Today’s news: Assigning blame?
Unless noted, all links are via the Peoria Journal Star
Phil Luciano at least partially blames college culture for encouraging the prank that led to the death ofBradley University soccer playerSheridan “Danny” Dahlquist . Who amongst us hasn’t, at least once, thrown a piece of furniture out a dorm-room window, mindless of the possibility it might hit someone? Well, ME, for one. I was too busy taking 15 hours of classes a week and working what was essentially a full-time gig (for part-time pay) at the student newspaper. Lots of other people from working class families were doing pretty much the same thing. This is a generalization, I admit, but most of the ones who spent the bulk of their time partying and behaving like asses were those with mommies and daddies footing the bills. I have to agree that “college culture” could stand some change. But you don’t have to be a college student to be a dumb kid who thinks he’s going to live forever.- Here are the photographs the Journal Star snapped outside the visitation for Sheridan “Danny” Dahlquist. If you enjoy wallowing in peoples’ grief, give it a look-see. And here is WMBD 1470 reporter Shaun Newell’s report on a statement from the family asking that reporters not be present at Friday’s funeral service. Personally, I applaud the PJS for sending a photographer. You see, I had my doubts that his friends and family members were upset at his passing. Now that I’ve seen photographic evidence to the contrary, I am convinced that they were, in fact, grieving. Enquiring minds, and all that. Thanks for providing this valuable information, PJS. [/sarcasm]
- Click here to see if any of your friends, family or neighbors committed or was a victim of a crime. One of the victims was Peking Restaurant, 430 W. Main St. This place is one of my favorite eateries. I had dinner there last night before heading to the Peoria City Council meeting. Owner Nghia Thai told me she’s discouraged and is considering whether to stay at the location. Myself, I’ve gotta think it’s the same knucklehead returning to the scene of a previously successful crime. Gee, I wouldn’t mind it one bit if some of Peoria’s Finest stake the place out and accidentially beat the Holy Crap out of whoever is doing this. It’s not like I’m not seeing police officers and other city employees having lunch there all the time, ’cause it’s located right up the hill.
- Richard Grawey, chief judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit, is considering a run for the 18th District Congressional seat now held by the retiring Ray LaHood. The circuit serves Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties. The story doesn’t mention it, but Peoria County State’s Attorney Kevin Lyons also is considering a run. What if both these guys run for the Democratic nomination, and neither one of them gets it. Boy, won’t THAT be awkward.
- State Sen.
Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is a bit upset that there’s a slew of local projects that won’t get funded if Gov.Rod Blagojevich cuts what he considers pork from the budget that just passed both houses of the state legislature. Blago says he’s going to use it to instead fund increased health care coverage for poor Illinoisans. I know this is rude of me to mention, but I seem to recall Koehler enthusiastically endorsing Blago’s re-election because he wanted to increase health care coverage, despite Blago’s not having any politically viable ideas for funding it. I am reminded of the scorpion who begged for a ride across the river. In other words, the Democrats knew from the way he behaved during his first term that Blago couldn’t be trusted. But here they are again, stung bt Blago. - The headline reads “Keystone parent reports healthy profit.” The bottom paragraph reports, however, that the stock price is at a 52-week low. Not that companies ever make decisions about plant closings and layoffs based on stock price. Never happens. Nothing to see here, move along.
- This is a charming story by
Kirk Wessler on a piece of local sports history.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
[...] Dennis seems to think that only the rich kids get to screw around and do dumb stuff at college. I can personally attest to the inaccuracy of this statement. When we engaged in what was, looking [...]
It gets worse. They were at the funeral mass taking notes. I walked out looking for a camera and was heartened that I saw none. Apparently I came out too late as the Journal Star was snapping photos of the casket and family members walking out.
http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/news/peoria_family_friends_remember_dahlquist_during_funeral_mass/