Minonk Old News - November 2001

November 2001

November 4

The Fieldcrest High School Fall Play will be held this Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fieldcrest High School Gym. This years fall play is called "Alibis". It is a two act murder-mystery spoof by Peter Kennedy and directed by high school teacher Jeanne Hamby. Tickets are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for senior citizens, students and children 0-5.

The story line is a whodunit, howdunit. When famous actress Primavera Donna throws a party and winds up dead, it is up to the guests to figure out who, how and why the hired help is so annoying. Shades of Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie and Ten Little Indians.

Cast members are: Aaron Hahn, Rachel Schmillen, Danny Longman, Kayla Block, Eric Kapraun, Jodi Lindley, Kesha Block, Wade Seggerman and Staci Hovey.

Visions Video has been sold to Todd and Kathy Cremer by owner David Dunham. The couple will take over the store located at 512 N. Chestnut on November 1.

Owner David Dunham has accepted a management position with Famous-Barr in Bloomington and wanted the freedom to devote more time to his job. He ran the Visions Video for 13 years.

The Cremers plan to add DVD to the video selections and will keep the current four employees. The store offers over 1600 movies and video games and also sells candy, pop and a line of Fieldcrest clothing. They plan to have an open house on December 1 when the annual Parade of Lights is held.

Woodford County Sheriff Bill Meyers is being investigated for misuse of a credit card belonging to the sheriff's department. Meyers is accused of using the credit card for cash advances. Some of the cash was obtained at Peoria strip clubs in amounts up to $735.

Woodford County State's Attorney Mike Stroh indicated that the accusations are being investigated but did not say when the review would be finished. The county board will have to wait to see if the state's attorney office determines that there will be criminal charges before any action can be taken.

The County board had earlier questioned Meyers about $5000 in cash advances. The advances were made under new equipment but the equipment was not specified.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Meyers has been unavailable for comment even though he was scheduled to be back in office this past Monday after a week's vacation. Presently, nobody seems to know of his whereabouts. Reports are that the credit card advances could be much higher than what is already known.

The Praireland Community Center Committee donated $858 to the Community Action Fund to help build a replacement for the bandstand that was torn down in the Westside Park 5 years ago. The Prairie Community Center Committee was the original committee to develop a plan for a community center for Minonk. It has been disbanded and has been superceded by the Millenium Committee.

The primary donors of the money from the committee were Earl Anderson and William Herman, Sr. The Community Action Fund was established 13 years ago by Dave Uphoff and Clara Fewell to accumulate funds to replace the bandstand in the park. The current plan is to use the funds to help build a pavilion in the Westside Park.

November 11

A Veteran's Day ceremony was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 12, at the Fieldcrest High School gymnasium. The Fieldcrest student body was at the ceremony along with the public at large. Local Minonk veterans were seated together as a group next to the podium.

The American Legion color guard performed at the ceremony. A three gun salute was performed and taps were played at the end of the ceremony. Melvin Matter, local American Legion Commander, gave a speech and the local veterans of each military branch were asked to stand while the Fieldcrest Band played patriotic tunes.

The Village-Aires will present "Yule Be Swingin" for their annual Christmas show on Saturday, November 17, at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, November 18, at 3:00 p.m. at the Fieldcrest High School gymnasium.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $4.50 at Meyer-Jochums Agency and $5 at the door for adults and $2 for children.

The city council approved an agreement that will allow a Dollar General Store to be built in downtown Minonk. The new building will be built at the south end of the North Chestnut Street parking lot. The 60 X 120 foot building will face the west and front the berm of the parking lot.

According to City Administrator Trent Smith the new store is expected to create 4 full-time jobs and 6 part-time jobs. Plans are to start construction as soon as possible and be completed by next spring. The company is planning to provide a press release later.

November 18

Woodford County Sheriff Bill Meyers has resigned as sheriff. County Board Chairman Tom Janssen received a letter of resignation on Monday. No reason was given for the resignation. Meyers has been under investigation for alleged misuse of sheriff's department credit cards. So far questions have been raised about $28,000 in charges, many which include ATM withdrawls at strip joints in Peoria.

Janssen said he expects the board will accept Meyer's resignation. Chief Deputy Ernie Bigelow will be Meyers' successor until the Woodford County Board appoints a replacement. The board must name a replacement within 60 days of Myers' resignation. The appointed sheriff will serve until the expiration of Meyers' term in the fall of 2002.

Meyers has disappeared from public view when the credit card allegations became public. He reportedly was in BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal last week for an undisclosed condition. His present whereabouts is unknown.

Boy Scouts Troop 788 of Minonk met with Scoutmaster Don Gensler at the Caroline Development Saturday morning, November 17 to begin a litter cleanup. The scouts picked up trash around Woody's Reataurant and the Shell Truck Stop. From there they followed old route 51 into Minonk picking up trash along the roadside. They finished at the downtown parking lot.

After the cleanup the scouts met back at Woody's Restaurant where they were treated with soft drinks and sandwiches. The effort was coordinated by Michael Stagliano of Minonk. The scouts good deeds are a reminder that all citizens of Minonk should pitch in and help keep Minonk clean. For more pictures of the cleanup, click here.

The Filer Library is holding a used book sale that ends on November 21.

A grocery bag full of books can be purchased for $1. The library will also be granting amnesty to persons with overdue books if they bring in the books with a donation to the food pantry.

Rural residents from Minonk, Dana, or Rutland can purchase annual memberships for $40.

The Fieldcrest Board of Education approved a tentative tax levy of $4,496,838 at a meeting on November 8. The levy is an increase of $513,933 over last year's budget of $3,982,905.

If approved at the next meeting, the funds will be allocated as follows: