🌱 Teens Arrested + School Demolished + Police Recruits Sworn In

Hello, Peoria! My name is Georgi and I’m your new Patch newsletter curator. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you’ll receive a local news briefing in your inbox breaking down what’s making headlines in Peoria. Today's top stories include:

• Officials are investigating a house fire in East Peoria.
• A record-breaking auction item has ties to a historic Peoria home.
• Award-winning country artists performing this weekend at the Civic Center.

But first, today's weather: Breezy with clouds and sun. High: 62 Low: 37.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Peoria:

1. At least six people are dead after a dust storm led to a multiple-vehicle crash on I-55 in Central Illinois Monday morning. More than 30 people were injured in the Montgomery County crash, which officials say involved at least 70 cars. (Patch)

2. Peoria police arrested three teenagers in connection with a recent shooting, according to a CI Proud report. More than 30 rounds were fired Friday afternoon at the intersection of S. Griswold and W. Grinnell streets. Two additional suspects are not in custody. (CI Proud)

3. Demolition of the vacant Harrison School began Monday, more than 18 months after the structure was deemed a public safety hazard. The process will cost more than $1 million and is expected to take a month to complete. (City)

4. A home in East Peoria suffered “extensive” damage after a house fire Saturday night in the 1100 block of Springfield Road, WCBU reports. The East Peoria Fire Department deemed the structure unsafe and is investigating a cause. (WCBU)

5. A lighting fixture with ties to the Frank Lloyd Wright home on Moss Avenue sold last week for more than $2.9 million. The Journal Star reports the item, which once hung in the Francis W. Little House, sold for more than six times its estimated selling price. (Paid source: Star Journal)

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Today in Peoria:

• The Peoria Symphony Guild hosts its annual student concerts. (10 a.m.)
• Peoria Public Library’s North Branch is collecting pet supplies this month for the Humane Society. (10 a.m.)
• The Fry Spot hosts a grand “re-opening” at its new location. (11 a.m.)
• Peoria Art Guild launches an eight-week pottery class. (5:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• The Peoria Police Department welcomed 10 new recruits at a swearing-in ceremony Monday. (PPD)
• A rabid bat was reported in Peoria County late last week. (WCBU)
• Gas prices dropped more than six cents this week at Peoria’s 148 gas stations, according to a recent survey. (CI Proud)
• The Peoria Civic Center released its May calendar, with events including country concerts from Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell, plus performances of the Tony-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen." (PCC)

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That's all for today, Peoria! Thanks so much for subscribing to the newsletter. We'll be back in your inbox Thursday for another recap of the latest local news.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is an Illinois-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Peoria Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.