Good morning, Peoria.

On Sunday, around 20 people from the Peoria Area Young Adult Social Meetup gathered at East Peoria Panera Bread to remove trash and recycle as part of their effort to keep the neighborhood clean.

They regularly hold meetups — including board game nights on Thursdays and chess club meetings on Mondays — to foster friendships and community support.

On September 14, 1965, a tornado with 150 mile per hour winds struck Norwood and Peoria’s southside, damaging Norwood School, the Coca-Cola plant, Hiram Walker, Belwood Nursing Home and several homes while injuring 30 people, and it moved into East Peoria before ending near Washington to mark the 60th anniversary of Peoria’s most destructive tornado.

The community gathered at 3300 Event Center in North Peoria on Sunday afternoon to honor local musician Pete Ramsey, who died in a car crash on July 12 and left behind his wife and three children.

Revel in Red and other artists performed while bandmate Brian Carroll said the memorial concert raised a significant amount of money for Ramsey’s family — showing a strong outpouring of local support.

Peoria City Council approved a letter of intent for an $11 million donation from the Hengst Foundation to build a 5,000-seat riverfront amphitheater between the Murray Baker Bridge and the River Plex—officials say a formal agreement will be signed soon and construction will start early next year, with the project opening in 2027 after 12 to 18 months of work.

Former Gov. Jim Edgar died Sunday from complications related to treatment for pancreatic cancer he disclosed in February—he was 79.

He spent decades in Illinois government, serving as governor from 1991 to 1999 and was celebrated for his bipartisan work including funding the state library in Springfield.

The Peoria-area IHSA football schedule for Week 4 lists high school games that will take place on Friday and Saturday, including Peoria High at Manual at 7 p.m. at Peoria Stadium — other matchups involve teams such as Richwoods and Peoria Notre Dame at various local fields.

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.

Woofstock 2025

12-4 p.m. — Kickapoo Sportsman's Club — $20/ticket (Kids 12 and under free) — Enjoy a groovy outdoor concert with food trucks and live music while supporting animal rescue.

Faux Stained Glass Workshop

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $50 — Create your own shimmering faux stained glass masterpiece using colorful crushed glass and resin.

Contemporary Art Center Evening

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Contemporary Art Center of Peoria Illinois — Free entry — Explore contemporary art in a vibrant community setting.

Peoria Symphony Orchestra: Titanic Score Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Peoria Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the emotional depth of Titanic's iconic score performed live by an orchestra.

Simply Haunting Acrylic Painting Workshop

1:30-4 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — All supplies provided — Create a spooky autumn-themed acrylic painting in a fun, guided workshop.

Chonda Pierce Live

7-8:30 p.m. — Five Points Washington — VIP $70.43, Non-VIP $25 — Enjoy an evening of laughter and real talk with Chonda Pierce's signature humor.

Poison Apple Mug Clay Hand Building Class

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — Cost information not provided — Create a spooky Poison Apple Mug in this fun Halloween clay class.