Gov. Quinn signs bill transferring Wildlife Prairie Park to private ownership

Looking out over the prairie, it appeared that even the buffalo and deer and those noisy geese had come to watch what was a festive occasion Saturday at Wildlife Prairie Park.

Many of the animals were just below the deck where Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill officially transferring ownership of the park back into private hands, to the Forest Park Foundation.

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Bustos wants to restore Pell grant flexibility

U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos on Thursday introduced legislation that would return flexibility to college students who rely on Pell grants for tuition assistance.

Bustos, the 17th District Democrat from East Moline, said the bill, which she titled the "Access to Education and Training Act," will allow those students access to Pell grant assistance year-round instead of just during fall and spring semesters.

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No bull! Dozer Park chosen for stadium name

There may soon be large Caterpillar machinery parked in the concourse at the downtown baseball stadium, replacing the autos that once stood there.

That's because the stadium is now known as Dozer Park, an homage to the Caterpillar bulldozer and its historic meaning to the community and the company that makes it and now owns the naming rights to the stadium.

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Balloon launch to commemorate birth mothers

The skies throughout central Illinois will be filled with balloons beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday when the Center for Youth and Family Solutions commemorates the sacrifices of birthmothers who placed children in adoption.

The inaugural Birthmother's Day Balloon Launch will occur simultaneously in seven...

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The Band is Together Again, local tourism is benefitting

During the first four months of 2013 the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has already book 56 events into the region that will bring an estimated $5.2 million to the local economy.

And there are a whole lot more possibilities that could be booked soon.

It's no wonder Don Welch and his staff at the Convention and Visitors Bureau say they have "got the band back together" and in a celebratory mood.

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Riverfront Museum restructures operations

A restructuring of operations at the Peoria Riverfront Museum that took effect last week was done so the facility and its staff can best serve their clients, the public, museum CEO Jim Richerson said Tuesday.

The restructuring, which included the elimination of some positions — four gone, two created for a net change of two fewer positions — and the merging of two departments, will improve effectiveness and efficiency while bringing...

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A more secure Race for the Cure

The sea of pink wrought by the 10,000-plus participants in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this Saturday won't be surprising; it's common on the day before Mother's Day.

What will seem different this year will be the presence of security as the Race kicks off for the 28th consecutive year from the Metro Centre...

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Deal to restructure stadium debt approved

A plan to refinance Peoria's professional baseball stadium was approved Tuesday by the Peoria City Council.

With only at-large Councilman Gary Sandberg dissenting because of his disapproval of using taxpayer money to bail out private business, the council voted 9-1 to forgive the remaining $1.2 million the stadium owners owe for bonds the city issued 12 years ago to pay for infrastructure around the downtown ballpark. The city will end...

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