Chris Watkins

A 62-year-old man is dead after a house fire Tuesday on Old Galena Road near Chillicothe. It's the second fatal fire in the area in the past week.

An investigation is underway after a 39-year-old woman being held at the Peoria County Jail died Tuesday morning.

City and county agencies are bracing for anticipated large crowds and demonstrations around the downtown Peoria County Courthouse when the murder trial of Sean Grayson begins Monday.

Several Peoria-area community leaders are set to speak Monday night on possible local impacts from the “Big Beautiful Bill” and other federal policies. The non-partisan discussion is the latest in a series of “teach-in” speaking engagements hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria.

Rather than build an entirely new jail at taxpayer expenses, Peoria County instead will try to get as much life as possible out of its existing facility.

The discovery of three vehicles on fire at a West Peoria business is being investigated as suspected arson.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about a woman whose body was found Monday in the Illinois River.

A correctional officer was arrested and immediately fired from the Peoria County Jail Thursday night after an allegation of passing contraband to a detainee in exchange for money.

Peoria County Jail, in recent years, has restrained its charges for longer durations than other jails in Illinois and far past industry recommendations. There is evidence of a mental health issue in at least 70% of its restraint incidents.

The Peoria County Jail needs some serious work. The county board now has five potential options for how to tackle it — depending on how much money and time they're willing to spend.