Peoria
News Feed
Events
Local Businesses
Classifieds
Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How big is the pay gap in Norwood District 63?

And check out Peoria's Dancing Witches of Illinois on the Peoria Patch calendar

Sunday September 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Peoria! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How big is the pay gap in Norwood District 63?
  • What did Peoria police find during Thursday's 80 traffic stops?
  • How did the Wienermobile crew end up cruising through Peoria?

Also on today's calendar: Peoria's Dancing Witches of Illinois and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 74 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Monday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 64, low: 55.
  • Tuesday: Periods of sun with a shower, with a high of 65 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2024-25: Average administrator salary was 61.6% higher than teacher salary in Norwood Elementary School District 63 (peoriastandard.com) — Administrators in Peoria-based Norwood Elementary School District 63 earned an average of $77,805 in 2024-25, about 61.6% more than the district's average teacher salary of $48,155. The report, based on state data, also places these figures in the context of statewide pay trends, retention rates, and teacher vacancies across Illinois.
   

2. Peoria police report 80 traffic stops, 21 arrests Thursday (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria residents are seeing continued, intensive police patrols, with 21 arrests, 80 traffic stops, and drugs, cash, and a stolen vehicle seized during Thursday's anti-violence detail. Officers also arrested two wanted suspects, including one with multiple felony warrants, and reported no ShotSpotter alerts during the operation.
   

3. Q&A: 'Ketchup' with the Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers who visited Peoria (pjstar.com) — Peoria residents recently got a visit from the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, with two young "Hotdoggers" sharing how they landed the quirky job and what life is like on the "hot dog highways." They describe cross-country travels, favorite fan encounters, and how meeting people in each city—like Peoria—has become the most rewarding part of their year-long adventure.
   

4. LaHood recognizes Fulton Sheen on House floor, saying archbishop was 'one of our own' (wmbdradio.com) — Peoria's own Archbishop Fulton Sheen was honored on the U.S. House floor, with Rep. Darin LaHood highlighting that Sheen was raised, ordained, and served as a priest in Peoria. The recognition comes ahead of Sheen's beatification in St. Louis and emphasizes his Central Illinois roots, anti-communism work, and influential national broadcasting career.
   

5. Midwest Food Bank expands to Sioux Falls to tackle hunger (argusleader.com) — Midwest Food Bank's Peoria division is helping support a new permanent distribution center in Sioux Falls, expanding hunger-relief efforts across South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. The faith-based nonprofit, founded in Illinois, says the Tri-State Division will build on remote distributions already backed by Peoria and aims to be fully operational within a year amid rising regional food insecurity.
   

📸 Around Peoria

Subscribe

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!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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

  • Hey Southside!
    Diaper giveaway is tomorrow, September 19, 2026. Come see us from 1-3:30 PM. Please bring a photo I.D. and medical card. Everyone is welcome. Reply… (Nextdoor Malone-Antionette)
  • 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)
  • Carvana posted a job opening for Customer Service Delivery Advocate in Peoria. Apply here.
  • Peoria Public Schools District 150 posted a job opening for Administrative Accounting Clerk - Finance 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: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Peoria Patch

Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.

©2026 Patch Media. All Rights Reserved

Do Not Sell My Personal Information