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🌱 Patch AM: What legal steps await Peoria council member Kiran Velpula now?

Make time for Peoria's Dancing Witches of Illinois on the Peoria Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 23rd Patch AM
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Hi Peoria! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What legal steps await Peoria council member Kiran Velpula now?
  • What Peoria's new hotel tax could mean for your local economy
  • How a Warehouse District project could finally lure a grocery store

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

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 68 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Thursday: Periods of clouds and sun, temps: high: 70, low: 58.
  • Friday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 71 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. DUI attorney explains what could come next in case involving Peoria council member Kiran Velpula (wmbdradio.com) — A Peoria DUI attorney is outlining what typically happens next in Illinois DUI cases after multiple traffic and DUI citations were filed against at-large Peoria City Council member Kiran Velpula. Without judging guilt, he explains why someone might not be booked into jail, how evidence like chemical tests could shape the case, and what potential penalties and license consequences Velpula could face at upcoming October court dates.
   

2. New 1.5% tax on hotel stays receives final nod from Peoria City Council (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria residents should know a new 1.5% tax on short-stay hotel rooms will start in November, with the added revenue funding Discover Peoria's marketing to attract more visitors. City council members say the move could boost local restaurants, shops, and jobs, while one dissenting vote raised concerns about increasing the city's overall tax burden.
   

3. Peoria Warehouse District project adds more apartments, amenities (pjstar.com) — Peoria's Warehouse District is getting a major boost, with the City Council approving changes that expand a planned SW Adams Street project from eight to 21 apartments and add resident amenities like a gym and sauna. By trading some commercial space for more housing, city leaders hope to increase property values and attract services such as a long-sought neighborhood grocery store.
   

4. Peoria Mayor Rita Ali elected IML First Vice President (timestribunenews.com) — Peoria Mayor Rita Ali has been unanimously elected First Vice President of the Illinois Municipal League, giving Peoria a stronger voice in statewide municipal policy. Her new one-year leadership role builds on several years of IML board service and positions her to advocate more directly for Peoria residents' needs in Springfield and across Illinois.
   

5. Peoria woman indicted for alleged attempted kidnapping (centralillinoisproud.com) — A Peoria woman has been indicted on kidnapping and aggravated battery charges after allegedly grabbing a 5-year-old near Southwest Jefferson Avenue and Liberty Street earlier this month. Police say the child's mother and a bystander intervened, the child was unharmed, and the suspect was arrested nearby; she remains in Peoria County Jail pending an Oct. 1 arraignment.
   

📸 Around Peoria

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Reminder: Food Pantries Open Tuesdays
    TUESDAY Hidden Manna 644 Park Avenue Peoria, IL 61603 (309) 472-6377 Food pantry open Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closes promptly at 4) Manna… (Nextdoor Bournedale)
  • Hello neighbors does anyone have an extra vacuum that they're willing to part with?
    also I have .. *Medium Dog Cage with door that folds (Gently Used) *Industrial Carpet Cleaner *A Portable washer/Dryer with hookups (Gently used near… (Nextdoor Creighton Woods)
  • Komatsu posted a job opening for Assembler - Hiring Now in Peoria. Apply here.
  • Papa John's posted a job opening for Shift Leader 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: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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