Local news
Peoria
Peoria County, Illinois
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Peoria-area Opportunity Zones could help attract future development
Nine census tracts in Greater Peoria have been selected as new federal Opportunity Zones, including seven in Peoria and one each in Creve Coeur and Pekin. The designation offers tax incentives intended to attract…
Peoria Vietnam veteran receives free roof and gutter replacement
Wallace Williams, a two-tour Vietnam veteran from Peoria, received a donated roof and gutter replacement from Perfect Choice Home Solutions. The company selected him from more than 35 nominated veterans, after his…
Faith meets medical innovation: Peoria Franciscan sister helps surgeons prepare for complex operations
Sister M. Pieta Keller, a Franciscan sister and biomedical engineer at OSF HealthCare in Peoria, creates patient-specific 3D-printed models and 4D virtual-reality images to help surgeons prepare for complex operations…
Peoria County Coroner identifies man who died in Saturday wreck
The Peoria County coroner identified Craig Nelson, 50, of Pekin, as the man who died after a motorcycle collision in Peoria County on Saturday, Nov. 7. The fatal crash occurred several days before the identification was…
Pekin motorcyclist identified after fatal crash in Peoria County
Authorities identified Craig Nelson, 55, of Pekin, as the motorcyclist killed in a collision with a passenger vehicle in Peoria County on November 7. The Peoria County coroner said Nelson suffered multiple blunt-force…
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Decatur-area XC: Monticello 2nd, Shelbyville 3rd at state
Monticello finished second and Shelbyville third in the Illinois Class 1A boys’ cross-country state championship at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Monticello scored 107 points, while Elmwood won the title with 96…
Peoria council defers kratom regulation vote
The Peoria City Council approved a STAR bond ordinance for economic development at its November 10 meeting, while postponing a vote on proposed rules for kratom and delta-8 sales. The deferral leaves the proposed…
Fenwick’s Gamboa runs her fastest at final state meet
Fenwick senior Juliana Gamboa set a personal best in her final state cross-country meet, finishing 42nd in the Class 3A girls race at Peoria’s Detweiller Park in 17:31.7 for three miles. She narrowly beat her previous…
Peoria County regional superintendent reveals oversight gap in ELITE program as PPS prepares for NOVA Academy
Peoria County Regional Superintendent George McKenna says an oversight gap allowed ELITE Community Outreach’s Game Changer Safe School to operate for years without a compliance review. A recent review identified…
Peoria Area Food Bank prepares holiday meals as need for assistance grows
The Peoria Area Food Bank is preparing Thanksgiving food bags as demand for assistance rises across the community. The distribution will include donated whole chickens, vegetables, cornbread, cake mix and breakfast…
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Discolored soybeans could cost Central Illinois farmers money despite strong harvest
Some Central Illinois farmers may receive lower prices for soybeans after discoloration appeared in this year’s crop, 25News Now reports. The Illinois Soybean Association says late-season heat and moisture may have…
Community Foundation awards more than $450,000 to Central Illinois nonprofits
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois awarded more than $450,000 to 32 nonprofits in its fall grant cycle, according to 25News Now. The funding supports programs addressing community needs, job training, and…
OSF joins statewide AI cyberattack exercise to strengthen hospital emergency response
More than 115 Illinois hospitals and health systems recently took part in a statewide exercise simulating an AI-driven cyberattack. Led by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, “Broken Trust: AI Takes Control”…
Peoria police looking for missing man
Peoria police are asking for the public’s help locating Mark T. Vallianatos, a 38-year-old autistic and nonverbal man. He was last seen near North Prospect Road and East Division Avenue. Anyone with information about…
Two 14-year-olds arrested after Peoria business burglaries
Two 14-year-old boys were arrested after two early-morning burglaries at businesses in Peoria, Illinois. The reported targets were Vape Time and Bazzar Tobacco. Police have not provided further details in the available…
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Teen duo arrested in connection with burglarizing Peoria businesses
Two 14-year-old boys were arrested in Peoria in connection with burglaries at a vape shop and a tobacco store, police said. Officers responding to an alarm at Vape Time early Tuesday found a damaged door but no entry…
Central Illinois starting to see gas below $4 per gallon
Drivers in Central Illinois are seeing relief at the pump as gas prices begin to drop below the $4 per gallon threshold. This downward trend in fuel costs provides a welcome break for local commuters and families…
Peoria City Council to consider economic development measures for Northwoods Mall
The Peoria City Council is scheduled to consider economic development measures aimed at redeveloping Northwoods Mall. The proposal would establish a STAR Bond District, a financing tool intended to support development…
Generator fire displaces two people in Peoria
A generator fire at a home in Peoria’s North Valley displaced two people Tuesday morning and caused about $1,000 in damage. The incident was reported as a residential fire; no injuries were mentioned. The fire’s cause…
Generator fire damages Peoria residence, displaces two occupants
A generator caught fire between two homes on Homestead Avenue in Peoria on Tuesday morning, prompting a response from 18 firefighters. Crews extinguished the flames before they spread to either residence, but code…
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Peoria County solar farm undergoing repairs months after severe weather damage
Repairs are underway at a 17-acre solar farm on Peoria’s south side after severe weather damaged panels and electrical wiring. Peoria County officials said it was the only one of the county’s 15 solar farms to sustain…
Peoria’s school board votes to cut ties with Elite program, replace it with district-led alternative
Peoria’s school board voted 4-3 on Monday to end the district’s relationship with Elite Community Outreach and pursue a district-run alternative for at-risk students, called Nova Academy. The new program is expected to…
Here’s when Peoria’s yard waste collection season comes to an end
Peoria’s seasonal curbside yard waste collection will end after the week of Dec. 7–11, the city says. Residents can put leaves and debris in compostable paper bags or approved containers, while branches must be bundled…
Peoria Public Schools Board weighs elite program vs. NOVA Academy
Peoria Public Schools officials are weighing whether to continue the Elite Community Outreach program or replace it with a new initiative called NOVA Academy. The issue is expected to come before the district’s Board of…
'Wow, what a surprise': Phil Salzer honored by street naming ceremony
Peoria community members and local leaders honored longtime public servant and coach Phil Salzer on Monday by dedicating part of North Sterling Avenue as Phil Salzer Way. Salzer expressed surprise at the recognition…
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Central IL Man Gets 25 Years After Attempted Sex Exploitation Of Teen Girl He Called 'Daughter': U.S. Atty
Jason Alan Isaacson, 46, was sentenced November 3 to 25 years in federal prison for attempting to sexually exploit a minor, followed by lifetime supervised release. Prosecutors said he sent explicit material to someone…
OSF Saint Francis becomes first Illinois hospital to earn national emergency surgery verification
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria has become the first hospital in Illinois to receive verification through the American College of Surgeons’ Emergency General Surgery Verification Program. This designation…
Peoria gas prices fall 9.1 cents to $4.59 a gallon
Gasoline prices in the Peoria area decreased by 9.1 cents last week, bringing the average price to $4.59 per gallon. This decline continues a downward trend observed across the region, which experts attribute to…
The IHSA Cross Country State Races were held over the weekend at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
The IHSA Cross Country State Championships concluded this weekend at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Eureka secured the 1A girls' team title, while Hersey won the 3A girls' division and Prairie Ridge took the 2A crown. In…