🌱 Kroger Drug Take Back Day Event + Country Stars Coming To Peoria

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Peoria Patch newsletter — here to explain everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Colder; breezy in the morning. High: 47 Low: 34.
• Sunday: Sunshine and cool. High: 51 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories in Peoria today:

1. Today, Kroger will be hosting a Drug Take Back Day outside the 801 W. Lake Ave. location where you can dispose of any unused or expired prescription drugs you may have at home. Kroger is partnering with Cardinal Health and DisposeRx for this event and is working towards keeping the community safe and fighting against addictions and overdoses. All drugs collected will happen outside of the store; Kroger pharmacists and Peoria officers will be collecting all the drugs. (CIProud.com)
2. Next Friday, Apr. 28, Illinois Central College will be showcasing three of their alumni's work, screening their production on the East Peoria Campus. John Voss, William Jacobs, and Wes Brooks will be introducing their artwork, which is based purely on the beautiful Peoria while working on a limited budget, to the audience. The three films are wildly different, so the audience will get a taste of different genres all in one seating. If you are interested in viewing the films, you can purchase your ticket here for next Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Recital Hall Room 127F at Illinois Central College on the East Peoria Campus. (Peoria Journal Star)
3. This 4th of July, Dozer Park will be hosting two country stars for a charity event. Chris Janson and Eddie Montgomery will be coming by Peoria to perform at an outdoor venue before the Peoria Red, White, and BOOM! fireworks display. Tickets will be going for sale for this event this coming Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and all the proceeds will go to the charitable partner Pink Heals. You can call the Peoria Chiefs box office for tickets or click here. (CIProud.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Peoria:

Saturday, April 22

• 'Calendar Girls' Auditions - Corn Stock Theatre Center (10:00 AM)
• Picnic In The Park - Heart of Illinois Special Rec (11:00 AM)
• Katt Williams: 2023 And Me Tour - Peoria Civic Center (8:00 PM)

Sunday, April 23

• "A Kids Book About Consent" Author Event - Lit. On Fire Books (11:00 AM)
• Family Day - 8 Bit Arcade Bar (12:00 PM)
• Doga Day: Puppy Yoga - Sunbeam (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The fun has already begun with Ebertfest going on this weekend at the University of Illinois. Come out all day today for the festival, films will be running from 9:00 a.m. all the way until 8:30 p.m. at night. (University of Illinois via Instagram)
• Cub Scout Pack 156 paid the Peoria Police Department a visit earlier this week and it was a moment they will not soon forget. The scouts were able to meet some of the officers and even work together on a few hands-on activities. (Peoria Police Department via Facebook)
• The Children's Home Association of Illinois is taking over Dozer Park on May 6 for their spring fundraiser "Futures Worth Fighting For," a night filled with fun and fireworks. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. and all proceeds from the link here will go directly to creating a better future for families and children to thrive. (Children's Home Association of Illinois via Facebook)

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Featured events:

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

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• Optometrist - Extra Income, Extraordinary Experience (Details)

You're all caught up for today. See you all soon for another update!

— 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.