104.9 The Wolf

Peoria paramedic receives national EMS honor, chooses veterans over awards ceremony

Caleb Kelch — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:09:16 +0000

PEORIA (25News Now) – A Peoria paramedic is receiving one of the highest honors in emergency medical services, but she won’t be in Washington, D.C., to accept it.

Nicole Hughes, a Quality and Compliance Manager, Critical Care Paramedic and Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse with Advanced Medical Transport (AMT), has been named a 2026 Star of Life by the American Ambulance Association. The award recognizes EMS professionals who go above and beyond in caring for their communities.

Instead of attending the national awards ceremony on Nov. 17, Hughes will be doing what earned her the recognition, which is caring for veterans on a Greater Peoria Honor Flight.

“When I learned about the nomination and they told me the ceremony was going to be on November 17, the first thing I said was, ‘Well, I’m not going to be able to go because I’m going to be on the Honor Flight that day,’” Hughes said.

While Hughes calls the award a tremendous honor, she says serving veterans comes first.

“To me, it’s more important to be there serving those who’ve served us rather than being recognized for something that I’m doing alongside a team,” Hughes said. “There’s no better way to be recognized than to be allowed to go on the trip and be with the people that I care about the most.”

An Army veteran herself, Hughes helps coordinate medical staffing and emergency equipment for each Greater Peoria Honor Flight, ensuring veterans have medical support throughout the trip.

She says the work is personal.

“I see my grandpa in every single person that goes on that trip,” Hughes said. “That’s why I care so much because I just put my grandpa’s face on them.”

Hughes says some of the most meaningful moments come while caring for Vietnam veterans, many of whom continue to carry emotional wounds decades after returning home.

AMT says Hughes was recognized nationally for her leadership and dedication to supporting Greater Peoria Honor Flight and the veterans it serves.

CareerSpark celebrates 10 years of introducing Central Illinois students to future careers

Caleb Kelch — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:05:43 +0000

PEORIA (25News Now) – Thousands of Central Illinois eighth graders are getting a hands-on look at their futures as the 10th annual Greater Peoria CareerSpark takes over the Peoria Civic Center.

The two-day event, on Wednesday and Thursday, gives more than 4,000 students the opportunity to explore over 100 different careers through interactive activities, demonstrations and conversations with local professionals.

From healthcare and manufacturing to agriculture, construction and public safety, students are discovering career paths they may have never considered before.

Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, said the event is designed to introduce students to potential careers before they begin making important educational decisions in high school.

“And it’s really an awesome opportunity for young people not to decide what they want to be when they grow up, but to start thinking about what they might want to be,” Setti said.

Unlike traditional career fairs, where students might simply speak with someone behind a table, CareerSpark encourages participants to get involved.

Students can explore robotics, participate in interactive games and experience demonstrations that give them a better understanding of different industries.

“They really get to experience it. And our volunteers do an awesome job of creating interactive experiences, because that’s the way kids get excited,” Setti said.

For Midwest Central Middle School eighth grader Libby Duwaldt, the event offered an opportunity to discover new interests while enjoying a day outside the classroom.

Duwaldt said she particularly enjoyed seeing the robots and participating in activities with her friends.

“It’s very exciting. And, like, it’s overwhelming, but not. It’s like in a good overwhelming way. It kind of shows you like what you’re interested in and what you’re not,” Duwaldt said.

Although she hasn’t decided exactly what she wants to do for a career, Duwaldt said seeing the different opportunities has helped her think more about her future.

Setti explained that exposing students to different industries at this age is especially important because high school electives and career technical education courses can help put students on a path toward their future professions.

The event is also celebrating a major milestone this year.

For the past decade, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Junior Achievement of Central Illinois have worked alongside local businesses, sponsors and volunteers to introduce young people to careers available throughout the region.

Setti said approximately 4,000 to 4,300 students participate each year, with hundreds of volunteers helping make the experience possible.

He also shared a personal connection to the event.

His youngest daughter attended CareerSpark during its second year and has since graduated from nursing school. She now works as a nurse at a Chicago hospital.

Setti said her first exposure to the healthcare industry may have come from attending CareerSpark.

While organizers cannot track every student’s career journey, Setti believes the event is making a difference by introducing young people to possibilities they might not have otherwise discovered.

He hopes students leave inspired to explore subjects and electives that could eventually lead to fulfilling careers.

“It’s about exploration. And I think that’s really important at this stage,” Setti said.

The 10th annual CareerSpark continues Thursday, October 29, at the Peoria Civic Center.

OSF HealthCare celebrates 150 years of Franciscan Sisters in Peoria

Caleb Kelch — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 15:02:38 +0000

PEORIA, Ill. – OSF HealthCare is celebrating 150 years since the founding of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, whose arrival in Peoria helped establish what would become one of the region’s largest healthcare systems.

The Sisters arrived in Peoria on October 28, 1876, beginning a legacy of faith, service and compassionate care that continues through OSF HealthCare today.

To mark the anniversary Wednesday, a private Mass of Thanksgiving was held in the Main Chapel of OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria presided over the Mass, which recognized generations of Sisters and OSF employees who have carried the organization’s mission forward.

Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, Major Superior of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and chairperson of the OSF HealthCare Board of Directors, says the anniversary is an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by the founding Sisters.

“The day makes us remember our founding Sisters and how they came from Germany to Iowa to Peoria, not knowing or having anything,” Williams said.

She says the Sisters’ commitment to serving others remains central to OSF HealthCare’s mission, even as the organization has grown and healthcare has changed over the past century and a half.

Williams also thanked OSF employees, known as Mission Partners, for continuing that work.

OSF HealthCare plans additional anniversary events and Masses across its regional ministries throughout the commemorative year.

The celebration follows two years of planning to recognize the Sisters’ history and their continued impact on the communities they serve.

Peoria firefighters contain porch fire, prevent damage to home

Caleb Kelch — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:33:19 +0000

PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria firefighters prevented a Wednesday night fire from spreading into a home on North Machin Avenue.

The Peoria Fire Department says crews responded to a house in the 1700 block of North Machin Avenue shortly after 10 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, they found flames coming from the front deck and steps of the one-and-a-half-story home.

Crews quickly extinguished the flames, preventing the fire from spreading beyond the deck and stairs.

The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes, although crews remained on the scene for about an hour to make sure it was fully extinguished.

One adult was inside the home when the fire started but escaped before firefighters arrived.

No injuries were reported, and the resident was able to remain in the home.

A fire investigator and the department’s arson detection dog, Rock, responded to investigate.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Damage is estimated at $8,000.

Creve Coeur bus service here to stay, after CityLink identifies way to keep it running

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:32:54 +0000

PEORIA (25News Now) – The previously announced discontinuation of CityLink bus service to Creve Coeur and the #23 Pekin Connector Route is no longer happening.

CityLink said in a Wednesday night release that bus stops in Creve Coeur will continue after Nov. 4.

CityLink said it identified a path forward that lets it maintain service while continuing to meet federal accessibility requirements under the ADA, following conversations with the Illinois Department of Transportation and representatives from Creve Coeur.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, public transit agencies operating fixed-route bus service are generally required to provide complementary paratransit service for eligible riders with disabilities within three-quarters of a mile of those routes. Paratransit services typically include transportation options that are for eligible people whose disabilities prevent them from using regular bus service.

CityLink did not elaborate on what changed to keep the bus service.

Eureka man sentenced after aggravated DUI incident

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:30:17 +0000

EUREKA (25News Now) – A Eureka man has been sentenced for aggravated driving while license revoked, a class 4 felony.

Cody Johnson was sentenced on October 20th by a Woodford County judge 48 months of probation and 140 days in jail.

This stems from an incident where Johnson was involved in two crashes while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Johnson first fled from the Woodford County Deputies at a high speed, when they attempted to do a traffic stop. Johnson was driving over 30 over the 40-mph speed limit and passed a deputy. He then drove through a red light at Main and Center in Eureka, hitting another car.

Johnson took off again, and he was found by deputies following another crash in McLean County. A breath sample was taken once he was detained, showing a .198 blood alcohol content.

In court, Assistant State’s Attorney Alex David argued for a five year sentence, since this was Johnson’s third DUI. After further consideration from the judge, it was decided Johnson be put on probation and spend the 140 days in the Woodford County Jail.

Peoria man arrested after police seize guns, drugs during search

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:27:49 +0000

PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man faces multiple felony charges after police say they recovered two handguns and illegal drugs while executing a search warrant Tuesday afternoon.

The Peoria Police Department says officers executed a search warrant around 2:15 p.m. at a residence in the 400 block of East Thrush Avenue as part of an ongoing investigation into the unlawful sale of controlled substances.

The warrant also involved 44-year-old Darnell D. Payton, who officers located a short distance from the residence before entering.

Police say Payton was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the home, officers recovered two handguns, illegal drugs and cash.

Payton was taken to the Peoria Police Department for questioning before being arrested on charges of armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

He was transported to the Peoria County Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Youth sports coach sentenced to 26 years for sexually assaulting 12-year-old girl

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:32:28 +0000

PEORIA, Ill. – A former youth sports coach has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he coached in 2025.

The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 23-year-old Aydan Trueblood was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault in August.

Prosecutors say Bartonville police received a tip in November 2025 that Trueblood had behaved inappropriately with the girl earlier that year.

During a forensic interview, the victim told investigators she had communicated with Trueblood through Snapchat and had snuck out to meet him.

According to prosecutors, Trueblood drove the girl to his parents’ home, where the assault occurred.

Trueblood later admitted to the assault and to sending the victim explicit photographs.

Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Gast sought the maximum 30-year sentence allowed under the plea agreement, emphasizing the victim’s age and the responsibility Trueblood held as her coach.

“This is the nightmare of every parent with a daughter in a sport,” Gast said during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.

Chief Judge Katherine Gorman acknowledged Trueblood’s lack of criminal history but said he needed to be held accountable for his actions.

Trueblood was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Cindy Bailey, GOP candidate’s wife, pushes back on claims in Pritzker ads

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 15:09:23 +0000

Article Summary

Darren Bailey’s wife held a news conference Tuesday to argue Gov. JB Pritzker’s ads inaccurately portray his treatment of women.
Pritzker’s campaign is running ads highlighting Bailey’s positions on abortion, claims about women’s role in the home and the curriculum taught in the private school the Baileys founded.
Cindy Bailey said Darren Bailey treats her as a partner and values her work and opinions.
Bailey is in the middle of a statewide tour ahead of Election Day to encourage voters to support him.

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.

SPRINGFIELD — Cindy Bailey fired back at Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign Tuesday for running ads that accuse her husband, Republican candidate Darren Bailey, of viewing women as “inferior.”

Cindy Bailey held a news conference in Springfield on Tuesday, a week before Election Day, arguing Pritzker’s ads inaccurately portray Bailey’s treatment of women.

“When JB Pritzker tries to frighten women by making my husband into something he isn’t, I’m going to speak up,” Cindy Bailey said. “Darren understands that criticism comes when running for governor. I understand that too. But governor, you have crossed a line.”

Pritzker’s campaign is running a TV ad in the Chicago area that claims Bailey has said “women should be treated inferior to men,” and that he opposes abortion in cases of rape or incest.

Bailey has a record of supporting anti-abortion positions but has largely chosen not to speak on that issue during this campaign. The ad also shows Bailey on video saying “God intended the family unit to be headed by the dad.”

“I have never once had to ask for my husband’s permission to speak,” Cindy Bailey said. “I owned a business. I helped lead a school. I raised our four children, and through every chapter, Darren treated me as his partner and valued my opinions and the work that I did.”

Bailey has for months faced relentless attack ads from Pritzker’s campaign. Pritzker has spent $90.5 million of his own money on his campaign, while Bailey raised just over $1 million between June 1 and Sept. 30. It hasn’t been enough to launch any sort of advertising counterattack, leading Bailey to rely on face-to-face contact with voters and media headlines.

Bailey’s private school

The Baileys founded a private Christian school in Clay County that has been a major focus of Pritzker’s attack ads. Those ads claim the Full Armor Christian Academy uses Bob Jones University Press curriculum, which, they say, teaches that women’s participation in the workforce has been costly to the country.

Cindy Bailey denied on Tuesday that the school uses the textbook, though Darren Bailey said earlier this month in an interview with a St. Louis TV station that he believes that is the curriculum the school is using.

“A woman’s worth is not determined by whether she works in an office, runs a business, or stays home with her children,” Cindy Bailey said. “We ought to respect one another enough to recognize our lives may look different.”

The school received a violent threat via email following Pritzker’s ads, which Bailey’s team has blamed on the Pritzker campaign. State Police are investigating, but Cindy Bailey said they have thus far been unable to trace the email to a specific person.

Pritzker’s campaign declined to walk back the ads.

“Darren Bailey’s record is clear: he believes women shouldn’t have a right to make their own medical decisions, and the school he founded teaches that women should be subservient to men,” a Pritzker spokesperson said. “A last-ditch effort to save his flailing campaign doesn’t change that.”

Cindy Bailey was joined by Kristina McCloy, the founder of Concerned Parents of Illinois, a conservative advocacy group. Pritzker’s campaign has criticized McCloy for stating on social media that authorities were covering up attacks by Black children on white children in schools.

The Patch online publication reported McCloy’s page also criticized Hinsdale’s village president, Republican Greg Hart, for “participation in LGBTQ community events, Mexican parades, Muslim events, public support for (Black Lives Matter), publicly complimenting the NAACP, and thanking Joe Biden for his service.”

Closing message

The news conference came amid Bailey’s final statewide tour this week aimed at rallying supporters ahead of next week’s election.

Bailey said he believes the election is a “race” to 2 million votes — about 300,000 more than he received in 2022, when he lost to Pritzker by 12 points. Pritzker received 2.3 million votes last cycle, down from the 2.5 million he received in 2018 against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who received 1.8 million. That was President Donald Trump’s first midterm election, and Democrats gained ground across the country.

A similar environment is shaping up in this year’s race, leading Trump to campaign for candidates in traditionally safe Republican states like Texas on Tuesday. Bailey also toured areas this week that have largely been safe for Republicans. Eleven of his 17 stops this week were outside of the Chicago TV market that Bailey said would be the focus of this year’s campaign.

He said he believes he can win if enough Republican voters show up and blamed his 2018 loss on poor turnout.

In the Chicago area, Pritzker has also been making final stops to rally supporters. His Tuesday schedule included a reception focused on women’s rights and reproductive health care with comptroller candidate Margaret Croke and Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Peoria to pay millions for drones, high-tech tools for ‘safer outcomes’

Caleb Kelch — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 14:50:30 +0000

PEORIA (25News Now) – The Peoria City Council has unanimously agreed to pay a technology firm almost $13.8 million over five years to receive the latest public safety tools, including a Drone as First Responder program.

Arizona-based Axon has been doing business with the city since the early 2000s, supplying police with tasers, body-worn cameras, data storage software and other equipment.

This latest deal has Axon selling Peoria about two dozen drones and a network of drone docks around the city, with the airborne vehicles arriving on scenes before officers.

Police pledge the drones will only be sent out to service calls, or as at-large Council Member Mike Vespa said, they won’t randomly look inside people’s homes.

Police Chief Brad Dixon said a drone in the downtown area will be equipped with a life preserver for river rescues.

Axon’s “premium” package includes virtual reality for officers’ training to help them work with people with autism or schizophrenia, plus AI for writing police reports.

The city is buying 241 new body-warn cameras, 253 tasers, 91 in-car cameras, 12 interview room cameras, and unlimited data storage.

Mayor Rita Ali said the council accomplished its “due diligence” duties during a lengthy question-and-answer session with police. The mayor acknowledged this is an “expensive” package.

Chief Dixon said the main goal is “safer outcomes” for officers and the community.