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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 12

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Peoria paramedic Nicole Hughes wins a Star of Life award and picks the Honor Flight instead

If you know the Greater Peoria Honor Flight, meet Nicole Hughes. The American Ambulance Association has awarded her a 2026 Star of Life, a national honor for EMS members, for her work with the flight.

The Daily Peoria team · 1 min read · 2 sources

Read the story The full edition

1672026 Stars of Life honorees

Hughes is one of them.

Source: WCBU Peoria

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SchoolsA Pekin school administrator has been named Galesburg's first woman superintendentPekin's assistant superintendent of curriculum and personnel has been named superintendent of Galesburg Community Unit School District 205. Sheila Coussens-Martin will be the first woman to lead the district, and she starts July 1, 2027.Today’s editionRead SchoolsPeoria Public Schools will replace ELITE with its own NOVA Academy after a 4-3 votePeoria Public Schools is changing who runs its safe schools alternative for Grades 6-8. The Board of Education voted 4-3 Monday night to replace ELITE Community Outreach's Game Changer Safe School with a district-run NOVA Academy. Board member Sarah Howard said a deciding factor was meeting standards required by the Illinois Safe Schools Act.Wednesday’s editionRead City HallPeoria's City Council was asked to start a STAR Bond District around Northwoods MallThe council was asked Tuesday night to approve a measure that would begin creating a STAR Bond District around the mall property. City Manager Patrick Urich said it would make the master developer, mall owner Summit Properties USA, eligible to use state sales tax revenue to help with development costs. The district would overlay the mall's tax increment financing district created earlier this year, only on the mall footprint.Wednesday’s editionRead SchoolsPeoria's school board votes 4-3 to replace an Elite-run program with district-led NOVA AcademyPeoria Public Schools is moving on from Elite Community Outreach. The board voted 4-3 Monday night to pursue NOVA Academy, a district-led program for at-risk young people. Board members, the superintendent and the deputy superintendent said a July meeting was meant to extend an olive branch to Elite, but communication broke down. The NAACP and Elite dispute that account.Tuesday’s editionRead HealthOSF Saint Francis becomes the first Illinois hospital to earn a national emergency surgery verificationOSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria is the first hospital in Illinois to earn verification through the American College of Surgeons' Emergency General Surgery Verification Program. The hospital announced it Monday.Tuesday’s editionRead Prep SportsPeoria Notre Dame beats Crystal Lake South, 1-0, for its sixth boys soccer state titleIf you missed it Saturday night, Peoria Notre Dame beat Crystal Lake South, 1-0 to win the IHSA Class 2A boys soccer title. It's the Irish's sixth state crown. Senior midfielder Cal Byrkit headed home the only goal in the 66th minute, his 12th of the season, off a volley from Matteo Teran.Monday’s editionRead

In brief

The edition’s short notes. Open one to read it, with its sources.

  • NorthwoodsCity officials are seeking a big redevelopment of the area around and inside Northwoods Mall.

    City officials are seeking a big redevelopment of the area around and inside Northwoods Mall. They hope to capitalize on a generous state program to re-envision the anchor mall.

    News Notes · Today’s editionSource: Peoria Journal Star

  • SchoolsAfter Monday's vote to go with its in-house NOVA Academy instead of Elite's Game Changers, Peoria Public Schools still has several unknowns for its at-risk middle schoolers.

    After Monday's vote to go with its in-house NOVA Academy instead of Elite's Game Changers, Peoria Public Schools still has several unknowns for its at-risk middle schoolers. The specifics, including transportation, are still in the works.

    News Notes · Today’s editionSource: Central Illinois Proud

  • Twin TowersA plan for a city-backed loan will help fund $2.5 million in needed repairs at Peoria's Twin Towers.

    A plan for a city-backed loan will help fund $2.5 million in needed repairs at Peoria's Twin Towers. Property taxes will be raised at the Downtown building.

    News Notes · Today’s editionSource: Peoria Journal Star

  • BradleyBradley University made Military Times' 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges list.

    Bradley University made Military Times' 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges list. It's one of 370 colleges and universities nationwide on the list.

    News Notes · Today’s editionSource: WEEK 25 News Now

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Daily Peoriato me · Thurs., Nov. 126:00 a.m.

A Peoria paramedic picks Honor Flight over her national award ceremony

Plus, a Pekin school administrator will lead Galesburg's district.

The TLDR

  1. Peoria paramedic Nicole Hughes wins a 2026 Star of Life
  2. A Pekin administrator will lead Galesburg schools
  3. City eyes state funding to remake Northwoods Mall
Read this edition