Category Archives: Local News
NWS confirms additional tornadoes from Friday night's storms in Central IL
LINCOLN, Ill. - The National Weather Service in Lincoln continues to assess damage and tornadoes from severe storms on Friday, April 17. The NWS already confirmed EF-1 tornadoes in Marquette Heights a...
Apr 21, 2026 Midwest Communications
Hanna City man accused of diverting $100K+ from Bloomington-Normal Jimmy John's owner
By Howard Packowitz MCLEAN COUNTY, Ill. (25 News) - The company that runs Jimmy John's restaurants in Bloomington-Normal is said to be the victim of a massive theft and money laundering scheme, allege...
Apr 21, 2026 51-year-old Jason Simerly of Hanna City (25 News--McLean County Sheriff's Office)
Peoria Chief of Police reflects on time in River City as retirement looms
PEORIA, Ill. - The soon-to-be retiring Chief of Police says there will always be a special place in his heart for the city of Peoria. On Monday, Chief Eric Echevarria announced that he was retiring on...
Apr 20, 2026 Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria in the WMBD Radio Studios. (1470 & 100.3 WMBD--Julia Bradley)
UPDATE: Echevarria thanks Peoria as he announces retirement as Chief of Police
UPDATED 12:31 P.M. PEORIA, Ill. - Peoria's Police Chief is planning to step away from the role next month. In a statement posted on Monday, Eric Echevarria announced that he will be retiring on May 15...
Apr 20, 2026 (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Arts in Education Spring Celebration returns to downtown Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. - The Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration is back for its 41st year in downtown Peoria. Dave Poehls tells WMBD's "Greg and Dan" students come from all over Central Il...
Apr 20, 2026 Students perform at the CAT Visitors Center during the Arts in Education Spring Celebration. (photo courtesy springcelebration.org)
150,000 Illinois households may lose federal food assistance beginning May 1
Article Summary Due to changes from President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, some immigrants are no longer eligible for federal food assistance, and some able-bodied adults must meet new w...
Apr 20, 2026 A volunteer holds a “Save our SNAP” bag at a rally on April 14 in Springfield. An estimated 150,000 Illinoisians could lose their SNAP benefits beginning May 1 due to changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jenna Schweikert)
NWS confirms multiple tornadoes Friday night in Central Illinois
LINCOLN, Ill. - The National Weather Service in Lincoln says a squall line over West-Central Illinois Friday night produced substantial straight-line wind damage with embedded tornadoes. Preliminary r...
Apr 20, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
Peoria gas prices dip below $4.20, but relief may be short-lived
PEORIA, Ill. - Local drivers are seeing a drop in gas prices, with the average in Peoria dropping nearly five cents a gallon in the last week. According to GasBuddy, the average price in Peoria was $4...
Apr 20, 2026 Orin Zebest / CC
Update: Armed homeowner arrested, victim rescued after Princeville standoff
Updated at 8:42 a.m. PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. -- The Peoria County Sheriff's Office has released new details regarding a daylong standoff in Princeville on Sunday that resulted in a man's arrest. The incid...
Apr 20, 2026 PEORIA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE 2
Firefighters bit by dogs while trying to rescue them from a S. Peoria fire
PEORIA, Ill. - Three Peoria firefighters suffered dog bites Saturday evening while trying to rescue three dogs from a vacant home on fire in South Peoria. The Fire Department was called to a home on W...
Apr 18, 2026 (Midwest Communications)
