State Farm CEO challenges business to step up on education
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- Published on Friday, 08 February 2013 15:10
- Written by Paul Gordon
Business in the United States is in trouble if education doesn't keep up with its needs so this country can continue to compete, the chairman of State Farm Insurance said in Peoria on Friday.
OSF says Methodist lawsuit 'without merit'
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- Published on Friday, 08 February 2013 14:26
- Written by The Peorian
The antitrust lawsuit filed Wednesday by Methodist Medical Center against OSF Healthcare System-Saint Francis Medical Center is without merit, OSF said Friday after its officials had been able to digest the claims in the filing.
In a news release from James G. Farrell, senior vice president of marketing and communication, OSF Healthcare said it is confident it has "fully complied with all antitrust laws and regulations while providing...
Pension worries claim a good educator
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- Published on Wednesday, 19 December 2012 13:41
- Written by Paul Gordon
Randy Simmons has pretty much had it with politics. As a result, a fine local educator is leaving the public school arena on Friday, the last day of classes in 2012 for District 150.
As much as he cares for the well being of students, enough so he didn't fight a job change two years that resulted in what some believed was a demotion, Simmons believes retiring now is his best chance of keeping his own future and that of his family secure.
Methodist files anti-trust suit against OSF
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- Published on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 18:07
- Written by Paul Gordon
Methodist Medical Center has filed an antitrust lawsuit against its cross-town competitor, OSF Healthcare System-Saint Francis Medical Center.
In the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Peoria by Methodist's parent company, Methodist Health Services Corp., the medical center alleges that OSF...
South Side may be in line for fresh start
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- Published on Thursday, 13 December 2012 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
Establishing TIF district may lead to new name
The City of Peoria, which is considering a new tax increment financing district to encompass a large portion of the South Side, may rename the area to help it get a fresh start.
The city is asking the public not only to read the draft of the South Side TIF District Redevelopment Plan but also to vote on one of name proposed names for the district.
Voting...
More change on the riverfront?
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- Published on Friday, 18 January 2013 17:42
- Written by Paul Gordon
Already we've some major changes lately along the riverfront downtown, with the opening of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center.
But we may also soon see changes at a smaller, but no-less-significant building — changes that could be significant in terms of the local economy as well as for activities.
Cat maintains cash dividend
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- Published on Wednesday, 12 December 2012 15:17
- Written by The Peorian
Caterpillar Inc. will maintain its quarterly cash dividend of 52 cents a share of common stock, the company's board of directors voted Wednesday.
The board further voted to accelerate the payout date, making the dividend payable Dec. 31 to shareholders of record at the close of business Dec. 24, Caterpillar said in a news release.
OSF to sell Saint Clare Home
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- Published on Friday, 18 January 2013 15:26
- Written by The Peorian
The Board of Directors of OSF Healthcare System will sell OSF Saint Clare Home to Petersen Health Care, OSF announced.
Petersen is a Peoria-based company that operates long-term care facilities in communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. Petersen Health Care is an expert in the provision of long-term care and has many years of service operating such facilities.
In a communication to residents of Saint...
Virtual reality enters the OR
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- Published on Tuesday, 11 December 2012 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
System being developed in Peoria will train surgeons; Peoria NEXT grant will help further research
A Peoria start-up company, VirtuSense Technologies, is quickly becoming cutting edge. Literally.
The company, a spinoff of Bradley University and Peoria Robotics, is developing virtual reality technology that will be used to train surgeons and emergency physicians in performing surgery while providing...
Setting VITAL goals called key to economic growth
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 January 2013 17:18
- Written by Paul Gordon
Manufacturing jobs are returning to the United States and central Illinois is in a great position to grab its share of those and other jobs, an economic development strategist said Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Morton Economic Development Council.
But the region also must keep abreast of economic trends and transform itself into the type of area that can attract quality workers from all over the world, said Frank Knott, president...
OSF Stroke Center earns national designation
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- Published on Monday, 10 December 2012 16:19
- Written by The Peorian
The Illinois Neurological Institute's Stroke Center at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has been named a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
It is only the second center in the United States to earn this prestigious designation and the first in Illinois and the Midwest, according to OSF Healthcare.
Established in 1995 under the direction of Dr....
The Levee District
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- Published on Wednesday, 09 January 2013 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
New East Peoria downtown named The Levee District
After sifting through 264 possible names for the new East Peoria downtown then narrowing those to just six, the choice ended up being rather logical, Mayor Dave Mingus said.
Considering his city has for years...
Cancer center gets design recognition
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- Published on Monday, 10 December 2012 15:47
- Written by The Peorian
The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently awarded the new Cancer Research Center and entrance at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) an Honorable Mention at its annual Design Awards event.
With public-private collaboration and support, the Cancer Research Center at UICOMP completed a $13 million expansion project in December, 2011. Architects for the project were from Peoria-based...
More fiscal cliffs await
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- Published on Monday, 07 January 2013 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
Chamber of Commerce leadership not optimistic about fiscal integrity at state or federal levels 
Leaders from the U.S. and Illinois...
Cat unveils 2013 Sprint Cup car
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- Published on Wednesday, 05 December 2012 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
Driver Jeff Burton and team owner Richard Childress show the 2013 Chevrolet SS at Cat Visitors Center 
NASCAR racing team owners are still awaiting word on what the final rules package will be for the 2013 season, which begins in February in Dayton.
But...
Converting weeds into fuel
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 January 2013 14:17
- Written by Kate O'Hara
Ag Lab Chemists Finding Good Uses for Pennycress and Other Crops
From quiet fields to high powered jet fuel, there is a new “field to flight” path being created for redesigned camelina, mustard, and rapeseed/canola crops.
Led by a scientist at the Peoria Ag Lab, the research project is part of a broad effort to use renewable resources in gaining American energy independence. It is funded by a $7 million grant...
'Architect' Rove to be Washington Day speaker
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- Published on Friday, 30 November 2012 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
GOP campaign leader and former Bush advisor will speak at Creve Coeur Club event on Feb. 22
Karl Rove, credited with leading George W. Bush to back-to-back presidential election victories in 2000 and 2004, will speak at the Creve Coeur Club's George Washington Day Banquet in February.
Rove, who earned the nickname "the architect" for those Bush victories, also spent time...
Selling love: Florists
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 January 2013 09:57
- Written by Paul Gordon
Styles May Change Frequently, but Flowers Always Equate to Love and Other Emotions
One day a certain type of flower may be popular but be out of style the next day, silk may become hotter than fresh or bouquets may go from tight and rather plain to loose and colorful.
But there is no mistaking that flowers are symbols of a variety of emotions, from love to grief and anything in between. Florists...
Shop small business on Saturday
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- Published on Tuesday, 20 November 2012 12:54
- Written by Paul Gordon
Small Business Saturday initiative continues to grow; area-wide collaboration lends support to the effort
Small Biz Saturday
We've had Black Friday for decades and Cyber Monday for many...
Selling love: Jewelry Whether It’s Flashy or Sedate, Jewelry Equals Love
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- Published on Tuesday, 01 January 2013 09:42
- Written by Paul Gordon
For decades, perhaps even centuries, men have known there is one gift item with which they can never go wrong: jewelry.
With few exceptions, the gift of jewelry equates to love and happiness, local jewelers said.
“We are selling happiness, no question about it,” said Bob Woolsey, co-owner of Jones...
OSF HealthCare may add Kewanee Hospital as affiliate
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- Published on Tuesday, 06 November 2012 14:10
- Written by The Peorian
Peoria-based OSF HealthCare is soon to add another Illinois hospital to what is already one of the largest integrated health systems in Illinois.
Kewanee Hospital has signed a letter of intent to affiliate with OSF HealthCare, the two entities said in a news release.
The partnership with OSF HealthCare would give Kewanee and the surrounding community access to more high-quality specialty care, close to home, the release said. ...
