🌱 Traffic Signal Preemption Program + St. Patty's Parade Route Change

Good morning, Peoria. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Breezy with rain and drizzle. High: 52 Low: 28.
• Friday: Cloudy, breezy and colder. High: 40 Low: 17.

📈 Interested in reaching our highly engaged readers with targeted messaging that drives proven results for local businesses? I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Peoria who want to build awareness, connect with customers, and increase sales. If that's you, click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Peoria today:

1. Peoria first responders, in partnership with the city and Peoria Fire Department, have introduced a new Traffic Signal Preemption system to improve response times for emergency vehicles. Advanced Medical Transport ambulances are now equipped with Opticon Systems, which can change traffic signals to green during a "lights and siren response," while an indicator on top of traffic lights flashes as the ambulance approaches. The system is installed in 109 traffic lights across Peoria, with more to come over the five-year partnership. (CIProud.com)
2. The route for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Peoria on Mar. 17 has changed, according to the Peoria Police Department. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at William Kumpf Boulevard and Monroe Street, and the new route will take it from Monroe Street to Hamilton Boulevard via Main Street, Jefferson Avenue, Liberty Street, and Adams Street. Motorists are advised to expect pedestrian traffic and to plan extra traveling time. (Peoria Journal Star)
3. On Tuesday (Mar. 14), the Peoria City Council authorized the Peoria Civic Center to borrow up to $20.5 million for upgrades to the venue, which requires $47 million to complete its capital improvement plans. Some of this cost has already been covered by a $25 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. In a separate vote, council members rejected a proposal for a six-acre solar farm in a single-family residential area. (CIProud.com)

Today and tomorrow in and around Peoria:

Thursday, March 16

• St. Paddy's Kids Paint Night At 3546 W. Chartwell Road (5:30 PM)

Friday, March 17

• Open Art: Explore Sculpting! At Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum (10:00 AM)
• Revel In GREEN At Crusens Farmington Road, West Peoria (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• "George," a short documentary commissioned by the Peoria Riverfront Museum about the life and career of local legend George Manias, 92, is an official selection of the 2023 Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. The film has been playing at the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater since December 2022. (Peoria Riverfront Museum via Facebook)
• Dozer Park is undergoing renovations to meet Major League Baseball's new guidelines, including updating stadium lights to LED lights, which will enhance visibility for fielders. The million-dollar renovations must be completed by 2025, according to Peoria Chiefs General Manager Jason Mott. (CIProud.com)
• Peoria police are requesting the public's help in locating a 2016 Dodge Charger believed to have been used in a homicide that took place in October. The car was reportedly stolen from a dealership in Mattoon and police ask anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers. (CIProud.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (March 21)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.