Collin Schopp

2 days ago | nprillinois.org | Collin Schopp

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria says he was "shocked” and “surprised” to receive the news of the death of Pope Francis Monday morning. The Argentina-born pope, the first non-European to hold the position in more than 1,000 years, Monday morning after a public Easter appearance on Sunday. He was 88 years old. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was elected pope in 2013, following the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

2 days ago | nprillinois.org | Collin Schopp

OSF HealthCare’s Innovator of the Year is performing an operation to save limbs with animal tissue at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Dr. Eric Martin is the OSF Saint Francis chief of vascular surgery. He alsois the medical director of Regenerative Services. In that role, Martin performs an operation combining xenograft, using tissues from animals, with allograft, tissues from humans.

3 days ago | wcbu.org | Collin Schopp

The Murray Baker Bridge in Peoria will be down to just one lane for the next three nights as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) washes the bridge. According to IDOT, one lane on the bridge carrying Interstate 74 over the river will be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday night through Wednesday night. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time for any trips through the area. They should also consider alternate routes to avoid the work area if possible.

1 week ago | wcbu.org | Collin Schopp

The Peoria-based nonprofit JOLT Harm Reduction is recovering after a vandalism incident Tuesday night. According to JOLT CEO Chris Schaffner, a car of four men stopped abruptly in front of the organization’s Sheridan Road location around 7 p.m. and began firing paintball guns at their front windows. Schaffner says one of the organization’s participants was in the line of fire and left with bruises. “My building can be fixed and painted and wiped down,” said Schaffner.

1 week ago | wcbu.org | Collin Schopp

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says there’s no concerns for nearby residents and businesses after a reported vandalism incident released thousands of gallons of water from a Peoria Disposal Company landfill. The reported vandalism at the landfill on West Southport Road occurred sometime late last week. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office said a landfill employee reported a break-in, damage to a chain-link fence and opened drainage valves last Friday.