🌱 Wayfinding Sign Project + New Restaurant + 22-Year-Old Man Indicted

Hello, neighbors. I'm here right on time with your Thursday edition of the Peoria Patch newsletter.

But first, today's weather:

Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 72 Low: 45.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in Peoria? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top three stories today in Peoria:

1. Downtown Peoria will soon be dotted with 70 new wayfinding signs. The project will cost $670,000 for creation and installation of the new signs. Different than directional signs, leaders said the wayfinding signs will "guide you throughout the city to destinations that you want to go to." (Peoria Public Radio)
2. The Queen of Squash, a new gluten-free and vegetarian restaurant, will be opening on Apr. 29 off of West Glen Avenue in Peoria. Owner Heather Wolbeck said she wants to give customers the flavor they love without the extra calories. "Whatever your goal is, we’re here to inspire you,” Wolbeck said. The grand opening will feature a ribbon-cutting event at 2 p.m. followed by live music and hourly giveaways. (CIProud.com)
3. A Peoria County grand jury returned an indictment against a 22-year-old Peoria man accused of firing a gun in the direction of another person late last month. Dywane Daye Jr. was sentenced in 2019 to four years in prison for an earlier aggravated discharge case. Because of that conviction, he faces up to 30 years in prison if he’s convicted of the new offense. (CIProud.com)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Peoria Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Peoria Patch newsletter possible.

Today in Peoria:

• Tot Time: Babies At Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum (10:00 AM)
• Yoga (Virtual) Hosted By Adriene Mischler Of Yoga With Adriene (12:15 PM)

From my notebook:

• OSF HealthCare celebrated the launch of a new breakthrough treatment center with a ceremony on Tuesday. The new facility will bring Central Illinois residents access to medical advances and cutting-edge clinical trials. (CIProud.com)
• The popular Disney character "Bluey" and her family will be coming to the Peoria Civic Center on Sep. 30 and Oct. 1. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Apr. 21. (Chambanamoms.com)
• Nate Bargatze, also known as "The Nicest Man in Stand-Up," will perform at the Peoria Civic Center on Nov. 2. Having released multiple specials on Netflix and a regular on the late-night circuit, Bargatze’s comedy has been described as clean and relatable. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Apr. 21. (CIProud.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (April 25)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Optometrist - Extra Income, Extraordinary Experience (Details)
• Add your job listing

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.