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PEORIA (25News Now) - One comedian’s appearance in the River City over the weekend helped the Peoria Civic Center break not one, but two records.

Nate Bargatze’s two shows on Saturday brought in more than 18,000 people, setting a new single-day record for concert attendance in the arena’s 43-year history.

The previous record-holder was Elton John, who drew 11,766 back in March 1999.

Bargatze’s afternoon performance also set the record for the highest-grossing comedy show - which was then broken by his evening show just hours later.

“We love Nate Bargatze, and it is pure joy when he performs in Peoria,” said Rik Edgar, General Manager of the Peoria Civic Center. “It is an amazing achievement to break multiple venue records and set new standards for future shows. We congratulate Outback Presents and the entire Nate Bargatze team on their success and for letting us be a part of a historic day.”

Bargatze is no stranger to Peoria. He’s sold out shows in the Prairie Home Alliance Theater on Nov. 14, 2021, and Nov. 1 and 2, 2023.

The Civic Center also played host to Seether on Thursday and Dog Man: The Musical on Saturday in the theater, and a sold-out Shinedown show in the arena on Friday.

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The Peoria City/County Health Department conducts food inspections for a wide range of establishments in the area. Inspections look for issues that could contribute to the spread of foodborne illness, as well as general cleanliness and maintenance of the establishment.

The Journal Star examined routine inspections for restaurants, mobile establishments and bars in Peoria County. There were nearly 100 inspections completed for these categories in April.

The establishments listed below received either no violations or enough violations to warrant a warning from the health department. According to the Peoria City/County Health Department, "inspections only provide a snapshot of a food establishment's practices, as they are based on what is seen at the time of the inspection."

Terminology used by the health department

Establishments with no violations during routine April inspections

Warning comments during routine April inspections

Burger King #16027 - University at 3129 N. University St., Peoria, received five priority, two priority foundation and five core violations. Some of these included:

Hey Tea, which includes Hokkaido Restaurant, at 3311 N. University St., Peoria, received seven priority, four priority foundation and 15 core violations. Some of these included:

Warning comment follow-up inspections

Sushi Po Japanese & Chinese Restaurant, which does business as Sushi Ko at 4700 N. University St. 89-89A, Peoria, received three priority foundation and 13 core violations during an inspection on Feb. 26.

A follow-up inspection on April 8 found one priority foundation and six core violations. Some of the violations included:

Burger King #16027 - University at 3129 N. University St., Peoria, received five priority, two priority foundation and five core violations during an inspection on April 9.

The health department returned a few days later to inspect the hand sink which had been improperly draining. Comments on the inspection noted that the sink was "draining properly to the approved floor drain, and wastewater is being disposed of through an approved sewage system."

A full follow-up inspection took place on April 24. During the inspection, the establishment received one priority and six core violations.

"As of today, a (significant) amount of (priority) and (priority foundation) violations have been corrected," comments noted, "and the establishment shall return to normal routine inspection."

Hey Tea, which includes Hokkaido Restaurant, at 3311 N. University St., Peoria, received seven priority, four priority foundation and 15 core violations during a routine inspection on April 16.

During a follow-up inspection on April 30, the establishment received one priority, three priority foundation and nine core violations. Some violations included:

Comments noted that a 30-day follow-up inspection will be conducted "due to the number of violations at the routine inspection and during this 10-day follow-up inspection."

New hospital to expand access to vital behavioral health services in Greater Peoria

OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest have officially broken ground on Meadowview Behavioral Hospital, a new state-of-the-art facility that will expand access to critically needed behavioral health services in Central Illinois. The ceremony occurred at 9014 N Wood Sage Road, Peoria, and marks a major milestone in a joint venture between two organizations committed to improving access to mental health care in Illinois.

Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care. The hospital will serve patients in need of treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders and other behavioral health conditions.

“This is a vital addition to our region that reflects our shared commitment to meeting people where they are with compassionate, high-quality care,” said Michelle Conger, President, OSF HealthCare. “Mental and behavioral health are critical components of a person’s well-being, and this new hospital will help us address one of the most urgent health needs in our community.”

The hospital is the result of a joint venture between OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest, a national leader in behavioral hospitals. The two organizations are working together to bring innovative and accessible care solutions to communities across the Midwest.

“We are proud to partner with OSF HealthCare to bring Meadowview Behavioral Hospital to life,” said Dr. Richard Kresch, President and CEO of US HealthVest. “This hospital will fill a significant gap in the region’s health care services and provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment for those struggling with mental health issues.”

Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will bring new clinical jobs to the area and provide a much-needed resource for individuals and families seeking behavioral health support.

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare has 17 hospitals – 11 acute care, five critical access, one continuing care – with 2,305 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs more than 26,000 Mission Partners across 160+ locations and includes OSF OnCall, the digital health operating entity which offers a hospital-at-home. Advances in health care transformation take place through OSF Innovation and OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois, the third largest pediatric hospital in Illinois, cares for our smallest patients. In addition, OSF has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org.

US HealthVest is an innovative developer of psychiatric hospitals with locations in the Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston and Indianapolis markets. US HealthVest’s portfolio of hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and provide specialized psychiatric care to all patients, regardless of ability to pay. A full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services are provided at each hospital. For more information, please visit www.ushealthvest.com.

The 2025 IESA Track and Field State Finals will take place two weekends in May at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.

IESA track and field state finals enters its 92nd boys meet and its 51st girls meet. The state finals will consist of 60 total events each weekend, offering 14 events each for seventh- and eighth-grade boys and seventh- and eighth-grade girls and four wheelchair events.

Here's what you need to know about the 2025 IESA track and field state finals:

When are 2025 IESA track and field state finals?

The IESA Class 1A/2A Track and Field State Finals are Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. The IESA Class 3A/4A Track and Field State Finals are Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.

Field events will begin at 11 a.m. Friday with running events kicking off at 1:15 p.m. All events will resume at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event is expected to end at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The Parade of Athletes will begin each day starting at 10:15 a.m. Friday and 8:20 a.m. Saturday.

Where are 2025 IESA track and field state finals?

The state meet will be held at EastSide Centre, 1 EastSide Dr., East Peoria, Illinois.

Directions for 2025 IESA track and field state finals

The facility is located just off Interstate 74.

2025 IESA Track and Field State Finals tickets

Tickets for the event are $12 can be purchased online at iesa.org and through the Go Fan app. Tickets are $15 cash at the gate. Preschoolers are free. Fans will receive a wristband that must be worn at all times. The wristband will allow for exit and re-entry. Gates will open to the general public at 9:30 a.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Parking is $5.

How many schools participate in 2025 IESA Track and Field State Finals?

According to the IESA, 606 member schools entered the 2025 state series. The first weekend will see more than 2,600 student-athletes representing 276 of the eligible 306 schools in Class 1A/2A.

2025 IESA track order of events

For a complete schedule of events, visit iesa.org.

2025 IESA state track qualifiers

For a complete list of qualifiers, visit iesa.org.

IESA state track records

Visit iesa.org for a complete look at the current state finals track and field records. State records are for the state finals only and do not include regular-season events.

2025 IESA state track results

All results will be updated continuously throughout each weekend. All final results are expected to be available by 7:30 p.m. Saturday. To view results, visit iesa.org.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect location for the new company's facility, which has not yet been finalized.

(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

A Canadian company specializing in building electric buses is set to open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in the Peoria area.

Damera Corporation, along with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, announced Tuesday that it would open its first assembly plant in the U.S. in the Peoria area, planning to invest $31.5 million over the next four years while also adding 90 new, full-time jobs.

The company reached a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois agreement with the state, which said that they would be leasing a 55,000-square-foot facility to produce the eJEST, a new line of fully electric minibuses that carry 19 passengers with a range of 130 miles.

Employees at the new facility will be paid "at or above 120 percent of the average wage paid to full-time employees in the same job classification in Peoria County," according to the company.

In addition, the state is providing a $6 million tax credit to help with investments and job creation.

The facility will also serve as an assembly plant and administrative facility. Specialized areas will also be set up for battery assembly, charging infrastructure and other sustainability initiatives.

The announcement was made by Pritzker and executives of the Ontario-based bus manufacturer while they were in Washington, D.C., for a business development trip. Roger D'Hollander, the chief operating officer of Damera, said that they were proud to make a contribution in the Peoria community and would be committed to supporting economic growth in the area.

"Our commitment to fostering long-term growth and job creation in the Peoria area remains unwavering," D'Hollander said in a statement. "This investment not only strengthens the local economy but also creates hundreds of new opportunities for the community. We are proud to contribute to a vibrant workforce and are deeply committed to supporting the economic prosperity of the region."

Pritzker said that Damera's investment in Illinois helps to solidify the state's position as a hub for EV development in the United States.

"Over the past six years, Illinois has pushed to solidify our status as a hub of the EV future – and put our shoulder to the wheel to get that vision off the ground and on the road," Pritzker said. "Through our competitive incentive programs, workforce development, and other business attraction efforts, the state is bringing in companies like Damera that not only create jobs and opportunity for our people, but commit themselves to our communities."

Chris Setti, CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, said that they were looking forward to welcoming Damera to the Peoria community.

"The Damera team have been great partners in this process from the very beginning," Setti said in a statement. "We are happy that they chose the Greater Peoria region to be their first location in our country, and we look forward to helping them grow in the community and be another successful business calling the Greater Peoria region home."

Setti said that Damera has set up shop in East Peoria while they look for a permanent facility.

The Damera arrangement is the first one in the Peoria area for the state's REV program, which provides incentives and tax credits for companies planning to produce electric vehicles and components for them in Illinois. Among the companies who benefit from the program include Rivian, Wieland North America and Avina Clean Hydrogen.