🌱 Patch AM: Why Peoria County’s deer harvest jumped while neighbors mostly slipped

Morning Peoria! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Peoria County’s deer harvest jumped while neighbors mostly slipped
• How did Bradley pull off that wild triple-overtime conference win?

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

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Breezy and much colder, with a high of 30 and low of 28 degrees.
• Saturday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 46, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Illinois hunters harvest 81,000 during firearm deer season (25newsnow.com) — Peoria County hunters logged a preliminary 901 deer during the 2025 firearm season, up 50 from last year and among the strongest totals in Central Illinois. Statewide, hunters took just over 81,000 deer, and additional late‑winter and archery seasons will keep opportunities open into mid‑January 2026.
   

• Bradley, ISU win MVC openers on road (centralillinoisproud.com) — Bradley fans can celebrate as the Braves men’s team edged Indiana State 108-99 in a triple-overtime thriller to open Missouri Valley Conference play, while the women’s team beat Southern Illinois at Renaissance Coliseum. Illinois State also grabbed a big road win over Southern Illinois, giving central Illinois hoops followers plenty to cheer about.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Life of Pi (2012) — Peoria Riverfront GST Movie Listings
  Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St, Peoria
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Peoria Symphony Orchestra - "Home for the Holidays" @ Peoria Civic Center
  Peoria Civic Center , 201 SW Jefferson Ave , Peoria
  7:30 pm
• Peoria Symphony Orchestra - Debbie Wileman
  Peoria Civic Center , 201 SW Jefferson Ave , Peoria
  7:30 pm
• Home for the Holidays with Debbie Wileman
  Prairie Home Alliance Theater, Peoria Civic Center , 201 SW Jefferson Ave , Peoria
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 21

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

Monday December 22

• NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
  Pleasant Valley SD 62 Peoria, IL 61604
• Winter Break - No School
  Peoria SD 150 Peoria, IL 61603

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

Wednesday December 24

• Christmas Eve
  Peoria SD 150 Peoria, IL 61603

📣 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

Saturday December 20

• The Muppet Christmas Carol Showing
  Peoria Public Library - Lincoln Branch , 1312 W Lincoln Ave , Peoria
  3:00 pm
• Members Only: Family Winter Solstice Hike
  Forest Park Nature Center , 5809 N Forest Park Dr , Peoria Heights
  5:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Holiday Home Tours at the Soderstrom Family Castle
  4717 N Grandview Dr , Peoria Heights
  1:00 pm
• Owens Center - Skate With Santa
  Owens Center , 1019 W Lake Ave , Peoria
  1:00 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

• Reminder: Food Pantries Open Thursdays
  THURSDAY Dream Center Peoria 714 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria 309-676-3000 Clothing pantry 1st Thursday of the month from 9am-12pm (can be accessed… (Nextdoor Bournedale)
• I would like to thank Bob (Robert ) Wille, he helped my son with changing a tire 10 days ago.
  I didn't remember to tell my son about putting the parking break on, otherwise the car wouldn't of rolled twice. I saw him coming out of church and… (Nextdoor Yorkshire Village)

• As the year winds down, we’re taking a look back at stories from our Communications Division that put a spotlight on city operations. From February... (X: CityofPeoria_IL)
• A Peoria female is recovering after being struck in the face during a vehicular hijacking. (X: peoria_police)

• Walmart posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Peoria. Apply here.
• Gecko Hospitality posted a job opening for FOH+BOH Managers Restaurant General Manager, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, AGM in Peoria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Peoria here.

🗞 Nearby News

Peoria Heights

• Peoria Heights cigar lounge is for sale. What's next for owner and building? (eastpeoriatimescourier.com)
• Ottawa, Somonauk boys basketball both earn home triumphs: The Times Tuesday Roundup (shawlocal.com)

West Peoria

• With Rights and Resources Uncertain, They're Seeking Sterilization (nytimes.com)
• Meghan Patrick Slates 'The Golden Child Tour' (musicrow.com)
• Sr. Mary Anita Pauwels (henrynews-republican.com)

East Peoria

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 think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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