Dunlap
Dunlap, IL · Lifestyle
25newsnow.com
Local coffee shop owner unfazed by competition as new chains move into area
PEORIA (25News Now) - National coffee chains 7 Brew and Dutch Bros are expanding into central Illinois, raising questions about how locally owned coffee shops are holding up against the new competition. James Cross, owner of Leaves ‘n Beans Coffee, said business has not taken a hit since the chains...
thecounty-chronicle.com
‘The Mosquito Bowl’ features UI stand-out Tony Butkovich, killed in action in WWII Brother of the late Bill Butkovich, long-time TCHS coach and principal
“The Mosquito Bowl” is a movie due for release in theaters on Oct. 30. AMC Champaign 13 is offering a preview Thursday, Oct. 29. The movie is based on a 2022 book “The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II” by Buzz Bissinger—author of the football classic, “Friday Night Lights.”
route66news.com
Rare, 1960s-era Futuro house coming soon to Atlanta, Illinois
The same people who run the American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, will soon welcome a new tourist attraction: a rare 1960s Futuro house. For the uninitiated, fiberglass Futuro homes were designed in Finland and resemble flying saucers. Only about 100 were produced, and it’s believed that just 60 remain worldwide.
videtteonline.com
Avery Anna headlines homecoming festivities
The Braden Auditorium at the Bone Student Center opened its doors for a live show featuring country-pop artist Avery Anna as the headliner, with Illinois State University alum Dan Hubbard as the opening act. Freshman marketing major Colton Harrington discussed how he heard about Anna and what interested him in...
Daily Leader
Downtown Pontiac bar prepares to reveal new look after remodel
PONTIAC, IL — Something exciting is happening on North Mill Street, and the community is invited to come see what has been brewing behind the doors of a familiar local establishment. Mill St. Tap, located at 316 North Mill Street in Pontiac, is getting ready to celebrate a fresh new look with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. Oct. 29. The celebration will take place at the bar's back entrance. New owner Eric Barnard, who took ownership of Mill St. Tap on Dec. 30, 2025, has been working to give the business a much-needed makeover while breathing new life into the familiar neighborhood gathering place. With portions of the building in poor condition, improvements were needed both inside and out, Barnard said. He used a facade grant to fix up the exterior. Additional improvements to the interior and portions of the exterior were supported through the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council. So far, about $150,000 has been poured into the renovations with some projects still ongoing. While the building may have a fresh, new look, some of the things that made Mill St. Tap a Pontiac staple have not changed. For example, Mill St. Tap's popular
smilepolitely.com
Bentley’s Pub is a cozy spot for cocktails
Tucked just a bit out of Downtown Champaign, Bentley’s is a local pub that I set out to review recently. Inside, it was quite dark with tin ceilings and the large, long bar. There was a bank of slot machines right inside the door. In addition to standard drinks, Bentley’s have some house infusions. We stopped in for a drink before dinner to try out some of the infusions.
WCIA
unearththevoyage.com
familydestinationsguide.com
This Unassuming Illinois BBQ Joint Serves Up The Best Brisket You’ll Ever Taste
Some barbecue joints make you drive across state lines, but the Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern in Peoria, Illinois is proof that the best smoke in the Midwest has been hiding right under your nose. Pull up a chair, because this place deserves your full attention. Let’s start with the building...
Journal Star
New restaurant opens at Peoria shopping center
PEORIA – After sitting empty for more than a year, a Campustown Shopping Center space is seeing new life. Iwayan Wiraatmaja, owner of Okinawa Hibachi Sushi Ramen , has opened a second concept just around the corner from his Japanese restaurant. Iwayan’s Kitchen quietly opened on Monday, Oct. 12, he said, before announcing the opening on Facebook the following day. “We are open and ready for business!” the restaurant noted in an Oct. 13 Facebook post. “We hope to see you soon!” Here’s what to know about the restaurant. More: Find 'cozy, crave-worthy' fall menu items at these Peoria restaurants Where is Iwayan’s Kitchen located? Iwayan’s Kitchen is situated in the former home of The Fieldhouse Bar & Grill, which closed in May 2025 . Located at 1200 W. Main St., Suite 24, the new restaurant sits just across the street from Bradley University . Wiraatmaja signed the lease for the unit in April, he said, but the space needed to be brought up to code before he could open. “It's been (a) long journey for me,” he said. More: 'Iconic Hoops bar' expanding to include second Peoria sports theme What are the hours of operation? The restaurant is open
25newsnow.com
chronicleillinois.com
Historic Lincoln image returns to Peoria
A historical image of a young, beardless Abraham Lincoln, taken in Peoria in 1858 and known to historians and collectors as “The Peoria Portrait,” has found its way back to its city of origin. Until recently, the whereabouts of the original “ambrotype,” a type of early photograph that produced images on glass, were unknown. Seth Kaller, nationally known rare documents expert, special advisor to the Peoria Riverfront Museum and curator of the museum’s “The Promise of Liberty” exhibit, located the historic photograph at an East Coast exhibit of rare photographs.
smilepolitely.com
Downs Haunted House is a scary, welcoming, and creepy experience
As fall marches on, pumpkin patches begin to fill up, costume shops get busier, and haunted houses open. Recently, one that’s been around came onto my radar: the Downs Haunted House. I’ve actually driven through the town of Downs a few times before and it’s always been a pleasant...
1049thewolf.com
Illinois Comic Con returning to Peoria with Tom Kenny, Ron Perlman and more
PEORIA, Ill. – Illinois Comic Con is returning to the Peoria Civic Center next month, bringing a lineup of actors, voice artists and creators to Central Illinois. Organizers announced Tuesday that this year’s celebrity lineup includes Tom Kenny, best known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Ron Perlman, whose credits include Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy.