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Fire claims the lives of a father and two children

A fatal fire on Gift Avenue in Peoria early Saturday morning is under investigation.  34-year-old Edward Gordon and two of his children: four year-old Emyrra and five year-old Eandre were killed in the fire.

The first 911 call reportedly came in about 3:12 a.m. They were pronounced dead between 4:00 and 4:10 Saturday morning at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.   
Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says preliminary autopsy results show the victims had at least double the amount of carbon monoxide intoxication that’s compatible with human life.  Ingersoll says the results also show the victims were alive when the fire started.
Peoria Fire Chief Kent Tomblin says the second floor dormer of the home was completely engulfed in flames, but all three fire victims were found on the first floor. The father and daughter near the master bedroom door and the little boy was found in the hallway of the bungalow style house.       
Edward Gordon’s girlfriend Rachelle Alexander and two other children apparently lived in the home but were not present at the time of the fire.  Alexander told investigators they had argued over the last couple of weeks and she elected to spend the night away from the house with her child.    
The 616 East Gift Avenue home appears to be a total loss.  Chief Tomblin says so far they’ve found one smoke detector near the back door, but it did NOT have a battery.  He says further neighbors did not hear a smoke detector sounding in the home.
Its still unclear if the fire might have been an electrical or mechanical malfunction or if an accelerant may have been involved. Fire department official say the incident “is under investigation.”

Remembering WCBU's Founder

Dr. Phillip Weinberg  1925 - 2012

WCBU’s founder, Dr. Phillip Weinberg, died Thursday evening.  Dr. Weinberg, 86, came to Bradley University in 1956 to serve as the founding chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering, a position he held for 20years. He was the driving force behind the establishment of WCBU as a full power public radio station in 1970, and the creation of WTVP in 1972. He established the Office of Research Coordination and the Center for Learning Resources.  Dr. Weinberg was also the founding dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts in 1977.

Visitation will be at Temple Anshai Emeth in Peoria Monday, February 6 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.  Funeral services will be at 12:30 pm at the Temple, followed by burial in Springdale Cemetery.

Truckers association wants hands-free law for all drivers

Officials with the Mid-West Truckers Association say they are working with Illinois lawmakers to craft hands-free legislation for all drivers. About six-thousand members of the association are in Peoria this weekend for its 50th annual conference.

Uses for Southtown T.I.F. funds

Opening the shuttered George Washington Carver Center seemed the top priority out of a Southtown TIF District meeting. Peoria Public Radio’s Tanya Koonce reports more than 80 people attended the meeting at the Riverwest Community Center:

 

Upcoming Programming

Jan. 30th, noon           Talk of Central Illinois

Talk with the mayors of the two largest cities in the area about their visions for the coming year. Tune in for a special, live program “Talk of Central Illinois.” Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus will be in the studio, taking your calls. You can also send us your questions in advance on Facebook, or at wcbunews@bradley.edu. Then be sure to join us for “Talk of central Illinois,” Monday, January 30th at noon.

Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.

Live coverage of the Florida Presidential primary 

Wednesday, feb. 1 at noon

Illinois State of the State Address

Freakonomics Radio -- Saturdays at 2 p.m.

1/28     The No-Lose Lottery

A recent survey found that half of all Americans, if faced with an emergency, couldn't come up with $2,000 in 30 days. We have a famously low savings rate. A look at a little-known financial tool that combines the thrill of the lottery with the safety of a savings account. Also, too many people don't have a grip on even the basics of personal debt, compound interest, and rational investing.

2/4       Eat and Tweet

The "molecular gastronomy" movement is all about bringing more science into the kitchen. In many ways, it's the opposite of the "slow food" movement. Chieftains from the two camps square off: Then, a "food printer" and how cities have changed eating. Plus, technology has turned friendship into social networks.

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