PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Tree limbs were scattered across yards, streets and even on some homes Tuesday morning after a strong storm moved through the area Monday night that produced wind gusts of up to 70 mph.
The highest known winds were at Tanner’s Orchard in Speer, Illinois, where winds reached 105 mph.
City of Peoria, Peoria County and East Peoria
But within the City of Peoria, damage seemed to be limited, at least based upon observation and social media posts, to trees and downed power lines.
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On Marlene Street, which is located just across University Street from the Metro Center, large limbs and branches covered front yards. The images were worse in the back yards, residents said.
Over on Glen Avenue across from Concordia Lutheran School, a large branch at least 25 feet long covered a good portion of a person’s front yard.
North of there, off Sheridan Court, which is near Keller Primary School, a resident reported a large tree down in the middle of the street as well as a power line. Power was still out in that area, the person said.
Over in East Peoria, a tree was seen to have fallen on a SUV parked in a driveway.
According to the East Peoria Police Department, several roads were closed within the city including stretches of Springfield Road, Cole Street, Pekin Avenue and Bloomington Road. All were due to storm debris, across the river.
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According to Ameren Illinois, there are about 7,500 customers without power in Peoria County.
Tazewell, McLean and Woodford counties
There are about 8,800 in Tazewell County. McLean and Woodford counties had roughly 650 customers without power, according to the outage map.
Storm damage on July 16, 2024 in Lacon
Storm damage on July 16, 2024 in Lacon
Storm damage on July 16, 2024 in Lacon
Storm damage on July 16, 2024 in Lacon
Two homes near the intersection of Wood view and Kennard, which is off Glen Avenue.
Marshall County
Even farther north, in Lacon, damage was reported all over. Several people posted on social media images of large, downed trees, leaning against homes or on top of cars. Near First and Center streets in Lacon, a large tree blocked the road.
Fulton County
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Fulton County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Helle said North Bethel Road at Rattlesnake Branch is washed out.
He has been told Ameren crews are out trying to restore power to Farmington. He also said the Salvation Army of Canton is going out and helping people.
This story will be updated. Storm damage hit several parts of central Illinois in the aftermath of Monday night severe weather and thunderstorms.
The LA Clippers selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft on Tuesday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Wagler became the first Illini freshman to be named a consensus All-American after averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range. He set numerous freshman program records, including points (663), field goals (202) and 3s (87).
The 6-foot-6 Wagler is the first player in franchise history to be taken with the fifth pick and the highest player drafted since Blake Griffin went No. 1 in 2009. He is Illinois’ third top-10 pick in the draft era (1966), joining Kendall Gill (1990, No. 5) and Deron Williams (2005, No. 3).
Wagler is highly touted because of his shooting, feel and ability to convert difficult finishes at the rim. He had a monumental rise up draft boards throughout the year after leading Illinois to its first Final Four appearance since 2005.
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The 19-year-old was heavily linked to the Clippers throughout the predraft process after visiting only with them and the Chicago Bulls (No. 4). He eventually canceled his remaining workouts after those meetings, an indication that he felt he wouldn’t fall below the Clippers.
Wagler was the fifth straight freshman to hear his name called on Tuesday, following AJ Dybantsa (Washington), Darryn Peterson (Utah), Cameron Boozer (Memphis) and Caleb Wilson (Chicago).
CHICAGO – A former Illinois teacher living in the United States illegally, who was allegedly involved in a 2024 Tren de Aragua mass shooting that killed three people at a Chicago house party, was arrested by federal authorities, officials said Monday.
Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, 32, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela with dual citizenship in Italy, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 13, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.
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Occhipinti entered the U.S. in October 2021 under the Visa Waiver Program and was supposed to leave by Jan. 2, 2022. She overstayed her visa, DHS said.
On the night of the Dec. 2, 2024, shooting, she allegedly drove the two gunmen—Ricardo Granadillo Padilla and Edward Martinez Cermeno—to the scene of the crime, where five people were injured in addition to the three fatalities, authorities said.
“Although Chicago police arrested this illegal alien shortly after the shooting, sanctuary politicians released her from jail without notifying ICE,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS is doing the job that sanctuary politicians in Illinois refuse to do: putting the American people first and removing these dangerous criminals from our communities.”
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Martinez Cermeno was released from ICE custody in January 2025 after a federal judge determined that federal prosecutors failed to meet their burden of proof to keep him incarcerated while awaiting trial.
Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti | DHS
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Immediately after the shooting, authorities found multiple weapons in Occhipinti’s vehicle, DHS said. Authorities believe she helped Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno evade law enforcement after the attack.
The Chicago Police Department arrested Occhipinti on Dec. 5, 2024, on charges of unlawful use of weapons and other weapons offenses. However, she was released without ICE ever being notified under Chicago’s sanctuary policies, which protect illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office decided not to prosecute the suspects, DHS said, and Granadillo Padilla and Martinez Cermeno were eventually deported.
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“Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti’s actions were calculated and deliberate, leading to the loss of three lives,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “I’m proud of our agents for pursuing this case to the end, ensuring that everyone who helped facilitate this mass homicide is brought to justice.”
Fox News was told by DHS that Occhipinti was a teacher at an unspecified school in the Chicago suburb of Elgin. Illinois officials have refused to cooperate with federal authorities and will not tell DHS the name of the school, Fox News has learned.
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Occhipinti is being held at the Grayson County Detention Center in Leitchfield, Kentucky.
Read more at FoxNews.com
Mass ShootingsImmigrationNewsElginChicago Police Department
(WAND) – The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes touched down in central Illinois during Sunday’s storms.
The tornado count for the WAND viewing area, which does not include all of central Illinois, is now at 61 as of June 22.
For reference, the area averages 20 tornadoes annually.
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The NWS confirmed an EF-1 east of Neoga in Cumberland County, along with EF-0 tornadoes southwest of Stewardson in Shelby County and northeast of Toledo, also in Cumberland County.
Additionally, the NWS office in St. Louis confirmed two EF-0 tornadoes south of Shobonier in far southern Fayette County.
