Lilija Stevens

Washington Chief of Police Mike McCoy has announced his retirement, ending a 48-year career in law enforcement.

Washington joined the grocery sales tax crowd Monday. The City Council voted 6-2 for the city to impose a 1% sales tax on groceries starting Jan. 1 to replace the state's 1% grocery sales tax.

Washington residents knew they'd have a new mayor this year for the first time since 2001. The question was: Who?

Officials from the Washington Chamber of Commerce and Discover Peoria each made a pitch Monday to the Washington City Council for continued city funding.

Washington City Council began its discussion about possibly adopting a 1% local grocery tax Monday. An ordinance must be approved and a certified copy of the ordinance sent to the Illinois Department of Revenue by Oct. 1 for a local grocery tax to go into effect Jan. 1.

Alderpersons Mike Brownfield and Lilija Stevens sit next to each other at Washington City Council meetings.

Brownfield made the announcement in front of about 40 friends and family members outside the south entrance to Five Points Washington.

UPDATED 3:42 p.m. | As voters in Washington elect Gary Manier to a sixth term as mayor, his opponent said she's leaving the door open to another run in…

Washington Mayor Gary Manier will keep that title for the next four years after narrowly fending off a challenge from Ward 1 Alderman Lilija Stevens.…