Peoria

WEEK-TV NEWS 25 announces news co-anchor

News 25 announced Tyler Lopez as its News Co-Anchor for the 6PM and 10PM newscasts every weeknight starting August 3, 2015.  Lopez will team up with current news anchor Libby Allison on WEEK-TV newscasts starting Monday, August 3.

Lopez comes to the Peoria-Bloomington market from KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver, where for the last 10 years he has served as a fill-in anchor and reporter for the station’s daily morning newscast. Prior to that Lopez was news anchor at NBC affiliate KOAA in Colorado Springs and reporter/anchor at KDVR (Fox) in Denver.  In all Tyler has over 20 years’ experience anchoring, reporting and producing local broadcast news.

Bacci Pizza Express denied liquor license

The Peoria City Council voted last week to deny liquor-license approval for a restaurant adjacently located next to Bradley University, at 1222 W. Bradley Ave. According to reports the councilman serving the neighborhood by Bradley said it would have been another alcohol-serving site too many.

The city Liquor Commission voted to approve the site.

Peoria native gets Hollywood star

After 36 years as announcer for the Los Angeles Clippers, Ralph Lawler will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2016 and honored with a star on the legendary walkway. Lawler is a graduate of Peoria High and Bradley University and is the third-longest tenured broadcaster in the NBA. Lawler earned three Emmy awards as well as inductions into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, the Southern California Sports Hall of Fame and the Bradley Athletics Hall of fame.

River rises, could mean cancelling fireworks display

According to reports, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says if the Illinois River reaches 26 feet, the Corps will recommend that all traffic cease between Chillicothe and the Peoria Lock and Dam, which could mean cancelling the Peoria 4^th of July fireworks show, “Red, White and Boom.” After a month of heavy rain, with more in the forecast, Peoria Public Works personnel will continue to monitor and manage the rising waters.

The Coast Guard has already shut down parts of the Illinois River from Havana to north of Chillicothe, due to excessive flooding.

Uber ride-share service now available

The Peoria City Council last week unanimously approved an ordinance allowing Uber, and other ride-share companies, to operate in Peoria. Uber drivers must comply with the same inspections and background checks as established taxi-cab companies.

18^th Congressional District

Chamber of Commerce backs LaHood

The U.S. and Illinois Chambers of Commerce are endorsing State Senator Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) as the congressman to replace the seat vacated in March by Aaron Schock. According to WJBC- AM 1230 the Illinois Chamber Vice President of Policy Benjamin Brockschmidt said, “State Senator LaHood has been a strong advocate for energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure – all key tenants of the Illinois economy.”