RELEASED BY: Captain Michael Scally –Investigations 673-4521
DATE: April 5, 2013
SUBJECT: Home Invasion/Homicide 1612 S. Arago

The Peoria Police Department is investigating a home invasion/homicide that occurred at 1612 S. Arago yesterday morning. Peoria police officers responded to this address at approximately 12:30 A.M. that day and upon arrival discovered that a home invasion had occurred and during the home invasion, 32 year old Kelsey Coleman, became the victim of a fatal gunshot wound. At this time investigators are working diligently investigating the homicide. No suspect(s) are in custody nor description(s) of suspect(s) available at this time.

Anyone that had been in this area and observed any persons, vehicles, or activity that seemed suspicious or has information regarding this incident please contact the Peoria Police Department at 673-4521 or CrimeStoppers 673-9000.

Peoria – Peoria County’s Economic Development Department is presenting a free public workshop entitled “Economic Development: A Regional Approach” from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at ICC’s North Campus. This workshop is offered through the college’s Adult Community Programs. Persons interested in learning more about the region’s growth and development strategy can register by calling 690-6900 or visiting www.icc.edu/acp; select “Know Your Community” from the workshop catalog.

Economic development is critical to the success of any community, with jurisdictions often competing to attract new business and create more jobs for their residents. Peoria County, however, is proud to be part of a collaborative economic development effort know as Focus Forward CI. Focus Forward CI strives to bring new business and jobs to the Central Illinois region, for the benefit of all residents rather than a sole community.

For more information on the free workshop, please contact Jenny Fulton, Director of Strategic Communications, at (309) 672-6918 or jfulton@peoriacounty.org.

The Peoria Park District will hold auditions for Park Players on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m. at Owens Center. Directed by Alex Larson, Park Players take imaginative children’s theatre to the parks and playgrounds of the city. As a paid member of this troupe, young actors will gain professional experience.

Interested high schoolers aged 14 to 18, should wear comfortable clothing for movement and improvisation exercises, prepare a song to sing and bring their sheet music.

Applicants should also be prepared to give three references, excluding family members. Six actors will be hired to perform in this troupe.

For more information, contact Linda Elegant Huff, Fine Arts Coordinator at 309.681.2861 or lhuff @peoriaparks.org.

(Peoria, IL – April 5, 2013) The Peoria chapter of Mended Hearts will meet Thursday,
April 11, 2013 at 6:00 PM at the RiverPlex in Peoria.

The guest speaker will be from the Life Line Pilots, a local organization helping to fly patients having medical needs who meet specifics requirements free of charge.

Mended Hearts, a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association, has been offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers for more than 50 years.

Because Mended Hearts is made up of the very kinds of people it serves—heart patients, their families, and others impacted by heart disease, its members draw on personal experience as they help others. Recovery involves not only physical healing, but emotional and psychosocial healing as well.

For more information about Mended Hearts, contact nurse practitioner Tammy Sarmiento at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center at 309.655.7292.

(Peoria, IL / April 5, 2013) – The Glen Oak entrance to the Medi Park II lot on the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center campus will be closed for construction beginning Monday, April 15, 2013.

The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks, depending on weather, and re-open Monday, April 29, 2013.

Traffic will still be able to access and exit Medi Park II by Greenleaf Street. Pedestrians will be able to access the Hillcrest building from the walkway on floors 5 and 6 of Medi Park II. The circle drive for Hillcrest and the receiving drive behind the Glen Oak building will remain open during construction.

(Peoria, IL / April 5, 2013) – The OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Breastfeeding Resource Center has moved to a new Peoria location. It is now located at 7800 N. Sommer Street, Suite 508, just off Pioneer Parkway in Parkway Plaza. Services are no longer available at 4911 Executive Drive.

The expert staff at the outpatient Breastfeeding Resource Center assist families before the birth of their baby and following discharge from the hospital. Services are open to all moms, regardless of where she gives birth.

They offer classes and support groups, feeding evaluations, pregnant mom consultations, and a retail store for nursing bras and a wide variety of products to help with breastfeeding needs; pumps, pillows, footstools, books, and more.

For more information call 309-683-6672, Monday through Friday from 9am – 5:30 pm.

Shopping center announces new store opening in late May

Peoria, Ill. — Shoppes at Grand Prairie announces its newest store, Francesca’s, plans to open in late May. The new store will be located in Suite 445, near Center Court.
Francesca’s is a growing specialty retailer with retail locations designed and merchandised to feel like independently owned, upscale boutiques. The merchandise assortment features a diverse mix of apparel, jewelry, accessories and gifts. Francesca’s boutiques carry a broad selection but limited quantities of individual styles, with new merchandise introduced five days a week.

Francesca’s is a Houston-based company, operating in 45 states. Currently, the closest Francesca’s store is located in Frankfort, Ill. A sister store is set to open at The Shoppes at College Hills in Normal, Ill.

About Francesca’s
Francesca’s currently operates more than 350 boutiques in 45 states across the U.S. and connects with customers at www.francescas.com.

PEORIA, IL – Continuing efforts to stand up for military veterans and their families, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) recently helped pass legislation that would put stricter limitations on protestors who seek to disturb the funeral and memorial services of fallen military members.

“Thousands of young men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country every day and some of them do not come home,” said Gordon-Booth. “When families and friends are laying these heroes to rest, it is disgusting to see protestors using that moment to spew their distorted political views.”

House Bill 2916 strengthens laws that ban disorderly conduct at the funeral and memorial services of soldiers. Disorderly conduct can include: making disruptive noises, such as yelling, singing or chanting; displaying threatening visual images or words; and preventing another person’s entry or exit to the funeral site.

Under the current law protestors must be at least 300 feet away from the site of the funeral or memorial and they are prohibited from conducting protests 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the service. House Bill 2916 would require that all protests take place at least 1,000 feet away from the funeral. The bill also extends the time before and after service that protests are banned to one hour.

“This proposal helps protect the mourners of our heroes as they honor the life of their loved one,” said Gordon-Booth. “The family and friends of our servicemen and women should never be harassed as they are saying good-bye to our fallen heroes.”

House Bill 2916 passed the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For any additional questions, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992.

In the past three days, there have been three deaths and two hospitalizations that the Peoria Police Department has responded to that the police have reason to believe are heroin and/or drug related. Family and friends of drug users are advised to warn their loved ones of the potential danger posed to them at this time. The Peoria Police Department is not condoning the use of illegal drugs but we want to warn citizens and the public of the potential dangers of illegal drug use.

Performance of “Snow White plus Original Works by Servy Gallardo”

April 19th and 20th at Five Points Washington

Enjoy a performance of beautiful dancing with Peoria Ballet’s Spring Production of Snow White, a Ballet in One Act, plus Part Two, Original Works by Servy Gallardo. A world premiere of brand new costumes and choreography in Snow White the Ballet; Part Two will include new contemporary choreography by Artistic Director Servy Gallardo set to Blues, Rock, R&B/Soul, and Pop music. There will be three full-length performances, a school performance on Thursday, April 18th at noon, and a special Snow White Picnic event before the matinee performance on Saturday, April 20th. Tickets for the Snow White Picnic are $10 and include a picnic snack, games and have your picture taken with Snow White, the Dwarfs and more. Come dressed up as your favorite Princess or Snow White character. The school performance is open to school groups, homeschool groups, and senior groups.

Who: The Peoria Ballet
What: Snow White, the ballet plus Part Two Original Works by Servy Gallardo
When: Friday, April 19th at 7:00pm and Saturday, April 20th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Where: Five Points Washington

Tickets are $24 for Adults and $10 for students. Call to make your reservations for the School Performance and for Group Rates of 10 and more. Tickets for the dual performance can be purchased online at PeoriaBallet.com or at 309-690-7990. For more information go online to www.peoriaballet.com or “Like” Peoria Ballet Company on Facebook.