Benjamin Fries

Peoria

Multimedia Journalist at WMBD-TV (Peoria, IL)

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Articles

Next Levee Park project phase approved by city council

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A splashpad will soon be built at Levee Park as part of the next phase of its development, with LED lighting and additional seating included. The city received an OSLAD grant, short for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, from the state which helps municipalities acquire or develop land to be used for public parks or open space. So far, the grant has been used to complete the canopy for the stage as well as purchase the spray equipment for the splashpad.
Impactful sports topics discussed at Steiner Symposium

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Bradley University event that discusses topics affecting sports happened Tuesday, giving students a chance to meet with prominent industry professionals. The Charley Steiner Symposium’s topics this year ranged from artificial intelligence to globalization to gambling and each of their impacts on the sports industry. One of the panelists was Miguel Agyei, who graduated from Bradley a few years ago and currently works for the Big Ten Network in Chicago.
Safety survey report for both Quest schools approved by PPS board

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A survey meant to identify the overall safety of the two former Quest Charter Academy school buildings was unanimously approved by the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education Monday night. It is a safety plan meant to cover the next ten years and is required by Illinois state law. PPS spokesperson Marjorie Kauth described it as a “routine review” and that no major safety issues were found.
WMBD Sports Recap: April 12, 2025

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Former Peoria Notre Dame basketball star Mya Wardle announced she will be transferring to Bradley, the school where her father Brian coaches the men’s basketball team. She spent one year with Eastern Kentucky where she was the first substitute off the bench. The former state champion will be a nice addition to a Braves women’s program that’s coming off its best season in four years. In baseball, Dunlap beat Normal West 8-1 in a Mid Illini vs Big 12 matchup.
WMBD Sports Recap: April 12, 2025

1 week ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Former Peoria Notre Dame basketball star Mya Wardle announced she will be transferring to Bradley, the school where her father Brian coaches the men’s basketball team. She spent one year with Eastern Kentucky where she was the first substitute off the bench. The former state champion will be a nice addition to a Braves women’s program that’s coming off its best season in four years. In baseball, Dunlap beat Normal West 8-1 in a Mid Illini vs Big 12 matchup.
Normal Fire Department honors one of their own

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

GRIDLEY, Ill. (WMBD) — A walkthrough was held Friday during the visitation for Normal probationary firefighter Ethan Jeffreys, a symbolic gesture meant to honor firefighters that have passed away. Normal firefighters were joined by those from the Bloomington Fire Department, McLean County Sheriff’s Office, and other fire and police agencies from across the county for the walkthrough.
Limestone and Dunlap win in Mid-Illini conference baseball

1 week ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In two Mid-Illini conference baseball games on Wednesday, Limestone beat East Peoria 3-0 and Dunlap beat Pekin 10-0. U-High traveled to Springfield and won 6-0 as well, thanks to some nice defense and timely hitting. To celebrate a historic boys basketball season, Peoria Christian honored the team with a truck ride from the Peoria Fire Department.
Peoria Rivermen kick off SPHL playoffs with depth and confidence

1 week ago | centralillinoisproud.com | Benjamin Fries |Patrick Cunningham

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Rivermen will begin the SPHL playoffs Thursday night as they prepare to defend their President’s Cup trophy against the rest of the league. They boast the league’s leading goal scorer in Jordan Ernst, who loves the team’s depth. “You can go up and down the line up too. There’s guys that will step up and you can rely on in different types of scenarios throughout the game,” he said.
WMBD Prep Sports Recap: April 9, 2025

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In two Mid-Illini conference baseball games on Wednesday, Limestone beat East Peoria 3-0 and Dunlap beat Pekin 10-0. U-High traveled to Springfield and won 6-0 as well, thanks to some nice defense and timely hitting. To celebrate a historic boys basketball season, Peoria Christian honored the team with a truck ride from the Peoria Fire Department.
The Rivermen look to repeat as SPHL champions

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Benjamin Fries

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Peoria Rivermen will begin the SPHL playoffs Thursday night as they prepare to defend their President’s Cup trophy against the rest of the league. They boast the league’s leading goal scorer in Jordan Ernst, who loves the team’s depth. “You can go up and down the line up too. There’s guys that will step up and you can rely on in different types of scenarios throughout the game,” he said.