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
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
Inland Art | Walk of art
‘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
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
Becoming one with nature can take a team effort
‘Back to the future’ for our wetlands?
By DOUG OBERHELMAN There are few wetlands in this world that don’t offer feelings of solace to sheer emotions of awesome being. From the Everglades, the Pantanal in South America, the Boreal Forest in the northern hemisphere, the Prairie Potholes…
Illinois continues to collaborate with feds to manage wetlands
In 2020, Florida took over management of a U.S. Clean Water Act program, so in the Sunshine State federal officials no longer decide whether wetlands can be dredged or filled for developments. Other states could follow, but Illinois seems content…