Archive for December, 2007

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Anticipation over shopping and festivities sometimes over shadow more important, long-term issues pertaining to the holidays such as the safety of those you love. “There are several more reports on Christmas and Thanksgiving than any other day of the year,” said Matt Sheets, a Peoria area Firefighter. He mentioned even more are called in...
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Undoubtedly, you have heard rumblings about new passport laws. Passports are now needed for any kind of travel outside of the United States, even to Mexico and Canada. However, these laws seem to be coming in fast and are changing constantly, so it is of no surprise that many people are confused. Hopefully this...
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It’s important that donors make an informed choice and know to whom they are giving. “All too often people want to quickly clear out the things they can no longer use, and simply drop their unwanted items at the nearest collection box,” says Patty Fuchs, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois....
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I’m smiling at the latest developments regarding the “Get Jeanette Mitzelfelt Campaign.” You’ll recall our local newspaper virtually ignored the efforts by election commissioners to keep Mrs. Mitzelfelt from collecting due unemployment compensation AFTER the two fired her. Mary Harkrader and Camille Gibson not only fought to keep the married woman of six children...
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December is a wonderful month of mystery, a time with a lot of religious holidays and secular good will to others, but a time of tension, friction and foolishness, too. Some of the most outlandish foolishness seems to come from the Bush administration’s Bureau of Prisons and – in a bit of bipartisan boobery...
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The sound was awful. After all these years I can still remember it. “Ka-CHOOK…” and suddenly there was a very damaged and very dead baby bunny. The nest had been so well concealed I had no idea I was about to run the lawnmower over it. Fortunately for the others, I...
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I wouldn’t want to be a mainstream reporter these days. It was tough enough of a job back when I was doing it. These days, I sometimes wonder if it’s ethical to even offer college journalism programs, considering that newspapers are laying off reporters as profits drop. The newspaper industry blames the Internet for...
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In the recent spate of national and local news concerning women teachers being sexually involved with young make students, a recurring question arises: isn’t there gender “discrimination” in the public’s reactions and in the legal sanctions involved? There’s no question that there’s been a detrimental long-standing attitude on the part of the public. Remember...
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The West Peoria Residents’ Association is hosting their annual Christmas gathering on December 2, 2007 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Franciscan Center. Join them for an evening of Christmas music, hot chocolate, cookies, hay rack rides, and a coloring contest. Santa will be there as a special guest. The 2007 annual West...
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