Joe Deacon

3 days ago | wcbu.org | Joe Deacon

Two Regional Offices of Education serving Greater Peoria will co-host a literacy summit next week aimed at exploring methods to help students build their reading skills. The full-day professional development and networking event for K-12 educators from across Illinois will share innovative teaching strategies and evidence-based practices. Peoria County Regional Superintendent George McKenna says getting kids to read in the early school years is critical for development.

3 days ago | wcbu.org | Joe Deacon

Union firefighters in East Peoria have a new three-year contract with the city. The city council on Tuesday voted unanimously in approving the collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1498. The new contract runs through April 2028 and includes general wage increases of 3% in the first year and 2.5% in each of the following years.

4 days ago | wcbu.org | Joe Deacon

A Peoria attorney is facing a felony charge after attempting to cast two ballots in the April general election. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that a grand jury indicted Thorn Smith, 67, for voting more than once. According to prosecutors, Smith submitted a mail-in ballot in March. He also went to his polling place in person on April 1. An election judge told Smith he had received a mail-in ballot, but he signed a form indicating he did not already vote.

1 week ago | wcbu.org | Joe Deacon

George McKenna anticipates a smooth transition as he assumes leadership of the Peoria County Regional Office of Education. “I think the institutional knowledge that you get having worked in an organization is so incredibly important,” said McKenna, who begins his tenure as regional superintendent on June 1. The promotion comes after spending nearly a decade as assistant superintendent under the leadership of the retiring Beth Crider. “She’s been incredible for me to learn from.

1 week ago | wcbu.org | Joe Deacon

A traditional Peoria block festival is changing its location this year while its historic home street undergoes a major reconstruction. Organizers of the 44th annual Moss Avenue Sale are moving the event to the quad near Bradley University’s Founders Circle. The event featuring antiques, food and live music is scheduled for June 7, starting at 8 a.m. More than 100 vendors are signed up to participate. The sale is expected to return to the original location following the road construction.