Andrea Baumgartel

Hundreds of people attended the annual celebration honoring the Year of the Dragon and local Chinese culture in Peoria this weekend.

Community members gathered in the prayer hall as Thich Tinh Nghia led prayers and chants in Vietnamese, pausing occasionally to add an English translation for visitors.

The city will use $500,000 to install alley and porch lights on private properties located in areas deemed “hot spots” by the police department. The other $700,000 will pay for “scrub tree removal, tree trimming and vacant lot clearance,” allowing for more light in darker areas.

The council unanimously approved amendments to the City/County Commission on Racial Justice and Equity Charter, with the hope of “improving the commission’s operational efficiency and transparency.”

City council members hope the redevelopment plan will lead to fuller, expanded operations at the Pere Marquette building at 501 Main St.

After weeks of meetings and discussion, the Peoria City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the city's $324 million biennial budget for 2024 and 2025.

An estimated 300 people gathered and marched at the Main Street and University Street intersection near Bradley University Sunday to once again protest violence on civilians in Palestine.

The additional staff will allow for the return of Rescue One that tasked specifically for victim retrieval.