Today’s links are via the Journal Star:

Clare Jellick’s article on the Manual restructuring is up. It includes the list of “recommendations” that the various subcommittees working on the plan asked the board to approve. The meat of the story is that they want the new Manual to operate under a longer school day, a longer [...]

Peoria Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard wants the public’s help in solving Peoria’s unsolved murders.
My two cents: When I hear the words “unsolved murder,” I think of Brian Alexander, the East Bluff resident who was shot and murdered outside him home on Dec. 19, 2004. The man’s family has been very frustrated at the seeming lack [...]

Today looks like catch-up day.
The following comment was made to an old post about the still unsolved murder of Brian Alexander. I don’t necessarily agree with the poor accessment of the work ethic of the Peoria Police Department. I’d like to think most of them are professionals and are concerned about the crimes they are [...]

I’ve been remiss in my duties.
I’ve had the link to U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood’s campaign finance disclosure statements for two days now, and I haven’t blogged about it.
I’ve been a little busy, with the new home, new job, a family illness. And frankly, I was worried that my stomach might not be strong enough. Oh, [...]

For those who Brian Alexander is an East Bluff resident who was shot and murdered outside him home on Dec. 19, 2004. The man’s family has been very frustrated at the seeming lack of progress in this case.
Don’t give up! It’s harder to solve murders this long after they happen, but the more awareness there [...]

I’ve always advised people upset over unsolved murders to be patient, even if they are contacting the police and agitating for attention. Most murders are solved the old fashioned way: Legwork and luck. Reading between the lines, that seems to be the case here:
Peoria police say new information has lead them to arrest James E. [...]

Someone out there knows who shot Brian Alexander outside him home one year ago today. The person who pulled the trigger told someone, or someone suspects a friend or relative.
One day, that person who knows will have a falling out with the shooter. Or, they will trade that knowledge to get out of a jam [...]

I recently received a letter* from Paula Hunsicker, an Edwards resident who is the cousin of Brian Alexander, a East Bluff resident who was found shot and murdered outside him home back in December. I blogged a bit about the murder at the time, and expressed some frustration that police didn’t consider it linked to [...]

The Journal Star is reporting that the Peoria Police Department is reassigning some of the detectives once assigned to the task force that captured Larry Bright. That makes sense to me, since there are seven unsolved homicides in Peoria since mid October.
It’s a good decision.
One of those unsolved murders is that of Brian [...]

JS: Museum deal gets city’s OK

The City Council made history - again - on Tuesday, sealing the deal on what most members believe is an even better plan for the long-vacant Sears block.

Fair enough. This is a big story, although calling this thing a “done deal” is a fact error until the city can [...]

JS: Slaying victim loved to help others
From all accounts, Brian Alexander was a great example of humanity in action. He was a nurse who helped the Crusaders for Kids organization. He did for others both on and off the clock.
Yet, his body laid in his driveway for hours before it was discovered. Neighbors believe [...]

WHOI: Community Wants Faster Police Service

Residents living blocks away from where Brian Alexander was shot and killed think they have a basic understanding of what happened late Friday night early Saturday morning leading up to his death.
But the police will not commit to their theory, which is creating a rift between public and public [...]

WHOI News: Neighbors Say No One Reported Gunfire That Killed Man
The East Bluff has struggled for years to get rid of crime.
The latest act of violence, Saturday’s deadly shooting of 44-year old Brian Alexander, has some neighbors angry at each other.
“Some other neighbors did hear a gunshot, but apparently no one called 911 because [...]

WMBD Newsradio 1470 is reporting a homicide:

Peoria Police are investigating the death of a 44 year old East Bluff man who was found dead outside his home Saturday morning. Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Brian Alexander was found lying on the ground in his driveway by a neighbor. The neighbor then called 9-1-1 at 8:10 [...]