Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How two Richwoods seniors landed full rides to Ivy League schools
You won't want to miss Local Teen Author & Craft Fair on the Peoria Patch calendar
Good morning Peoria! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How two Richwoods seniors landed full rides to Ivy League schools
- What Peoria’s biggest hospitals will do under Illinois’ new death law
- How will Glen Hollow’s new 1% tax hit Peoria shoppers?
Also on today's calendar: Local Teen Author & Craft Fair and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Peoriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Peoriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny and frigid, with a high of 6 and low of -5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Not as cold, temps: high: 32, low: 16.
- Tuesday: Some sun, with a high of 38 and low of 30 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Richwoods HS students headed to Ivy League schools (pjstar.com) — Two Richwoods High School seniors from Peoria Public Schools have earned full-ride QuestBridge scholarships to Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, highlighting local student achievement. Both are in the school’s International Baccalaureate program and will study physics and pre-med neuroscience. A third PPS student is also guaranteed a full-ride to a selective college, with a final decision expected this spring. 
2. ‘Saddened' OSF, Tylka to disallow medical aid in dying as governor makes it legal (25newsnow.com) — Peoria-based OSF HealthCare says it will not participate in physician-assisted suicide even after Illinois’ new Medical Aid in Dying law takes effect in 2026, while Carle Health is still reviewing its stance. Local Catholic leaders, including Bishop Louis Tylka, strongly oppose the law, and state officials outline strict safeguards and timelines that Peoria patients and families should understand now.
3. Why this longtime Peoria shopping center will now have additional tax (pjstar.com) — Shoppers at Glen Hollow Shopping Center in Peoria will soon pay an extra 1% sales tax after the Peoria City Council approved a business development district to fund infrastructure upgrades. Supporters say Peoria must compete with East Peoria, while opponents argue taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize private shopping centers and question labeling the area as “blighted.”
4. Peoria County home sales in week ending Dec. 6 (peoriastandard.com) — Peoria County saw 73 residential properties change hands in the week ending Dec. 6, with a median sale price of $125,000 and a typical tax bill of $2,719. The list includes dozens of specific Peoria, West Peoria, Peoria Heights and nearby addresses, plus each property’s sale price and effective tax rate to help you gauge neighborhood values.
5. Peoria County Sheriff's Office: More domestic violence cases during holidays (25newsnow.com) — Peoria County deputies say they consistently see domestic violence cases rise around the holidays, often driven by money worries and family stress. A victim services coordinator explains that abuse is frequently emotional, outlines warning signs to watch for, and urges residents to check in with loved ones and connect them to local resources if something seems wrong.
📸 Around Peoria
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Local Teen Author & Craft Fair
Peoria Public Library - Lakeview Branch , 1137 W Lake Ave , Peoria
1:00 pm - One Stop Shop "Virtual" Meeting
Peoria, IL Calendar Peoria, IL 61602
1:30 pm - Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria Board of Commissioners Meeting
Peoria, IL Calendar , General Wayne A. Downing Peoria INTL. Airport 6100 W. Everett McKinley Dirksen Parkway , Peoria
2:30 pm - Springdale Cemetery Management Authority Meeting
Peoria, IL Calendar , Springdale Cemetery Volunteer & Maintenance Bldg. 3014 N. Prospect , Peoria
4:00 pm - Cancelled - Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations
Peoria, IL Calendar , Twin Towers Building 456 Fulton Street, Suite 420 , Peoria
6:00 pm - Intermediate Band/Choir Concert
Pleasant Valley SD 62 , 3314 W Richwoods Blvd , Peoria
6:00 pm - Transportation Commission Meeting
Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street Conference Room 404 , Peoria
3:00 pm - Cancellation Notice for Transportation Commission Meeting
Peoria, IL Calendar , 419 Fulton Street 3505 N. Dries Lane, Main Conference Room , Peoria
3:00 pm - 7/8 Boys Basketball vs Beverely Manor
Pleasant Valley SD 62 , 3314 W Richwoods Blvd , Peoria
4:30 pm - Tuba Christmas Peoria 2025
Redeemer Lutheran Church , 6801 N Allen Rd , Peoria
3:30 pm
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Sunday December 21
📣 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
- Blue Cactus
Peoria Public Library North Branch , 3001 West Grand Parkway , Peoria
2:00 pm - Holiday Home Tours at the Soderstrom Family Castle
4717 N Grandview Dr , Peoria Heights
7:00 pm - Intermediate Band/Choir Concert
Pleasant Valley SD 62 , 3314 W Richwoods Blvd , Peoria
6:00 pm - Toddler Time
Peoria Heights Public Library , 816 E Glen Ave , Peoria Heights
10:00 am
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
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 Saturdays
Saturdays Dream Center Peoria 714 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria 309-676-3000 Clothing pantry 3rd Saturday of the month from 9am-11:30am East Bluff… (Nextdoor Bournedale) - UPDATE: SHE HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HER FAMILY 💙 THANK YOU EVERYONE
Found dog on Huntington Dr. Couldn't get a good picture of her but she's very sweet! Didn't find a collar on her. Pittie mix, Grey and white, found… (Nextdoor Sherwood Forest)
- A Peoria teen, already facing allegations he was under the influence when he collided with a motorcycle, killing its rider, now faces up to life in... (X: WGNNews)
- With temperatures plummeting this weekend, we would like to remind the community about local service provider locations that are available as warming... (X: CityofPeoria_IL)
- Burlington posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Peoria. Apply here.
- Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk 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 didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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