The episode of violence at Illinois Central College’s WoodView Commons is serious.

The fact that this fight between two Peoria-based gangs started over a rap song is ridiculous.
But, it is not surprising.

It is a relief that some action is being taken to try to bring Sunnyland back to life.
Sunnyland, which some say does not exist because it is more of an area than an actual town, has been ignored for many years.

Driving skills are not only important in life, they are important to life.

A small error in judgment can cause a wreck or fatality, especially if speed and inexperience are factors.

I moved to East Peoria 15 years ago. A lot of good things have happened in that short amount of time. I have had three children. I’ve become active in my local church and schools. My husband has a successful position with the park district. I also became a member of our community’s Green Team over a year ago.

It is not uncommon to see domestic violence and sexual abuse in police reports, even in East Peoria.

Last week, police arrested 11 juveniles for curfew, a larger number than normal.
This means that juveniles, 16 and younger, were out past 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or past midnight Friday or Saturday.

The United States Constitution has long defended the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. However, anyone researching gun laws in the United States can easily see this is not a clear-cut issue with each state having its own version of “gun control.”

On Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. at Countryside Banquet Facility in Washington, the Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a meeting to showcase the draft corridors that resulted from the meetings of the Community Advisory Group.

Police have a certain protocol they follow in using force. If a person resists arrest or hits an officer, police are justified in using only the necessary force to get the person under control. Any abuse of this power leads one to believe an officer is out of control or even enjoys inflicting pain upon another person. If this is the case, the officer should resign.

After eight years of ridiculous rent prices, laundry tokens and jumping from one apartment to another, I moved into my first house exactly one year ago.

Local cartoonist Brian Niedermeier's cartoon this week shows East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus with a $26 million check for the Downtown 2010 project.

Who says nothing in life is for free?
In East Peoria, there is something for free.

I’ve been having nightmares this week. They are dreams of loss. In one, I lost my hiking shoes and was barefoot. I kept walking up and down the street, going to gas stations looking for them. In another, I had committed some type of crime and worried about the authorities closing in on me, knowing that I would soon lose my freedom.

It dawned on me that I am having these dream of loss due to the emotional week I’ve experienced.

Many people are likely feeling pinched this summer due to the economy. With many layoffs in Central Illinois, families may be feeling depressed about the fact they may not be able to afford a family vacation this year.

I will admit that I wasn’t feeling the most patriotic as I drove to the RiverFront Freedom Memorial the afternoon of July 4. It was pouring down rain.