Volunteer of more than 30 years chosen to lead. A new chief has been named for the West Peoria Fire Department (WPFD). Chief Terry Schadt officially leads the volunteer department, replacing Robert Stecher who held the top spot for 25…
Peoria Park District’s September Activities
Pickleball for 50+ Changing Times The Peoria Park District’s Pickleball for 50+ program at Franciscan Recreation Complex (FRC) will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. starting September 4. It will run through December 20 (excluding November 22). Cost…
Gordon-Booth Thanks Everyone Who Donated to the Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive
During the last month local residents donated 62 cell phones for Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth’s (D-Peoria) 4th Annual Cell Phones for Soldiers Drive. Through this drive, over 9,300 minutes of talk time will be provided to soldiers overseas. “I would like to…
“Proper Property Value” first of three fall Adult Community Programs offered by Peoria County
Property taxes too high? Join Peoria County’s Supervisor of Assessments for “Proper Property Value,” a free workshop from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, at ICC’s North Campus. This class is offered throughIllinois Central College’s Adult Community Programs. Peoria County’s Supervisor of Assessments will explain how…
Keep Peoria Beautiful Annual Awards Reception Celebrates the 2012 Orchid Award winner
The 2012 Orchid Award Reception wiff feature a wine tasting with light hors d’oeuvres on Thursday, September 13th at the Luthy botanical Garden from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The Presentation of Awards will be at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $20…
The Hayloft’s 30th Art and Craft Fair
The Hayloft Shops in the Village of Mossville will present their 30th annual Art & Craft Fair for 2012, rain or shine on Friday, September 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 8th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday,…
Buster Keaton comedy at the Apollo Saturday, Sept. 8th
One of Hollywood’s top humorists and filmmakers based what he considered his best movie on an often-overlooked Civil War incident known as the Great Locomotive Chase, and downtown Peoria’s nonprofit Apollo Theater will show it on Saturday, Sept. 8. “The General,” written…
Peoria Public Library to Offer New Musical Performance Series – “Music in the McKenzie”
Peoria Public Library will launch a new series of free musical performances at North Branch, 3001 W. Grand Parkway, called Music in the McKenzie, named for the McKenzie Room. All ages will enjoy Music in the McKenzie, which will begin in September…
Sixth Annual Recovery Walks! 2012 – September 22
The Walk, dedicated to the memory of Ameel Rashid, MD (1933-2011), will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the campus of Proctor Hospital. The Walk steps-off at 12:00 p.m. It all begins at 10:00 a.m. with plenty of fellowship and – •…
Graciously Feeding the Hungry
Heat and humidity were soaring that particular Monday morning in July even at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers for West/Mark Food Pantry were unloading boxes and checking inventory for their weekly pantry. Donated homegrown produce was taken downstairs, and a very tall…
Locals React to DOL’s Failed Farm Proposal
Some Peoria County residents believe the U.S. Department of Labor’s failed proposal is a prime example of over-regulation. In the midst of a slumping economy and a state unemployment rate of 8.2 percent, one wouldn’t imagine agriculture to be on the short list of hot…
New Peoria Grassroots Group Forms Wholesome Food Fund Gro
By Clare Howard An examination of the federal food stamp program shows big national corporations may be the real beneficiaries of federal food assistance while people who depend on the program to eat may actually be the losers. Working to…
24th Annual Duck Race for the Center for Prevention of Abuse Will be on August 26th
By Daniela Vidal About 20,000 rubber ducks will soon take over the Illinois River late this August. For the 24th year, the Center for Prevention of Abuse is hosting the Duck Race, its largest fundraiser, with hopes it will help open doors…
Festivals abound
Heartland partnership: Going, going, gone
Jim McConoughey, CEO of Heartland Partnership, is apparently gone or close to it as I put this column to bed. Reportedly, others are unsure of their future with the organization. One of those is city councilman, Ryan Spain, managing director.…
Peoria Launches ‘Don’t Shoot’ Program
A new approach to stopping gun violence stresses conversation and cooperation, not registration or retribution, and this month Peoria launches the program: “Don’t Shoot.” The program comes close to reconciliation, a progressive technique tied to institutions and individuals ranging from the church…
Tiny Terrorists?!
It was a vision from a horror movie. The kids had formed a wide circle, backing away in disbelief as a growing gang of bee-sized yellow jacket wasps crowded over a can of soda. Screams and shrieks from fifth graders…
DeWayne Bartels was one heck of a newsman
DeWayne Bartels is dead. He died the way he wanted to, working on a story. His wife found him sitting on the floor of their home, hunched over his laptop. DeWayne was a former co-worker of mine at the Peoria Times-Observer.…
Guest editorials: Supreme Court’s Ruling Lets Us Continue to Bring Men Value to Our Patients
by Bill Leaver, President & CEO, Iowa Health System and Debbie Simon, President/CEO Methodist Medical Center There’s no doubt about it. The health care industry has anxiously awaited the Supreme Court opinion upholding or striking down the Affordable Care Act. Since…
Candles, Cookies & Storms
He clopped up to my door in his fireman rain boots proudly holding his new umbrella and pronounced, “It’s going to rain Grammy!” I could hardly contain my joy at seeing my precious grandson, four-years old and all grown up,…
Serendipity: How many can say, ‘I loved my job?’
Job searchers are advised to consider familiar, favorite places when looking for employment. That’s precisely what I did in the early spring of 2001. I wanted part-time work where I could feel comfortable in a business environment, and make a…
West Peoria News for August 2012
Peoria POPS Orchestra’s Swing Band will present the season’s final Concert In the Park on Sunday, August 12th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Franciscan Recreation Complex. The West Peoria Residents’ Association and the Peoria Park District invite you to grab your…