Daily
Peoria
Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Good morning, Peoria. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 12th of April.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Peoria's Doug Oberhelman Caterpillar Visitors Center will host a free centennial celebration on April 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will feature food trucks, live music, museum displays and activities like virtual rides and an antique tractor walk — all planned to mark 100 years since Caterpillar's founding. Pekin Daily Times
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Transportation said that the third round of explosives will demolish a portion of the old eastbound McClugage Bridge on U.S. 150 on April 16 when roads close at 9:30 a.m. and final safety checks are completed. A security perimeter on land and water will be set up to keep onlookers clear — this blast is one of eight detonations planned for the bridge project. WMBD
- ➤ Former Peoria city councilmember Denise Moore is taking over as CEO of the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity amid a period of leadership turnover and a police investigation into alleged theft. She is expected to stabilize the nonprofit that distributes roughly $23 million annually to households needing help with energy, childcare, and more. Peoria Journal Star
- ➤ At a budget meeting on Wednesday, Village Trustee Tim Carol proposed replacing the long-standing volunteer fire department with paid firefighters, sparking strong opposition from fire chiefs and residents who relied on nearly 30 volunteers answering around 900 calls a year. Fire chiefs and Mayor Leon Ricca said they prefer to keep the volunteer system with paid on-call shifts, and no vote on the proposal will take place next week—leaving the plan in limbo. WMBD
- ➤ The USPS will keep local mail processing in Peoria and invest $8.8 million in upgrading the facility—adding better lighting, new bathrooms, and expanded distribution—after initial plans to shift jobs to Bedford Park stirred local criticism. Local lawmakers and postal workers welcomed the decision and said it will help maintain service quality and secure good jobs. Peoria Journal Star
- ➤ On Thursday night, the Peoria County Board approved a $625,000 settlement payment (its half of a $1.5 million deal) to the Heidelberg family, closing a decades-long legal battle over Cleve Heidelberg’s case. One board member voted no while another was absent, and the decision followed a similar approval by the Peoria City Council. WCBU
- ➤ Tazewell County Board rejected a cheaper two-story design and approved a $44 million plan for a new three-story justice center annex in Pekin — a 79,000-square-foot facility that will house criminal courts and offices — with construction to begin this summer and completion set for late 2026. WCBU
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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.
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Crushed Glass Butterfly Resin Workshop
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $40 for each piece — Create a stunning crushed glass butterfly art piece while enjoying snacks and drinks.
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Wheel Throwing Pottery Class
5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — $15 per additional piece — Experience a fun pottery class perfect for all skill levels and take home your creations.
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Cedar Rapids Kernels vs. Peoria Chiefs
2:05 – 6:05 p.m. — Dozer Park — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling Minor League Baseball game between the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Peoria Chiefs.
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Fused Glass Plant Stakes Workshop
6-8 p.m. — Sucre Sweets and Socials — Ticket includes drinks and treats — Create colorful glass plant stakes in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
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Matisse-Inspired Floral Acrylic Painting Class
5:30-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Prices vary — Create a stunning Matisse-inspired masterpiece on a wood canvas with guided artistic assistance.
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Highland Cow Planter Workshop
4:30-6 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create your own charming clay planter with expert guidance and take home a plant to bring it to life.
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Taylor Swift Painting Night
5:30-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $13 entry — Jam to Taylor Swift hits while creating your own art project in a fun environment.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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