🌱 Patch AM: How a Peoria gas station murder led to a 73-year term

Good morning Peoria! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Peoria gas station murder led to a 73-year term
• Want your sneakers to help fund Peoria student scholarships Saturday?
• Why did Dac’s Smokehouse suddenly lock its Morton doors?

Also on today's calendar: Tuba Christmas Peoria 2025 and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 50 and low of 14 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Friday: Breezy and much colder, temps: high: 29, low: 28.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 46 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Peoria man earns 73-year sentence in 2023 gas station killing (25newsnow.com) — A Peoria man has been sentenced to 73 years in prison for a 2023 shooting that killed Antonio Hardy at a gas station at Sheridan and McClure in Peoria. Prosecutors and the judge emphasized the execution-style nature of the crime, while Hardy’s mother described the profound, lasting impact of her son’s death on their family.
   

2. Diamonds & Pearls Sneaker Soirée raising scholarship money for students (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria residents can support local high school seniors this Saturday at the Diamonds & Pearls Sneaker Soirée, hosted by local AKA and Kappa Alpha Psi chapters at The Table Peoria. From 6–10 p.m., guests can enjoy food, music, and stylish sneakers while raising scholarship funds in the final year of this joint community event.
   

3. This Morton restaurant is closed. Here's what we know (pjstar.com) — Dac’s Smokehouse has quietly closed its Morton restaurant, with locked doors, no public notice, and no response from the owner. The barbecue spot’s Peoria location in Campustown already shut down in March 2023, leaving local fans in both communities wondering what’s next for the brand and that Morton storefront.
   

4. Prairie Home Alliance Theater and Peoria Civic Center make Top 100 list for sales (933thedrive.com) — Peoria’s Prairie Home Alliance Theater and Civic Center arena just landed on Pollstar’s Top 100 lists for ticket sales, moving more than 200,000 tickets and over $13 million in gross revenue. Local fans packed shows like “Wicked,” Bob Dylan, and major arena concerts, underscoring Peoria’s growing draw for big-name entertainment.
   

5. Peoria mausoleum unveils $140K renovation at open house (centralillinoisproud.com) — Springdale Cemetery’s historic mausoleum in Peoria is open building-wide again after more than 25 years, following over $140,000 in recent restoration work. About 20 visitors toured the refreshed spaces, and managers plan continued improvements leading up to the mausoleum’s 100th anniversary in 2029, with more public events promised.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday December 18

• A Jolly Holiday Adventure
  Peoria Players Theatre , 4300 N. University , Peoria
  7:30 pm

Friday December 19

• Quarter 2 Grading Period Ends
  Peoria SD 150 Peoria, IL 61603
• Last Day Before Winter Break 1 hr. Early Dismissal
  Peoria SD 150 Peoria, IL 61603
• End of 2nd Grading Period
  Pleasant Valley SD 62 Peoria, IL 61604
• CDBG Public Services Advisory Commission Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street, Suite 404 , Peoria
  8:30 am
• Early Dismissal IS 1:35 PS 2:20
  Pleasant Valley SD 62 Peoria, IL 61604
  1:35 pm
• Shop & Stroll @ Forest Park Nature Center
  Heart of Illinois Special Rec Meet at HISRA then transport to Forest Park Nature Center
  5:30 pm
• An American Family Christmas
  Five Points Washington , 360 N. Wilmor Rd , Washington
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 21

• Tuba Christmas Peoria 2025
  Redeemer Lutheran Church , 6801 N Allen Rd , Peoria
  3:30 pm

📣 Peoria Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Primary Concert
  Pleasant Valley Elementary School , 4623 W Redbud Dr , Peoria
  1:30 pm
• Peoria Housing Authority Board Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar , Peoria Housing Authority 100 S. Richard Pryor Place/Multi Purpose Room , Peoria
  4:30 pm
• 7/8 Boys Basketball @ Hollis
  Pleasant Valley SD 62 , 5624 W Tuscarora Rd , Peoria
  5:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Board of Examiners Stationary & Hosting Engineers Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street, Conf. Room 112 *As needed basis. , Peoria
  3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Presents $15,000 Grant to Heartland Health Services —Molina Healthcare Illinois Read on Patch
• Rep. Spain’s Annual Holiday Diaper Drive Spreads Cheer to Families in Need —IL House Read on Patch

• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Eilza was LOST on December 10, 2025 in Peoria, IL 61605 near Seibold pl Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor North Edgebrook)
• Be careful if you are trying to get rides from people.
  I got 3 rides from someone to help me get home from work 3 nights a week I cash app him $15 each ride. He asked to borrow $40 that was supposed to be… (Nextdoor East Bluff Serenity)

• From Capitol News Illinois: Of the sales tax revenue going toward public transportation, 85% will be dedicated to the Chicago region. New projects... (X: Joliet_HN)
• Day 2 of the @farmdocDaily Illinois Farm Economics Summit is in the books from Peoria. There's one more chance to catch us in action — tomorrow (Dec... (X: farmdocDaily)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Peoria. Apply here.
• Burlington posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Peoria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Peoria here.

Ok Peoria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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