News

Zombie Chlorpyrifos: Obama ban reversed by Trump; now in the courts

Crop duster

The life and death of a deadly neurotoxic chemical insecticide is entering yet another stage. Chlorpyrifos, used in central Illinois primarily on corn, is the focus of a potential class-action lawsuit filed in California. Use of chlorpyrifos has declined over…

Vaccine hesitancy

As much of the world desperately struggles to access COVID-19 vaccines, the Unites States marinates in skepticism and misinformation. Despite the availability of safe, free and readily available vaccines, too many Americans are still unvaccinated and that weakens immunity for…

PCCHD: New home?

BY SHARON WILLIAMS Eighteen months ago, Peoria County residents couldn’t have foreseen the far-reaching effects of a pandemic. It has been more than a century since our country has had to deal with something so fierce and unforgiving. We have…

As fires burn in West, sooty air blankets Peoria

wildfire sun

Smoke from wildfires burning across 13 western states is blanketing the rest of the country in smoke and soot. In Peoria, the Air Quality Index hit 122, considered unhealthy for sensitive people. The threshold for safe air is 100. A…

Rain gardens and the art of noticing

William Hope

Professor William Hope at Knox College works with students to harness observational skills with manual labor for an embodied understanding of the correlation between bioswales, deep-rooted perennials, the Anthropocene and experiential learning. Hope, associate professor of anthropology and sociology, helped…

Coffee shop “contained” in Hanna City

Ron Gulley

HANNA CITY – After talking with a friend, developer Ron Gulley knew that building a successful coffee shop in rural Peoria would need to be at a good location and unique. He settled on Ill. Route 116 and shipping containers.…

Lead water pipes: Invisible public health threat

Lead water pipes are a major public health risk, especially in Peoria that has among the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning in the country. Illinois recently passed legislation calling for replacement of lead service lines carrying water from the…

Judge calls for student CCC

U.S. Federal Judge Joe Billy McDade spoke at the graduation of the Peoria Park District’s Elite program recently and called for establishment of a student CCC program like one implemented as part of the New Deal during the administration of…