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…
Articles
Inland Art: Marrying mediums, Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang creating happily ever after
by Lisa Nelson Raabe • • Comments Off on Inland Art: Marrying mediums, Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang creating happily ever after
Two talented photographers from China, husband and wife Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang, arrived in Peoria in March 2022. Finding Peoria a very livable city, they are building their artistic connections in the U.S. from here. This fall their…
Heat waves — in red & black | Danger zone: Will Greenland, West Antarctic ice sheets collapse?
by William Rau • • Comments Off on Heat waves — in red & black | Danger zone: Will Greenland, West Antarctic ice sheets collapse?
Climate scientists lose sleep over tipping points, temperature thresholds when crossed initiate self-sustaining, irreversible, and massively-destructive changes in natural systems, such as glaciers and forests. Countless living things will face untimely and unnatural deaths if these systems collapse. New…
Serendipity | Be thankful today, without delay
by Sandra Dempsey Post • • Comments Off on Serendipity | Be thankful today, without delay
People seem divided by possessions. From savers and keepers to “send it on, I’m done with it” to “it’s here somewhere, not sure where.” Genetics may play a role, but there are concessions regardless. I’m in the first group,…
Nature Rambles | Stage set for sassy scenery: Sassafras leaves harbinger for spectacular fall
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles | Stage set for sassy scenery: Sassafras leaves harbinger for spectacular fall
Fall color has definitely been spectacular this year along the bluffs of the Illinois River. There is really never a year that has dreadful fall color. It is just some years stand out from others. This year, we…
The Watch: Social equity pot dispensaries under review; rail line gets funds; booths, ballots ready for big day
by Terry Bibo • • Comments Off on The Watch: Social equity pot dispensaries under review; rail line gets funds; booths, ballots ready for big day
Cannabis, trains and upcoming budgets dominate government agendas this fall. Peoria City Council On Aug. 23, councilors reviewed an ordinance about recreational cannabis businesses. Changes relate to social equity applicants, meaning those who have convictions for cannabis possession and…
West Peoria News: Fall back, look forward to November events
by Sharon McBride • • Comments Off on West Peoria News: Fall back, look forward to November events
It is time to change your clocks to regular time on Nov. 7 from Daylight Savings time to regular time. Set your clocks back one hour. The consolidated elections for the City of West Peoria fall on April 4, 2023.…
Election Commission staking out nuisances like voter intimidators, Big Liars
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on 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.…
Two Auditor requests for ballot injunction denied by judge; Referendum on whether to keep office left up to voters
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Two Auditor requests for ballot injunction denied by judge; Referendum on whether to keep office left up to voters
Two attempts to block the Nov. 8 referendum on whether or not to keep the Peoria County Auditor office failed in the last month as Judge James Mack denied requests by Peoria County Auditor Jessica Thomas and community advocate Karrie…
Straight Talk: School/Teacher negotiations are on a need-to-know basis
by Roger Monroe • • Comments Off on Straight Talk: School/Teacher negotiations are on a need-to-know basis
The good news is the Peoria Federation of Teachers reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the Peoria School District. Unfortunately, it took months of negotiations, a federal mediator, and the threat of a strike. Once again both sides…