Good morning, Peoria.

Peoria Riverfront Museum honored civil rights leader John H.

Gwynn Jr. on July 26 by displaying artifacts that show his long commitment to ending segregation and promoting equal opportunity. Family members and community leaders recalled his firm dedication to change—his work with the NAACP and local activism lives on in Peoria.

A Peoria-based developer purchased a stormwater facility on Court Street in Pekin for $100,000 — a low price due to the cost of relocating the facility — and plans to convert it into a retail site with three tenants.

Construction will begin next spring and is expected to generate about $230,000 in annual sales tax revenue for the city.

Dr. Robert Ballard, the famed oceanographer known for finding the Titanic wreckage 40 years ago, will visit Peoria this week as part of Bradley University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute series with a presentation at Renaissance Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday—he will also debut a traveling exhibit and lead a talk on Saturday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Bradley University was ranked 183rd best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report—it earned praise for its strong business and engineering programs and high value for cost-conscious families, and it was named the eighth-best in Illinois.

Bradley University enrolled 632 first-year students for the fall semester that began Aug.

27—down from 811 last year. The school planned a new three-year strategy to strengthen its regional presence and build new student pipelines amid market trends affecting enrollment.

The Peoria Public School Board reviewed plans from three vendors for new AI metal detectors at the high schools with costs ranging from $173,650 for Ceia Opengate to over $1 million for the Xtract One option.

They will vote on the contract at the Oct. 27 meeting—school board members also noted a need to expand safety measures to middle schools in future phases.

Peoria City Council approved giving City Manager Patrick Urich authority to bid up to $2 million for Expo Gardens at a foreclosure sale today.

City Attorney Patrick Hayes said the city will use a state appropriation and a short-term loan to cover costs—Mayor Rita Ali said funding is assured by DCEO.

Illinois issued new vaccine guidelines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV on Tuesday as the IDPH urged physicians to follow previous CDC schedules—Gov. Pritzker said the state is stepping up to ensure science-based vaccine access for adults, children and pregnant women.

The IESA baseball state finals will take place Sept.

26-27 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria—three local teams including Peoria Limestone Walters in Class 1A, Washington Middle School in Class 2A, and Morton Junior High in Class 3A will join a 24-team field. Tickets for Friday games will cost $8 and Saturday tickets will go on sale Friday.

Pekin junior Dylan Anderson, one of Peoria’s top high school football players, will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right knee in Week 2, and he was named as an all-area first-team and all-Mid-Illini Conference pick as a sophomore—his injury ends his promising play this season.

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.

Clay Hand Built Halloween Votives

5:30-7 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Craft spooky votives and embrace the Halloween spirit with creative clay fun.

Oynx the Sloth and Friends at the Bodega

12:30-3:00 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $45 — An EPIC adventure to create a sloth-themed mug while meeting various exotic animals including a real-life sloth.

Fused Glass Spider Dish Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Class fee not listed — Create a durable 6-inch spider dish perfect for Halloween décor.

Haunted Hill & a Glass to Fill

6:00-8:30 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Drink included — Create a spooky Halloween painting while enjoying a glass of wine.