Peoria taxpayers are paying outside attorneys to sue the county and also to defend the county in a 13-month-old lawsuit by County Auditor Jessica Thomas, whose office was changed by the County Board in 2021 and eliminated by voters in…
The Lion’s Den: Here’s to new year full of good ole days for the future of us all
If you’re reading this, then you made it to the year of our Lord, 2023. Perhaps there is light snow on the ground and a solitary robin sitting on a frosty tree limb just outside your window. If you’re lucky,…
West Peoria news: No parking when snow hits two inches or more
I am starting this column with caution about streets for snow conditions this winter. All West Peoria streets are snow routes and parking on them is prohibited when there are 2 inches or more of snow. The process begins with…
Nature Rambles: Surf Scoter catching waves on Illinois
At 123 years old, the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running citizen science project in existence. Its roots date back to 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested that people should go out at Christmas and count…
Straight Talk: Christmas Sing brings back joy to our past, present, future
After an absence of three years, the annual Peoria Journal Christmas Sing returned Tuesday, Dec. 13, without the involvement of the local newspaper. Apparently, Ebenezer Scrooge, new owners of the Peoria Journal Star, had no interest in continuing what they…
Serendipity: The ‘good dishes’ serve up most memorable moments
Remember when Christmas celebrations signaled time to bring out the “good dishes” because paper plates and napkins were not allowed? Paper products weren’t so popular in the 1950s and ’60s whatever the celebration, but particularly not for the Big Holidays.…
Benchmark in history: Peoria High grad Darrin Gayles, federal judge in Southern District of Florida
There are plenty of people Peorians can be proud of here, there and everywhere. One such person to have particular pride in is the Honorable Darrin Gayles. The Peoria High graduate sits on the federal bench in Miami as…
Elvis was a hero to most, but not me in spite of history
“Elvis was a hero to most … but he never meant shit to me you see. Straight up racist … that sucker was simple and plain.” That lyric from the Public Enemy classic, “Fight the Power” shaped my opinion of…
Park District trustee planting trees of hope
The prime time when trees were center stage passed with fall’s spectacular colors gone or muted into stands of dark-brown red oaks. But forests in the city may yet be in the wings, awaiting their cue. There are initiatives to…
Inland Art: Riverfront Museum taps impressive collection to show excellent exhibits
Before the origination of public art museums, exposure to distant cultures was limited to private collections and travel of elite society and nobility. The history and development of museums have a rugged lineage with the political controversy of questionable artifact…
Heat Waves in Red & Black: Melting Glaciers involve more than rising sea levels
Last month I explored Greenland’s and West Antarctica’s accelerating ice loss. Both are approaching tipping points beyond which continuing ice loss becomes irreversible. Yet, these glaciers are so massive that it’s hard to imagine them withering away. For that task…
Nature Rambles: Our prairies need more Dawgs to look after them
The first time I can remember being exposed to the Illinois prairie was more than 40 years ago on a hike led by Hal Gardner at Jubilee College State Park. It was part of a “Prairie Day” event to build…
Five ways investing in public spaces helps reduce violence and crime
Planting new trees is a key part of investing in “public spaces,” according to Reimagining the Civic Commons, which for years advocated for reinvigorating public spaces such as parks in Chicago and other Midwest cities and also stressing how developing…
Arts Alerts: Memorable murals, Nutcracker Ballet, Blues, ICC Philarmonic and A Christmas Carol Radio Play
ART Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Peoria Riverfront Museum recently unveiled “The Amethyst,” one of the world’s tallest geodes, now on display as part of its permanent collection. Big Picture Peoria has eight “augmented-reality-enabled” murals of renowned native Peorians on…
Straight talk: Carle Foundation gets three of our fine hospitals for $75M?
If we’re to believe WCBU-FM, and there’s no reason not to, Methodist, Proctor, and Pekin hospitals have been transferred by Unity Point Health of West Des Moines, Iowa, to Carle Foundation of Urbana for $75 million. The deal, which Unity…
The Lion’s Den: Wake up so you dig what woke really is
“I Never Sleep Cause Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death” – Nas (New York State of Mind) Upon winning a second term as governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis declared in his victory speech that “Florida is where ‘Woke’ goes to…
The Watch: Councils get down to business on diversity, budget approval
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
Cub Scout Pack 11 will be touring West Peoria singing Christmas carols from 6-7 p.m. Dec. 12th-14th (weather permitting). Listen those evenings and enjoy this tradition. Troop 11 has extra butter braids for sale. Call Mary Menke (309) 657-0309 or…
Beauty of a winter lion: Poetry of Byron DeHaan
As winter increases its mean freeze, there’s something warm and inviting about Byron DeHaan. The long-time director of public affairs at Caterpillar for decades helped instill a sense of corporate citizenship at the Fortune 500 company, and the 96-year-old resident…
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,…