Tracing Caterpillar's history through advertising

Caterpillar Inc.'s history in central Illinois is well-documented in books and pictures, newspaper and magazine stories and even in the machines people collect.

Mark Johnson, a retired Caterpillar marketing employee who is the current president of the Peoria Historical Society, has been documenting the company's history in a little different way: through the...

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East Peoria seeking an arts presence

The owner of the building on Globe Street in East Peoria that once housed the UAW Local 974 union hall could pretty much put anything he wants there. The building, a 10,000 square-foot, one-story structure, enjoys what he calls "the most liberal zoning the city has."

So what is the building owner, former East Peoria mayor Jeff Giebelhausen, going to put there? Why, art studios, of course. In fact, he envisions that building and the small...

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Mass, reception will conclude Catholic high school sesquicentennial

The Peoria Catholic Diocese will conclude its year-long celebration of Catholic secondary education in Peoria with a mass and reception Saturday afternoon.

A mass will be conducted at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 607 NE Madison Ave., at 4 p.m. Saturday. A catered reception will follow at the Spalding Pastoral Center at 419 NE Madison...

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Nothing common about Goodwill Commons

Walk into the new Goodwill Commons on War Memorial Drive and you will immediately be struck by how modern and professional the former Goodwill retail store looks.

With new flooring, paint, furniture and so forth, it is nothing like the warehouse-type facility it once was and what people using its services were used to.

That's the way it was planned, said officials of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, when discussing the...

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Get quacking! The 25th Annual Duck Race is here

Martha Herm said it's hard to believe it has been 25 years since the duck race to benefit the Center for the Prevention of Abuse began.

"I guess ducks fly when you're having fun," said Herm, the Center's executive director who has been there for all the previous races. "We had no idea when we started that the race would become what it has. It's has been wonderful."

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A taste of the judging of the Taste

With the Taste of Peoria still fresh on the palate, I thought now would be the perfect time to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the food judging that occurs just before the event. I myself am a judge and have been for the past three years. It’s a burden I will continue to shoulder as long as they continue to invite me back to eat free food.

The judging itself takes place in the Gateway Building. Around 50 judges of all sizes, shapes...

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LaHood named Distinguished Fellow at IPL, Bradley University

Ray LaHood, who served on President Barack Obama's cabinet after 14 years representing Peoria in Congress, was named the first Honorary Senior Distinguished Fellow for the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service at Bradley University.

LaHood, who recently stepped down as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, was the first Bradley graduate and first...

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10th Annual Maka Maka set for Thursday

When Maui Jim first proposed the Maka Maka Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising event for Peoria Friendship House the organizers estimated it would become a $25,000 event.

"We were thrilled with the $4,000 raised the first year. We couldn't fathom $25,000," said Laura Clark, vice president and chief administrative officer for Peoria Friendship...

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