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…
Columns
West Peoria News | Budget talks on tap
by Sharon McBride • • Comments Off on 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…
The Lion’s Den | The Doctor’s Appointment
by Daniel McCloud • • Comments Off on The Lion’s Den | The Doctor’s Appointment
Now that we have entered into 2021, we know that there are vaccines available to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, there is skepticism surrounding the vaccines’ rollout, particularly among groups of color. This skepticism stems from a long history…
Straight Talk | Weaver out for mayor, but why?
by Roger Monroe • • Comments Off on Straight Talk | Weaver out for mayor, but why?
State Senator Chuck Weaver months ago announced he was not going to seek re-election. A regular guest on our morning show on FM 90.7, Weaver said he had other options to explore in which he could serve the public. Some…
Bill Knight | ‘The big get bigger, and the small will go out’
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | ‘The big get bigger, and the small will go out’
Winter’s when farmers and farm communities think, plan and remember. In the cold of 2021, who’ll recall Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, in 2019 inadvertently conceding at a World Dairy Expo, “In America, the big get bigger, and the small will…
The Watch | Local taxes in 2021
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch | Local taxes in 2021
The dreadful 2020 is over. The dreadful pandemic is not. And the dreaded bills keep coming in. On Nov. 10, Peoria City Council members wrestled with some truly appalling numbers. In part, that’s because the 2021 budget anticipated passage of…
Nature Rambles | The Sounds of Silence
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles | The Sounds of Silence
It can really be hard to be optimistic during a global pandemic that has stretched on for over nine months. However, as I’ve written in previous columns, we continue to see people taking the opportunity to take this time to…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | A lesson from the Tribals in western India
by Dr. Mandar Pattekar • • Comments Off on Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | A lesson from the Tribals in western India
Last month, I had the good fortune of surviving a stroke. Although it is devastating at any age, it was especially hard at the age of 50. After spending the first week in the hospital pondering “why me?” I came…
Inland Art | Oscar Gillespie
by Paul Krainak • • Comments Off on Inland Art | Oscar Gillespie
Oscar Gillespie is the consummate picture maker. He’s recognized as one of the most inventive and technically fluent artists in academia, a leader in the discipline of engraving in which he’s exhibited and conducted workshops for over 30 years. One…
Art: What is it Good For? | Painting Peoria
by Doug and Eileen Leunig • • Comments Off on Art: What is it Good For? | Painting Peoria
Challenging times require innovative solutions and the COVID-19 pandemic forced educators across the country to find new ways to be effective teachers. Art & Design Professor Heather Brammeier at Bradley University was one of those teachers. With students enrolled in…