Columns

Mayor Ardis ran on an anti crime platform in 2005

I was deeply involved in covering the 2005 city council/mayoral elections. At the time, I strongly opposed Dave Ransburg, and I did back Jim Ardis. I liked his strong anti-crime message. I was critical of the Journal Star for accusing Mayor Ardis of…

Wire Jewelry

When most girls were playing with dolls, I was rummaging through my Daddy’s wire box in the basement. These multi-colored coated wires of various lengths were abandoned, hopelessly entwined in a huge cardboard box. Most of the wires were white…

Acceptance plays a huge role in the making of a person

Dear Brinley Mae, Your arrival into this world on September 13th has caused significant increases in Facebook postings, the use of cameras and recording devices, emails, texts, phone calls, prayers, and love spread all around.  While you are currently capable…

West Peoria News for October 2012

Check out the West Peoria 2012 Beautiful Yard winner. The winner is Keith Morrell; the outstanding yard is located at 613 N Sterling, corner of N. Sterling and W. Barker Avenues. The reward was very appropriately given to him. The…

Happenings for October 2012

Oct 5 – 14 – Twelve Angry Men – at Peoria Players Theatre, Peoria. Tempers are short, arguments grow heated and jurors become 12 angry men. Admission: $12 adults, $9 patrons 18 and under. Call 309-688-4473. Oct 5 – 27 – 13 annual…

Don’t shoot

Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Ardis, Peoria County State’s Attorney, Jerry Brady, Sheriff Mike McCoy and several others, Peoria is implementing a new program to combat youth violence. Badly needed in our city, it’s called “Don’t Shoot.” It was…

Super PACs Spent Big in Peoria

Super Political Action Committees (super PACs) spent almost a quarter of a million dollars in the Peoria TV market during the campaign from January-March, records show, together paying $3.74 per vote for the March 20 primary. That’s lousy for democracy…

Change … The Only Certainty

Every once in a while something comes along that changes everything. For example: in the mid seventeenth century, Dutch scientist, Antonin Van Leeuwenhoek, invented the first microscope. He could actually see previously unknown single-celled critters we now call microorganisms. This…

I am surrounded by death this month

First, my Uncle Joe Binder died after a long illness. Uncle Joe was born in Hungary, but escaped to the United States in the 1950s to avoid having to serve in the Army. He met my Aunt Barbara in a bar in Peoria. He…