Author Archive for Bill Knight

‘Disappointing’ majority will be handicap of this GOP

BILL KNIGHT

On October 16, 1854, in Peoria, Abraham Lincoln argued against expanding slavery and touched on a citizen’s role, that when he governs himself that is self-government, “but when he governs himself and also governs another, that is more than self-government.…

Park District trustee planting trees of hope

The prime time when trees were center stage passed with fall’s spectacular colors gone or muted into stands of dark-brown red oaks. But forests in the city may yet be in the wings, awaiting their cue. There are initiatives to…

Five ways investing in public spaces helps reduce violence and crime

Planting new trees is a key part of investing in “public spaces,” according to Reimagining the Civic Commons, which for years advocated for reinvigorating public spaces such as parks in Chicago and other Midwest cities and also stressing how developing…

Arts Alerts: Memorable murals, Nutcracker Ballet, Blues, ICC Philarmonic and A Christmas Carol Radio Play

ART Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Peoria Riverfront Museum recently unveiled “The Amethyst,” one of the world’s tallest geodes, now on display as part of its permanent collection. Big Picture Peoria has eight “augmented-reality-enabled” murals of renowned native Peorians on…

Beauty of a winter lion: Poetry of Byron DeHaan

BILL KNIGHT

As winter increases its mean freeze, there’s something warm and inviting about Byron DeHaan. The long-time director of public affairs at Caterpillar for decades helped instill a sense of corporate citizenship at the Fortune 500 company, and the 96-year-old resident…

Midterm election scorecard tallies totals from Peoria County

Peoria-area voters weighed in on a host of national, state and local races and issues on Nov. 8. Here are details on key winners and their victory percentages from unofficial results from balloting in Peoria County, where the turnout was…

Peoria County voters choose to eliminate auditor

Peoria County voters on Nov. 8 overwhelmingly approved eliminating the County Auditor’s Office, but related court actions remain active: a renewed claim to stay all proceedings and restore the authority of the office, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to maintain…

Election Commission staking out nuisances like voter intimidators, Big Liars

Local and federal law enforcement are on alert for disruptions in the Nov. 8 election in Peoria, where threats have included possible attempts to intimidate voters, plus a campaign of correspondence apparently intended to disrupt the election’s preparations and execution.…