Sharon Woods Harris
Journal Star
Pekin, IL, United States
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Past articles by Sharon:
Search for Pekin city manager won't be hurried
PEKIN — The Pekin City Council is not rushing to hire a replacement for departing City Manager Tony Carson.Carson has accepted a similar job in Forney, Texas. He will complete his contractual obligation to serve as Pekin city manager, his last day being Aug. 30 — a 60-day notice.Pekin Mayor John McCabe said Assistant City Manager Mark Rothert will likely serve as interim city manager after… → Read More
- News - Journal Star
PEKIN — The ity of Pekin has taken a new approach to road projects by posting signs letting people know where projects will take place and where → Read More
Pekin council to consider transit contract, mini-cell towers, sidewalks
PEKIN — The Pekin City Council will consider the following items during its meeting Monday night:• An agreement with Greater Peoria Mass Transit District for 2018-2019 bus service in Pekin.Pekin’s bus system provides generally over 70,000 rides each year, many of which are elderly, disabled, economically disadvantaged or without primary transportation.The annual cost for transportation for the… → Read More
Pekin eagerly awaits more info on Opportunity Zone
PEKIN — Pekin has received one of 327 Opportunity Zone designations in the state of Illinois, but it will take time for the city to totally understand the rules of the new zone because they have not yet been provided.“We don’t know how it all works,” said Assistant City Manager Mark Rothert. “It’s not like anything we do have. This is a vehicle for investors to invest in depressed areas and… → Read More
Vietnam veteran from Pekin builds memorial for troops
PEKIN — The Fourth of July marks the independence of the United States of America and gives all Americans pause to remember their freedom and to honor those who have sacrificed their lives and witnessed the horrors of war.For one Vietnam veteran — former Green Beret Michael Duane Friedinger, 73, of Pekin — the memories are vivid. He and his buddies parachuted from planes into enemy territory… → Read More
Pekin will conduct executive session over pending city manager vacancy
Pekin Mayor John McCabe will call for an executive session to discuss the process for replacing City Manager Tony Carson.McCabe said Carson will honor his → Read More
Pekin City Council approves final documents for VFW Road transfer
PEKIN — The Pekin City Council on Monday approved documents that move the city and the state one step closer to the transfer of ownership of VFW Road and Court Street.The state provided $30 million in 2010 from the State Capital Bill for the construction of Veterans Drive South from Commercial Drive to Illinois Route 29 in a deal that gave Veterans Drive South to the state to serve as Illinois… → Read More
Pekin council OKs $2.5 million Ameren franchise agreement
PEKIN — The Pekin City Council on Monday approved two new franchise agreements with Ameren that over a 20-year period will bring in $2,504,800.Good → Read More
Tazewell County panel to consider rewrite of gun rights resolution
PEKIN — The Tazewell County Board Executive Committee will meet during the June 27 County Board meeting to consider a rewrite of a resolution suggested by gun rights advocates.But the resolution will not go as far as advocates hoped. It will not make Tazewell County a Sanctuary County for Second Amendment gun rights or instruct the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office not to enforce state… → Read More
Tazewell state's attorney says auditor's suit may face long road
PEKIN — Tazewell County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz is reviewing the suit he was served with Wednesday filed by County Auditor Shelly → Read More
Auditor files suit against Tazewell County Board
PEKIN — Tazewell County Auditor Shelly Hranka on Tuesday filed suit against county officials for allegedly stripping her of her statutory duties and failing to provide her the funds, staff and materials to do her job.Hranka filed the suit against the Tazewell County Board, Tazewell County Board Chairman David Zimmerman and Tazewell County State’s Attorney Stewart Umholtz. Unholtz was included in… → Read More
Illinois American Water announces upgrade to Pekin system
PEKIN — Illinois American Water Co. is beginning a two-year project that will ensure better water movement in the community.The company will invest $2.3 million to replace 7,100 feet of water main in Pekin’s distribution system. The work includes installing a 16-inch water main to upgrade water service, fire protection and system hydraulics. The lines to be replaced date back as far as the early… → Read More
Bob Michel book to highlight legacy, contributions
PEKIN — Few towns the size of Pekin are home to the collective works of so many outstanding political figures in America’s history.The Everett McKinley Dirksen Congressional Leadership Research Center in Pekin houses and protects the papers and some possessions of Sen. Everett McKinley Dirksen and Congressmen Robert H. Michel, Ray LaHood and Harold H. Velde. The center also has the collection of… → Read More
Tazewell auditor criticizes County Board funding
PEKIN — A decision Monday by the Tazewell County Board ad-hoc auditor review committee has ignited a fight to preserve an auditor free of the → Read More
Pekin man charged with drug crimes after police seized meth lab
PEKIN — The occupant of an apartment where an alleged methamphetamine lab was discovered this week faces up to 30 years in prison after he was → Read More
Pekin and North Pekin reach tentative agreement over sewer spat
PEKIN — The Pekin City Council on Monday will consider a tentative agreement with the Village of North Pekin for funding Pekin Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades and a new addition.Pekin has treated its neighbor's wastewater for decades under an intergovernmental agreement, but payment for infrastructure work resulted in a dispute. The city of Pekin filed a demand for arbitration of the issue… → Read More
Pekin man charged with major drug crimes Friday after police seized meth lab
PEKIN —The occupant of an apartment where an alleged methamphetamine lab was discovered this week faces up to 30 years in prison after he was charged with two Class X felonies in Tazewell County court on Friday.Brian D.S. Collier, 53, of 103 S. 13th St., Apt. A, Pekin, the address where the alleged lab was located on Wednesday, is charged with aggravated participation in the manufacture of… → Read More
Pekin man arrested in meth lab bust where incendiary materials found
PEKIN — A 53-year-old Pekin man was arrested Wednesday in a methamphetamine lab bust where materials to make an incendiary device were discovered, police said Thursday.Brian D.S. Collier of 103 S. 13th St., Apt. A, was arrested when the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team searched his residence at 10 a.m. Collier was arrested on a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine, according to Pekin… → Read More
Family happy that mother can finally rest in peace
PEKIN — From California, Amber Edwards waited Wednesday to hear that an 18-month fight to have the stone replaced properly on her mother’s final resting place was finished.And finally, it was done.“It looks beautiful,” said Edwards in a text message after a picture was texted to her.Edwards’ mother, Geri “Nicki” Hornback, died on Aug. 21, 2010. Her ashes were buried on the plot of her mother,… → Read More
Family happy that mother can finally rest in peace in Pekin
PEKIN — From California, Amber Edwards waited Wednesday to hear that an 18-month fight to have the stone replaced properly on her mother’s final resting place was finished.And finally it was done.“It looks beautiful,” said Edwards in a text after a picture was texted to her.Edwards’ mother, Geri “Nicki” Hornback, died on Aug. 21, 2010. Her ashes were buried on the plot of her mother, Betty Jane… → Read More