Good morning, Peoria.

Rain postponed the annual Jon Buckley Memorial Garden fundraiser from Sunday behind the RiverPlex in downtown Peoria, but Yolanda Wallace said the event will be rescheduled to give grieving families a chance to plant flowers, engrave names and reflect at the memorial garden.

A new $4 million Tazewell County Animal Control facility opened yesterday on the Tremont campus, doubling the old space and featuring a modern ventilation system to improve care for up to 95 dogs and 35 cats, with low-cost veterinarian services planned by 2028.

Peoria Riverfront Museum will represent Illinois with a pavilion on the National Mall at the Great American State Fair beginning Thursday.

President John Morris said the exhibition features a hologram box and historic stories about Illinois (including skyscrapers and rich farmland) and stressed there is no partisan intent.

Gas prices in Peoria fell 13.5 cents over the past week to about $4.24 a gallon—a drop of more than 60 cents from a month ago—as drivers still face a price gap of over a dollar compared to slightly lower national rates.

East Peoria officials launched a new emergency notification system called Hyper-Reach today to deliver alerts—like severe weather and road closures—to cell phones and Alexa devices.

Residents can sign up by texting Alert to 309-204-9700 or by visiting the city's website.

The Missouri Valley Conference will host its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in St. Louis from March 3 to March 7 next year under the new Arch Madness format that rewards top seeds with semifinal byes.

MVC Commissioner Jeff Jackson said the change creates a larger stage for student-athletes.

Space Explorers Kids Pottery Summer Camp

9 AM – 12 PM — The Clay Den — $135 — Blast off into creativity with a fun 3-day pottery camp exploring outer space themes through clay.

Plant Bingo Painting Party

6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $10 Ticket — Enjoy a creative twist on bingo with real plant prizes and a pottery painting session.

Date and Create: A Clay Hand Building Date Night

5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — Ticket price includes materials and a charcuterie plate — Enjoy a creative evening making clay projects together in a fun, hands-on setting.

Stained Glass Foundations: Beginner Workshop

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Art at the Bodega — $85 — Create your own stained glass masterpiece in a fun, hands-on class suitable for all skill levels.

Desk and Porch Goose Night

1-3 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $10 general admission or $75 for a large porch goose — Paint your own trendy desk or porch goose with a variety of designs.

Beginner Wheel Throwing Course

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $285 — Get hands-on in this 6-week pottery class perfect for beginners crafting functional pieces like mugs and bowls.

Kids Wheel Pottery Summer Camp

9 AM – 12 PM — The Clay Den — Cost details unavailable — A fun 3-day camp where kids learn pottery wheel techniques and create their own clay pieces.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers vs. Peoria Chiefs

6:35-10:35 p.m. — Dozer Park — Tickets start at $33 — Enjoy a night of minor league baseball action in Peoria.

Star-Spangled Gnome Workshop

4-5:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45 — Create your own unique patriotic gnome from clay in this fun, hands-on workshop.

Clay Planter Hand-Building Workshop

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — Fees applicable — Build your own beautiful and functional clay planter while learning hand-building techniques.