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
Two talented photographers from China, husband and wife Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang, arrived in Peoria in March 2022. Finding Peoria a very livable city, they are building their artistic connections in the U.S. from here. This fall their…
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
People seem divided by possessions. From savers and keepers to “send it on, I’m done with it” to “it’s here somewhere, not sure where.” Genetics may play a role, but there are concessions regardless. I’m in the first group,…
Nature Rambles | Stage set for sassy scenery: Sassafras leaves harbinger for spectacular fall
Fall color has definitely been spectacular this year along the bluffs of the Illinois River. There is really never a year that has dreadful fall color. It is just some years stand out from others. This year, we…
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
“Jazz is the big brother of Revolution. Revolution follows it around,” — Miles Davis Following the end of the Civil War, as Black music continued to evolve, transitioning from the spirituals, blues, and gospel music, a new, freer, unencumbered…
The Watch: Social equity pot dispensaries under review; rail line gets funds; booths, ballots ready for big day
Cannabis, trains and upcoming budgets dominate government agendas this fall. Peoria City Council On Aug. 23, councilors reviewed an ordinance about recreational cannabis businesses. Changes relate to social equity applicants, meaning those who have convictions for cannabis possession and…
West Peoria News: Fall back, look forward to November events
It is time to change your clocks to regular time on Nov. 7 from Daylight Savings time to regular time. Set your clocks back one hour. The consolidated elections for the City of West Peoria fall on April 4, 2023.…
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
Local and federal law enforcement are on alert for disruptions in the Nov. 8 election in Peoria, where threats have included possible attempts to intimidate voters, plus a campaign of correspondence apparently intended to disrupt the election’s preparations and execution.…
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…
Straight Talk: School/Teacher negotiations are on a need-to-know basis
The good news is the Peoria Federation of Teachers reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the Peoria School District. Unfortunately, it took months of negotiations, a federal mediator, and the threat of a strike. Once again both sides…
Arts Alerts: Mars, Keith Urban, Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Burr, Holiday Inn, Regifters
ART The 10-foot artwork “Mars,” by U.K. artist Luke Jerram, is a highlight of “Mars: The Exhibition,” continuing in November at the Riverfront Museum. The interative display will be here through Spring. MUSIC Keith Urban is set to play…
Real Talk: Parenthood is the root of it all, folks
Spending almost half of my life working in a school capacity, I have seen a lot of issues involving children. Lately it seems to have grown strikingly more serious — more aggression, more serious crimes, the anger, the hurt.…
Who’s dissing you? Be sure you’re not missing out because lawmakers are lying about the SAFE-T Act
Information is power, it’s said, but increasingly — especially with today’s sophisticated, speedy technology — so is disinformation. In elections, maybe such fearmongering was always powerful. Commentator H.L. Mencken in 1918 wrote, “Democracy tends to degenerate into a mere combat…
Ready to vote? Community Word Election primer here to help
Do Republicans have what it takes to control Congress? Will Democrats keep their hold on statewide offices? Casting an uneducated vote, political scientists say, can be worse than not voting. It’s important for the electorate to be knowledgeable of the…