, IL 61615 309-385-4375 309-693-9494 We Cover The News of West-Central Illinois With A Passion www.illinoisweeklies.com THE WEEKLY POST • April 15 2021 Page 3 THE WEEK AHEAD Upcoming Events • Harvest Home – Harvest Home fundraiser dinner is April 15 at Yates City Community Center. Carry-out only. Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetable, gravy, roll, cookies. $9. 4:30-7 p.m. or until sold out. • Spring Cleanup– Residents of Yates City and Salem Township Road District can place garbage in two dumpsters behind the water tower April 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until full. Some restrictions. • Biscuits & Gravy – Union Church of Brimfield will be selling to-go orders of biscuits and gravy Saturday, April 17, from 7-11:30 a.m. Call (309) 446-3811. Delivery offered in Brimfield. This Week’s Events Future Events 9330 W. GRIMM LANE, EDWARDSPENDING! - $279,900 • Bingo – Salem Township Library • E Recycling Day – Williamsfield has 407 W. HIGH, ELMWOOD - Nice updates in this 3BD, offers bingo on the first and third Thurs- an electronics and paint collection day 1.5-story home on corner lot close to ELMWOOD day each month, including April 15, at for Knox County residents April 24 from SCHOOLS. Main level LR & FR, newer furnace/roof on house/FR carpet & more. Appliances all stay - just 10 a.m. Play for food and household 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Shed. Call move right in! $105,000 items. (309) 351-4782. 1949 90th ST., MONMOUTHPENDING! - $269,900 • Yoga – Yoga classes Thursdays at 6 • Craft Night – Pressed flower art craft p.m. in Brimfield Library Activity night at Brimfield Public Library, Friday, 413 E. CYPRESS, ELMWOOD - GREAT 3BD, 2BA 1.5 Room. $4 per class. April 30, 6:30 p.m. Cost $25 per person. story home, corner lot with nice back yard patio. New front deck, central air, sealmess gutters, sump pump • Tai Chi – Tai chi classes Tuesdays at 6 Ages 18 and older. Space is limited. and more! $129,900 p.m. in Brimfield Library Activity Masks required. Registration required at ROUTE 150, BRIMFIELD - GREAT ACREAGE! 14.63 Room.