Good morning, Peoria.

A house fire on Wednesday morning on Season Drive in East Peoria was brought under control in under seven minutes — firefighters rescued two people who were taken to a hospital and three pets with one sent to a veterinary hospital while the cause remains under investigation.

Tazewell County prosecutors charged 93-year-old James Pate with first-degree murder after he allegedly cut his wife Cheryl’s throat during an argument on Tuesday—Pate remains in custody while police continue to investigate the scene on South 14th Street.

School and police officials increased security at Limestone Community High School on Wednesday after an anonymous report with vague details raised concerns—officials later confirmed there was no credible threat to safety.

Yesterday, students at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center broke ground on a new outdoor learning space where children can play, dig, and learn from nature.

PNC Bank provided $70,000 to support the project and construction will occur in phases with the first phase due by the end of the month.

Experts say trees in Illinois will begin changing colors at the end of September, with northern and western areas reaching peak colors by the second week of October and central and southern areas following by the last week of October.

Residents may enjoy local views along Grand View Drive—an ideal spot to see the fall foliage.

The city of Peoria is accepting applications for its 2026 Roof Program Lottery to help low-income homeowners fix their roofs.

Applications will be processed online, by phone, or in-person at City Hall until October 1 at 2:00 p.m. — a lottery drawing is scheduled for October 7 at 10:00 a.m.

Peoria Heights' Board of Trustees approved a 1% grocery tax that will replace the state tax expiring later this year—village leaders expect it to generate about $125000 annually for essential services like water system repairs and fire protection, though one trustee warned it may burden working families and seniors.

The Peoria Police Department is now the first in the country to carry EpiPens—200 kits donated by Red Sneakers for Oakley allow each officer to carry one adult and one child dose during 15-minute roll call trainings.

Pending legislation called Gio’s Law in the House of Representatives may offer federal grants to expand the program nationwide.

Textured Pumpkin Clay Hand Building Class

5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — Cost included — Create your own unique ceramic pumpkin with various textures just in time for fall.

Pie Pan Clay Hand Building Class

5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $45.00 — Create a unique ceramic pie pan and choose your glaze before it’s fired for your next gathering.

Clay Hand Built Beer Steins Workshop

1-3 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials provided — Craft a custom beer stein and unleash your creativity in this fun workshop.

Morton Pumpkin Festival

7-10 p.m. — Morton Pumpkin Festival — Free entry — Enjoy the sweet twin sister harmonies of Kelly and Sarah at this community gathering.

Fused Glass Flower Dish Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $45 for flat flower, $52 for slumped flower — Create a stunning fused glass sunflower piece with guidance and all materials included.

Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting: Majestic Mountains

9 AM – 12 PM — Art at the Bodega — Supplies included — Unleash your inner artist while painting serene mountains and trees in a calming atmosphere.

Textured Clay Mug Hand Building Class

1-2:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35 for one mug, $60 for two — Craft your own unique textured mug in this fun, hands-on pottery workshop.

6 Week Wheel Throwing Class

6:30-8:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — $275 — Explore pottery fundamentals and create beautiful pieces in a hands-on wheel-throwing course.

Clay Hand Built Halloween Votives

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials provided — Create spooky votives in a fun Halloween-themed clay class.

Jurassic Quest

7 PM - 1:29 AM — Peoria Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience life-sized dinosaur exhibits and immersive activities for all ages.