Yesterday, The Zone open its doors for the first time after the Governor J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order temporarily closing all "non-essential" business. Today, upon receipt of a temporary restraining order, the business is closed.
The Zone is being assisted in reopening with the help of attorney Thomas DeVore, who gained recent notoriety after obtaining an exemption from the states shelter-in-place order for State Representative Darren Bailey. DeVore's plate is full as he navigates the state attempting to help small businesses in more than 30 counties reopen in opposition to the governor's executive order.
He sent a letter to Champaign-Urbana Public Health District on May 6 stating that the gym was planning to reopen if they did not take formal, legal action against it by Wednesday.
The CUPHD promptly responded with a cease and desist letter taped to workout facility's door sometime on Tuesday. To the delight of members, The Zone's Facebook page announced the reopening at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday to the public. Meanwhile, the Champaign County State's Attorney office worked to obtain the TRO.
Erik Hyam, an attorney from the Silver Lake Group, the law firm handling the next stage of The Zone's fight, followed up with a letter to CUPHD administrator Julie Pryde yesterday.
Today, around 3:45, about 31 hours into their revival while nearly a dozen clients were working out, The Zone was served with the TRO issued by Champaign County Judge Tom Difanis. According to WAND-TV, patrons were escorted out and the doors locked. A hearing before Difanis is on the docket for May 21 at 9 am. State’s Attorney Julia Rietz indicated should the business attempt to reopen between now and the court date, the gym could be in contempt of court and suffer civil and criminal penalties. The Sentinel attempted to reached out to the business owner for comment, but has not received a response. The Zone also operates gym facilities in Greenville, Metropolis, Shelbyville, Virden and Pana.
2020.05.13 Letter to Champa... by MarissaMiller on Scribd
Today, around 3:45, about 31 hours into their revival while nearly a dozen clients were working out, The Zone was served with the TRO issued by Champaign County Judge Tom Difanis. According to WAND-TV, patrons were escorted out and the doors locked. A hearing before Difanis is on the docket for May 21 at 9 am. State’s Attorney Julia Rietz indicated should the business attempt to reopen between now and the court date, the gym could be in contempt of court and suffer civil and criminal penalties. The Sentinel attempted to reached out to the business owner for comment, but has not received a response. The Zone also operates gym facilities in Greenville, Metropolis, Shelbyville, Virden and Pana.
"I dont like it! (I) miss my teachers, friends and the atmosphere," he explained. "Being home is nice for a while because you can sleep in and do homework whenever."
Understandable. It is hard to make lasting teenage memories quasi-trapped in quarantine-like confinement.
His greatest memories at SJO include playing soccer with his friends on the field, going to home football games, and qualifying for the IHSA Track and Field State Competition during his junior year.
Hoping to make a repeat, consecutive trip to the state meet, Grimsey competed in three indoor meets this spring before the COVID-19 pandemic forced athletic events around the country to a unwelcomed halt. Out of the eight events he ran in his final season as a Spartan, his 4x200-meter relay squad placed first at the UNI Indoor meet on February 21.
Now that track is over and high school classes done for the semester today, he can focus on the next chapter of his life. He is jazzed about playing soccer at the next level.
"I'm PUMPED!" he exclaimed. "I'm looking forward to playing at this level, a dream of mine for a long time. I'm hoping to contribute to a new team and coach with a winning season."
You will be able to get a glimpse of Grimsley in his new uniform on August 23 in Decatur when the Blueboys take on Millikin University in a preseason scrimmage.
Majoring in Human Services, the two-sport athlete isn't sure what he will do after college.
"I hoping to be a a part of an athletic team," he said. "Graduate school is something I'm open to."
However, his dream job would working with a professional soccer team. He said it would be great to work around so many amazing players that he idolizes.
The four-year veteran has a little advice for teammates he leaving behind: "Keep your heads up, never give up and always play with your heart," he says. "I'll be back to watch!"
Meanwhile, for incoming freshmen students, he said they should enjoy their time in high school because it goes by so fast.
Grimsey's favorite classes at SJO were all of his science-related classes with Mrs. Jeanna Kerner and Mrs. Stacey Kietzman, two of his favorite teachers. He also enjoy every class he he ad with Mr. Don Beckett. He singled out Mrs. Kirk at St. Joseph Grade School and Mr. Steele at St. Joseph Middle School as two other teachers he really liked before entering high school.
"Mrs. Kietzman is a very sweet kind teacher who has always encouraged me and supported me," he said. "Mrs. Kerner, I wont lie she is pretty relaxed and very honest, and her sarcasm and humor matches mine."
As mentioned earlier, Grimsey like to play videos games in his free time. He likes Call of Duty, FIFA and NBA2K. If e-gaming was an IHSA sport and there was a state trophy at stake, he left no doubt his Spartan gaming team would bring home hardware like every other sport at SJO. With his five-man special ops team comprised of himself along with covert buddies Zac, Downing, Trevon, and Wes, they would be a superior gaming force for the competition to reckon with.
"We are Call of Duty gods. We'd take 'em down."
