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Deja vu? Canadian wildfire affects being felt in Central Illinois
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Canadian wildfires are burning thousands of miles away, but the affects are starting to be felt here in Central Illinois. Air quality is getting worse from the smoke, and some people may want to be careful over the next few days. Last year, you could feel the smoke in the air […]
FBI Warning Illinois Residents about the Danger of ‘Jugging’
It's important to always be aware of your surroundings and that's never been more important than it is now in our modern era. The FBI is warning Illinois residents about a rise in incidents involving 'jugging'. It's much more dangerous and common than it sounds. It was just reported a...
Important News for Illinois Low Income Families Receiving TANF Payments
Illinois has set a precedent now that all child support payments collected for families receiving or having received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will now be directly passed on to them without state deductions. Child Support Changes in Illinois Now in Effect. This landmark policy was effective as of...
The cost of credit: Peoria restaurants pass swipe fees on to customers as costs rise
Carol Hopkins knows the last few years have been difficult for small, local restaurants. As businesses struggle with staffing and rising operational costs, the Woodford County resident said she is “glad they’re able to stay open.” ...
Man arrested in connection to Peoria shooting that injured another
PEORIA (25News Now) - Peoria Police arrested a man who they said was responsible for a shooting that sent another man to the hospital Thursday evening. According to police, the suspect, 26-year-old Dayshaun S. Smullin, faces a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm. The arrest happened just before 3:30...
Caterpillar confirms temporary employee layoff in East Peoria
PEORIA (25News Now) - A Caterpillar spokesperson said the business implemented a one-week layoff for employees at the “East Peoria facility.”. The company spokesperson said the reasoning aligns with customer demand. The spokesperson said the company implemented a one-day factory shutdown and a temporary layoff on July 5. During...
Pekin expands 'economic growth' with $14 million land purchase
The Pekin City Council recently weighed the merits of an investment in future growth against the need to fund current projects. The scales tipped in favor of investing in future growth when the council voted 4-3 on July 22 to authorize the $14 million purchase of the 1,000-acre Lutticken Farm property, to be...
Pekin babysitter remains in custody until trial; accused of killing infant
PEKIN – A judge on Thursday morning ordered a Pekin woman to remain in custody until the outcome of allegations that she suffocated a 10-month-old baby under her care earlier this month. Tazewell County Judge Derek Asbury said he found “clear and convincing evidence” that Makenna Rhodes, the 21-year-old...
After a flourishing 40 years, Growing Grounds in Bloomington seeks a new owner
Just as every plant has a season in which it grows, so, too, do people. And for Dale Naffziger, the season of growth — of building a business from the ground up and running it — is coming to a close. After 40 years in business this year,...
Ticket Winners for SC2 Peoria TT at the Peoria Motorcycle Club
The Laser congratulates our winners of tickets for the SC2 Peoria TT! From all of those who had signed-up this week at thelaseronline.com, congratulations to:. They each won a pair of tickets for Round 11 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track championship this Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Peoria Motorcycle Club, home of the SC2 Peoria TT!
Starved Rock Country Community Foundation Backs New Montessori School in Ottawa
Three-to-six-year-old kids in Ottawa are a step closer to getting a jump start on their futures. The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation has announced its plan to sponsor the Trinity Rose Montessori School of Ottawa. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. It will be led by Suzannah Walter, a veteran teacher of the Montessori approach.
Liquor license fight and past restaurants: The latest Peoria food news
Good morning, foodie friends, We have plenty of Peoria-area food news to digest this week. We’ll dig into why the Peoria City Council rejected a debated liquor license. I’ll share the scoop on a smoothie shop which is coming soon, and we’ll look back at old Peoria favorites which have closed. And more restaurant...
Former Bears player visits local hospital to talk about lung cancer
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Carle Health Methodist Hospital in Peoria had a special guest Wednesday afternoon. Former NFL Bears player Chris Draft visited to acknowledge the work the hospital has done to raise awareness for lung cancer. In 2011, Draft and his wife, Keasha, started the Team Draft...
Potential Harris VP Pick Hits JD Vance With Blistering Trump Title
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) used an iconic “Austin Powers” character to explain why former President Donald Trump selected Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate earlier this month. “He’s the Donald Trump Mini-Me,” Pritzker told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Wednesday. Pritzker — who...
Road work begins at major Peoria intersection. Here's what you need to know
A $9.1 million reconstruction project has begun on Pioneer Parkway in Peoria. The road work near the University Street intersection is anticipated to finish between the fall and winter of 2025, according to Nicholas McMillion, the Peoria Public Works communication director. Right now, traffic on that stretch of Pioneer Parkway is limited to...
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