🌱 Evans, Adams Sts. Reopened + Truck Driver Arrested For Trafficking

Hello all. Nicole Fallon-Peek here with your Saturday edition of the Peoria Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Beautiful with plenty of sun. High: 65 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories in Peoria today:

1. The intersection near Peoria Riverplex has reopened after a "standard wreck." NE Adams Street and Evans Street in Peoria were shut down on Thursday night. PPD had to block off the street as one damaged car got towed away and a minor injury was reported. As of Friday morning, the intersection was reopened and debris was cleared away. (CIProud.com)
2. A WV truck driver was sentenced in Peoria for attempting to traffic a minor. Michael Leonard has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to traffic a minor from Morton. He will also be registered as a sex offender and must pay $49,000 in restitution to victims of child pornography — of which agents found hundreds of photos and videos. (CIProud.com)
3. The Peoria Chiefs made history this week. When the game started on Thursday, Christina Whitlock became the first woman to serve as an in-uniform assistant in the St. Louis Cardinals organization — filling the role as fourth coach for the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League baseball season. Whitlock said she sees her position as an opportunity to grow diversity in baseball and encourages girls and young women interested in a career in the sport to pursue it with longevity in mind. (WCBU, Peoria Public Radio via Facebook)

Today in Peoria:

• I Run With Survivors 5K Run/1 Mile Walk At East Peoria Levee District (8:00 AM)
• Family Nature Club At Peoria Zoo (10:00 AM)
• Craig Gerdes At The Pottstown Tap (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Membership Swap Weekend for the Peoria Riverfront Museum is coming up! Members can enjoy all of their usual perks while getting to visit the Peoria Zoo, the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and Wildlife Prairie Park for FREE between Apr. 14-16. (Peoria Riverfront Museum via Facebook)
• This past week, 10+ Peoria Police Department female officers attended the 2023 Women in Criminal Justice Conference. At the East Peoria conference, the officers represented the department, networked with other female officers and agencies, and handed out department swag. (Peoria Police Department via Facebook)
• It was Four for Forty Friday yesterday at the Peoria Chiefs! Attendees got four tickets to the night's game for only $40! Be sure to follow Peoria Chiefs on Facebook for more opportunities for discounted tickets and giveaways. (Peoria Chiefs via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.