Bob Michel: One of the greatest of the greatest generation Bob Michel’s life reflects the perfect definition of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” Bob was raised by two loving parents with his two sisters in Peoria. He learned…
What If? As the basketball season draws to a close, Bradley fans have to be wondering about the future of the sport on the Hilltop. Yes, this past season under coach Brian Wardle was better than the year before, but…
Eighty years ago next month, theaters premiered “Walt Disney’s Academy Award Revue,” a May 19, 1937, release including the Oscar-winning shorts “Flowers and Trees,” “The Country Cousin,” “Three Little Pigs,” “The Three Orphan Kittens” and “The Tortoise and the Hare”…
An early morning phone call The call came as I was home getting ready to drive to work. The caller said his name quickly, and I couldn’t understand him. Finally he said he’s an advertiser in Community Word, and I…
30 percent funding cut for EPA The President’s proposed budget slashes funding to the Environmental Protection Agency by 30 percent, and programs addressing climate change are the major targets of these cuts. Talk about penny wise and pound foolish! When…
Sad History of Public Land for Private Profit By Karrie E. Alms What does open space forever mean to you? Many of our early leaders believed and many today know that public parks are a smart investment for America’s health…
Rebuilding Our Community One Vote at a Time Unless you have been living under a rock and have not noticed, we are living in some very strange times. The Bible says it this way in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV, “But…
Yard waste pickup begins April 7. With warm weather fast approaching, please be sure that grass/weeds are kept trimmed and mowed. Try to bring your garbage cans in from the curbs and sidewalks as soon after garbage pick-up as possible.…
For 104 years, the John C. Proctor Recreation Center, 209 S. Dusable St., has acted as a community centerpiece for Peoria’s Southside. Built in the Classical Revival style, the building is set off with twin limestone staircases that rise up…
The Women’s Revolution: The Struggle Continues With the continued struggle of “lives matter” in the United States, it never ceases to amaze me that Americans have slowly forgotten that women, especially white women, have been and still remain one of…
“European expatriate artists and their post-World War II students either transformed or founded influential ateliers and printmaking departments in Midwestern universities, turning them into the seedbeds of a remarkable flowering of the fine art print in America . . .…
Music April 1: Kansas, with the “Leftoverture 40th Anniversary Tour.” 8 p.m. Peoria Civic Center Theater. 673-3200. April 1: Larry Keel Experience, with Still Shine. 10 p.m. Kenny’s West Side Pub. 676-1693. April 1: Bradley Trumpet Day guest artist concert…
NLRB tosses Columbia’s objections, certifies UAW for grad students. After a three-year fight against its own teaching and research assistants who voted to unionize with the Auto Workers, Columbia University must bargain. The National Labor Relations Board last month tossed…
Peoria Rally for Science
BY SUSIE GRANA INGRAM One of my favorite things about the Peoria area is its beautiful river valley and the incredible abundance of life it supports. Throughout the coldest months, Bald Eagles use the river as their winter retreat. Yet,…
Combating hate
Lecia Brooks, outreach director at Southern Poverty Law Center, will speak in Peoria Aug. 29 at the Bob Michel Student Center, Bradley University. Hate groups are proliferating across the country and in central Illinois. Brooks will speak about the rise…
Central Illinoisans fear “repeal & replace”
BY CLARE HOWARD Amber Pawula-Marcin speaks in a quiet voice, with a gentle smile, but her story roars out against the mantra “repeal and replace.” She has watched, listened and read as Congress spent millions of dollars on largely symbolic…
Japanese tycoon buys Journal Star
BY CLARE HOWARD Peoria’s only daily newspaper, once family owned, was purchased by a privately held Japanese conglomerate aiming to become a global telecommunications leader. The sale is expected to close by year-end. SoftBank, owned by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son,…
Hate crime plea deal
BY BILL KNIGHT Two of the three people arrested in connection with a Memorial Day weekend melee in Canton that resulted in multiple charges, including commission of a hate crime, on Feb. 15 pleaded guilty to battery. In an agreement…
Cat C-suite leadership leaves; Community leadership must join forces to move Central Illinois to a new level “A kick in the gut.” “The rug has been pulled out from under us.” “A betrayal by Cat of the community.” These quotes…