Bill Knight | Carl Cannon pushes himself

The longtime weightlifter, soldier, policeman, family man and mentor also pushes others – to bear life’s burdens and condition themselves to meet future challenges. In Full Cannon, published late last year, the 61-year-old Peoria who founded programs such as ELITE…

Editorial | When American democracy is assaulted

S.A. Shepler (c) 2021 Community Word

BY ANGELA WECK Editor’s Note: This message was written Jan. 7, the day after pro-Trump rioters attempted an insurrection and invaded the U.S. Capitol. Yesterday was a day that should have represented the highest achievement of our republic. This day…

Letter to the Editor | Condemn violence

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago strongly condemns the glaring acts of violence and civic disorder committed in our nation’s capital on Jan. 6. Breeching security perimeters, bashing locked doors and assaulting Capitol Police officers are criminal acts…

OpEd | History of Originalism, Part 2

BY BILL FEIPEL Originalism became a household word with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in October 2020. Originalism: it sounds reliable, stable, comforting. Ms. Barrett identifies its guiding principles as ”First, the meaning of the…

Real Talk | This is who we are

We watched in horror on Jan. 6, as the nation’s Capitol was breached by white terrorists on the behest of the president of the United States of America. These terrorists broke down doors, attacked Capitol Police, killing one officer by…

Nature Rambles | Frost in bloom

frost flower

For anyone who lives for the delicate splendor of flowers, winter can seem like a bleak landscape. A period of stillness before the spring breaks across the landscape with blooming things. However, if you pay attention to the winter landscape,…

Inland Art | Story Stitchers

St. Louis Story Stitchers

Like the majority of the Inland columns, this is a story about prairie culture, specifically contemporary culture in one Midwestern city. This month it’s about collective action in St. Louis, and it’s about stitching. For decades representation of the prairie…

Inclusion and A Tale of Two Cities

The population of Peoria is similar to the population of Lawrence, Kan., but one community is shrinking while the other is growing. One community has a more diverse population but less intentional discussion of equity and inclusion. The other predominantly…

Reflections From The Clergy | Division

We live in a time of partisan and ethnic divide. The causes of this negative phenomena are countless and they cause immeasurable distress in society. Sometimes, the ethnic divide or racism that we harbor is based on our natural biases…

West Peoria News | Budget talks on tap

The consolidated election for the upcoming City of West Peoria is April 6. Running for four-year terms are: Ward 1, Leroy Dohm; Ward 2, Merlin “Rocky” Merlinson; Ward 3, John Siewert and Clark Abraham; and Ward 4, James Silver. February…

Labor Roundup | February 2021

Organized labor blamed Donald Trump for the violent insurrection on Jan. 6 that saw hundreds of white nationalist domestic terrorists overrun the U.S. Capitol. Union leaders, including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and particularly National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo,…

When Justice Becomes Injustice

Lester Mason

Lester Mason is the victim of what many now consider an ill-conceived and racist “three strikes and you’re out law” that almost exclusively targets Black men. He was released from prison the day before Thanksgiving after an incarceration of nearly…

Not socialized medicine: “just common sense”

Sommerville

Brooke Sommerville gave birth to three children in Peoria. Then her husband, professional basketball player Marcellus Sommerville, was recruited to play professionally in France. The family moved to France, and Brooke didn’t know what to expect when she became pregnant…