On the 3 0 9 News

08/01/2024

Saturday August 3rd a car show will be held at Steak N Shake on University. Unload will start at 10 and car show will be 11-3. Let’s fill the parking lot with race cars and get some attraction. University is a busy road it’s a good spot to put your cars on display. Also let’s support the Rogers family for doing this. Stop it and get you a nice frisco melt steak burger or a good milk shake.

07/28/2024

Saturday Night August 3rd, we pick back up with Reeser Lawncare Night. All classes plus kid mods will be racing. We will be doing a backpack give away thanks to the drivers and staff. Reeser Lawncare will also be doing a bike give away 1 boy and 1 girl bike.

07/28/2024

07/23/2024

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour

Shop over 10,000 old school t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and hats at American Retro Apparel with free shipping on every order: www.americanretroapparel.com

07/18/2024

All the movies playing in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's Giant Screen Theater listed conveniently in one place.

07/17/2024

Ameren has shared information on how people can submit a claim for storm damage and loss.

07/17/2024

***Update***
Body Found in Illinois River
PCSO Incident #24-4168
Released by Sheriff Chris Watkins

Thank you all for being patient while we investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 14 year old Leron Griffin. Our findings in the investigation are listed in the following timeline:

On July 4th at approximately 4:03 a.m., a Canton Police Department Officer initiated a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle out of Bloomington, IL. The vehicle fled from Canton into Peoria County.

The pursuit entered Peoria County where Canton Police pursued the stolen vehicle until it wrecked at the intersection of Adams and Route 24 in Bartonville at approximately 4:17 a.m. The stolen vehicle rolled several times. The driver, a 14-year-old juvenile, was immediately arrested by Canton PD in front of the stolen vehicle. The dashcam footage obtained by investigators shows the passenger crawling out of the window and fleeing on foot running Northeast towards Rosaria St in Bartonville. The passenger is shown on dashcam video wearing what appears to be the same clothing as Leron Griffin was wearing when found in the river. There were only two occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Officers checking the area, stated they observed a person fitting the suspect description running across the street in front of McDonalds in Bartonville. Video obtained from McDonalds shows the male crossing the street in front of the business. Several minutes later an officer said he again observed the male walking on the shoulder of E/B 474 (southside of 474), but the male ran into the woods when he spotted the squad car.

An East Peoria PD K9 responded after the crash and assisted in a K-9 track for the passenger but the passenger was never located. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office responded after the crash and assisted in the search with negative results.

On July 6th, 2024 at approximately 9:30 a.m. a male fishing on the river located Leron Griffin deceased floating next to the dam.

Our investigators interviewed the juvenile driver as part of our investigation after Leron Griffin was found deceased. The driver stated Leron Griffin was in the passenger seat during the vehicle pursuit and fled after the crash. Our investigation showed the two juveniles went to Macomb IL in the stolen vehicle to see family and then Canton where the pursuit started.

After reviewing all the information that has been gathered, our investigation shows Leron Griffin fled from the stolen vehicle that crashed in Bartonville and most likely drowned from trying to cross the river near the dam. This area has a strong current due to the dam being in that location. Griffin had been staying with his grandmother and was not reported missing at the time police discovered his body in the river.

Unfortunately, these teenagers made several wrong decisions during this incident that led to one of them losing their lives. Our thoughts are with Leron Griffin’s family.

**Original release**

Body Found in Illinois River
PCSO Incident #24-4168
Released by Sheriff Chris Watkins
(Peoria County, IL) Saturday, July 6th, 2024, at approximately 09:32 a.m., the Peoria County Sheriff's Office responded to a body found in the Illinois River behind Liberty Steel at 7000 S. Adam St., Bartonville. The body was found by a fisherman in the water approximately 300 yards southwest of the Shade-Lohmann Bridge near the Peoria Lock and Dam. The body was on the Peoria County side of the river caught on the dam. The body found is a black male, age unknown. The age is unknown due to the condition of how the body was found. It appears the male has been in the river for at least 24 hours. The Peoria County Sheriff's Office, Bartonville Police, Fondulac Park PD, Department of Natural Resource, and the Peoria County Coroner responded to the scene. The Fondulac Park District's Officers retrieved the body from the river using their boat.
The identity and manner of death is still under investigation. Preliminary findings show no obvious signs of trauma. Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood will release more details when there is an identification made and after the autopsy. Please contact Detective Meeks at 309-696-7112 if you have any information that could help us identify the male or any other information that could be helpful. We have included the shirt the male was found wearing and the pendant he was wearing also. Individuals can also submit a tip through CrimeStoppers or our Sheriff's App.

07/09/2024

Metamora senior guard Matthew Zobrist has committed to play basketball for the Bradley Braves, following in his father's footsteps there.

07/09/2024

07/08/2024

07/02/2024

With the closing of one family entertainment complex at the Peoria mall, another has stepped in to take its place as an anchor business.

07/02/2024

Arte, Tequila y Tacos! Come try our award winning tacos, unique street corn and Tequila! Order Direct

06/29/2024

The property owner has accrued over $100,000 in fines.