Summer is traditionally a time of vacations and fun in the sun. While leisurely living is reality for some, others find summer months more difficult for stretching already limited budgets. As requests for help at local food pantries increase, food…
Tax Cuts, Budget Primer of State’s Biggest Races
Lieutenant Governor hopefuls defend their running mates’ stance on the issues. It’s not healthcare or even the nearly 11 percent unemployment rate choking the state that’s at the forefront of a tight race for Illinois’ top spots. But when it…
Independence Day
Crime Stats, Police Cuts & Peoria’s Budget Woes
Editor’s Note: Due to the recent flare-up in alleged gang activity and homicides, Chief Settingsgaard has re-instated one gang intelligence officer from patrol duty for 120 days to work with detectives to solve these murders.] Latest national trend FBI statistics…
‘Postcards’ Merit Telly Award for Bradley Professor
Dr. Bob Jacobs, Professor of Communication and Director of the John C. Hench Production Art Studios at Bradley University, has won two international awards for his television production work. Jacobs produces a bi-weekly news feature series called, “Postcards From Home” …
Peoria Area Home Sales in May Increased by 17 Per Cent
May home sales in the Peoria area showed a fifth consecutive increase as homebuyers closed on homes that qualified for the tax credit incentive that ended on April 30th. According to the Peoria Area Association of Realtors®, homes sales for…
RIP Woodruff High School 1937-2010
Woodruff High School is dead. Its execution was ordered by District 150 board members David Gorenz, Laura Petelle, Debbie Wolfmeyer and Linda Butler. As a physician, Gorenz lost “the patient;” Petelle, the attorney, pulled the plug; Wolfmeyer, a school secretary,…
On July 4th, remembering ‘liberal’ Founders
Seventy-five years ago this month, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act, which said that collective bargaining was in the national interest of the United States. FDR is just one in a long line of patriots whose…
Now do you get it?
Sarah Palin has a flair for irony. According to her, the Gulf oil spill illustrates why we should do more drilling. She points out athe blown out well, and spewing oil, were due, not to inept drilling or lack of…
Addressing an omission in Journal Star coverage
First, I applaud Peoria City Manager Scott Moore for moving to an older Peoria home in an older Peoria neighborhood and fixing it up. Second, I was annoyed that Moore had to go before the Peoria Historic Preservation Commission and…
Freedom’s Price
We the people of the United States will celebrate our independence this month. As we pull out the red, white and blue and make much noise, let’s not just spend the day overindulging in the festivities, waiting for the big…
The elusive ability to live in the moment
Dates and details are no longer of much significance to Margaret. She’s the first to admit, “My mind doesn’t work like it used to.” Likely it doesn’t, but I didn’t know her in her prime so I can’t compare. The…
West Peoria News for July 2010
The Community of West Peoria, Boy Scout Troop & Pack #11 and the West Peoria Lions Club extend an invitation to join the annual 4th of July Parade and flag raising celebration. This special day brings with it a feeling…
Musings for July
Another short rain storm this morning, the 26th, and I needed an umbrella to walk Kaja. I simply can not believe that we can absorb so much rain and so much heat. We are going to vaporize in the sun…
Summer means be cautious about food safety
Summer is the season to be outside, whether you are headed to a cookout, packing for a picnic, or planning a day at the pool. Food safety may not be one of your top priorities. However, making sure food is…
Library Buildings Taking Shape Around City
By Trish Noack, Supervisor of Public Relations The $28 million building project undertaken by Peoria Public Library has become highly visible as steel framework goes up at the North Branch, the future lounge area has replaced the old front entrance…
Happenings for July 2010
through Aug 10 – Kindermusik @ Trinity Summer Camp 2010. Two 5-week sessions of daytime & evening summer classes to be held at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph Ave. Cost: $95 per 5-week session. Call 676-4609 for…
Methodist Mobile Mammography Schedule
The following is the schedule for the Methodist Medical Center Mobile Mammography Van for the month of July 2010. Methodist now features all digital mammography equipment providing improved, faster and more comfortable exams. July 6-Methodist at Morton-1909 Morton Ave.- Morton…
Support Our Troops Fundraiser
On Saturday, July 31st, the Kingston Mines community will be hosting their 2nd Annual Support Our Troops Fundraiser. Many surrounding towns help make this possible. The event will be held in the Kingston Mines Park and will start at noon.…
As Summer Heats Up, Illinois American Water Offers Ten Tips for Consumers to Keep Water Use Down
As the temperature rises, so does water use, as Americans head outdoors to embrace time-honored summer rituals from washing the car to watering the lawn. In fact, according to the EPA’s WaterSense program, water usage on a peak day in…
ArtsPartners Announces New Publication, ‘Peoria City Hall: A Visitor’s Guide of Peoria’s Greatest Treasure’
Peoria’s City Hall, which was once considered “the finest city hall in the nation for a small size city,” is the centerpiece of ArtsPartners new publication “Peoria City Hall: A Visitor’s Guide of Peoria’s Greatest Treasure.” The booklet is authored…
Peoria Litter Cleanup Report
Over 1,000 volunteers participated in the 12th Annual Great American Cleanup, a city-wide spring litter cleanup sponsored and organized by Keep Peoria Beautiful. Peoria Disposal Company provided dumpsters to many neighborhood Associations to use for garbage/litter and landscape waste. A…