Four Republican candidates for governor debated key issues last month, helping voters decide the Republican nomination on March 18. From political veteran Dan Rutherford to political newcomer Bruce Rauner, the stage was set the night of January 17 for the…
It’s Winter! Snort. Sniffle. Sneeze. No Antibiotics Please!
The winter months bring an assortment of colds, flu, bronchitis and runny noses. While it’s important to see your medical provider when you’re very ill, requesting antibiotics may not work on these common illnesses and may even be harmful. Greg…
Cloyd has created a circus like atmosphere to District 150 meetings
THE CIRCUS District 150 needs money. That’s one of the reasons they have a referendum on the ballot. Since that request will be easily defeated by voters, and rightfully so, I have an idea for a fund-raiser to help the…
Majority of Americans favor raising minimum wage, but only lukewarm reception from lawmakers
More than 7 out of 10 of us support raising the minimum wage, but proposals to do that got lukewarm receptions by Peoria lawmakers and the GOP in general. A recent Pew Research poll showed that 71% of Americans favor…
What is essential
Nancy Utesch has a quotation inscribed on a stone in her kitchen, right above the stove: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” This quote from Antoine de…
Why is Dewberry, an architectural firm that does business with the city, sponsoring the State of the City address?
I got the following press release: “The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 14th Annual State of the City Address with Peoria Mayor Ardis TOMORROW- Tuesday, January 28 at the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. Nearly 600 people have reserved…
Little love
Most of us only understand love at a surface level—a warm feeling, a bouquet of flowers, a compliment, a listening ear. Elusive and mysterious, love is so much more. Sadly, it often goes unnoticed when it shows up. One story,…
Age is a matter of perspective
One of my young, fun friends was lamenting the fact that she is soon to turn 40. Her reasons for being hesitant to enter that new decade of life are genuine and understandable. She said time goes by so quickly…
Letters to the Editor
There Goes the Neighborhood By Ed Klein, Peoria, IL What do you do when you find out that two guys living down the street turn out to be homos? They’ve been living there together for five years and I never…
West Peoria News for February 2014
CityLink is having a public hearing about adding Sunday Service at West Peoria City Hall on Friday, February 28 from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12 at City…
Newsbriefs for February 2014
ARE YOU MY TYPE? PROCTOR CENTER BLOOD DRIVE Peoria Park District’s Proctor Recreation Center and the JEMS Girls Basketball Team will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, February 22 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at Proctor Center,…
Happenings for February 2014
Feb 6 – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Page Turners Book Club – “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins at the Dunlap Library. (309) 243-5716. Feb 6 – 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – “Belly Dancing: You Can Do It!” Call to register:…
The Beatles on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago musically commemorated in Peoria Feb. 9
To some, five decades back seem like ancient history: “Biblical times.” Indeed, in the winter of 1964, social media meant face-to-face conversations or maybe passing notes in class. At home, there were three main TV networks, and weekends wound down…
‘Eating wild’ is good for you
Despite centuries of cultivation and hybridization, commercially-grown produce lacks the nutritional punch of wild, edible plants growing in your backyard, according to best-selling author Jo Robinson who spoke last month in Springfield at the Acres U.S.A. conference. But it’s possible…
Thoughts on Midwest winters
Snow in the forecast is never to my liking. It’s lovely on Christmas Eve – provided all streets and driveways are clear – and perhaps some lingering snowflakes the next morning to add some holiday charm. But December 26, it…
Lawmakers Bring Pension Standoff to an End
Following years of gridlock in the state capitol, lawmakers passed a pension reform bill that has union leaders and some Democrats questioning its constitutionality. A narrow Senate vote of 32-24 and House vote of 62-53 brought an end to one…
Tweets Twitters and Onomatopoeia
Amid solitude and snow, the sound of “chick-a-dee-dee-dee,” gives voice to the winter wind. That one-of-a-kind call is so common and recognizable it gives the chickadee its unusual name. This familiar bird may be tiny but it has a very…
West Peoria News for January 2014
Remember that landscape waste pickup has ended for the season and will return in April. All streets within West Peoria are designated as emergency snow routes. It is unlawful to park any vehicles on city streets anytime within 12 hours…
Vatican questionnaire not distributed to area laity
In the New Testament, Jesus says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” and “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Nevertheless, it’s unclear whether Pope Francis will be able to…
Not a good year
2013 was a tough year. Losing three very close friends was devastating. Royce Elliott was like a brother. Pete Vonachen was like a father and Jonathan Winters was a joy, an absolute joy. I had known Royce since high school.…
Peoria Has Major Mental Health Needs: Analysis
When Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds was injured by his 24-year-old son Gus on Nov. 19, the attack was preceded hours before by a mental-health evaluation of the younger Deeds, who was recommended for emergency custody, an order that could…
Physicians’ Debut Nutrition Program – Asserts Reform Starts in the Kitchen, Not in Washington
When Dr. Jeffrey Leman and his family moved to India, they cooked chicken the first night in their new home. That prompted a visit from the landlord who informed the young couple that meat could not be brought onto the…