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Appellate attorneys for state argue circumstantial evidence ‘overwhelms’ any potential errors in Bliefnick case
QUINCY — The appellate attorneys for the people of the state of Illinois in the appeal case for convicted murderer Tim Bliefnick have filed a response brief in the Office of State Appellate Defender, Fourth District, arguing that a new trial is unnecessary. The 36-page brief was prepared by...
Thousands in Peoria area still without power after severe storms that included tornado
Ameren Illinois said Wednesday that it was making progress on restoring power to thousands of customers who were in the dark following severe storms Monday night. The company said in a statement that it had restored power to 92,000 customers across the state, with 9,424 outages being reported as of 1 p.m. Several areas in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties remain without power as a result of downed trees and power lines stemming from a derecho that swept through much of the state Monday night.
Sweet Basil Cafe of Peoria closes after crash into building early Wednesday
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Sweet Basil Cafe of Peoria temporarily closed Thursday morning after a truck crashed into its building the day before. In a Facebook post, the cafe said due to certain circumstances of the truck driving into its building, it will close so its owners can remodel and prepare to reopen.
COUNTRY Financial has tips for filing claims after severe weather
BLOOMINGTON – Following the severe storms from earlier this week, COUNTRY Financial is offering some tips when filing insurance claims. The insurance and financial services company says to take photos of all damage. Some insurers will even cover the cost of spoiled food. So, include spoiled food in your photos before tossing it all in the trash. Also, make sure to save all receipts from emergency repair expenses.
Birds forced to build new home after storm destroys McClugage Bridge nest
PEORIA (25News Now) - While people are still cleaning up debris from Monday’s storm, a pair of Central Illinois osprey are doing their own clean-up. What was once an established bird nest on top of the eastbound McClugage Bridge is now a small pile of twigs. The nest could have easily been spotted driving into Peoria at the beginning of the bridge on the far left beam.
State leaders host ‘One Peoria Back-to-School and Health Fair’
PEORIA (25News Now) - It’s never too early to start back-to-school shopping, and one state representative is making it a little easier for parents. The “One Peoria Back-To-School and Health Fair” is back for its fourth year. Families were invited out for a day of fun with...
International children's swimming school to open newest location in Peoria
Aqua-Tots Swim School is bringing its world-renowned programs to the greater Peoria area. The swim school franchise announced last week it will open a location at 7713 Orange Prairie Road in Peoria near The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The school has more than 150 locations worldwide, including three in Illinois: Peoria, Wheaton and Orland Park.
Peoria man pepper sprayed, robbed during Facebook Marketplace robbery
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A North Peoria man was pepper sprayed and then robbed of a laptop computer that he tried to sell on Facebook Marketplace. The incident occurred at the victim’s apartment on West Willow Knolls Road just before 10 p.m. Sunday, according to a report filed at the Peoria Police Department.
Open the windows for some fresh air
Let Mother Nature provide free air conditioning the next few days as cooler and drier air move into the area. Highs will be in the upper 70s Thursday then the low 80s Friday through early next week. Rain chances return the middle of next week. Enjoy!
New owners to continue legacy at Canton reindeer farm
CANTON (25News Now) - Snowman’s Reindeer Farm in Canton is transitioning to a new family. Scott and Tracy Snowman announced their retirement after nine Christmases, brought on by serious health complications making it nearly impossible for them to continue the day-to-day work. The Snowmans announced July 9 that they...
Peoria public works crews working to clear storm debris
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Crews with Peoria Public Works began working to clear the remaining storm debris from around the city after a severe storm caused damage around central Illinois on Monday. According to public works spokesman Nick McMillion, crews began 12-hour shifts Wednesday morning. When possible, Peoria residents...
Parts of East Peoria under boil advisory
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Parts of East Peoria are under a boil advisory until further notice Wednesday until a nearby water main is repaired. According to a Facebook post from the City of East Peoria on Wednesday, at about 8 a.m., water service in the area was interrupted while a water main is being repaired. Once the service is restored, several homes will be under a boil advisory until further notice.
Judge refuses Brandon Walker’s request for a lesser sentence for death of Navin Jones
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Circuit Judge John Vespa’s voice trembled, and he took several pauses as he recounted the Navin Jones case during a late Wednesday morning hearing. The judge, who retires in a week or so, said the deadly neglect case of the 8-year-old boy was the “worst” he’s seen in 14 years on the bench and 19 years as an attorney. And as such, he said, he refused to lower or reconsider a life sentence he handed down earlier this year for the boy’s father, Brandon Walker.
Coal City to remain without power for the foreseeable future
Jul. 16—The Village of Coal City said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that while the village was spared the worst of the storm damage as far as property and public health damage, it will be without power for the foreseeable future until the main feeder line is repaired. ComEd needs specific crews for this line, and it's not possible to predict a timeline for when power will be restored. This ...
Bloomington tells homeless people sleeping along Constitution Trail to relocate
Around 100 people in Bloomington-Normal are unsheltered, according to estimates from a McLean County Housing Coalition. The City of Bloomington is dispersing roughly 40 of them who’ve been living in tents along Constitution Trail, said Director of Community Outreach Steve Tassio with Home Sweet Home Ministries' homeless shelter [HSHM].
WIU faculty union: Layoffs of tenured faculty coming
Another round of budget cutting is looming at Western Illinois University, and this time it could include tenured and tenure-track faculty. Tri States Public Radio obtained a copy of an email sent by Merrill Cole, President of the WIU Chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois. The union represents faculty members.
Winnebago principal’s personal experience inspires Illinois school’s cardiac safety law
WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — This Fall, all schools in Illinois will be required to have a plan in place in the event of a cardiac arrest on school grounds. A Winnebago principal advocated for the law after it happened to her, and now her school is one of three Heart Safe Schools in the state. […]
Rockford Walmart evacuated, bomb unit called to scene
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford Walmart was evacuated Wednesday due to a bomb threat, according to police. Around 12 p.m., patrons were evacuated from the Walmart store, at 3849 Northridge Drive, and police confirmed the Bomb Unit was called to the scene. Around 12:28 pm., a police sergeant told our reporter the situation “had […]
Alpha Phi Alpha, a prominent Black fraternity, moves to bar transgender members
Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the most prominent historically Black fraternities in the country, has taken a first step toward barring transgender members. Delegates to the fraternity’s constitutional convention, held Wednesday through Sunday in Chicago, voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of a bylaw amendment limiting membership to “naturally born” males, sources told GLAAD. A spokesman for Alpha Phi Alpha, reached by The Advocate, had no comment.
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