Remember when the District 150 school board voted to close Woodruff High School to save money? As I recall they said it would save the district a little over $1 million. Shortly after the vote “the Peoria establishment” started pushing…
Some baseball history to think about as Spring Training begins
Major League Baseball’s pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training this month, when everything’s fresh and new (if cold and dormant). Everyone has an equal chance (depending on off-season personnel moves and injuries). And the possibilities are endless (at least…
‘Saint’ Patrick Urich got away with murder
Well, not literally murder. But he nearly killed his own career. Or, maybe not. Here’s the problem. The Peoria City manager wanted to move some $29 million around to help pay for bonds that the city is buying to finance…
Ron, We Hardly Know You
by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL I wonder if those who are disenchanted with the Republican candidates for President and find a fresh voice in Ron Paul understand the consequences of the ideas he espouses. That is to say, an America…
What Was That Again?
by Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL Remember when candidate John F. Kennedy, back in the 60’s felt it important to reassure groups of ministers that his being a practicing Catholic would not influence his decisions should be become President? In…
Daddy’s Silent Love
Daddy didn’t talk much. Every morning he woke up at five, exercised, read his Bible then left for work. When he got home, he read the paper, watched the news, read a book or sat with the family for a…
Welcome to the family, Susanne and Julien
Initially it was a typical phone call as we talked about family happenings. But the excitement in his voice told me he’d met a girl. More precisely a woman, but even when a son is 37, to his Mom, he’s…
West Peoria News for February
The General Primary Election is always in even-numbered years, the third Tuesday of March. This year’s date is: March 20, 2012. Early voting for West Peoria voters will be March 9, 2012 in City Hall from 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.…
‘Recycling Electronics is no Longer Optional’
[Editor’s Note: The Community Word offers this column to various agencies and governmental organizations such as the City and County of Peoria, the Library, etc. in order to inform the public just what it is that they do for our Peoria-area…
Happenings for February
Download the original attachment FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS Feb 2 – Peoria Public Library offers a “Spanish Conversation Hour” at Lincoln Branch from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and is co-sponsored by the Peoria Hispanics Club. All ages and all levels of speaking…
Power of Play to host unique non-event
Polly Barton and Carlotta Bielfeldt, co-chairs of the Power of Play Campaign, announced today that the Campaign will NOT host a Special Event Fundraiser on Friday, February 10, 2012, and that you’re NOT invited! This non-event event will NOT include…
Illinois American Water Announces 2012 Environmental Grant Program
Illinois American Water announced today that the application process is now open for its 2012 Environmental Grant Program to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies through partnerships. The company…
Miscellaneous stories
Gordon Announces Networking Event for Small Businesses & Lenders State Rep. Jehan Gordon will co-host an event for small businesses with the Illinois Department of Financial Regulation and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. The “How to Access Capital for…
Peoria’s Riverfront Visitor Center
By Greg Speck Have you ever heard of the Riverfront Visitors Center? Sure you have. But, what do you know about it? Well, for starters, it’s located in the oldest commercial building standing in Peoria. It was originally built in…
House GOP approves payroll tax cut extension
On the brink of failing to extend a payroll tax cut into the New Year, Congress sends the average worker an early Christmas present. Just days before Christmas, House Speaker John Boehner announced a Republican decision to accept a short-term…
Happy New Year
Peoria’s only literary magazine Downstate Story is now available
Ten new short stories by Illinois and Midwestern writers, illustrated with original art, are featured in the 2011 edition of Downstate Story, Peoria’s only literary magazine. The downstate Illinois writers in this issue are: Pepper Bauer of Mapleton; Ray Pierce and…
Thank you!
Royce Elliott and I would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness during the Christmas season, especially the food. Actually, the food, period. Cookies and cakes were abundant as were the phone calls. We love what we…
Local Red Cross administrators and civic leaders should reassert control of Peoria operations
The heavy hands of out-of-state attorneys and a dominating national headquarters seem to be getting in the way of a settlement in the long-delayed unionization of Peoria’s Heart of America Red Cross Blood Services division. Local Red Cross administrators and…
A Look Back at Science in 2011
The news, as most of us know it, can seem to be a study in redundancy, a repetitive procession of murders, wars, bombings, deaths, thefts, floods and fires, with a few tornadoes and earthquakes thrown in. But when you review…
Every station in Peoria has a labor problem
And if by “labor problem,” you mean a “management-is-trying-to-screw-workers-around” problem, you’re right. WMBD 31 electrical workers recently put out an informational picket describing how WMBD 31 management — actually Nexstar — has them working without a contract. So, WMBD 31…
Arrogant Ignorance!
by Sherry Matulis, Peoria, IL With the exception of Ron Paul, who I’m convinced is still a political Libertarian, I’ve found myself pondering whether the Republican candidates for President in their zeal to appeal to the Righteous Right have displayed…