Everyone goes through changes in life. When I started this blog, my kids were very young, not even in school yet. My work situation was more stable and predictable. And everything was new and exciting as far as blogging goes. I’ve been doing this for six and a half years, and I think it’s obvious … Continue reading So long for now
WMBD-TV, channel 31, has been the only terrestrial television station in the Peoria market not to offer a digital subchannel — until today. Starting today, WMBD will begin broadcasting Bounce TV, “the nation’s first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network designed exclusively for African-American audiences.” Here’s part of the new network’s press release: The new network […] … Continue reading Channel 31 now offers Bounce TV
While the goals behind No Child Left Behind were admirable, experience has taught us that the law has some serious flaws that are hurting our children instead of helping them. Teachers are being forced to teach to a test, while subjects like history and science are being squeezed out. And in order to avoid having … Continue reading Question of the Day: How should Illinois fill the NCLB void?
My dad and I rode our bikes from Alta to downtown on as much of the vaunted new Kellar trail as we could find. Getting from Alta to Pioneer Parkway was easy enough. Then we followed the blacktop sidewalk/trail to Sommer street, and rode down to Candletree. There we got a little confused, as there’s … Continue reading Exploring the new Kellar Trail (UPDATED)
This week’s Word on the Street column reports that the City and County have been doing smoking ban stings lately: “The county performed 203 compliance checks and wrote 45 tickets. The city performed 123 checks and wrote eight tickets.” And, “The effort was funded by a [$15,000] grant the Peoria City/County Health Department received from … Continue reading Smoking prohibited
Hello everyone. It’s 6:00 and I’m here in Council chambers at Peoria City Hall. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6:15 with several proclamations. As usual, I will start live coverage once the business portion of the meeting begins. Then, refresh your browser every so often to see the latest updates; I’ll be updating … Continue reading Peoria City Council 9/13/2011 (Live Blog)
Back in November 1987, the last time the City Council’s election process was changed, then-Journal Star reporter Paul Gordon wrote a very interesting story on the history of the process. I’ve reprinted the complete article below, but here’s the summary, with some additional information to bring us up to 2011: Years Election Process Before 1845 … Continue reading Rewind: History of City Council election process
On today’s Journal Star opinion page is a letter “in the spotlight” from Peter Bazeli of New York, New York. He extols the Wonderful Development and warns that “this facility is critical to Peoria’s economy.” I don’t know about you, but when I want to know what’s critical to our economy here in Peoria, the … Continue reading New York consultant should put money where his mouth is
In a statement released today, EM Properties claims it… …has satisfied all conditions of the Redevelopment Agreement required to proceed with a closing for the Downtown Marriott Project. We believe we have provided sufficient evidence of financing. We plan to confirm the financing we currently have and further solidify our submissions to the City Council … Continue reading Peoria Chronicle Exclusive: Matthews threatens to sue over hotel deal termination
It’s all over but the shouting. The Journal Star reports that the City has notified Gary Matthews that they are terminating the redevelopment agreement for the Hotel Pere Marquette and surrounding properties. In short, the three-page letter states the city is within its rights to pull out of the agreement because it is after Dec. … Continue reading The (not so) Wonderful Development, 2008-2011, R.I.P. (UPDATED)