Good morning, Peoria.

About 180 runners, 12 cooks, 23 vehicles, 3 vans, one bus and one trailer left Peoria Tuesday for the 44th annual St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run and have reached Memphis for meetings, a meal and tours before their 7:00 a.m. program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today.

The team will leave the hospital at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow and is set to return to Peoria Saturday afternoon while organizers hope to raise $1 million during the telethon.

A local band has launched a GoFundMe to raise $16,000 for the family of musician Pete Ramsey, who died in an early-morning, single-vehicle crash on July 12 near Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Missouri & the band plans to hold a memorial concert on Sept.

14 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria.

A fire in West Bluff on Monday night sent two adults and two children to the hospital for smoke inhalation as crews arrived just after 6 p.m. at a home near W.

Thrush Avenue and N. Sheridan Road where damage is estimated at $60,000—cause remains under investigation.

Two children aged 5 and 7 were pulled from the Mt. Hawley Country Club pool in Peoria on Monday around 7:45 p.m.—emergency responders performed CPR on the 5-year-old and took both children to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center while police investigate the incident.

Frank Abdnour, a longtime restaurant owner, will open Frank’s: Home of Frank’s Famous Italian Beef at 4408 N.

Prospect Road in August—this new carryout location will serve Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs and a few other items while operating Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. He returns to Peoria Heights to bring his popular flavors to his hometown.

UFS, a beloved Peoria store established in 1945, will leave its longtime Southwest Adams Street location for a more spacious site at Northpoint Shopping Center, promising improved parking and access.

The third-generation owner calls the move a fresh beginning and expects the new location to open in 2026 — with a holiday sale planned before the Adams Street store closes.

Peoria Police say they are searching for two suspects after a 59-year-old man was robbed early Tuesday morning near N.

Western and W. Rohmann Avenues—officers report the victim was thrown to the ground, had several items taken when one suspect displayed a gun, and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Two Peoria organizations are partnering to renovate up to seven single-family homes on the South Side to boost home ownership for low-income households.

The project is funded by a Health Equity Homeownership grant from the health department and is expected to strengthen local housing and community ties.

Wheel Thrown Chip and Dip Dish Class

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create a stylish chip and dip bowl from start to finish with no prior experience needed.

Clay Wreath Hand Building Class

5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35.00 — Create a personalized ceramic wreath using slab-building techniques in a fun and creative class.

Bread Pan Clay Hand Building Class

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — Cost included — Create a handmade bread pan using fun clay techniques and personalize it with your choice of glaze.

Tissue Box Clay Hand Building Class

12-2 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create your own custom tissue box cover in this fun and hands-on clay class.

Wheel Thrown Chip and Dip Dish Class

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create a stylish chip and dip bowl from scratch with no prior experience needed.

Jurassic Art Adventure

6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $10 event fee per painter — Unleash creativity with dino-themed pottery at this family-friendly paint night.

Faux Stained Glass Workshop

3-6 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $50 — Create your own shimmering faux stained glass masterpiece using colorful crushed glass and resin.

Paint with Highland Cows

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $20 entry — Enjoy a mini moo party with Highland Cows while creating your own pottery masterpiece.

Shut Up & Write! Peoria

6-7 p.m. — Dang Boba, Poke & Banh Mi — Free participation — Focus and write with fellow creatives in a supportive community environment.

Mushroom Fairy House Clay Hand Building Class

5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45 — Craft your own whimsical mushroom fairy house with step-by-step guidance and decorative flair.