For a number of years, Judge James Shadid has conducted naturalization ceremonies in Peoria swearing in new citizens. These immigrants have come from dozens of countries around the world. With the current turmoil, uncertainty and misinformation about immigration, Judge Shadid’s…
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Chillicothe mosquito fogging stokes dissent
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Chillicothe mosquito fogging stokes dissent
Mike Contratto is a former military man. He’s from a military family and grew up on a military base. He’s a West Point graduate, and he’ll admonish anyone who calls him an environmental activist. He says he’s “not an activist,…
At Cordoba, Dr. Adamson’s life leaves large legacy
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on At Cordoba, Dr. Adamson’s life leaves large legacy
Dr. Greg Adamson died June 11 at age 58, but his presence is still palpable at Cordoba Healthcare Clinic in Peoria where he volunteered providing orthopedic…
News analysis: Trump damaging EPA & globe to benefit favored industries
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on News analysis: Trump damaging EPA & globe to benefit favored industries
Last month, President Trump defended his administration’s role in protecting the environment, remarks observers say were needed after a year of controversies concerning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and climate change – and recent moves sparking even more criticism. “President…
Illinois has open door for CAFOs
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Illinois has open door for CAFOs
Sharon Deweerth looks out the west windows of her rural Marshall County home to see the sun set on corn fields stretching to the horizon. Those fields hold generations of her family’s history of work, values and memories of rural…
Journal Star dances with Wall Street — again
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Journal Star dances with Wall Street — again
GateHouse Media, owner of the Journal Star, is in merger talks with Gannett, owner of USA Today and dozens of other newspapers across the country. If the deal closes, the merger would result in one Wall Street corporation owning the…
Urban Acres grows strong communities
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Urban Acres grows strong communities
Andy Diaz travels the world as an account sales manager at Caterpillar Inc., but back home in Peoria he grows corn, tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapenos, zucchini and strong community. That’s part of his mission. Diaz is an acolyte of “Strong Towns,”…
PDC pushes landfill-gas regs despite Trump delays
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on PDC pushes landfill-gas regs despite Trump delays
Methane is a major contributor to climate change, and worldwide, methane’s top source is natural gas, followed by cows, then you. At least, your waste, deteriorating beneath the surface of area landfills and releasing methane and carbon dioxide (CO2). Clean-energy…
Illinois and eight states sue to carry out landfill-gas rules
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Illinois and eight states sue to carry out landfill-gas rules
Rules updating landfill-gas guidelines were finalized in August of 2016 to go into effect that October, but after Donald Trump’s election, his newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency leadership team delayed enacting the changes, and then pushed for a second delay…
OSHA fines Journal Star $35,802
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on OSHA fines Journal Star $35,802
Employees were complaining for years about safety issues in the press and mail rooms at the Peoria Journal Star, yet their concerns went largely unheeded. Until six months ago. In an instant, the work zone looked like a war zone.…