🌱 Patch AM: How police tech helped track a Peoria gas station robbery suspect

Hey hey Peoria! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How police tech helped track a Peoria gas station robbery suspect
• How busy will Peoria’s airport get during this record holiday travel rush?
• Why a downtown Peoria pastor is now facing a felony charge

Also on today's calendar: Peoria Flea Market and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and misty, with a high of 49 and low of 41 degrees.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 48, low: 46.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 57 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. One person arrested arrested after armed robbery at Peoria gas station (pjstar.com) — Police say a Peoria man was arrested after an armed robbery at the Marathon gas station on West Forrest Hill Avenue, where a masked suspect allegedly stole cash at gunpoint. Officers used a license plate reader, K-9 unit, and drone to track a vehicle to South Peoria, recovered a shotgun, and booked the suspect into Peoria County Jail while the investigation continues.
   

2. Record amount of Americans will travel for the holidays as gas prices drop, according to AAA (centralillinoisproud.com) — Holiday travel is surging nationwide, and Peoria International Airport expects 48,000 to 57,000 passengers between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4. With gas prices dipping below $3 and record numbers driving and flying, AAA is urging travelers from Peoria and beyond to plan safe rides and stay alert on busy roads and in crowded terminals.
   

3. Peoria church leader accused of sharing illicit photos with minor (centralillinoisproud.com) — A pastor from a downtown Peoria church has been charged in Tazewell County with a felony count of disseminating harmful materials to a child, with a court date set for January. The church reports he is currently on leave while the matter proceeds, and Pekin police handled the investigation after a teen reportedly recorded an online exchange.
   

4. Catherine ‘Katie' Mills (wgil.com) — Peoria readers may recognize OSF St. Francis Medical Center, where 73-year-old Catherine “Katie” Mills of Galesburg passed away earlier this month. Her obituary recalls a life of service in area care facilities, strong ties to Galesburg and Altona, a love of the Cubs and animals, and invites friends to a February celebration of life in Galesburg.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 31

• Central Illinois Flea Market
  3520 W Farmington Rd, Peoria
  3:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 25

• City Offices Closed - Christmas Day
  Peoria, IL Calendar Peoria, IL 61602

Sunday December 28

• Peoria Flea Market
  Northwoods Mall , 2200 W War Memorial Dr , Peoria
  8:00 am

Monday December 29

• Firemen's Pension Fund Board of Trustees Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street, Suite 404 , Peoria
  9:30 am
• One Stop Shop "Virtual" Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar Peoria, IL 61602
  1:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
  Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street, Room 400 , Peoria
  1:00 pm

📣 Peoria Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Christmas - Chamber Office Closed
  Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce , 402 Court St , Pekin

Saturday December 27

• The Putt Club: DJ Night & Family Fun
  The Putt Club , 1001 Bass Pro Drive , East Peoria
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's Eve - Office Closed
  Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce , 402 Court St , Pekin
• Yoga in the Park at Lower Bradley Park
  1317 N Park Rd , West Peoria
  2:00 pm
• Yoga in the Park at Grandview Drive Park
  1314 N Park Rd , West Peoria
  2:00 pm
• Yoga in the Park at YMCA
  7000 North Fleming Lane , Peoria
  2:00 pm

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

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Reminder: Food Pantries Open Tuesdays
  TUESDAY Manna from Heaven 607 S. Western Ave. 309-533-3051 Food pantry open Tuesdays from 11am-1pm Peoria Friendship House 800 NE Madison, Peoria… (Nextdoor Bournedale)
• FYI: There should be normal garbage pickup on Monday thru Wednesday for this week.
  Since Christmas is on a Thursday. Garage for Thursday Friday will be a day late. Thursday garbage on Friday and Friday garbage on Saturday. Same… (Nextdoor Hamilton Park)

• Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Peoria. Apply here.
• Bradley University posted a job opening for Student Worker- CFA Dean's Office 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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