The East Peoria City Council is considering the implementation of a business district.

Spring is a time when people sigh with relief and shed off their winter coats.
The flowers are beginning to bloom, the skies are beginning to clear, and the earth is beginning to turn green with rebirth.

Many people probably do not even realize that today is Earth Day.

The East Peoria Festival of Lights is too expensive as a gift to the community.

East Peoria residents will face some tough referendum questions in the April 7 election — one regarding a new library building, and the other about a countywide sales tax increase for schools.
If the one-cent sales tax is approved for the schools, it could generate more than $11 million throughout the county. Proceeds of the tax can only be used for facility-related expenditures or to support bonds.

By now, most of you have heard about the library’s future plans for a new facility at the East Peoria 2010 site. Perhaps you’ve talked to a staff member or one of the board members about this project. On April 7, 2009, there will be a question on the ballot asking for community support to issue $7 million in bonds for the construction of a new library facility.

While we admit it is a hard sell with today’s economy, we still think a new library building is needed.

I learned something new yesterday while taking an online training course for my job.

I am now federally protected from age discrimination since I am 40.

The letter “e” cost me from seeing President Barack Obama give his speech Feb. 12 in East Peoria.

I had always wanted to visit a psychic, but was just a bit too scared and skeptical to find out what the illustrious crystal ball held inside for me.

This past week has produced some lovely days — a preview of spring. The snow is melting and birds are singing. People were seen riding motorcycles over the weekend and walking outside without a coat.

Local cartoonist Brian Niedermeier provides his take on former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

On Jan. 23, an event took place to honor volunteers for the Festival of Lights in East Peoria. This event takes place annually to highlight the work of those volunteers who make the month-long annual event possible.

As the 96th General Assembly begins, it seems some things never change. The Democrats in control want to take more of your hard-earned money. Their latest insult to taxpayers is a plan to raise the state gas tax. At a time when the economy is down and people are struggling to pay their bills, the powers that be in Springfield think you should pay more for gas.

From "bad boy" Rod Blagojevich to the economy to crazy shoppers, local editorial cartoonist, Brian Niedermeier portrays what is happening in the news with his drawings.