Proposal for donation of $11 million from Hengst Foundation is for an outdoor venue with seating for 5,000 to ‘promote the arts and enhance quality of life, consistent with goals of city’
West Peoria News: Community interaction makes our city great
Simple chats in the parking lot at Haddad’s, a round golf or a stop at Raber’s are rewarding in their own right; Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at City Hall
Arts Alerts: Check out what’s going on in central Illinois
Combined Reception featuring Chicago Modern Quilt Guild and local creators presenting a fashion show: “Take the Shirt Off My Back” exhibit at Contemporary Art Center; New “Marty Monologues” is Nov. 8 at Kenny’s Westside Pub, jazz at Life Together Center and Trailside Event Center, “Annie” and “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” and “Plaid Tidings” in local theaters, and Peoria Bookfest
Arts Alerts: Screens — check out what’s on this month
Watch for ‘American Revolution’ by Ken Burns, Michale Caine swan song ‘The Great Escape’ on PBS, ‘All her fault’ on Peacock, ‘Death by Lightning’ and on Netflix and ‘Wicked for Good’ and ‘The Secret Agent’ in theaters.
News analysis: We have the ‘right to vote,’ right?
Landmark Voting Rights Act is already on life support; will Supreme Court pull plug? Gutting guardrails on redistricting, new voter IDs, jeopardizing mail-in ballots, questioning voter machine, federal data grab nagging at our right
Funding cuts threaten future elections
Federal grant funding of election infrastructure between 2019 and 2021 was about $400 million each year It was cut to $75M for 2022 and 2023, then $55M in 2024, and now $15M for 2025. A delegation of Illinois County Clerks requested a return to the $400M level and stressed the need for stability in fundingfrom year to year.
League of Women Voters calls for ‘All hands on deck’
Contact federal officials to reject additional Proof of Citizenship requirements to cast ballots ‘An estimated 21 million Americans could be shut out from the ballot box, particularly rural voters, students, women, communities of color, and members of the military.’
Peoria Academy Journalism Club: Christmas is nice, but we need time for pumpkin spice
Christmas Creep: Decorations for Christmas should not be put out in stores before November. It steals the magic of each holiday such as Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Batch of books
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh brings joy of reading to Trewyn school with fifth annual book fair
Inland Art: Make believe
Nature Rambles: Happy OAKtober!
Oaks are one of the most diverse trees in North America. The “keystone species” is a plentiful food producer. Acorns are packed with nutrition for birds and mammals, while their leaves are prime food for insects — 900 species of butterflies and moths alone. Insect activity brings in insect eaters and fuel the migration of songbirds in the spring and fall.
CEO decides to resign from community action agency
Denise Moore unable to help wind down Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity after state pulled millions in grants
Attorney for ex-Auditor wins appeal over fees
Peoria County instructed to award an appropriate amount in fees for Justin Penn, who represented Jessica Thomas in action against the county since October of 2021.
WCBU: Enthusiastic support for new riverfront amphitheater
Hengst Foundation gift will boost $11M Peoria project for proposed Dee Hengst Amphitheater that was once planned for Washington
Peoria County Bicentennial: Lincoln-Douglas debate played big part in Peoria
The courthouse clash between the two in their series of debates has shaped the way they are viewed today
Imam Mazhar Mahmood: The forgotten ties of neighborhood
Goodness to one’s neighbor is not conditional upon creed, color, race, gender, or political affliation. It is an essential fabric of human coexistence.
Yet, many do not even know their neighbors. What once was a source of comfort and safety has been reduced to a wave across the driveway or silence.
Five questions for Frank’s family franchise
Long-time restauranteur Frank Abnour says his secret recipe is ‘all about love’ plus these five things
Straight Talk: Happier days, happier people
With all the division and harsh talk these days, here’s to three men who could really bring people together — Pete Vonachen, Bruce Saurs, Jim Maloof
