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🌱 Patch AM: Record-setting gift transforms student access to Peoria Riverfront Museum

Make time for 7 Mindsets "Everything is Possible" on the Peoria Patch calendar

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Saturday August 29th Patch AM
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Cheers Peoria! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Record-setting gift transforms student access to Peoria Riverfront Museum
  • Peoria police seek answers after 15-year-old dies from shooting
  • What witnesses heard before Peoria's latest deadly shooting on West Gale

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 82 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and humid, temps: high: 86, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Endowment becomes largest gift ever to Peoria Riverfront Museum (wmbdradio.com) — Peoria's Riverfront Museum just received a record $5 million endowment from the Barton Family Foundation to permanently support its Every Student Initiative. The gift will keep museum access free for students, families, and teachers across central Illinois, with Peoria Public Schools leaders hoping it inspires future careers in the arts and sciences.
   

2. 15-year-old dead after Monday's shooting (centralillinoisproud.com) — A 15-year-old Peoria boy, Merian L. Smith, has died after being critically wounded in a Monday afternoon shooting that triggered multiple ShotSpotter alerts on West Gift Avenue. Another juvenile suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and no suspects have been identified. Peoria Police are continuing to investigate and are urging residents with any information to contact detectives or Crime Stoppers.
   

3. Peoria's latest homicide victim identified by coroner (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria officials have identified 30-year-old Rick Ranson as the city's eighth homicide victim this year after a shooting on West Gale Avenue that also injured a woman. Police say no arrests have been made, and neighbors reported hearing an argument before shots were fired. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Peoria Police or Crime Stoppers.
   

4. 356 yards, 6 TDs: How Peoria Notre Dame rushed past Richwoods in blowout (bluewaterhealthyliving.com) — Peoria Notre Dame powered past city rival Richwoods, 55–7, behind a dominant ground game that piled up 356 rushing yards and six touchdowns. The win in Peoria extends PND's recent dominance in the series and helps the Irish bounce back from a tough Week 1 loss.
   

5. Second person arrested for July armed robbery in Peoria (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria police say a second suspect has been arrested in connection with a July armed robbery in an apartment parking lot, after U.S. Marshals took a 24-year-old into custody in Georgia. Another suspect was previously arrested, and she's scheduled for arraignment in Peoria court on September 17.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria

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📣 Peoria Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday August 29
  • JH Baseball VS St. Patrick (Away)
    Peoria Heights CUSD 325 Peoria, IL 61616
    10:00 am
    • Monday August 31
  • JH Baseball VS Georgetown MS (Home)
    Peoria Heights CUSD 325 PH Baseball Field
    4:30 pm
  • Boys's JV Football VS Flanagan-Cornell High School (Away)
    Peoria Heights CUSD 325 Flanagan-Cornell Unit 74, 202 E Falcon Hwy, Flanagan, IL 61740\
    5:30 pm
    • Tuesday September 1
  • JH Softball VS Georgetown MS (Away)
    Peoria Heights CUSD 325 Sandrock Sports Park, S Main St, Pekin, IL 61554, USA
    4:30 pm

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

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Scott Ford Burial Information
    Looking for anyone who knew Scott Ford of Glenview IL, and any information on where he was laid to rest. Due to his wife withholding information... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just a note: parsal lunar eclipse tonight.
    they say it will be about 96% starting about 11:15PM and lasting several hours! Also before and after it is said to be a 'Blood Moon" Get out and… (Nextdoor Altmont)
  • Reminder: Food Pantries Open Fridays
    FRIDAY Bradley Epworth United Methodist Church 1316 Columbia Terr., Peoria 309-673-1330 Food pantry open 1st Friday of the month from 8-10am … (Nextdoor Bournedale)
  • Allied Universal posted a job opening for Security Officer - Part Time - Overnights in Peoria. Apply here.
  • The Salvation Army in the Midwest posted a job opening for Food Services Aide 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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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