PEORIA HIGH VS. RICHWOODS – The Richwoods Knights celebrate their win over Peoria High on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Knights defeated the Lions 66-39.
PEORIA HIGH VS. RICHWOODS – Richwoods’ Keniya Todd (10) gets between Peoria High’s Neriah Avant (4) and Ciara Stokes in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Knights defeated the Lions 66-39.
PEORIA HIGH VS. RICHWOODS – Richwoods’ Londyn Sommerville, far right, grabs a rebound over Peoria High in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Knights defeated the Lions 66-39.
PEORIA HIGH VS. RICHWOODS – Peoria High’s Neriah Avant (4) and Richwoods’ Aubriana Moore chase a loose ball in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Knights defeated the Lions 66-39.
PEORIA HIGH VS. RICHWOODS – Richwoods’ Magnolia Lee (31) puts up a shot over the Peoria High defense in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Knights defeated the Lions 66-39.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson, foreground and Alex Huibregtse celebrate the Braves’ 64-60 comeback win over Washington State on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Montana Wheller gets past Washington State’s Ace Glass for a shot in the second half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied for a 64-60 victory.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Corey Thomas, right, and AJ Smith, left, tangle with Washington State’s Eemeli Yalaho (2) and Tómas Thrastarson for a rebound in the second half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied for a 64-60 victory.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Demarion Burch, right, tangles with Washington State’s Jerone Morton in the first half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves rallied for a 64-60 victory.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic dunks over Washington State’s ND Okafor for the game-winner Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves mounted a huge comeback in the second half for a 64-60 victory.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Corey Thomas, facing, hugs teammate Ahmet Jonovic as time runs out on the Braves’ 64-60 comeback win over Washington State on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. Jonovic sunk a game-winning dunk in the final seconds of the game.
BU VS. WASHINGTON STATE – Bradley’s Demarion Burch celebrates as time runs out on the Braves’ 64-60 comeback win over Washington State on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
SNOW DAYS – Large icicles hang from a building Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 in Sunnyland.
SNOW DAYS – Dylan Grosnet of Peoria flings a shovelful of icy snow out of his driveway Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 along Glen Avenue in Peoria.
Washington senior Isaac Reetz helped lead the Panthers to the program’s first-ever berth in the soccer state finals, where the team took second place in Class 2A. He is the 2025 Journal Star Soccer Player of the Year.
Limestone High School junior Mia Lamberti is the 2025 Journal Star Volleyball Player of the Year, the second year in a row for the University of Illinois commit.
Christmas decorations surround the bar at City Heat, 2248 W. Glen Avenue in Peoria, including a custom-made chalk drawing over the cash register.
WASHINGTON VS. METAMORA – Washington’s Dani Guedet, left, tangles with Metamora’s Junie Wagoner in the first half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Metamora. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 61-42.
WASHINGTON VS. METAMORA – Washington’s Avery Tibbs, right, steals the ball from Metamora’s Kessa Sell in the second half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 in Metamora. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 61-42.
BRADLEY VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS – The Bradley Braves bench celebrates after freshman Dietrich Richardson dunks on Northern Illinois late in the second half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves routed the Huskies 84-55.
BRADLEY VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS – Bradley’s Corey Thomas (4) blocks a shot by Northern Illinois’ Gustave Winther in the first half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves routed the Huskies 84-55.
BRADLEY VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS – Bradley head coach Brian Wardle agues a call with an official in the first half of a college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 between the Braves and Northern Illinois at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves routed the Huskies 84-55.
PEORIA HIGH VS. MORTON – Peoria’s Jacob Duffin Jr. dunks over the Morton Potters in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Lions defeated the Potters 71-60.
PEORIA HIGH VS. MORTON – Peoria High’s Cameron Gunn (11) shows his approval of teammate Jacob Duffin Jr.’s dunk over Morton in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Lions defeated the Potters 71-60.
PEORIA HIGH VS. MORTON – Morton’s Jude Zeller (1) makes a move to the basket past Peoria High’s Fenix Foy in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at Peoria High School. The Lions defeated the Potters 71-60.
RAISING CANE’S – Peoria Police officers direct a long line of traffic waiting in the drive-thru lane Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at 4200 N. Sterling Avenue in Peoria.
RAISING CANE’S – Customers line up at the door on the opening day of the new Raising Cane’s restaurant Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at 4200 N Sterling Avenue near Northwoods Mall.
RAISING CANE’S – A panoramic view of the interior of the new Raising Cane’s restaurant on opening day Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at 4200 N. Sterling Avenue near Northwoods Mall.
RAISING CANE’S – Raising Cane’s, famous for its chicken fingers, opened its new Peoria location Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 at 4200 N. Sterling Avenue near Northwoods Mall.
RIVERMEN VS. KNOXVILLE – Peoria’s Garrett Devine celebrates his goal against Knoxville in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
RIVERMEN VS. KNOXVILLE – Peoria’s Garrett Devine, left, puts the puck past Knoxville goaltender Stephen Mundinger in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2205 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen shut out the Ice Bears 5-0.
RIVERMEN VS. KNOXVILLE – Knoxville goaltender Stephen Mundinger takes a Peoria shot to the neck in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 13, 2205 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen shut out the Ice Bears 5-0.
SNOW-COVERED PEORIA – Snow tops a Peoria “Bison-tennial” bison Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 at SW Jefferson Avenue and Liberty Street in Downtown Peoria as a steady snowfall covers the region.
SNOW-COVERED PEORIA – A plow clears snow on SW Jefferson Avenue as a steady snowfall covers the area Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Peoria.
SNOW-COVERED PEORIA – Nathan Dorsey of Peoria clears some sidewalks from snow in his Uplands neighborhood Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Peoria.
Bart Cumming , managing partner of the Ash Cigar Lounge at 3901 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights, has decided to sell the property and move on to greener pastures, but he hopes the new owner will keep it running as a cigar lounge.
PEORIA HAIR AND FASHION SHOW – A model representing Aura Salon in Peoria Heights shows off her elaborate hairstyle Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 during the 6th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria. The event featured some of the area’s top salons and barbers with models working the “Runway of Oz.”
PEORIA HAIR AND FASHION SHOW – Performers put on a show in glowing blue stagelight during the 6th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria.
PEORIA HAIR AND FASHION SHOW – A pair of models oil up the “Tin Man” during the 6th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 at the 3300 Event Center in Peoria.
EDUCATION DAY – Wilder-Waite third-graders Grace Obia, left, and Quinn Grimm scream their heads off during an Education Day hockey game between the Peoria Rivermen and the Evansville Thunderbolts on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center.
EDUCATION DAY – A group of school girls reach out for a high-five from Peoria Rivermen mascot Rocky during an Education Day game against the Evansville Thunderbolts on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center.
EDUCATION DAY – A group of school kids blow on their vuvuzelas during an Education Day hockey game between the Peoria Rivermen and the Evansville Thunderbolts on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center.
EDUCATION DAY – Peoria’s Michael McChesney celebrates his second-period goal against Evansville with some excited young fans during an Education Day hockey game Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center.
A bowl of Rich Garlic Tonkotsu with pork broth, pork chashu, tamago, woodear mushroom, bamboo shoots, ginger, green onion, shredded seaweed and black garlic at Yasakani Ramen & Grill in Pekin.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – An official stretches out on a mat as wrestlers compete in the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – Pontiac’s Jack Voigts, top, pins Richwoods’ Nathan Ortiz in the 126-pound title match of the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – Eureka’s Henry Watson, top, and Galesburg’s Landon Darst battle in the 132-pound title match of the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School. Watson took the title.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – Dunlap’s Jayden Schmick, left, tangles with Geneva’s David Rueth in the 165-pound title match of the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School. Schmick defeated Rueth.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – Galesburg’s Amyah Pruitt pins IVC’s Michaela Hittle in the 125-pound third-place match of the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School.
METAMORA HOLIDAY CLASSIC – ROWVA’s Patience Riggs, top, pins Putnam County’s Ella Irwin in the 190-pound title match of the Metamora Holiday Classic wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at Metamora Township High School.
BRADLEY VS. SIU– Fans reach out to touch Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson during player introductions before the start of the Braves’ Missouri Valley Conference college basketball home opener against SIU on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Salukis 73-69.
BRADLEY VS. SIU– Bradley’s Timoty van der Knaap gets a little hang time after dunking on Southern Illinois in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference college basketball home opener Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Salukis 73-69.
BRADLEY VS. SIU– Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson (22) takes a hard foul from Southern Illinois in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference college basketball home opener Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Salukis 73-69.
BRADLEY VS. SIU– Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic celebrates as time winds down on the Braves 73-69 victory over Southern Illinois in their Missouri Valley Conference college basketball home opener Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. EVANSVILLE – BRADLEY VS. EVANSVILLE – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson, left, and Timoty van der Knaap celebrate the Braves’ 76-68 win over MVC foe Evansville on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. EVANSVILLE – Bradley’s AJ Smith puts up a shot over Evansville’s Leif Moeller in the first half of their MVC college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Aces 76-68.
BRADLEY VS. EVANSVILLE – Bradley’s Corey Thomas, right, and AJ Smith, left, stop Evansville’s James Dyson-Merwe in the first half of their MVC college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Aces 76-68.
BRADLEY VS. EVANSVILLE – Bradley’s Corey Thomas hypes the crowd as the Braves run out the clock on their 76-68 win over MVC foe Evansville on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
