Good morning, Peoria.

Peoria Park District unveiled new Track Chairs at Forest Park Nature Center; the chairs (powered by a joystick and track wheels) give people who cannot walk a safer way to ride the trails and will be available for rental starting Wednesday.

Woofstock 2026 will be hosted by SAMS Rescue on Sunday, Sept.

20 at Kickapoo Sportsman's Club on Rt. 150, featuring live music by West MacQueen Street Band from Noon to 4:00, food trucks, vendors, fun stations, and raffles that will benefit SAMS Shelter in Hanna City.

Three sisters recalled their warm memories of Father Sheen joining their family dinners while he served at St. Pat’s; he will be called 'Blessed' on Sept.

24 as his beatification nears, highlighting a cherished chapter in the local Catholic community.

The Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers visited the Journal Star office today to share their journey from Kansas City and explain how they hit the Hot Dog Highways while enjoying friendly roadside encounters (mostly with ketchup as their go-to topping).

Illinois unemployment dropped to 4.7% in August even as payrolls fell by 4,400, with most losses in education and health services — leisure, hospitality and construction saw modest gains.

State officials blamed federal trade policy uncertainty, noting overall growth remained at 0.2%.

Bradley University launched a Media Engagement Lab this week to give students hands-on experience with data analytics in communications.

The lab, led by Assistant Professor Sara Erlichman (program director), will support classroom learning and help students build skills for internships and full-time jobs.

Illinois EPA released a plan calling for new incentives for electric vehicles, building upgrades, and tighter industrial rules to cut emissions to net zero by 2050.

The report estimates these changes will yield $21 billion in yearly economic and health benefits.

Starting Nov. 1, Carle Health is uniting its Methodist and Proctor hospitals in Peoria to operate as one facility with two campuses; the Proctor location at 5409 N.

Knoxville Ave. will be renamed Carle Health Methodist – Proctor Campus, with no changes to staffing, appointments or insurance coverage.

Farmers are at work, and their combines stir up dust, pollen, and mold spores that may cause allergy flare-ups for sensitive residents.

Carle Health pulmonologist Ravi Kashyap advises checking daily pollen counts, wearing a pollen mask, and staying indoors when symptoms occur.

High school football scores for Week 5 were updated for Peoria and central Illinois.

Local teams including a Friday game at Peoria Stadium and a Saturday contest in South Fulton at 1 p.m. (today) continue to compete in the season.