Jackie Mustard wants to offer a big, blue thank-you note to the Peoria Police Department. A few days ago, a patrol officer did something very thoughtful.

PEKIN -- A 19-year-old Pekin man was sent to prison for a 12-year term Thursday with his guilty pleas to two violent armed robberies involving a handgun and a baseball bat.

DUNLAP - With no plans yet in place and the clock ticking down toward an Aug. 17 start, the Dunlap School District superintendent said Monday the year will begin with students in school, five days a week.

PEORIA -- A man was fatally shot just south of Downtown late Monday night, marking the city's sixth homicide of the year.

WASHINGTON -- A man is in custody after an apparent homicide, the second of the month, in Washington, the police chief said.