Watching local government operate almost normally in 2022 is a Christmas gift in itself. Peoria City Council On Sept. 27, councilors approved $386,000 for a storm sewer contract with J.C. Dillon Inc. Maintenance Director Rick Powers said this includes 190…
West Peoria news: Cubs Scouts on tour with Christmas carols
Beauty of a winter lion: Poetry of Byron DeHaan
Labor roundup: Workers’ Rights passes in midterm elections
Illinois’ Workers’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution passed, according to the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and other outlets verifying data on Nov. 15. The measure received 58.4% of all votes cast in the Nov. 8 midterm election,…
Midterm election scorecard tallies totals from Peoria County
Peoria-area voters weighed in on a host of national, state and local races and issues on Nov. 8. Here are details on key winners and their victory percentages from unofficial results from balloting in Peoria County, where the turnout was…
Peoria County voters choose to eliminate auditor
Peoria County voters on Nov. 8 overwhelmingly approved eliminating the County Auditor’s Office, but related court actions remain active: a renewed claim to stay all proceedings and restore the authority of the office, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to maintain…
Editorial: Will the beacon on our hill still be shining after our elections?
Vafa Fati-Zada and Gunther Guggenberger were in Peoria for a week or so in October after spending some time in Springfield. Fati-Zada, from Azerbaijan, and Guggenberger, from Austria, were then on their way to Chicago, then planned to continue north…
Inland Art: Marrying mediums, Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang creating happily ever after
Heat waves — in red & black | Danger zone: Will Greenland, West Antarctic ice sheets collapse?
Climate scientists lose sleep over tipping points, temperature thresholds when crossed initiate self-sustaining, irreversible, and massively-destructive changes in natural systems, such as glaciers and forests. Countless living things will face untimely and unnatural deaths if these systems collapse. New…
Serendipity | Be thankful today, without delay
Nature Rambles | Stage set for sassy scenery: Sassafras leaves harbinger for spectacular fall
Letter to the editor: Ester Joy King, Eric Sorenson skirt issues
I went to the “debate” between Esther Joy King and Eric Sorenson at Bradley on October 3. I regret doing that. I could have stayed home and watched mindless drivel on TV without wasting gas to attend a live event…
The Lion’s Den: Sweet sounds of Jazz stir heart, mind, soul
The Watch: Social equity pot dispensaries under review; rail line gets funds; booths, ballots ready for big day
West Peoria News: Fall back, look forward to November events
Labor Roundup: Teachers thankful for unity in community
Peoria teachers’ unity and community support made the difference in a settlement between the union and the Peoria Public Schools, leaders say. Bargaining started in March, and after 19 stymied negotiating sessions, a mediator was brought in. The third meeting…
Election Commission staking out nuisances like voter intimidators, Big Liars
Two Auditor requests for ballot injunction denied by judge; Referendum on whether to keep office left up to voters
Two attempts to block the Nov. 8 referendum on whether or not to keep the Peoria County Auditor office failed in the last month as Judge James Mack denied requests by Peoria County Auditor Jessica Thomas and community advocate Karrie…