The film “Glory” tells the story of the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The unit was the second African-American regiment, following the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment, organized in the northern states during the Civil War. What is not…
Straight Talk | Chaos, conflict in River City? Plus, anyone see Mike Pence?
Are you old enough to remember the song, “Ya Got Trouble (right in the River City),” from “The Music Man”? Robert Preston sings, “Friend, either you’re closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge or you…
Peoria County Courthouse briefs
Judge rules County must use outside counsel in Thomas case Judge James Mack on June 27 granted a motion to disqualify the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office from representing the County Board in County Auditor Jessica Thomas’ lawsuit because the…
IDOT study: Train service to Peoria feasible
Passenger train service could return to Peoria, according to a 60-page feasibility study from the Illinois Department of Transportation released on July 21. The Peoria-to-Joliet route, with four stops between, is estimated to cost $2.54 billion, and the project could…
Editorial | COVID is far from over, cuz, no matter how we’re living
I had to attend a funeral recently even though the guest of honor was not one of my favorite people. News of his death shook me up even less than hearing Roger Ailes had died. In 30 seconds I slipped…
OpEd | ‘Fight the Bite’ of West Nile Virus
By DIANA SCOTT In Public Health we’ve talked a lot about different infections the past few years, but not much about West Nile virus (WNV). With summer still here in central Illinois, we now have WNV in mosquitoes and the…
In Trouble, 1960’s
Sometimes girls got in trouble. Nancy took to the trampoline every lunch hour Slapping herself down in a full frontal flop. We all knew What she was trying to do. Peggy stayed in high school Until she was asked to…
Survey shows surge in mental health issues around the Peoria area
Mental health problems are on the rise in the Tri-County area. According to the 2022 Community Needs Health Assessment survey, the percentage of people describing their overall mental health status as “good” fell 73% in the past six years, while…
Environmental News & Notes | Supreme Court limit on EPA tied lobbying
Among several controversial rulings this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30 restricted the federal government from regulating carbon emissions from power plants. However, Illinois may not be affected much because of state statutes, especially the Clean Energy Jobs…
Bill Knight | ‘Embers’ ignites career in comics
Kevin Knox is a 57-year-old Peorian working as an engineer for Caterpillar, and he’s been a writer whose literary fiction has been published in small magazines such as Fear & Trembling, Haruah, and Bewildering Stories. And now, in a comic…
Inland Art | Walk of art
If you search for what to do in Peoria on TripAdvisor, the Sculpture Walk Peoria is No. 10 on the list. Typically when I travel to a new place, I use this website to check out areas of interest, but…
‘Wings over Water’ humbling, hopeful film at Riverfront Museum
With so many wetland drained and plowed, conservationists such as Charlie Potter, CEO of the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation and a producer of the new “Wings over Water” documentary, decided people don’t know enough about it and decided to “change…
Arts Beat | August 2022
The Peoria Riverfront Museum’s new “American Revolutionaries: Art & Disruption” shows a cross-section of styles from American artists unafraid of upending The Way We’ve Always Done It. The first time central Illinois has had access to the prestigious Art Bridges…
Nature Rambles | Life of The Cicada Killer a natural horror story
August is a great time for insect enthusiasts. Insect populations are reaching their peak, and the dog days of summer are upon us. During the day, flowers are abuzz and a-flutter with all types of bees, butterflies and other insects…
The Watch | Gun violence discussed
From gun violence (big problem) to voter fraud (not), government representatives work to protect citizens and their rights. Peoria City Council On June 14, Monica Hendrickson, Public Health Administrator for Peoria County/City and Katy Endress, Director of Epidemiology and Clinical…
West Peoria News | Nights out to fight crime, eat ice cream
On August 2, 2022 from 6-8 p.m., the West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will host the 39th West Peoria Night Out Against Crime at 2516 W Rohman Ave. It is planned for the community to learn many things that are available…
Heat Waves — In Red and Black | State of our electricity shortage
Illinois once exported 40% of its electricity generation. Now, we must import electricity. Between 2007 and 2020, 44 Illinois coal plants closed (EIA) thus eliminating a sizeable fraction of our generation capacity. Another 12 coal plants may close by 2023.…
Serendipity | Super Mom someday: Some how, some way
As a child who yearned to have a younger sibling, I can remember my Mother’s response to my request. She lovingly explained I had a sister, and when that didn’t satisfy me, she told me she was too old to…
Labor Roundup | Labor leaders in fight for women’s rights
AFL-CIO says PRO Act support is political litmus test. The AFL-CIO at its recent convention reiterated that candidates’ support for the Protect The Right To Organize (PRO) Act shall be a litmus test for labor’s endorsements. “The time is now…
Spirit of the wetlands
Wetlands are vital features of the natural landscape that provide numerous benefits for people, fish and wildlife, and the planet itself. One of the most productive ecosystems in the world, wetlands can contain a variety of life, from microbes, plants…
Becoming one with nature can take a team effort
By BUD GRIEVES Prior to reading In The Spirit of Wetlands, I was not familiar with the term “eutierria,” which is defined as a secular meditative experience that can occur in nature when boundaries between self and the environment seem…