West Peoria News | Important elections this year and next
The general election this fall is November 8, 2022. October 10 is the last day to register to vote or change your address. West Peoria residents can register at City Hall during regular working hours. Voting locations in West Peoria…
Inland Art | Honorary greats: Area artists Boyd, Gregor, and Hoffman recognized for their life’s work
Three beloved teachers have been recently acknowledged in central Illinois. Two Illinois State University professors, Harold Boyd and Harold Gregor, in Bloomington-Normal; and in Peoria, Bradley’s Ken Hoffman. Although each of these artists are long retired, their influence is…
Heat Waves in Red & Black | SOO Green Line needs green light
High voltage DC line could transport megawatts of wind energy to Midwest, if Exelon would allow it My last two columns dwelt on Illinois’ electricity shortage and barriers to fixing the problem. One barrier is Springfield’s lethargy. The state could…
Nature Rambles | Stench of sneaky snake still tantalizes senses
I’m sure we all have experienced something that takes us back to our childhood: The aroma of a favorite food, the sound of a familiar place, or the sight of a local landmark. I guess when we…
Serendipity | Money management starts with Mom & Dad
Financial situations were not something openly talked about when I was growing up. If they were, I didn’t hear them. We knew basics, but we also understood money conversations were private. It never occurred to me to worry about things…
OP-ED: It might be just me walking with the Pottawatomies
Descending into woods, a sign says “No bikes, No dogs.” Good. Leave that behind. The first fallen tree, two big trunks. This one fell last year sometime, not so long ago. Continuing, another tree with a young couple’s initials. I…
The Watch | No secret City wants to stop violence
Farewell to elections expert Tom Bride, who should get a patience award for months of listening to misinformed citizens gripe about voter fraud. Peoria City Council On June 28, Mayor Rita Ali presented an overview of Safety Network’s efforts to…
Labor roundup | Peoria Public Schools negotiations messy
Bargaining between teachers and Peoria Public Schools broke down last month, as the Peoria Federation of Teachers ended negotiations with District 150 by requesting federal mediation. “The PFT is pushing proposals that will better the school district and better the…
What are the odds this is COVID-iocy? New BA.5 variant may be most contagious as diligence in fight wanes
What’s worse than being sick and tired is being dead. It’s OK to be curious or concerned about monkeypox, an emergency. But it’s far less contagious than COVID-19 (only about 12,000 monkeypox cases have been reported, and no deaths). And…
The Lion’s Den: Art imitating life as life imitates art like a Mockingbird
I made a trip to the Mississippi Delta last month. During the seven-hour drive, I had the opportunity to listen to the story of Anthony Ray Hinton on the radio. Anthony Ray Hinton was a Black man falsely accused of…
Straight Talk: Under lights, City gets it right; School Board in wrong fight
Give credit to the majority members of the Peoria City Council. As we reported last month, members blocked an alleged effort by Mayor Rita Ali and City Manager Patrick Urich to quietly slip under the radar screen a payment of…
Dash of devotion
The free meals at the South Side Mission feed poor souls every day. But what’s been cooking in the kitchen nourishes the hearts and minds of a ministry of culinary artists. Chef Chris Franzoni has been devoted to teaching aspiring…
Have a beer, and a smile
No matter the job, sometimes you know: “I want a beer.” Beer’s not therapeutic or medicinal, of course (although maybe there’s some study that Ivermectin taken daily with a case of beer reduces awareness of strokes). I’m no expert (you’re…