Journal Star (Peoria)
Drought, heat wave raise water concerns
Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave. It’s being felt this summer in Virginia, the Carolinas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Jersey and...
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KIDS COOL OFF AT NEW EAST PEORIA SPLASH PAD
Logan Radosavlyev, 7, of Germantown Hills, left, leaps for a splash in the face as he and his brother Leo, 8, right, enjoy some time in the cool spray of the new Levee Park Splash Pad on July 1 in East Peoria. The attraction opened May 22 and is open...
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‘Keep it going’
PEORIA – A longtime local staple is being brought back to life. Ernie’s Dairy Dream welcomed the community back on Wednesday, July 1. Situated at 2600 SW Jefferson Ave., the storefront will operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The South Peoria...
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Rain may hinder Fourth of July celebrations
Peoria’s Red, White & Boom celebration along the riverfront for the Fourth of July would shift back a day to Sunday, if weather impacts the festivities on Saturday. On the event’s website, organizers say that in the event of inclement weather – or...
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Where to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday around Peoria
This year’s Fourth of July celebration is special because it marks the nation’s semi-quincentennial. At the national level, Salute to America 250 Task Force has coordinated a slate of festivities to celebrate the milestone through the end of...
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High heat, humidity leave millions sweltering
With the Fourth of July weekend near, the heat is on. A prolonged, dangerous heat wave continues intensifying across most of the central to eastern United States, with both smothering humidity and searing highs that could approach records in the...
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Festivals, fireworks and more: 16 fun things to do in Peoria in July
As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day in central Illinois, it’s also time to enjoy local festivals, check out a variety of concerts and more. Here are 16 things to do in the Peoria area in the month of July. 1. Monsters of Yacht in...
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PROTESTERS LINE WAR MEMORIAL IN PEORIA
ABOVE: Protesters march along War Memorial Drive during the All of US 250: Truth, Equality and Freedom protest on June 27 in Peoria. The 50501 Movement and other grassroots activist organizations hosted the nationwide event to protest the policies of...
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Repair work to close span of this major Peoria bridge
The westbound span of the McClugage Bridge will close on July 1 as a multi-year, $70 million project begins to refurbish that side of the bridge to complement its newer, eastbound counterpart. The Illinois Department of Transportation said that the...
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‘Truly inspirational’
PEORIA — It is a hard legacy they are building, forged from grief and courage and heartbreak, one carried by four sons for three fathers now gone. They honor them as best they can, from orange cupcakes to rooting for the Red Sox or talking about being...
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Iran reasserts right of control in Hormuz
DUBAI – Tehran reasserted its right on June 26 to control shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states against siding with the Unites States, a day after an attack on a ship near Oman highlighted the fragility of a preliminary deal to end...
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Things to do this weekend
June is full of activities. Here are six events you might want to check out in the Peoria area this weekend. Old Settlers Days in Metamora Old Settlers Days, running from June 24-27, is one of the oldest festivals in central Illinois. It is held in...
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Bradley’s first female president dies
Joanne Glasser, the first woman to serve as president of Bradley University, has died, the school announced June 23. h Bradley President Jim Shadid said in a statement that Glasser, who served as president from 2007-15, had an “unmistakable passion”...
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Wind-damaged ‘witness tree’ near Lincoln Home removed
SPRINGFIELD — A tree dating from the time Abraham Lincoln and his family lived at a home at Eighth and Jackson streets in Springfield was removed June 19, a little more than a week after storms irreparably damaged it. National Park Service...
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A SCREAMING GOOD TIME
The first round of peace talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland “concluded successfully,” mediators said on June 22, after negotiations appeared strained over the Strait of Hormuz and persistent fighting in Lebanon. “The discussions...
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BISON ROAM IN DOWNTOWN PEORIA
Life-like bison stampede through a water feature during the Market After Hours event June 18 at the newly redesigned Bicentennial Park behind the Peoria County Courthouse in Downtown Peoria.
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‘It’s like an extended garbage dump out there’
In 2024, Eric Hutchison, a retired Caterpillar engineer, began to notice something troubling along Peoria’s riverfront. He had been a frequent visitor to the Rock Island Greenway Trail that runs along the riverfront, particularly in the Detweiller...
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Next round of Iran peace talks on hold
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire June 19 after escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon complicated President Donald Trump’s efforts to reach a final peace agreement with Iran. Still, negotiations to end the war appeared to be delayed,...
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Negotiations begin after Iran peace plan is signed
Sixty days of negotiation on a final U.S.-Iran peace deal have begun, Vice President JD Vance told reporters June 18, after the signing of an interim pact ending the Iran war on all fronts. “The entire team has worked very well on this, and we’ve got...
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Historic tree damaged by storms in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — An approximately 175-year-old tree from the Lincoln Home National Historic Site was damaged beyond saving from the June 11 storms, National Park Service officials confirmed. The American linden dating from the early 1850s was believed to...
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U.S.-Iran peace deal could offer price relief
One thing is certain after the United States and Iran agreed to a framework deal to end the monthslong war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz: The costof-living crisis just got a bit less bad. But how much less, and how long it lasts, are still open...
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WAITING FOR SO LONG
Tens of millions of dollars in the Illinois state budget are slated to come to the Peoria area, but the annual question of when the city will see those dollars persists. h Two major projects, a $52 million renovation of Main Street and a $26 million...
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What is Peoria’s fix for gun violence at parks?
PEORIA — Preventing gun violence at Peoria parks remained top of mind for park district leaders and violence prevention groups and stakeholders in the city this week. On Friday, Peoria Park District Board President Robert Johnson delivered remarks to...
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Popular Irish pub announces new location in Peoria Heights
PEORIA HEIGHTS – The memory of a once-beloved bar was uncovered at 4319 N. Prospect Road during recent renovations to the building. A faint shadow of a penguin lingered on the front façade, harkening back to the Penguin Tap. The local staple closed...
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Pakistan indicates Iran deal is at hand
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said June 12 the text of a peace deal between the United States and Iran “has been reached,” and Iran’s foreign minister said a deal has “never been closer,” raising hopes for a genuine settlement to wind down...
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Komatsu unveils new $28M facility
Komatsu officially opened the doors on its new $28 million Peoria office building Wednesday, spotlighting the company’s most advanced technologies while celebrating a commitment to the area. h In a ceremony held outside the new state-of-the-art...
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American helicopter crew found, rescued
President Donald Trump said on June 9 that Iran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz overnight and vowed to respond, deepening doubts about prospects for a truce announced in April in the war in the Gulf. “I...
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Israel, Iran halt retaliatory attacks
Israel and Iran said they would halt strikes on each other for now but warned of forceful responses to any future aggression – ending, at least temporarily, an exchange of missile attacks over the weekend that put a fragile ceasefire and diplomatic...
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Pounding the pavement
Championship results and age group winners from the Steamboat Classic races can be found inside on page 5A. To see more photos, go to pjstar.com.
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‘A light to so many’
When Ava Leitze of Pekin was elected the Heart of Illinois Fair Queen in 2023, she had already been diagnosed with the cancer that would claim her life at age 20. “She got into pageants because her little sister (Rowan) actually was the first Little...
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Bears move forward with Indiana stadium
The Chicago Bears are moving forward with a stadium in Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a bill to incentivize the team to stay in Illinois. The board for the Chicago Bears voted to move forward with the Indiana plan June 4,...
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Things to do this weekend in Peoria
June is full of activities. Here are five events you might want to check out in the Peoria area this weekend. Steamboat Classic pre-party and race Central Illinois’ premier running experience, the Steamboat Classic, will be held Saturday, June 6, on...
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Trail to the riverfront
PEORIA — An extension of the Rock Island Greenway, one that would make it easier to access the Peoria riverfront, is on the radar of city officials. The city of Peoria will be submitting an application to secure $1 million in federal grant dollars to...
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New restaurants on Main Street look to fall openings
PEORIA — New bar and restaurant developments along Main Street in downtown are targeting November opening dates as construction and renovations are proving to be a lengthy task. Developer Jeff Giebelhausen, who purchased the properties adjacent to the...
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New taxes, modest cuts pass in $55.9B budget
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers approved the state budget early Monday morning after slogging through the night, enacting new taxes on businesses and authorizing less spending than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February. “It’s allowed us to be...
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Summer festivals, concerts and more
As summer heats up in central Illinois, several longtime festivals are happening in the Peoria area, along with big concerts and other community events. Here are 18 things to do in the Peoria area during June. 1. Buckcherry in concert The Peoria...
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‘It’s been a wild ride’
PEORIA – Todd Hohulin would have liked to save the first dollar made at 2 Chez. “But we needed it,” he said. “So, it went right back in the till.” He and his family took ownership of the eatery in 2006, and Todd said, “we needed some luck early on.”...
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Potential Iran deal puts Trump in a bind
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump finds himself in a bind as he seeks to end the war against Iran: He is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get U.S. gasoline prices down but at the same time faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks...
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Sen. Durbin says goodbye after 44 years of service
SPRINGFIELD – A room full of Illinois lawmakers honored its outgoing senior U.S. Senator with memories, stories of mentorship, leadership and integrity. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, then spoke before the group to reflect on his 44 years in...
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Pekin business declared ‘uninhabitable’
PEKIN – The city deemed Cranwill’s Drive In uninhabitable last week and has closed the root beer stand until further notice. “The decision to deem a property uninhabitable is not made lightly,” said Nic Maquet, director of building and community...
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Peoria institution, Beachler’s Tire and Automotive, celebrates 75 years in business
The story of Beachler’s Tire and Automotive Center began with one man’s vision and has grown to become a thirdgeneration Peoria institution. In 1951, Bob Beachler opened Beachler’s Standard, a vehicle care and repair shop on the corner of North and...
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Russia carries out one of biggest attacks on Kyiv
KYIV – Russia pounded Kyiv and surrounding areas with hundreds of drones and missiles on May 24 in one of the heaviest bombardments of the city since the start of the four-year war, firing an Oreshnik hypersonic missile near the capital. Russia’s...
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‘I couldn’t accept it’
When Antonio Johnson Jr. earned certification in CPR and other life-saving measures, he never pictured trying to use it on his cousin and lifelong friend. h But when he saw Jarvis Allison Jr. in a room on the fourth floor at OSF Saint Francis Medical...
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Trump defends DOJ fund amid growing GOP revolt
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is digging in over the Justice Department’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund as Senate Republicans revolt over a pot of money that could funnel payments to the president’s allies, including Jan. 6...
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CAREER CLASS WITH CREED
The newest crop of interns for Caterpillar had a chance to rub shoulders with company leaders, including CEO Joe Creed, on Tuesday during their intern orientation in Edwards. Over 550 interns from across the United States descended on the company’s...
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Red Robin to close only location in central Illinois
EAST PEORIA – The last Red Robin location in central Illinois is set to close after a final day on May 24. Signs were posted to the doors of the 314 W. Washington St. storefront to announce the impending shutdown. “We have loved serving the East...
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HATS OFF
AT LEFT, TOP: A Manual High School graduate sports a decorated mortar board. AT LEFT, CENTER: A pair of Manual High School graduates go in for a hug. AT LEFT, BOTTOM: A Manual High School graduate shows her excitement after receiving her diploma.
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Six, including one juvenile, arrested at Peoria Civic Center
PEORIA – Police arrested five adults and one juvenile Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center. Peoria Police Sgt. Amy Dotson told the Journal Star on Sunday that no significant injuries were reported from the incidents. The suspects were arrested on...
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Peoria native is sworn in as city’s new police chief
PEORIA — Peoria native Brad Dixon was sworn in Friday as the city’s new police chief, replacing Eric Echevarria who retired from the role. Dixon was pinned during a ceremony at Peoria City Hall in front of crowd that included his family, elected...
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20,000 trucks a day
It’s a typical weekday afternoon at the intersection of Route 53 and Laraway Road, 40 miles southwest of Chicago, and semi trucks thunder by in a steady stream. h They start at the sprawling warehouse complexes on the fringes of the city of Joliet,...
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Trump says Xi wants to see Iran conflict ended
An end to the war with Iran remained elusive for President Donald Trump on May 15, but he struck a hopeful tone at the end of his visit to Beijing, indicating he believes President Xi Jinping could help resolve the conflict. “He would like to see it...
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Xi warns Trump against mishandling of Taiwan
BEIJING – China’s Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump at the start of a two-day summit on May 14 that trade talks were making progress, but cautioned that disagreement over Taiwan could send relations down a dangerous path and even lead to...
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President explains why OSF Children’s Hospital is leaving St. Jude network
PEORIA – OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois will leave the affiliate network of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on June 30, moving toward a more independent model for pediatric health care. OSF announced Monday that it would be...
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Hegseth says the U.S. has fiscal plan in Iran
The Pentagon revised the cost of the war in Iran upward on May 12. “We think it’s closer to $29 billion,” Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, told a House Appropriations subcommittee. A week before, the Trump administration estimated...
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Crime scene a ‘shocking situation’ for community
WASHINGTON – Police have taken a suspect in custody after an officer-involved shooting Sunday morning that led to one injury, a building fire and an explosion. Officers responded to a report of multiple gunshots fired in the 900 block of Mallard Way...
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AI-integrated cameras raise alarms
For decades, cars dictated urban planning in the United States. h Few could have predicted that they would one day also double as nodes for surveillance. h In thousands of towns and cities across the United States, automatic license plate readers have...
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‘TOTAL SHOCK’
CANTON – Home, for Jailynn Munson, is grandma Susan Rilea’s house. She remembers cooking with Rilea, doing yardwork with her brother and gathering with family for the holidays. Most importantly, it was the first place that felt like a safe, stable...
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Company hopes to serve cocktails at shows in Peoria
PEORIA – Upstage Theatre Company hopes to soon obtain a liquor license to serve alcohol at its events. Owner Jolene Howard went before the Peoria Liquor Commission on Monday, May 4 to request site approval for a Class K rental hall license with a live...
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Tensions mount over potential closure of street
A group of North Valley residents looking to protect the Detweiller Playground and Marina from expansion by O’Brien Steel say the company misled the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees last month when it said there were no plans to close Caroline...
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Memo hints at possible U.S.-Iran deal
President Donald Trump said Iran could either agree to a framework for peace talks or bombing would resume, after he had paused the military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said on social media the war that began Feb. 28, with a...
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Business aims to open by August after delays
The Vault aims to open by August in Downtown Peoria, according to NOW Group vice president Beau Landry. He went before the Peoria Liquor Commission on Monday, May 4, to request a 90-day extension for site approval at the 240 Southwest Jefferson Ave....
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Illinois boosts film industry growth with new green tax incentive
Illinois film and television productions that meet green certification standards can now earn an extra 5% tax credit, making the state the first in the nation to offer such an incentive, according to a community announcement. The initiative, launched...
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Peoria-area high school seniors sign offers from Caterpillar
A group of local high school seniors officially signed on the dotted line Friday to join Caterpillar, marking their graduation from the company’s Essentials for Life training program for students. This year’s class of E4L students consisted of 16...
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Signing off on a plan
On May 16, 1947, Thomas Detweiller, son of Civil War veteran and boat captain Henry Detweiller, wrote his last will and testament. After he asked for his his debts and funeral expenses to be paid off, he bequeathed all of his personal belongings and...
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TrumpIRA site offers retirement savings
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 30 that will broaden access to retirement savings for workers whose employers don’t offer 401(k)-type plans. The order creates a new website, TrumpIRA.gov, that workers can use to enroll in a...
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16 things to do in Peoria in May
As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, big concerts, fundraisers and other gatherings will be happening in Peoria. Here are 16 things to do in the Peoria area during May. 1. 2026 Riverfront Market season opens The first Riverfront Market...
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Peoria takes step to loan money to condo for repairs
PEORIA — The clock is now ticking on a proposal by the city to front a pair of downtown condo buildings $2.5 million to make much needed infrastructure repairs. On Tuesday night the Peoria City Council voted to set a public hearing date on a proposal...
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Teen identified in deadly shooting
PEORIA — The 17-year-old who was shot in the head at Bradley Park and later pronounced dead during a series of shootings Sunday has been identified. Jarvis Allison, Jr., of West Millman Street in Peoria, was initially conscious following a shooting...
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MUSIC LEGENDS IN PEORIA
ABOVE: Southern rock band ZZ Top performs against a grafittistyle backdrop on April 24 at the Peoria Civic Center. TOP RIGHT: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top does a little fret work as the band performs. RIGHT: Country music superstar Dwight Yoakam brings his...
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Longtime grocery store demolished in Peoria Heights
The demolition of a longtime Peoria Heights grocery store is making way for a new development. The decades-old building, which housed a grocery store that village residents were sad to lose, began coming down last week to make room for a new mixed-use...
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A ‘TURNKEY’ VENUE
There is a renewed effort in Peoria to sell a more than 100-year-old historic staple in Downtown Peoria. The 102-year-old Scottish Rite Theatre, located at 400 NE Perry Ave., is back for sale on the market, at a lower price, as its former owner Kim...
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U.S. delegation to meet with Iranian officials
The United States is sending a delegation to Pakistan to meet with Iranian officials, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said April 24, resuming direct talks as both countries accuse each other of violating a ceasefire by seizing and blocking...
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Tensions escalate in Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump’s ceasefire with Iran remained in place April 23 as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continued and negotiations between Lebanon and Israel were expected to resume in Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador...
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Popular store ready to open in Washington
When co-owners Frank and Lucienne Bray decided to relocate their Ben Franklin store and their Final Frontier toy store from Minnesota, they settled on central Illinois as a good compromise. “I don’t like cold weather, and after 18 years in Minnesota,...
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Illinois’ first woman majority leader dies at 85
CHICAGO — Barbara Flynn Currie, a 40-year veteran of the Illinois House and the first woman to serve as the second-in-command majority leader of the chamber, died Thursday. She was 85. Currie, who is tied for the secondlongest-serving legislator in...
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