Senior Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens

CHILLICOTHE

Roadway to honor fallen Navy SEAL

Illinois Route 29 in Chillicothe has a new name: Senior Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens Memorial Highway.

The name change honors a Navy SEAL originally from Chillicothe who killed in action last year. The roadway was officially designated March 6 by state lawmakers.

Owens was killed during a raid against al Qaeda in Yemen as a part of SEAL Team Six. He attended Illinois Valley Central High School, playing baseball and football there. Owens lived in Virginia at the time of his death, and is survived by his wife, three children and his father.

Four members of his extended family were present as the state House unanimously passed the resolution renaming the roadway. It previously had passed the state Senate.

Signs will be posted later this year to denote the honorary stretch.

PEORIA

City moving closer to upping age to buy tobacco

The Peoria Liquor Commission recently voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance that would raise the age limit to 21 from 18 to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products in the city. Mayor Jim Ardis said an ordinance might be ready for council consideration in late April. If it’s approved, Peoria could become the first major Illinois community outside the Chicago area to codify a higher age limit.

Similar bills on a statewide basis are being discussed in the Illinois General Assembly. 

Stricter security lengthens time for airport security

Flying soon out of Peoria? Then, you should take heed: Get there early — about two hours early – before takeoff.

Gene Olson, director of the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria Airport (PIA), is alerting the public to allow more time because new, stricter screenings at TSA checkpoints across the country may result in longer lines, including PIA.

The Transportation Security Administration’s new screening procedures are to be implemented at all airports nationwide by late spring of this year. The new procedures began March 8 in Peoria.

The TSA now has stricter carry-on baggage screening. That includes requiring travelers to place all electronic devices larger than a cell phone in bins for separate screening. The electronics should be in a bin with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops are screened.

Travelers also are now required to remove the one-quart bag containing all liquids, gels and aerosols (each less than 100 ml or 3.4 ounces) from their carry-on bag for screening in a separate bin.

The TSA said no changes have been made to what can be brought through the checkpoint. Liquids in the allowed quantities, food, electronics and books continue to be allowed in carry-on bags.

The new screening procedures do not apply to passengers screened in a dedicated TSA PreCheck line, which the Peoria airport has.

Program to explore civility in today’s world

The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria will present a program March 21 on the topic of civility, at the next session of its Drinks & Dialogue series. Portia Adams, social work program director and associate professor, department of sociology at Bradley University will guide the discussion, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Lariat Steakhouse, 2232 W. Glen Ave., Peoria.

The Institute for Civility in Government defines civility as “more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary first step.  It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements. It is political in the sense that it is a necessary prerequisite for civic action. But it is political, too, in the sense that it is about negotiating interpersonal power such that everyone’s voice is heard, and nobody’s is ignored.”

The program is free. Social time will precede it at 5 p.m. 

Route announced for St. Patrick’s parade

The St. Patrick Society of Peoria will hold its annual parade March 17. The parade will start at 11 a.m. on Monroe at Hancock. The parade will travel south on Monroe to Main, left on Main to Water. The parade will then make a left turn onto Water and end in front of the Gateway Building at Water and Hamilton. Parade participants and floats will disembark on Water between Hamilton and Eaton.

The city’s Parking Enforcement Department will prohibit parking on Monroe, Main and Water between Hamilton and Eaton by bagging the meters.

Impacted intersections include (approximately 11 a.m.-1 p.m.):

• Monroe and Wayne
• Monroe and Hancock
• Monroe and Green
• Monroe and Bryan
• Monroe and Spalding
• Monroe and Fayette
• Monroe and Hamilton
• Monroe and Main
• Madison and Main
• Jefferson and Main
• Adams and Main
• Washington and Main
• Water and Hamilton
• 500 Block of Main

City officials ask the public to be aware of increased pedestrian traffic and allow extra time if traveling in the downtown area.

Seminar to educate public on opioid epidemic

The Peoria Recovery Project, a free event developed to educate the public and provide resources on the opioid epidemic, will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 21 at the Peoria Civic Center. Speakers include Dr. Kirk Moberg, medical director, Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery; Chris Schaffner, recovery specialist; Joe Rogers, director of operations for Teen Challenge and others. The keynote address will be delivered by Tim Ryan, star of A & E Television’s “Dope Man.”

The event will also feature naloxone training, treatment providers, recover counselors, faith-based groups, job readiness resources, education resources, HIV screening and prescription medicine disposal. Additional information about the event may be found at facebook.com/PeoriaRecoveryProject/.

De-stress under the stars at the planetarium

Stressed at work? Need a break from your hectic day? You are invited to Dome Planetarium at the Peoria Riverfront Museum at 12 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month to calm down and relax under the stars. Enjoy a short star talk, then let your tension float away under starry skies with soothing background music. The next session is April 4.

All are welcome, but this program may not be suitable for young children. It is designed to give people a quiet time to relax, and periods of long sitting can be difficult for some youngsters.

Free parking is available in the museum’s parking garage. Food and drink welcome in the Dome, located at the museum, 222 SW Washington St., Peoria. More information is available at the museum or by phone at 309-686-7000.

–Peoria County News Briefs–