Basketball fans know how the sport plays in Peoria. Finally, some of those stories from an extra-special time in the city’s lore will be captured in print when “Playgrounds to the Pros: Legends of Peoria Basketball” (3 Fields Books, University…
There are plenty of people Peorians can be proud of here, there and everywhere. One such person to have particular pride in is the Honorable Darrin Gayles. The Peoria High graduate sits on the federal bench in Miami as…
Vafa Fati-Zada and Gunther Guggenberger were in Peoria for a week or so in October after spending some time in Springfield. Fati-Zada, from Azerbaijan, and Guggenberger, from Austria, were then on their way to Chicago, then planned to continue north…
Do Republicans have what it takes to control Congress? Will Democrats keep their hold on statewide offices? Casting an uneducated vote, political scientists say, can be worse than not voting. It’s important for the electorate to be knowledgeable of the…
Her hoop dream continues for Carla McGhee because, fortunately, there’s more to basketball than playing the game. The Olympic gold medalist from Manual High School is a national treasure who helped forge the foundation for the WNBA and where women’s…
Many people know Dick Van Scyoc, the coach: 826 career victories in a 45-year career that culminated with the 1994 Class AA state championship to cap 28 basketball seasons at Manual. But when I think about Coach Van, the…
The free meals at the South Side Mission feed poor souls every day. But what’s been cooking in the kitchen nourishes the hearts and minds of a ministry of culinary artists. Chef Chris Franzoni has been devoted to teaching aspiring…
A few weeks ago, one of the co-owners of The Community Word received a campaign mailer from a Republican state senator that asked, “Are you tired of politicians threatening your right to own guns?” It claimed, “The rights of Illinois’…
HBO wrapped up its controversial “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” on May 8. Basketball fanatic Oliver Mack has not seen the 10-part miniseries. He doesn’t have to, though. He was there. “Winning Time” takes some serious artistic…
Recycling is a great — and easy — way to help improve our planet. It feels good to “Go Green,” knowing that separating stuff from our garbage and throwing it into a bin so it can be used again instead…
