Local News

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - On the third anniversary of Illinois' cashless bail law, some central Illinois legislators are calling for major changes, or for it to be repealed. The SAFE-T Act was implemented on Sept. 18th, 2023. The aim of the bill was to have a judge determine the risk of an individual when considering whethe...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As fall harvest gets into full swing across Central Illinois, you are going to see a lot more heavy farm equipment, combines, and tractors moving between fields on local roads and highways. Illinois State Police are urging drivers and farmers to stay alert and share the road safely to prevent crash...

Article Summary Illinois has reduced its carbon footprint 32% since 2005, but more steps are needed to meet the goal of "net zero" emissions by 2050. The report calls for significant new investments in electric vehicles and energy efficiency, along with regulations on industry and residential development. The...

PEORIA, Ill. - "The Track Chair is essentially when a Caterpillar tractor and a wheelchair have a baby." That's how Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill described the new devices that debuted at Forest Park Nature Center on Friday. The Track Chair is a vehicle that looks like a power wheelchai...

PEORIA, Ill. - Two Peoria hospitals are merging under one banner. Carle Health Methodist and Proctor Hospitals are uniting together to operate as one hospital with two campuses on November 1st. Proctor will be renamed to Carle Health Methodist Hospital - Proctor Campus. In a statement, Carle says there will be no impac...

PEKIN, Ill. (25 News) - Keith Brackett, who is accused of murdering 13-year-old Robert Bee of Pekin a decade ago, will be back in court October 1 for a review detention hearing. The review will be followed by a status hearing on November 23. Investigators say Brackett and Bee were friends, despite their age difference,...

PEORIA, Ill. - If you're looking for something fun to do with the family-and your dog-head out to Kickapoo this Sunday. SAMS Rescue is hosting Woofstock 2026. "We have live music. This year, it's at Kickapoo Sportsman's Club on Rt. 150, just past the town of Kickapoo. We're going to have it rain or shine," SA...

Article Summary Over a dozen U.S. citizens and legal residents submitted administrative complaints to the Department of Homeland Security for alleged harms committed by agents amid Operation Midway Blitz, attorneys representing them announced Thursday. The complaints are the first step in the process of eventually fili...

By Jack Bozikis PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - Bradley University has launched a new Media Engagement Lab aimed at giving students hands-on experience with the data and analytics increasingly used across the communications industry. The lab officially launched this week and is designed to support classroom learning while hel...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Fewer Illinoisans were looking for work last month, but the state's job market is still showing signs of a slowdown. State labor data released Thursday shows the Illinois unemployment rate fell to 4.7% in August-down two-tenths of a point from July. However, total payroll jobs dropped by 4,400 acros...

PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - A man accused of sex crimes against a 13-year-old has had his trial continued to the end of October. Alfred Cohoon appeared for a scheduling conference in the Peoria County Courthouse Thursday morning, requesting a continuance for addition time to view sensitive discovery in the state's attorne...

PEORIA, Ill. - A Peoria Fire investigator is citing arson as the cause of a garage fire Thursday morning. Peoria Fire crews responded to the two-stall garage fire in the area of Thrush and Sheridan at around 8:30 A.M. The fire was put out within five minutes. The fire was contained to just the garage and didn't affect...

LACON, Ill. - A Lacon restaurant is honoring one of their servers who died this week with a fundraiser for her family. Samantha Hobbick of Chillicothe worked at Wildey's Country Diner as a server. She passed away on Monday after a two-vehicle crash near Rome. Wildey's General Manager NaTashia Boyer called Hobbick a &q...

LINCOLN, Ill. - The old Lincoln College campus is getting a fresh start. A local benefactor bought the historic property specifically to bring new jobs and economic growth back to Lincoln. Now, they're offering dollar-a-year leases to help businesses and non-profits expand. Lincoln Economic Advancement & Developm...

PEORIA, Ill. - A former softball coach in Woodford and Tazewell Counties that was accused of sexually abusing a former player has died. 45-year-old Jason Rockhold passed away early Thursday morning at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria. HIs death was confirmed by Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood, as well as Rockhold's atto...

By Jack Bozikis PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) - Hundreds of millions of dollars in road, bridge, and public transportation projects are planned across the Peoria area over the next four years as a regional transportation plan nears final approval. The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission's Metropolitan Planning Organizati...

PEORIA, Ill. - A fire broke out at a house on Vine Street in Peoria late Wednesday afternoon, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage, but everyone made it out safe. Crews arriving on Vine Street found heavy smoke pouring from the home. They rushed inside, tackling flames on both the lower and upper levels while...

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - Taste of the Heights returns to Prospect Road's restaurant row Thursday night. The Chamber's Val Swearingen says over 20 food and drink vendors are participating in the event, with a majority of them being Peoria Heights businesses. The others are from the Peoria area. "You are free to walk ...

PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. (25 News) - The no-stalking case against the former Creve Coeur deputy police chief has been continued for two weeks. Former deputy police chief Dan Nelson represented himself while the other party had an attorney. Both agreed for a continuance to have time for a fully negotiated agreement. Both wil...

PEORIA, Ill. - The Peoria Public Schools board needs a couple more weeks to begin crafting a new strategic plan. The board tabled a contract with K12 Coalition to develop and see through a new five-year plan. The services would be a one-year contract for $32,500, with donations covering $9000 of that amount, and the r...