Good morning, Peoria.

ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and Peoria County will host a First Fridays Amplified pop up luncheon on Friday, June 5 at Bicentennial Park and a 1 p.m. ribbon cutting at Courthouse Plaza to celebrate the park's reopening after renovations, with food trucks, entertainment, and free ice cream available while supplies last.

ALSAC has unveiled its new Central and Southern Illinois and Iowa office on West Commerce Street in Peoria on Wednesday.

The fundraising move keeps the team near community events such as St. Jude Runs and the annual telethon — honoring local volunteers like former mayor Jim Maloof.

FBI warned local Microsoft users about a new phishing scam targeting OneDrive, Teams, and Outlook that lets hackers bypass multi-factor authentication (using tools available for a fee) and urged Illinois residents to tighten their security settings.

On Thursday, May 28, 25News received three Edward R.

Murrow Awards for outstanding electronic journalism and is automatically advanced to the national competition; winners will be announced in August.

YANI Collective Juneteenth Fest will take place Saturday, June 13 at the Peoria RiverFront.

The festival will feature live music, dance, fashion, youth activities and wellness programming to celebrate Black culture and local creativity.

Peoria and Peoria County customers in the energy aggregation program will see electricity rates rise this summer from 9.3 to 10.7 cents per kilowatt-hour — while Ameren customers' rates jump from 11.2 to 13 cents, officials said as lower surplus power drives up costs during peak demand.

At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, officials clarified the amphitheater will be built at Festival Park.

The council approved funding for site work while a donation from the Hengst Foundation will cover construction, with the $11 million project set to open next year.

Following recent violence near local parks, the Peoria Park District Board announced plans to improve safety with staffing changes (including a mobile app to track park access), revised foot-traffic patterns, and an intergovernmental agreement with city leaders and police.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will close the Cedar Street Bridge starting Monday for repairs including joint replacement, deck patching, and electrical work.

The closure is expected to last until mid-to-late August — drivers should plan alternate routes across the river.

Tazewell County health officials discovered West Nile virus this week when a mosquito pool from Pekin tested positive, and they urge residents to use repellent and remove standing water (mosquitoes can travel two miles).

Leslie Rothan of the Peoria Area Association of Realtors said that although national 30-year mortgage rates climbed above 6.6 percent this week, properly priced homes are selling quickly in the area.

Buyers & sellers can work with reputable lenders or agents to find the right fit.

Halloween in May Clay Hand-Building Party

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45 — Celebrate Halloween early by sculpting your own spooky creation in this fun clay party.

Mosaic Pollinator Watering Dish

1-3 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Cost for the class not mentioned — Create a beautiful glass and pottery mosaic watering dish to attract butterflies and bees to your garden.

Mythical and Magical Creatures Kids Pottery Camp

9 AM – 12 PM — The Clay Den — Cost TBA — Discover the art of pottery by sculpting fantastical beasts and magical vessels.

Fun with Slime Workshop

1-2 p.m. — Fondulac District Library — Registration required — Get messy and create your own slime in this hands-on class for kids aged 5 to 14.

Gnome Clay Hand Building Class

4-6 p.m. — The Clay Den — Includes materials and guidance — Bring your imagination to craft your unique gnome from clay.

Fused Glass Cactus Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Studio credit policy applies — Create a unique fused glass cactus in this beginner-friendly workshop.

Toast Plates and Toaster Clay Hand Building Class

1-3 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create adorable toast-themed clay pieces in this fun workshop.

4th of July Gnome Planter Clay Hand Building Class

1-2:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $40.00 — Create a festive gnome planter using clay hand-building techniques to celebrate Independence Day.

Beginner Wheel Throwing Class

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $285 — Immerse yourself in pottery with a 6-week wheel-throwing course designed for beginners and skill refiners alike.

Paint Nite Creative Event

7-9 p.m. — Kickback On Fulton — $45 — Unleash your inner artist while sipping drinks and creating beautiful art with friends.

A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation

Direct from Off-Broadway and starring former World Irish Dance champions from productions like Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, A Taste of Ireland is a high-energy celebration of Irish music, dance, and storytelling that brings Ireland’s history to life with wit and heart. Featuring live singing and dancing, reimagined Irish classics, and electrifying tap battles, the show blends tradition and modern flair into an unforgettable night of Celtic entertainment.