PEKIN - The Tazewell County museum and educational center has moved, providing more room for items of historical significance.

The museum closed in November and has reopened at 2950 Court St., Sunset Shopping Plaza, Pekin. The building is at least three times the size of the old space at 1408 Broadway St., said museum librarian Jan Strubhar.

"We were in a very small building and we just didn't have enough space. Although our new location is larger, we still have things in storage," said Strubhar.

Strubhar said the museum needs at least 20,000 square feet but would love to have 50,000 square feet. She was unsure how many square feet the new building has.

"Our genealogical society keeps records of people and their families, but didn't take actual items, so many were disappearing from the county, junking part of history," said Strubhar.

During days the museum is not open, volunteers research items to find their value and significance within the county.

"We have people dropping items off daily," she said. "Our county's history needs to be preserved."

The Tazewell County Museum began in 1996 in peoples' homes and has continued to grow. Items can be brought in during museum hours, and private viewings of the museum may be scheduled by calling (309) 347-8375.

The museum has memorabilia from throughout Tazewell County, including Hinner organs and pianos, mammoth teeth, veterans' memorabilia, an Everett Dirksen collection, Lester Chance collection, astronaut Scott Altman space career collection and more. A veterans' room includes authentic items from those serving in the military.

The museum is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stop signs - The Mackinaw Village Board discussed the possibility of adding stop signs on Fast Avenue since the county does not have a lower speed limit and it's causing ongoing speed problems. The speed goes from 55 to 30 miles per hour on the road, but the board may meet with the County Board to see if there is a way to regulate a lower speed limit. Currently, computerized machines show what speed a vehicle is going.

Olympia - Candidates for the Olympia School Board will take part in a meet the candidates' night at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Minier Christian Church.

Atlanta Library - A framed poster of the Atlanta Library, created by artist R. Bolton Smith, to the library. The children's room has been newly decorated with seven more Bolton Smith posters, each depicting a state through which old Route 66 travels.