The United Auto Workers’ current agreement with Caterpillar is scheduled to expire March 1. Likely issues include not only compensation, but attendance policies — all as the UAW international leadership could be changing and related situations such as the union’s…
Columns
Straight Talk: Too good to be true? Disappointing development from developer KDB Group
by Roger Monroe • • 5 Comments
Kim Blickenstaff rode into Peoria like the proverbial knight on a white horse with wads of money and a load of ideas for improving life in central Illinois. The highly successful businessman, who made a fortune in the healthcare industry,…
The Watch: City Council expands agenda, County Board gets busy with new membership
by Terry Bibo • • 1 Comment
Local officials tidied the books to start 2023: you’ll see $750,000 in debts written off and $2.2 million in grants and bequests coming in. On Dec. 13, Peoria City Council expanded its annual legislative agenda to include public safety pension…
West Peoria News: Eagle Scout No. 75 earns his feathers for Troop 11
by Sharon McBride • • 0 Comments
Boy Scout Troop 11 held an Eagle Court of Honor for Ethan Edley on Jan. 8. Ethan is the troop’s Eagle Scout No. 75 since 1943. It is an impressive number of Eagles because of all the commitment, effort, hard…
It’s hard out here for curmudgeons to boogie
by Xavier Jackson • • 2 Comments
A barren wasteland lay in between the way I see myself and the way I am seen by others. The perception and programming of people further clouds the actual reality of that distance. I am 55 years old and at…
Inland Art: 22VA highlights therapeutic benefits from creativity art for veterans
by Lisa Nelson Raabe • • 1 Comment
Upon entering the 22 VA Art Exhibit last November in the Downtown Branch of the Peoria Public Library, I immediately felt connected to a wide range of creative works. Walls were lined with paintings, photos, recycled art, quilts, writing, carvings,…
The Watch: City Council talks taxes, fees; County recognizes membership
by Terry Bibo • • 0 Comments
With one bellwether election barely behind us — ringing in five new Peoria County Board members — another will toll in the immediate future. Meanwhile, the nitty-gritty work of government grinds on. Peoria City Council On Nov. 8, Township Supervisor…
Arts Alerts: Zen and the Art of Sprinkler Maintenance, Nate Craig coming to Jukebox
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
BOOKS • Writer (and Community Word co-owner) Burt Raabe will be signing his poetry collection “Zen and the Art of Underground Sprinkler Maintenance” and reading selections at I Know You Like A Book on Jan. 11. • Former U.S. Attorney…
The Lion’s Den: Here’s to new year full of good ole days for the future of us all
by Daniel McCloud • • 0 Comments
If you’re reading this, then you made it to the year of our Lord, 2023. Perhaps there is light snow on the ground and a solitary robin sitting on a frosty tree limb just outside your window. If you’re lucky,…
Nature Rambles: Surf Scoter catching waves on Illinois
by Mike Miller • • 1 Comment
At 123 years old, the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running citizen science project in existence. Its roots date back to 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested that people should go out at Christmas and count…