Flags unfurled, people saluted and tears were shed as Lance Cpl. Robert “R.J.” Newton made his way home one last time.
Lead by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a hearse with a procession of more than 100 vehicles drove into East Peoria this afternoon.
Among national, state and local politicians, Kathy Perhay, a Sunnyland Merchant chairwoman, said it best: “Go Sunnyland!”
Perhay, of Tony and Son’s tire and auto repair, was one of many speakers Monday at a press conference at the East Peoria Event Center celebrating the completion of the Sunnyland portion of the Illinois Route 8 reconstruction project — which runs from east of Sunrise Avenue to west of Summit Street in East Peoria.
Every year for Father’s Day, East Peoria firefighter Dan Davidson said he asks his wife and children for a very special gift. He asks that they allow him to go to camp.
Starting in front of a small house on Holland Court in Creve Coeur and ending at the veterans’ monument in the center of town, 215 American flags line the route from where a local boy once lived to where now, as a fallen hero, he will be remembered.
A Peoria man was indicted Thursday by a Tazewell County grand jury for the alleged molestation of a 13-year-old East Peoria girl.
Jeffrey A. Adkinson, 34, of 2310 W. Marquette St., Peoria, was charged Friday in 10th Judicial Circuit Court with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, for the alleged Aug. 9 abuse of the child.
An arrest has been made in the connection with the Aug. 5 stabbing outside Kingsway Tavern.
Robert J.P. Lawrence, 28, of 223 Stewart St., was arrested about 9 p.m. Thursday for two counts of attempted first degree murder, according to the East Peoria Peoria Police Department.
A record number of ducks raced in the 22nd Annual Duck Race to benefit The Center for Prevention of Abuse presented by Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.
Taking place outside of Old Chicago on the riverfront Sunday, the event raised approximately $125,000 to put an end to abuse.
An arrest has been made in the connection with the Aug. 5 stabbing outside Kingsway Tavern.
Robert J.P. Lawrence, 28, of 223 Stewart St., was arrested about 9 p.m. Thursday for two counts of attempted first degree murder, according to the East Peoria Peoria Police Department.
THREE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
1. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with local leaders will announce the completion of the Sunnyland portion of the Illinois Route 8 reconstruction project and break ground on the East Peoria portion of the Route 8 reconstruction project and Summit Drive expansion.
Beginning in October, the pages of the East Peoria Times-Courier will be just a little narrower.
The East Peoria Times-Courier will be a more compact size, in keeping with the trend of newspapers across the country.
As incoming freshmen entered the halls of East Peoria Community High School last week, they were welcomed by a new program aimed at easing the transition into high school, and a mural to represent it all.
“I think it brightens up the hallway and makes it kind of unique for them,” said EPCHS art teacher Kristen Berry of the mural that she said is about 200 feet long.
The city has continued its quest to provide hiking and biking trails throughout town — this time along Camp Street.
After applying for a grant in 2007 through the Illinois Department of Transportation, the city council announced during its Aug. 17 meeting that it was awarded a $147,000 grant to help fund engineering work for the trail.
When asked about city clerk Berta Dinkins’ role in the city, many words and memories come to mind — 42 years of them, to be exact.
“She was the type of person who did an outstanding job but never drew attention to herself. She was unassuming,” said former Mayor Jim Ranney.
As Alex Roberts begins her senior year at East Peoria Community High School, she is already looking forward to Christmas break.
Above, students at East Peoria Community High School walk down the hallway last week in the new addition at the school.
“It’s going great,” said principal Paul Whittington of the students’ transition to the renovated area.
Jim Lehman of Eureka was the winner of $500 from TimesNewspapers.
Lehman’s name was selected in a contest drawing last week. TimesNewspapers sponsored a Locally Owned and Operated contest in July.
Lehman simply looked through our newspapers to find a special logo on certain locally owned and operated advertisements. He then submitted his answer on the form that was provided in the newspaper.
More than $1.3 million will be used to replace road signs around Central Illinois as part of a safety effort.
East Peoria will take the lead in distributing the federal money, which is part of the Highway Improvement Program, and funneled through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
East Peoria Community High School's band camp took place from Aug. 2 to 10 when the heat index reached into the 100s.
The marching band will present a “Tribute to The King, Elvis Presley” for their 2010 marching season.
Men, women and families impacted by military combat can often have a hard time adjusting to the changes they experience. What they may or may not know is that resources to help them cope with such changes are available and offered at many community colleges.
District 309 school board members passed a tentative budget of nearly $16.7 million for the 2010-11 school year at its meeting Monday night and learned the most pressing issue regarding the budget is timely state funding.
Currently, the state owes the district about $800,000, which will go toward the general fund account.
