Benson, IL

NORMAL, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — After making it into the top three on "American Idol," Leah Marlene of Normal, Illinois, is home Tuesday night to film an outdoor performance. The show is set to start at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. WATCH HERE:. Normal Mayor Chris Koos...

NORMAL — Greeted by yellow streamers, balloons, posters and even handmade bucket hats, Leah Marlene’s smile could not grow wider when she arrived at Prairieland Elementary School to students screaming and chanting her name. From a limousine, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter made stops at her alma maters Tuesday afternoon,...

NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Thousands of cheering fans welcomed home singer-songwriter Leah Marlene on Tuesday after the young woman from Normal advanced to the Top 3 of the American Idol competition. A hometown concert by Leah capped off an evening in Uptown Normal that featured a parade and...

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A marijuana dispensary is now getting moved to South Main Street in East Peoria. Roy Sorce, the owner of Sorce Enterprises, is relocating his marijuana dispensary. The East Peoria City Council was happy to unanimously approve this relocation, as it was approved once before.

As you're probably aware, there has been a ton of talent coming out of Iowa over the years. Some Iowa natives include Ashton Kutcher, Jason Momoa, and the list goes on. Even American Idol season 16 winner Maddie Poppe is from Clarksville, Iowa. With all of this talent oozing out of the state it's no surprise that some of that talent would spread to our surrounding areas.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Three abandoned houses were demolished on Tuesday to make room for a new park in Peoria’s Southside. POTENT Gratitude Park is the vision of Bob Woolsey, Hedy Elliot and Pastor Alvin Riley. Build Peoria, a group committed to making Peoria more beautiful, raised $70,000 for the project, its fifth one.

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — “American Idol” finalist, Leah Marlene will be recording a performance in Uptown Normal Tuesday. According to a Town of Normal press release, Marlene’s performance is expected to start at 7:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to watch the performance online can do...

NORMAL, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — A central Illinois woman is returning home to showcase her talents after making it into the top three on "American Idol." Leah Marlene of Normal, Illinois will be back home on Tuesday, May 17 to film an outdoor performance. The show is set for 7:30...

TAZEWELL COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) — One member of the trio of Mackinaw teenagers accused of carrying out a murder-for-hire plot in October 2021 requested that he stay at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center instead of being moved to an adult jail. The trio, Nathaniel Maloney, Sage Raeuber, and...

(WEEK) - A Washington man missing for three days was found dead from a health-related issue after heading to Marshall County to search for morel mushrooms. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office says Richard Simpson, 61, was found dead Sunday after his family contacted the office around noon that day - not hearing from him since Thursday, May 12.

President Biden recently nominated the mayor of Normal to a seat on the Amtrak board, which oversees the nation's passenger rail service. If the Senate confirms Koos, he would replace Tom Carper of Macomb, once also a mayor of a medium-sized municipality served by Amtrak. Koos said U.S. Sen. Dick...

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Out with the old and in with the new - three abandoned homes were knocked down on Peoria’s south end with a promise of a new park on Tuesday. “A place of peace, a place to have green space, a place for people...

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A shortage of firefighters, police and EMS personnel is plaguing the nation including Bloomington. The city of Bloomington fire department responded to nearly 50 calls Monday alone all while being short-staffed. Bloomington’s fire department said busier days are becoming the norm and on average the...

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) - Members of Peoria Public Works were heroes to some ducklings that found their way to the bottom of a storm sewer near the Peoria Riverfront. After receiving notice of the trapped ducklings, Public Works acted quickly. One of the workers dropped down into the sewer, and began carefully scooping the ducklings into a bucket.

Hundreds gather for Leah Marlene’s hometown concert. Peoria Heights honors previous Peoria High Superintendent. Demolition day for new park in Peoria’s Southside. Momma duck and 10 ducklings rescued by Peoria Public …. No excuses! It’s time for your cancer screenings. Mom Hacks: Easy breakfast foods for your...

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Two workers with Peoria Public Works on Monday rescued a mother duck and her 10 ducklings that fell into a storm water inlet in downtown Peoria. Matthew Savage, a maintenance worker for the city, responded to the after-hours call. The ducks had fallen into the grate located at Fayette and Jefferson Streets.

EL PASO – Firefighters say a tractor caught on fire after hitting a power line Sunday morning, leading to hundreds of thousands in damages. El Paso Fire Chief Neil Gauger says it happened in the 2700 block of County Road East, near 1100 North. Gauger said the wings of...