Washington

Proposals to add a digital billboard to the Washington Plaza shopping center sign and bring a new church to Washington each cleared a hurdle at this week's Washington City Council meeting.

With a few dozen of his neighbors looking on, Washington resident Al Ponto was honored Monday by the city for his actions awakening neighbors whose home was on fire.

Washington Plaza is getting a makeover, fueled by an estimated $500,000 investment by the City of Washington. A quarter-acre green space and parking lot resurfacing are among the highlights.

Six civilians and a firefighter-paramedic from the Washington Fire Department were honored Monday for their life-saving actions during two major fires within an 11-hour span late last month.

The owner of a business on Washington's downtown square will get a six-figure payout from the city as a reimbursement for unexpected costs, and the city will spend another $25,000 to repair drainage issues caused by the construction of a neighboring restaurant.

In the aftermath of two major fires over the weekend where lives were saved and pets were rescued, Washington officials praised first responders, community members and neighboring fire departments.

Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower said Illinois State Police arrested Scott Tyler Benway, 39, on Monday and took him to the Tazewell County Jail.

The first adult-use cannabis dispensary in Washington is one step closer to opening after gaining formal support from the city’s elected representatives.

A suspect is in custody and receiving treatment at a Peoria hospital after a shooting, explosion and fire early Sunday morning in a Washington neighborhood near U.S. 24 and North Cummings Lane.

A troublesome 700-foot water main under Bondurant Street just west of Washington Community High School will be replaced this summer. The Washington City Council approved a low bid of about $270,000.