FBI: Breakfast Program Threatened Nation

Hungry people start walking toward Ward Chapel AME Church before dawn on Saturday mornings. They walk to receive a hearty breakfast. They walk for the acceptance and respect they receive at the church. For some, it’s their only meal of…

Water: The New Oil

BY TERRY BIBO Central Illinois may well be the Saudi Arabia of water. “There’s extreme value in the water,” says Bryan Stubbs, executive director of the Cleveland Water Alliance. “It is the new oil.” It is safe to say most…

Bogus Science Destroys Families

BY ELAINE HOPKINS PEORIA, IL – Quietly behind closed doors, the drama over what is commonly known as ‘shaken baby syndrome’ plays out in courtrooms across Illinois and the nation. Medical science cannot prove this diagnosis, now known as ‘abusive…

PEORIA STADIUM The historic Peoria Stadium is under discussion by the school and park districts. The question remains, what to do with it? Its wonderful past includes Bradley and local high school football and track events, and even Peoria Red…

Justice delayed can be justice denied, and words matter As the Illinois State Fair wound down on Aug. 18, a libel suit linked to the fair and Central Illinois’ current and former Congressmen was about as active as a beer…

CAUTION: AVOID AMPUTATION

Do Not Sever Labor from Democracy Labor Day started in 1882 to celebrate and respect the contributions of American workers and provide them with a paid holiday. Today, “respect” and “celebrate” are less part of the equation. Today, the holiday…

Letters

Moral Right to Information About Abortion Patients have a right to be informed of all their medical options for care and treatment, not just the options consistent with the religious beliefs of their health care providers. Most of us assumed…

OP-ED

Silicosis: A Look at the Ugly/Immoral Corporate Response BY CHRIS M. STEVENS Profits not people. Always was, always is, always will be. Corporate culture. Clear cut and concise. An effective method includes discharging employees who pose a potential future expense,…

Open Letter to Central Illinois:

  Nov. 8, 2016, will be one of the most significant presidential elections of our lifetime. Presidential elections are always important, but this year one candidate has demonstrated over and over his inability to control his temper, his lack of…

There’s only one race, the human race Am I a racist? Should everybody question themselves and then, periodically, return to the same question because our brain is constantly being bombarded with subliminal racist messages and influences. Most of us are…

A Dandy Bird Aug. 20 was a great summer day. Thirty people piled into three vans after an early morning thunderstorm. Binoculars and field guides in hand, we set off to experience the beginning of fall migration. Travelling south, we…

Seasonal changes in weather and scenery are lovely advantages for living in the Midwest, believes this native Peorian. Sure there’s summer humidity and February dreariness, not to mention running air conditioning one day and the furnace two days later. Such…

This year’s 16th annual West Peoria Night Out Against Crime will be 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 10 at the Franciscan Recreation Center. Judge Jodie Hoos is a special invited guest. Events include: bicycle rodeo and drawing, cane demonstrations,…

(Editor’s Note: Peoria City Council Member Beth Akeson was under fire recently for some inflammatory Tweets she posted. She sent a message saying she would never support the Black Lives Matter movement because it is divisive, and she said all…

Eric Ewan directed an excellent production of “The Spitfire Grill” for Corn Stock. The musical is about the journey of a young woman just released from prison who decides to start her life anew in a rural Wisconsin town. It…

ARTS BEAT

MUSIC Sept. 2: The 28th annual Illinois Blues & Heritage Festival – Mavis Staples, Here Comes the Mummies, Laith Al-Saadi and more on three stages. On the Riverfront. 839-1220. Sept. 2: Cousin Eddie Live at the Five Spot, 5:30 p.m.…

The Future Is Coming to a School Near You Creativity has always been a core strength of our country, and in today’s ever-changing world creativity is more in demand than ever. Companies around the world list creativity and innovation as…

Labor Roundup

Clinton repeats anti-TPP stand, pledges to appoint trade prosecutor to pursue violators. Adding another specific to her economic platform, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Aug. 11 told a crowd in Warren, Mich., that she would appoint a “chief trade…

While recently attended a birthday party, my swallowing mechanism was put to the test. During the enjoyment of the festivities and the treats, a fellow came up to me and asked, “Hey aren’t you from Peoria Heights?”  Upon rapidly chewing…

The Devil Made Me Do It. Can We Determine Motives? Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did I eat that donut?” People often want to know why they or others do something. One theory is motives are unknowable and what…

Run for Elected Office Illinois Central College is offering a class on three Monday evenings from Oct. 3 through Oct. 17 offering tips and information about becoming a candidate for public office. “Running for Elected Office: Tips for a Successful…

Elder Care Concerns

BY DAVE WEIMAN A “care plan” is essential regardless of whether the care setting is a skilled nursing home, assisted living facility or home care. The care plan is a document that should include the needed services, the health care…