“Follow the science,” they say, which is good advice. Unfortunately, though, the COVID-19 pandemic has become way too political and is spinning out of control. It’s important to connect the dots and not let opinion cloud the facts. Especially these…
OpEd | We must not define ourselves by our own circumstances
When the opportunity to write this column fell in my lap I had no idea what it would become, nor could I bring myself to understand what grace made me worthy of the honor. I promise to respect the people…
The Watch | City Council eyes Trewyn Park update; short-term rental option
On Jan. 11, Peoria City Council members set dates to discuss redistricting of the city based on the 2020 census results. The goal is for districts to be nearly equal in population, compact, contiguous, and respectful of geographic boundaries and…
Peoria city redistricting proceeding
At press time, the Peoria City Council is expected to vote Feb. 22 on a redistricting map after a Feb. 8 public hearing that discussed so-called Version 2.3. As reported in the February Community Word, out Jan. 26, the 2020…
Area leaders discussing rail to Chicago
The city of Peoria’s proposed passenger rail route would connect the city to Chicago. The Illinois Department of Transportation is currently conducting a feasibility study looking at a new passenger rail corridor running from Peoria through LaSalle-Peru, Ottawa, Morris, and…
Straight Talk | Hear about Johns Hopkins COVID study?
It was shocking to learn the country’s major news networks and newspapers failed to report results of the Johns Hopkins University meta-analysis coronavirus study regarding the effects of the ordered lockdowns. Of course, if the national media doesn’t cover the…
Inland Art | Passion for preservation lies beneath local landscapes
Art Alerts | March 2022
Judith W. Mann will discuss one of the most famous women painters of the modern era — Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi — at the Peoria Riverfront Museum on March 10. The lecture by Mann, St. Louis Art Museum’s curator of…
Heat Waves — In Red and Black | Demand Flexibility vs. Murphy’s Climate Law
Murphy’s Law, “If anything can go wrong, it will,” merits climate crisis amplification: If two things can go wrong simultaneously, they will. And they have via electricity blackouts due to extreme weather. Examples: California in August 2020, and Texas in…
Environmental News and Notes
A look at issues of concern involving our planet. Illinois gas plants could offset Clean Energy’s gains Weeks after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, his administration tentatively OK’d a new source of heat-trapping pollution: a new…
Nature Rambles | Ancient trees key to a land’s legacy
West Peoria News | Spring forward with eye toward the Fourth of July
Winter is slowing down at the time of this writing but not completely leaving us. Many activities and meetings were cancelled and will soon become an active part of our community. March 13 will mark the start of daylight savings…
Serendipity | Hope springs forth from sunny disposition during winter doldrums
Every March I celebrate that winter is nearly over. My optimism is boundless. Sure, I realize it can still snow or ice can play havoc with plans. But even with unpleasant possibilities, Spring is right around a corner or two…
Labor Roundup | ‘Egregious attendance policy’ rankles railers; UPS cuts wages
Thousands of BNSF Railway workers in Galesburg and central Illinois, and throughout the country are fighting the freight carrier’s attempt to implement an attendance policy that would result in many workers receiving less paid time off. Last month, the Transportation…
What we see in the GOP
Can Darin LaHood continue to compromise his own constituency?
By SHELLEY EPSTEIN In the adjacent article, my old friend Jim Nowlan outlines a political path forward for Congressman Adam Kinzinger. Since Illinois Democrats’ unconscionable and immoral gerrymandering lumped Kinzinger and Darin LaHood in the same conservative and Trumpy district,…
Can Adam Kinzinger escape the squeeze from his own party?
By JIM NOWLAN What is Adam Kinzinger going to do? “What should he do?” friends ask me. His options aren’t good, yet I have a path forward for the 43-year-old Republican. First, some background. Kinzinger is a typically conservative, six-term…
Bill Knight | Say these names for 2021
Last year, Peoria County had the highest number of homicides since 2019, approaching the dismal statistic logged by Cook County. The 34 murder victims mean a murder rate of 18.9/100,000 people, compared to Cook County’s 21/100,000 stemming from its 1,087…
The Lion’s Den | What if Malcolm, Martin survived?
For those familiar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is a series of comics dedicated to “What If?” This comics series has recently been rebooted as an animated series on the Disney+ Channel. The concept of the “What If?” series…
Real Talk | Power of fear feeds on a fragile democracy
You’ve heard the saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same?” This saying came to my mind as I watched the Democratic Congressional members commemorate Jan. 6, 2021’s insurrection at the United States Capitol. After the Civil…
Straight Talk | Journal Star’s Saturday strategy a reason newspapers fading out
It came as a surprise when the once great Peoria Journal Star newspaper announced it was eliminating home and business delivery of its Saturday edition. Time was when the Saturday paper was the most popular of the week, though it’s…