In response to a $40,000 budget shortfall for this year’s March Madness Experience, the East Peoria City Council unanimously approved at its March 2 meeting to give $5,000 to support the annual event.

“The city was asked to step up,” said commissioner Tim Jeffers. “It’s money well invested in our youth and our city.”

With a 6-1 vote in favor, East Peoria Community High School’s two deans have been demoted from their administrative positions and will resume teaching jobs with the district.

After about an hour of deliberation March 3 at a special District 309 board meeting, Robin Goff and Laurie Grant were “reclassified,” said board president Michael Joseph. The decision will take effect July 1.

Two East Peoria Community High School teachers are attending summer school for the next three years.

Jason Bowman, a chemistry teacher, and Michael Mayers, a physics teacher, have been accepted into the Teacher Leader Fellows Program, EnLiST.

Staff changes at TimesNewspapers have been announced, including the retirement of Beth Gehrt as co-publisher.

In addition, Linda Smith Brown has been named publisher of TimesNewspapers, and Jeanette Kendall has been promoted to executive editor. Previously, Brown was co-publisher of the newspaper group, and Kendall was the editor of the East Peoria Times-Courier.

When it comes to the fate of Route 8 and the dilapidated Sunnyland Plaza, the people have spoken, and city officials are listening.

In a collaborative effort between the cities of Washington and East Peoria and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, a survey was conducted to see what people in the community would and would not like to see in Sunnyland and their ideas for improvements.

Ali Williams used to have trouble finding time to fit in workouts and think about healthy eating.

The Eureka College student currently holds two part-time jobs, but with her July wedding fast approaching, she decided it was time to shed a few pounds.

Brooklyn Gibson has had four surgeries, full-length casts on both legs and countless doctor’s visits during her first 15 months of life, but you would never know anything was wrong by the almost constant smile on her face.

“She’s our inspiration,” said her mother, Brittany Gibson. 

For East Peoria Community High School sophomore Sarah Wegman, the $10 jump of a 2010 prom ticket to $50 did not make her think twice about attending the event.

In Wegman’s opinion, the evening of fancy attire and dancing happens just once a year; therefore, expense is not an issue.

“It’s one day out of your lifetime,” she said. “And we should make the best of it. I don’t think (cost) really matters.”

From finger painting to creating her own American flag, 4-year-old Isabella Lovin of East Peoria took her turn at each of the art stations set up throughout the gymnasium.

“She wants to go around again,” said her mom, Tyrena Lovin. “She really likes painting. There are a lot of different arts and crafts here for her.”

Changes to East Peoria Community High School’s drug intervention policy were among topics discussed at the Monday District 309 school board meeting.

The board passed a contract in November that allows first-time drug or alcohol offenders to avoid expulsion if they signed a contract and agreed to conditions, such as passing at least five of their courses.

A location for an evening movie in the park and retail kiosks lining Washington Street were just a few of the ideas brought to the table at last week’s city council special meeting.

The civic triangle portion of Downtown 2010 — which includes the library, City Hall and Caterpillar Inc. Heritage Museum — was the focus of the meeting Feb. 16.

After giving up writing for more than two decades, an East Peorian has stepped back into the role of author.

Sam Saladino reworked, added to and rewrote a novel he published 25 years ago into a newly released and modernized novel, “Erebus — Nightmare of a Social Worker.”

The lights will be on, but just how many lights is still up for discussion.

Cutting the cost of the Festival of Lights while continuing the annual event was one idea discussed by city council members at a retreat Wednesday.

It’s always hard to say goodbye, especially when one is leaving something they have been doing for a quarter of their life.

After 10 years of covering East Peoria as editor of the East Peoria Times-Courier, I am taking on a new role as executive editor at TimesNewspapers.

After an enlightening inaugural year, East Peorians will once again have the chance to lace up their running shoes and don their reflective vests to raise money for St. Jude.

Meetings have begun for this year’s run, which will take place Aug. 7, to get the word out and allow participants time to fundraise and, of course, perfect that mile time.