More than a dozen majestic oaks still stand in Hall Woods near Hall Cemetery just east of Lacon, witness to a lynching in 1898. The exact site of the lynching, reportedly by a mob of 100 men from Toluca, is…
Learn our history to change our future
New generation of Peoria policing embraces “one with community”
Peoria Police Officer Daniel Duncan is driving 700 miles to Montgomery, Ala., looking for answers and looking for hope. His destination is the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. It may…
Water debate continues
Agreed: Water and its safety are important to Central Illinois. Agreed: Water is a key piece of the economic puzzle as the City of Peoria faces huge financial strains. Agreed: Water’s place in that puzzle is determined by the Peoria…
Two Peoria TV stations part of corporate shuffle
The corporation that owns WMBD-TV 31 and WYZZ-TV 43 could become the largest local TV station owner in the country if its proposed acquisition of Tribune Media is approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Texas-based Nexstar Media Group on Dec.…
Views & Perspectives | Happy New Year — Happy 2019
My good wishes for a productive and happy 2019 and a list of important events and issues to be considered by you and others. 1. Even though we just participated in a very important November 2018 election, this spring will…
Straight Talk | Exclusive
We all read and heard with sadness about the tragic loss of life when an F-18 Marine fighter jet collided with an KC-130 off the coast of Japan during a refueling exercise. Five crew members of the tanker were killed…
Bill Knight | How to address homelessness
Neither the City of Peoria nor Peoria County has a lot of extra money sitting around, but do you know who has even less? The homeless. Helping the homeless, however, should be more than a passing winter impulse, and ensuring…
Editorial | Hate, racial bias, anti-semitism and “good families”
The assault at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where a gunman opened fire during Saturday morning worship, continues the tsunami of violence, bigotry and hate sweeping the country. What’s the solution? A panel of a dozen local religious and…
Letter to the Editor | Stop excessive taxation!
It seems like the Peoria city leaders are always coming up with new ways to hit us with more and more taxes. First came the sewer tax, then the landlord tax plus another additional tax on every apartment in Peoria.…
Op-Ed | Great disappointment in lack of disclosure regarding Bradley’s decision about WCBU
BY SHERYL COHEN AND MARY BETH NEBEL The latest information regarding the fate of Peoria Public Radio is that the station will cease to operate on Bradley University’s campus and will be “moved” to WGLT in Bloomington. When WCBU’s facilities…
Op-Ed | Eat for your health and the health of the climate
BY HENRY BROCKMAN We live in difficult times. We are hit with a daily drumbeat of near-apocalyptic news: climate change, natural disasters, migrants fleeing violence and poverty, a dysfunctional government at home . . . the list of things to…
Reflections From The Clergy | Justice reform
As we begin a new year, many of us will dream of new beginnings and second chances. We may take another shot at last year’s failed resolution. We may commit to finally get some aspect of our life in order.…
Real Talk | How to get away with murder
Jamal Khashoggi a 59-year old journalist for the Washington Post, was a Saudi Arabian national and a U.S. resident. He also was a frequent critic of Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (M.B.S.) and the Saudi government policies. Khashoggi was…
Nature Rambles | Winter Butterflies
While January might seem a strange time to think about butterflies, it is actually a great time to look back at the past season and start the process for planning for next year. In past columns, we have touched on…
Inland Art | LJ Douglas
LJ Douglas’s work began in the eighties in Chicago before there were more than a handful of contemporary galleries on Ontario Street. It was the twilight of the Hairy Who, and the Baby-boomers were surging from the region’s schools of…
Arts Beat | January 2019
MUSIC Jan. 4: Dexter O’Neal and Funk Yard “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art Center. 674-6822. Jan. 8, 15 and 22: Chicago Farmer “Folkin’ Tuesdays.” 8 p.m. Kenny’s West Side Pub. 676-1693. Jan. 11: “State & Water…
Serendipity | Teenagers, suddenly
Announcing the arrival of teenagers in our family! Not since 1997 when our youngest of three turned 20, have teens been part of the mix. On Dec. 27 Jules, our oldest grandchild turned 13; Emma following on Jan. 25; and…
Peoria literary magazine, Downstate Story, out with new 2018 volume
Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers are featured in the 2018 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine for fiction. Downstate Story is now published exclusively online at www.downstatestory.com. Writers in this issue are David Seaman,…
NOW: Best and worst of 2018
The National Organization for Women has led the fight for equal rights for decades. The organization released this list for the worst offenders and top victories in 2018: Worst offenders of women’s rights Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, for her…
Science Brief | “Genetically Modified Children”
In this horrifying documentary, writer and director Juliette Igier travels around Argentina meeting families in agricultural communities whose lives have been upended by a sudden surge in birth defects and cancers among the children. Tobacco farmers face an impossible choice…
Corporations have no human rights — No freedom of speech
BY ELAINE HOPKINS The “Move to Amend” movement promotes a U.S. Constitutional Amendment that will strip corporations and the wealthy of their power to control elections with their money and control legislation by claiming corporate “rights.” A speaker from the…
West Peoria News | Local institution will be missed
2019 starts with some important West Peoria meetings. Neighborhood Watch will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 in City Hall. Speaker to be announced. Begin 2019 with participation in your community. Plan on attending and bring a neighbor or friend…