FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Farmington players and coaches celebrate after a blocked field goal with only a few seconds left in the game gave Farmington a 10-8 win over Eastland/Pearl City in the Class 2A high school football playoffs Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Farmington.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Farmington’s Boston Smith fumbles the ball on an Eastland/Pearl City tackle in the second half of their Class 2A high school football playoff game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Farmington. The Farmers advanced to the second round with a 10-8 victory.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Farmington’s Jack Gronewold (13) and Landon Crawford (8) celebrate a difficult pass reception by teammate Boston Smith in the first half of their Class 2A high school football playoff game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Farmington. The Farmers advanced to the second round with a 10-8 victory.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Farmington’s Landon Crawford (8) leaps for a touchdown pass against Eastland/Pearl City’s Brecken Haydenin the second half of their Class 2A high school football playoff game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Farmington. The pass fell incomplete. The Farmers advanced to the second round with a 10-8 victory.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Farmington’s Kaydon Bollinger (65) hugs teammate Jack Gronewold as time runs out in their 10-8 victory over Eastland/Pearl City in a Class 2A high school football playoff game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Farmington. The Farmers advanced to the second round with a 10-8 victory.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – Eureka’s Gavin Stalter bears down on the finish line to lead the Hornets to a state title in the Class 1A boys cross country championship Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – The Chatham Glenwood girls cross country team celebrates after winning the state title in the Class 2A championship Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – A giant pack of runners race up the incline in the Class 2A boys state cross country championship Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – Washington’s Caylie Ahten, right, gets some love from her friends after finishing tenth and leading the Panthers to a tenth-place team finish in the Class 2A girls state cross country championships Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge’s Emaline Foster tries to make it to the finish line after falling on the final stretch in the Class 2A girls state cross country championship Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Foster was overtaken by Lombard Montini’s Sydney Gertsen for the title.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – Anna-Jonesboro teammates try to comfort each other after the Class 1A girls state cross country championship Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY – The Eureka boys cross country team huddles up against a canopy of all color before the start of the Class 2A state cross country championships Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Hornets took the state title.
VOLLEYBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington fans stand for the national anthem before the start of their Class 3A volleyball supersectional Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Panthers fell to Providence Catholic in two sets 21-25, 18-25.
VOLLEYBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington’s Carly Dawson spikes the ball against Providence Catholic’s Lily Lipke in the first set of their Class 3A volleyball supersectional Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Panthers fell in two sets 21-25, 18-25.
VOLLEYBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Kami Barth (1) and the Washington Panthers celebrate a point against Providence Catholic in the first set of their Class 3A volleyball supersectional Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Panthers fell in two sets 21-25, 18-25.
VOLLEYBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington’s Josie O’Brien spikes the ball past Providence Catholic’s Lily Lipke in the second set of their Class 3A volleyball supersectional Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Panthers fell in two sets 21-25, 18-25.
VOLLEYBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – The Washington Panthers console each other after their two-set loss to Providence Catholic in the Class 3A volleyball supersectional Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Panthers fell 21-25, 18-25.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic celebrates his rare three-pointer against UT-Martin in the second half of their non-conference basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. Braves fell to the Skyhawks 78-67.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson tries to stop UT-Martin’ Andrija Bukumirović under the basket in the second half of their non-conference basketball loss Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – The Bradley Braves mascot stands atop a surf board to welcome visitors and players to a college basketball game against UT-Martin on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – The UT-Martin defense converges on Bradley’s AJ Smith as he goes to the basket in the second half of their non-conference basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – Bradley’s Alex Huibregtse dishes to a teammate as the Braves battle UT-Martin in the second half Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UT-MARTIN – The UT-Martin Skyhawks start to celebrate in the background while Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson shows his disappointment as time runs out on the Braves’ 78-67 loss Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Stockton’s Taylor Haas dunks the ball on a Norris City-Omaha-Enfield player during their Class 1A state volleyball semifinal Friday Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Stockton’s Natalee Sullivan gets low for a dig agaisnt Norris City-Omaha-Enfield in the Class 1A state volleyball semifinals Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Stockton’s Emma Eisfeller (14) spikes the ball against Norris City-Omaha-Enfield during their Class 1A state volleyball semifinal Friday Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – The Stockton Lady Blackhawks celebrate after defeating Norris City-Omaha-Enfield in three sets in the Class 1A state volleyball semifinals Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Tremont’s Kaylee Johnson dives for dig against Cissna Park in the second set of their Class 1A state volleyball semifinal Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Tremont’s Carly Whitcomb (6) gets a dig in front of teammate Anya Geltz in the second set of their Class 1A state volleyball semifinal against Cissna Park on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – The Tremont Turks huddle up during a timeout as they battle Cissna Park in the first set of the Class 1A state volleyball semifinals Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – Tremont’s Aubrey Hurckes spikes the ball against Cissan Park in the first set of their Class 1A state volleyball semifinal Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE VOLLEYBALL – A large crowd of Tremont fans cheer on the Turks after their two-set loss to Cissna Park in the Class 1A state volleyball semifinals Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Burbank St. Laurence’s Dan Hyland, right, breaks up a touchdown pass intended for Dunlap’s Mack Sutter late in the fourth quarter of their Class 6A state football quarterfinal Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Dunlap. The Eagles fell to the Vikings 28-14.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – A sea of fans all dressed in white fill the student section as Dunlap battles Burbank St. Laurence in the Class 6A state football quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Dunlap. The Eagles fell to the Vikings 28-14.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Dunlap quarterback Truman Tyra takes out Burbank St. Laurence tackler Cory Les on a run in the first half of their Class 6A state football quarterfinal Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Dunlap. The Eagles fell to the Vikings 28-14.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Dunlap’s Kaden Wooden, right, consoles teammate Jackson Steffen as time runs out in the Eagles’ 28-14 loss to Burbank St. Laurence in the Class 6A state football quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Dunlap.
FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – Dunlap’s Jaspher Williams (53) consoles teammate Josh Diefenthaler (34) after the Eagles’ 28-14 loss to Burbank St. Laurence in the Class 6A state football quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Dunlap.
BRADLEY VS. UMASS LOWELL – Bradley’s AJ Smith reacts to scoring and drawing a foul on a move to the basket against UMass Lowell in the first half of their college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the River Hawks 87-77.
BRADLEY VS. UMASS LOWELL – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson, top, and UMass Lowell’s Austin Green chase a loose ball in the second half of their college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied to defeat the River Hawks 87-77.
BRADLEY VS. UMASS LOWELL – Bradley’s Corey Thomas, right, tries to take a rebound from UMass Lowell’s JJ Massaquoi in the first half of their college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied to defeat the River Hawks 87-77.
BRADLEY VS. UMASS LOWELL – Bradley’s mascot Kaboom! rides atop a mattress and some Bradley softball players as they participate in a mattress race at halftime of a college basketball game between the Braves and UMass Lowell on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied to defeat the River Hawks 87-77.
Peoria Notre Dame freshman swimmer Kamryn Gardiner won bronze medals in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard intermediate medley at the IHSA girls swimming state finals on Nov. 15, 2025 in Westmont. Gardiner is the 2025 Journal Star Swimmer of the Year.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Michael Herrera celebrates his game-tying goal against Quad City in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Nick Parody, left, and teammate Michael McChesney celebrate Parody’s goal against Quad City in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – A Quad City shot slips past Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich as teammate Josh Martin (2) tries to slide in front in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Brandon McNamara, left, and Quad City’s Brandon Stojcevski scuffle in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Dylan Massie (39) gets shot past Quad City goaltender Luke Lush in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Kylar Fenton (4) tries to deflect a Quad City shot away from goaltender Nick Latinovich in the third period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Quad City goaltender Luke Lush stops a point-blank shot from Peoria’s David McChesney in the third period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
RIVS VS. QUAD CITY – Peoria’s Dylan Massie, far right, gets into a fight with Quad City’s Noah Massie after their SPHL hockey game Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Storm 5-2.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – Artist and vendor Banshee N D’Attic of Springfield lets out a cry from atop Falkor as John Marks records the action Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 during the Illinois Comic Con at the Peoria Civic Center. Marks is an artist and fabricator who’s created interactive characters celebrating the 1984 fantasy film The NeverEnding Story. The Con continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – Actor Khary Payton, best know as King Ezekiel from The Walking Dead television series, takes a fun photo with the Major family from Iowa – Shayden, front, Shane, right, and Brandie – at his fan booth Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 during the Illinois Comic Con at the Peoria Civic Center.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – Ava Wagemann of Pekin sports an all-blue look as the character John Ward from the horror video game FAITH: The Unholy Trinity on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 during the Illinois Comic Con at the Peoria Civic Center.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – Steve Burns, right, formerly of the children’s television show Blue’s Clues, chats with Katia Velisaris and her brother Tommy of Chicago during the Illinois Comic Con on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – Ana Martin, right, of Springfield helps lead Jayden Wanless around the floor of the Illinois Comic Con on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center. Wanless created his Mr. Antenna costume from a real television set. Mr. Antenna is a character from the video game Deltarun.
ILLINOIS COMIC CON – David Babischkin of Chicago, dressed as Furina de Fontaine, a character from the role-playing game Genshin Impact, sorts through some cards while taking a break Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 during the Illinois Comic Con at the Peoria Civic Center.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – Tim Cundiff portrays the mascot FOLEPI at the start of the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights parade Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – A colorful dinosaur looms over spectators before the start of the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights Parade of Lights Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – The Star Trek Enterprise float is lit and ready to go before the start of the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights Parade of Lights on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – A group stays warm with portable propane-powered heat lamps during the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights parade Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – A family of ducks pass by during the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights parade Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – Eager spectators enjoy the lighted floats of the 41st annual East Peoria Festival of Lights parade Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
PARADE OF LIGHTS – A member of the Nitsch Theatre Arts troupe sings and dances during the 41st annual East Peoria Parade of Lights on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in East Peoria.
SANTA PARADE – Dave Goodman and Mary Thompson of Creve Coeur, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, pose for a photo while the “real” Santa and Mrs. Claus pass by in the background Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 during the 138th annual Santa Claus Parade through Downtown Peoria.
SANTA PARADE – A group of kids sing and dance as part of the Nitsch Theatre Arts entry Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 during the 138th annual Santa Claus Parade through Downtown Peoria.
SANTA PARADE – “Snow” spews from a float Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 during the 138th annual Santa Claus Parade through Downtown Peoria.
SANTA PARADE – Madeline Westbrook, 10, of Peoria waves excitedly as Santa Claus passes by Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 during the 138th annual Santa Claus Parade through Downtown Peoria.
