Maddie Gehling
Journal Star
West Peoria, IL, United States
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Past articles by Maddie:
The right time of year to dance an Irish jig
PEORIA — Each year, March means the first day of spring and a bevy of St. Patrick’s Day deals at local bars and pubs. But for Erin Rockhold, the third month of the year doesn’t necessarily mean a pint of Guinness with corned beef and cabbage — it means jigs and traditional Irish music.Rockhold owns the Isle of Erin Irish dance studio in Peoria, where she also serves as creative director.… → Read More
Fire cadet program gives Peoria teens 'a pathway' to firefighting careers
Days start at 6:30 a.m. for those enrolled in the Peoria Fire Department’s fire cadet program — a program that introduces young people in Peoria to the Fire Department through classes and hands-on experiences.“This was an opportunity to give some of our Peoria kids the opportunity to see what the fire service is all about — what we do as Peoria fire — and see if that ignited any interest,” said… → Read More
NAACP members urge Mapleton board to 'at least address' member's comments
MAPLETON — Members of Peoria's chapter of the NAACP attended a village board meeting Tuesday night in Mapleton in the wake of controversial comments by a board member.The board was set to discuss member Alice Dailey's "colored people" comments made during a May committee meeting, during which she referred to visitors to the town's recreation center as "too many colored people coming into town on… → Read More
$6,000 in clothing and other items stolen from Peoria man's apartment
PEORIA — Officers are investigating the burglary of a number of clothing and jewelry items, as well as a phone, from one Peoria man's apartment. → Read More
Man cited after three girls injured in July boat crash
PEORIA — Illinois State Conservation Police have issued three citations to the man who crashed his boat into the McClugage Bridge on July 23.Troy Pepping, of Washington, was cited with reckless operation of a watercraft, driving a child under 13 without a life jacket and keeping a broken life preserver on board.Both the Peoria Fire Department and the Fondulac Park District responded to the… → Read More
Seven mountain bikes worth more than $1,000 stolen from Peoria driveway
PEORIA — A Peoria man reported seven mountain bikes worth a total of $1,000 were stolen from his driveway Saturday evening.The man told officers he was cleaning out his garage in the 2300 blockof West Westport Road when he laid the bicycles out on his driveway Saturday afternoon, according to a report filed with the Peoria Police Department. About 4 p.m. he went inside to nap, and when he woke… → Read More
Damage estimated at $25,000 after house fire on Peoria's Starr Street
PEORIA — No one was injured Friday in a house fire on Starr Street, but damage was estimated at $25,000, according to the Peoria Fire Department. → Read More
Peoria back to school event encourages youth with song and dance
PEORIA — Hip-hop, dancing, singing and oratorical performances filled the halls of New Cornerstone Baptist Church on Sunday evening for its ninth annual "Back 2 School" event.The church invited kids and young artists from Peoria and area community churches to perform praise and worship pieces. The event was organized by spouses Kecia and Demetrius Randle, who said it was a way to combine both… → Read More
Peoria firefighter escapes injury in fall through stairs
PEORIA — A Peoria firefighter fell through second floor stairs into the basement but was not hurt in a house fire early Sunday, according to a news release.Firefighters arrived at 3:56 a.m. at 1020 South Greenlawn Ave. and found the rear of the house on fire, according to a Peoria Fire Department news release. The house was found to be vacant.The fire was under control by 4:05 a.m., according to… → Read More
Sugar poured into gas tank of Peoria woman's vehicle
PEORIA — One Peoria woman found her vehicle covered in what looked like sugar Thursday.Officers met with the woman at the police station around 5 p.m. Thursday, where she told them she found sugar in her gas tank fill tube and all over the driver's side of her vehicleThe woman told the officers when she filled her 2002 Nissan Altima with gas on Saturday it was fine, according to a report filed… → Read More
Over $5 million raised in St. Jude run on Saturday
PEORIA — After crossing the finish line of the St. Jude Dunlap to Peoria run on Saturday, Millie Ness grinned."That last mile always feels the longest," she said. "But it feels awesome."She and her fellow runners from Dunlap covered a distance of 30 miles. Ness has participated in this event for 12 years."I do it for the kids," said Ness. "And for the friends I make along the way, those I run… → Read More
National Night Out celebrates peace, diversity
PEORIA — The agenda for Tuesday's National Night Out festivities was simple: a little cheerleading, dancing to songs like "Thriller" and passing out free hot dogs."Anti-violence — that’s the message and that’s what we’re trying to bring home to the kids," said Lisa Fisher, president of the Glen Oak Park Neighborhood Association. "We thought music might be the way to make that… → Read More
Crop-dusting helicopter slams back to ground near Brimfield
BRIMFIELD — A crop-dusting helicopter crashed back to earth Monday when the pilot forgot to detach the hose filling the chemical tank, according to Peoria County's interim sheriff.Nobody was injured, said Interim Sheriff Brian Asbell. The incident occurred about noon in a field north of Brimfield as the helicopter was taking off for another run."(The pilot) has a truck with a landing pad where… → Read More
With hose still attached, helicopter slams back to ground near Brimfield
BRIMFIELD — A crop-dusting helicopter crashed back to earth Monday when the pilot forgot to detach the hose filling the chemical tank, according to Peoria County's interim sheriff.Nobody was injured, said Interim Sheriff Brian Asbell. The incident occurred about noon in a field north of Brimfield as the helicopter was taking off for another run."(The pilot) has a truck with a landing pad where… → Read More
Peoria Salvation Army faces $250,000 deficit, plans new fundraising efforts
PEORIA — To combat a deficit of nearly $250,000, the Peoria Salvation Army is looking to cut expenses and begin special fundraising efforts.In a news release Monday, the Peoria Salvation Army said it relies on donated money — much of which comes during the Christmas season. However, the last few Christmas campaigns have been "difficult.""Raising additional dollars outside of Christmas has become… → Read More
Two injured in shooting Saturday night in Peoria
PEORIA — Two people were injured Saturday night in a shooting on Nevada Street. Officers received a call about the shooting victims just before 9:30 p.m. They found two adults, who had been injured while standing outside a house in the 2700 block of Nevada Street. According to police, the injuries are not life-threatening. They were taken to a local hospital, one by a private vehicle and one by… → Read More
Two injured in shooting in Peoria on Saturday night
PEORIA — Two people were injured Saturday night in a shooting on Nevada Street.Officers received a call about the shooting victims just before 9:30 p.m. They found two adults, who had been injured while standing outside a house in the 2700 block of Nevada Street. According to police, the injuries are not life-threatening. They were taken to a local hospital, one by a private vehicle and one by… → Read More
Peoria man robbed of $20, phone and phone cases at gunpoint
PEORIA — A Peoria man reported to police that he was robbed at gunpoint late Friday night.The man added someone he did not know on the social media app Snapchat, according to a report filed with the Peoria Police Department. Earlier in the week, the man posted on Snapchat that he was selling two phone cases, and the person he added responded that they were interested in buying them.They arranged… → Read More
Peoria woman's car vandalized with eggs, chocolate and plastic wrap
PEORIA — One Peoria woman woke to find her car covered in eggs, chocolate and plastic wrap on Friday morning.According to a report filed with the Peoria Police Department, the woman's SUV was parked outside of her home in the 2900 block of West Eugenie Avenue on Thursday night. Sometime overnight, someone egged her car, then wrapped it in plastic wrap and covered it in chocolate. Officers came… → Read More
Dunlap man charged with blaze that destroyed Peoria house
PEORIA — A Dunlap man was arrested Tuesday in connection with an fire and apparent explosion that destroyed a Peoria home Friday.According to Peoria police news release, Glen E. Squires, 49, was apprehended during a traffic stop about 2:35 p.m. Tuesday and was taken to the police station for an interview.Authorities discovered that the house on 1108 E. Norwood Ave. was burglarized before the… → Read More