Daily
Peoria
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Peoria. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 2nd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The first Greater Peoria Honor Flight of 2025 took off Tuesday morning from the Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport with local veterans and their guardians bound for Washington—D.C.; veterans returned Tuesday night around 9:30 p.m. and community members gathered at the airport with free shuttle service offered from the CEFCU parking lot. WMBD
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A house fire on April 1 in rural Spring Bay killed a woman and a dog inside the building and injured two men and a firefighter—authorities say the injured men were later treated at a hospital while investigators look into the cause. WCBU
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, April 1 at about 12:49 a.m., Peoria Police responded to a fight on the 2700 block of W. Malone when reports indicated a man was armed—officers spotted 31-year-old Albert A. Smolley fleeing on foot and after a brief chase arrested him—recovering a handgun with an extended magazine near him. City of Peoria
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria series will bring multiple Tony Award-winning musicals to Peoria for 2025-2026. The lineup includes The Book of Mormon on Dec 2 and Dec 3, Hadestown on Jan 6 and Jan 7, Les Misérables from Feb 10 to Feb 15, Mrs. Doubtfire on Mar 10 and Mar 11, and Beetlejuice from May 5 to May 7 with season memberships now on sale. Pekin Daily Times
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ James Shadid began his first day as president of Bradley University on Tuesday — a 1979 graduate and former federal judge approved by the Board on March 12 — and said he is eager to work with the university community to boost learning opportunities and student success. A welcoming event for Shadid will take place next week at Renaissance Coliseum. WMBD
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Voters in Peoria cast ballots yesterday in the consolidated local elections to choose a new mayor, city council, and several local boards — polls were open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. — after months of campaigning. WMBD
- ➤ Peoria voters kept their current leaders — Mayor Rita Ali won another term by a 60–40 vote margin and several council races were decided by narrow margins — after Tuesday's election. Washington voters elected new mayor Lilija Stevens, who beat Michael Brownfield and approved a $23 million bond for a new Lincoln Grade School building. WMBD
- ➤ Former city councilman Jim Montelongo was elected by voters as Peoria's new city treasurer — he will manage fee collections and serve as chair of the firefighters pension board. He replaces Chester Chet Tomczyk, who was appointed in August 2024 following Stephen Morris's resignation. 25 News Now
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Exhibition: Capturing Light with Bennett Johnson and Jim Scheller
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Contemporary Art Center of Peoria Illinois — Free entry — Explore dynamic reflections and shadows through the lens of Bennett Johnson and the glass artistry of Jim Scheller.
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Beachy Gnome Clay Class
4:30-6:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45 — Create a whimsical beach gnome while learning hand-building clay techniques in a fun workshop.
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That Arena Rock Show
7-9:30 p.m. — TempleLive at the Peoria Scottish Rite — Check ticket pricing — Experience the ultimate tribute to classic rock anthems from the 70s and 80s.
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Swiss-German Springfest
12-8 p.m. — Avanti’s Event Center — Free admission — Celebrate spring with German food, music, and entertainment featuring Eddie Korosa and more.
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Pick Your Project Open Studio
10 a.m. — Art at the Bodega — Cost varies by project — Unleash your creativity at this DIY art studio with a variety of projects to choose from.
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Clay Wreath Hand Building Class
5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35 — Craft a personalized ceramic wreath using creative slab-building techniques.
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Fused Glass Retro Squares Workshop
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Class fee applies — Unleash your creativity in a hands-on glass fusing workshop for all skill levels.
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Pick Your Project Open Studio
11 AM-4 PM — Art at the Bodega — Cost varies — Unleash your creativity with DIY projects like pottery and glass art in a welcoming studio atmosphere.
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Open Studio Creative Time
11 AM – 4 PM — Art at the Bodega — Cost varies by project — Unleash your creativity with pottery, glass, and canvas art at a DIY studio atmosphere.
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Personalized Beer Stein Crafting Class
4:30-6 p.m. — The Clay Den — Not specified — Craft your own unique beer stein in this personalized hand-building class.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Peoria
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