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…
‘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…
The Lion’s Den | Is actual Happiness an unalienable right or just its pursuit?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. On July 4, 1776, America…
Real Talk | The fight to exist
Between the 18th and 20th centuries more than 1,200 Black settlement, enclaves, and towns were established in the United States. According to the Historic Black Towns and Settlement Alliance, there are 13 historical all-Black towns in existence today. The state…
Straight Talk | Caterpillar move no suprise, but ‘Cure Violence’ sure is
When Caterpillar announced it was moving its headquarters from Deerfield to Texas, the news surprised no one. It was expected. After all, the new CEO, Jimmy Umpleby, had no loyalty or affection for Peoria or Deerfield. The Indiana native became…
Editorial | Good ones got together, and passed a bill on guns
A few weeks ago, one of the co-owners of The Community Word received a campaign mailer from a Republican state senator that asked, “Are you tired of politicians threatening your right to own guns?” It claimed, “The rights of Illinois’…
OpEd | How many babies are born because parents can choose?
As of this writing, the recently leaked draft opinion of Justice Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court raises a number of issues. Here I shall consider several issues raised by it. First, some observers argue that in the absence in…
Inland Art | Rapport to explore
If you have seen Janis Mars Wunderlich’s work, it is not simple to feel neutral about or easily forgotten. Table-top-sized, ceramic sculptures are full of allegorical, symbolic and personal story telling. Vividly colorful paintings, embellished to the edges with flora…