Pete Vonachen, Peoria’s “Mr. Baseball,” celebrated his 86th birthday, Wednesday, August 31. Mayor Jim Ardis proclaimed that day “Pete Vonachen Day” in honor of Pete’s leadership and community service. Few people remember his many years on the city’s Liquor Commission…
Straight Talk
We did it again
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
Thanks to editor, Debbie Adlof, I’ve had the pleasure of writing this column for over ten years. Much of what I write comes from friends. They represent various aspects of life in Peoria and central Illinois from politics to business…
Roger and Royce return
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
WOAM 1350 radio is returning and so is “Breakfast with Royce and Roger.” My long-time friend and nationally known comedian Royce Elliott and I have agreed to terms with WOAM’s new owner, (Larry) Nelson Multi-Media. The station will resume operations…
Disgusting incident at Richwoods High School
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
I learned about a disgusting incident at Richwoods High School that will probably go unreported. A 17 year old student was the victim of bullying. You know, it’s that activity that even the President of the United States and his…
Good news and bad news
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
When it comes to Bradley basketball it seems to be good news, bad news. GOOD NEWS is new Bradley coach Geno Ford was able to retain Jalen Crawford, recruited by the fired Jim Les. The talented guard from Detroit played…
No idle threat
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
The news that Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman has written Illinois Governor Pat Quinn about the state’s burdensome tax on business should make a lot of people nervous. The tax was a typical Democrat response without serious consideration of potential damaging…
Peoria police deserve praise
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
Have you noticed how quickly Peoria police are capturing the bad guys? One robbery after another and one killing after another, police wind up nabbing the culprits. And folks, these are really bad, bad, people. Too many young thugs are…
Done deal?
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
As I write this column January 18, discussions are taking place between retiring Peoria County Administrator Patrick Urich and Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. Don’t be surprised if an announcement is made within days that Urich is the city’s choice for…
Merle’s parting shot
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
Merle Widmer has retired from the County Board, but not from politics. Everyone who knows him, and I do, knew he would not go quietly. After a big time losing effort to slow down, if not stop the downtown museum,…
Stop the presses!
by Roger Monroe • • 0 Comments
The sleuths at the Peoria Journal have uncovered another major crime! While there are murders on the streets and alleys of the city, drug deals almost in the open, fights among teens at Peoria High, and muggings of shoppers, the…