Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How worried should Peoria families be about flu after the holidays?

Also check out Wheel 101 Pottery Class on the Peoria Patch calendar

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Friday December 26th Patch AM
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Hello Peoria! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How worried should Peoria families be about flu after the holidays?
  • How did the Peoria Civic Center just smash its attendance record?
  • Are you making this common holiday mistake that sparks Peoria house fires?

Also on today's calendar: Peoria Flea Market and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Peoriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Peoriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Sunny intervals, with a high of 56 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 57, low: 52.
  • Sunday: Breezy with occasional rain, with a high of 60 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. Health experts urge vaccination and staying home when sick as flu activity increases (wixy.com) — With flu activity expected to rise, Peoria-area health experts urge residents to get vaccinated and keep sick family members home, especially children. They warn that holiday travel and school breaks make it easier for viruses to spread across Central Illinois, and say simple steps like handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when feverish can protect vulnerable relatives.
   

2. Peoria Civic Center caps record-breaking 2025, eyes even bigger year ahead (25newsnow.com) — Peoria Civic Center just wrapped its strongest financial year ever, drawing more than 600,000 visitors and pumping new energy into downtown businesses. Leaders say 2026 could be even bigger, with major shows like Ghost plus family-friendly staples such as Hot Wheels, Peoria Rivermen games, and Bradley Braves basketball on the calendar.
   

3. Peoria Fire Department shares tips to prevent holiday fires (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria firefighters are warning residents that unattended cooking and dry Christmas trees are the biggest causes of holiday house fires. They urge you to keep someone in the kitchen whenever food is on the stove or in the oven, and to water real trees, use newer lights, and prep the trunk properly so your celebrations stay safe.
   

4. Peoria fitness coach shares simple steps to get moving without a resolution (25newsnow.com) — A Peoria-based fitness coach is encouraging residents to skip rigid New Year’s resolutions and instead start simple, sustainable routines right now. Trainer Yvonne Greer demonstrates basic squats and push-ups, stresses consistency over intensity, and explains how to set measurable, realistic goals so daily movement becomes a lasting part of life in Peoria.
   

5. Liver disease among causes of alcohol-related deaths in parts of Illinois (wixy.com) — Peoria’s region has the highest rate of alcohol-related liver disease deaths in Illinois, according to new state health data. The report shows elevated alcohol use among both youth and adults, and state health leaders say local education and community partnerships—not tougher laws—are the best path to reducing harm.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Saturday December 27
  • Wheel 101 Pottery Class
    Peoria RiverFront Market, 212 Southwest Water Street, Peoria
    10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Peoria Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Peoria PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello Peoria!
    New resident here. Are there local ladies who get together to play Hand & Foot (cards)? (Nextdoor Detweiller)
  • The Grinch was out earlier this morning with their accomplice waiting to pick them up, this is at 5:13am, Marbleway and Reservoir.
    I’d post the videos but they take a long time to load. Just a heads up for all close by, might want to double check if you’re close by. We were good,… (Nextdoor Northend-Lexington Park)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Peoria. Apply here.
  • Dunlap Community Unit School posted a job opening for Transportation Secretary (2535) 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 guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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