MANUAL VS. CENTRAL – Peoria’s Nigel Moore lines up a three-point attempt over Manual’s Reggie Postlewaite in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at Manual High School. The Lions defeated the Rams 73-66.
MANUAL VS. CENTRAL – Manual’s Reggie Postlewaite (5) grabs a rebound from Peroia’s Jacob Duffin Jr., right, and Fenix Foy in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at Manual High School. The Lions defeated the Rams 73-66.
MANUAL VS. CENTRAL – Peoria High’s Nigel Moore (3) celebrates a three-pointer he made against Manual in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at Manual High School. The Lions defeated the Rams 73-66.
MANUAL VS. CENTRAL – Cheerleaders and a drum major dance to the Manual drumline on the sidelines during halftime of a high school basketball game between the Rams and the Peoria High Lions on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at Manual High School. The Lions defeated the Rams 73-66.
BRADLEY VS. VALPO – Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic takes a quick swing on the rim after dunking on Valparaiso in the first half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Braves defeated the Beacons 72-65.
BRADLEY VS. VALPO – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson, left, flies to the basket past Valparaiso’s Carter Hopoi in the first half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Braves defeated the Beacons 72-65.
BRADLEY VS. VALPO – Bradley head coach Brian Wardle encourages his players to stay aggressive against Valparaiso in the first half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Braves defeated the Beacons 72-65.
BRADLEY VS. VALPO – Bradley’s AJ Smith, left, and Valparaiso’s JT Pettigrew battle for a rebound in the first half of their college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Braves defeated the Beacons 72-65.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. BRIMFIELD – Brimfield’s Schyer Meinders, left, tries to knock the ball away from Illini Bluffs’ Maddy Stephens in the first half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Indians 52-18.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. BRIMFIELD – Brimfield’s Layni Linthicum, top, and Illini Bluffs’ Olivia Howard struggle for a loose ball in the first half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Indians 52-18.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. BRIMFIELD – Illini Bluffs’ Chenoa Howard (3) tries to get a shot past Brimfield’s Katie Doe in the first half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Indians 52-18.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. BRIMFIELD – Illini Bluffs’ Olivia Howard, right, and Brimfield’s Landrie Quiram collide while chasing the ball in the second half of their high school basketball game Thursday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Indians 52-18.
GIRLS REGIONAL WRESTLING – Washington girls wrestling coach Summer Smith gives some instructions to Paytyn Dykes, top, as she battles LaSalle-Peru’s Audi Plut in the 145-pound championship match of the girls regionals Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Normal West High School. Dykes took the title with a 4-0 decision.
GIRLS REGIONAL WRESTLING – Metamora’s Calliope Willman, left, and Morris’ Zara Lugo get upside down during the 125-pound quarterfinal match of the girls wrestling regionals Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Normal West High School. Lugo won with a 6-5 decision.
GIRLS REGIONAL WRESTLING – Washington’s Emma Ziegler, facing, grimaces as she tangles with Ottawa’s Jaiyden Provance in the 135-pound quarterfinal match of the girls wrestling regionals Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Normal West High School. Provance won the match with a 16-12 decision.
GIRLS REGIONAL WRESTLING – Kankakee’s Tamira Welch, bottom, tries to bring down Washington’s Bailey Guth in a 140-pound consolation match during the girls wrestling regionals Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Normal West High School. Welch won the match with a 15-0 technical fall.
ANALYTICAL BREWING – Lexington-based Analytical Brewing has opened a new larger location at 831 SW Adams Street in Peoria’s Warehouse District, part of a larger renovation project called The Adams Street Center. Unlike the Lexington location, the Peoria version includes food.
ANALYTICAL BREWING – A crowd fills the new pub Analytical Brewing during a soft opening at 831 SW Adams Street in Peoria’s Warehouse District. The new spot is the second location for the successful Lexington-based brewery.
ANALYTICAL BREWING – Analytical Brewing offers 15 different beers on tap from their Lexington brewery plus a trio of non-craft beers. The pub also offers a selection of wine, cocktails and canned beer.
ANALYTICAL BREWING – A vintage photo of the old Peoria Auto Parts that used to inhabit 831 SW Adams Street hangs on a wall at the renovated space’s newest resident Analytical Brewing.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson celebrates a Belmont turnover late in the overtime period of their college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bruins 95-84.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s AJ Smith (21) dunks over the Belmont defense and teammate Timoty van der Knaap (10) in the second half of their college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bruins 95-84.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – A young fans sports a Bradley Braves jersey covered in autographs as he waits for player introductions at the start of a college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Belmont Bruins 95-84 in overtime.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Young fans reach for Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson during player introductions before the start of a college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Belmont Bruins 95-84 in overtime.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Belmont’s Drew Scharnowski (11) blocks a shot by Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson in the second half of their college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. Johnson was fouled before the block. The Braves defeated the Bruins 95-84.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Belmont’s Sam Orme (14) overshoots Bradley’s AJ Smith for a foul in the first half of their college basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bruins 95-84.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson celebrates as overtime expires in the Braves’ 95-84 win over Belmont on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 at Carver Arena.
CONFERENCE TITLE – A group of young fans high-five the Washington Panthers after their 57-37 win over Morton in a high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The victory gave the Panthers the Mid-Illini girls basketball championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – A giant American flag is unfurled from the ceiling during the national anthem before the start of a high school basketball game between the Washington Panthers and Morton Potters on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Potters 57-37 for the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – Washington’s Kate McDougall, right, knocks the ball away from Morton’s Izzy Ripka in the first half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Potters 57-37 for the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – Washington’s Dani Guedet shoots over Morton’s Abbie VanMeenen in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Potters 57-37 for the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – Washingtons’ Becca McDougall, holding the ball, celebrates her 1,000th point with teammates in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Potters 57-37 for the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – Washington’s Dyah Iyer celebrates a three-pointer against Murray State in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Potters 57-37 for the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
CONFERENCE TITLE – Washington head coach Kim Barth, facing, the Panthers celebrate their 57-37 win over Morton in a high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Washington. The victory gave the team the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
TREFZFER’S BAKERY – Trefzger’s Bakery has operated for a decade at 4416 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights in a historic building that owners Jeff and Martha Huebner renovated.
TREFZFER’S BAKERY – Trefzger’s Bakery owners Jeff and Martha Huebner pose behind the cookie counter at their popular shop at 4416 N. Prospect Road in Peoria Heights.
TREFZFER’S BAKERY – Megan Tucker slices cinnamon rolls while her sister Stacie, right, loads up trays and head baker Chris Bennett attends to pies in the oven at Trefzger’s Bakery in Peoria Heights.
TREFZGFER’S BAKERY – Sunlight shines on a colorful cupcake topped with a cherry in a display case at Trefzger’s Bakery in Peoria Heights.
TREFZGFER’S BAKERY – Jackie Dowell adds sprinkles to a chocolate-covered strawberry at Trefzger’s Bakery in Peoria Heights.
TREFZGER’S BAKERY – A pair of vintage bicycles sit atop the restrooms at Trefzger’s Bakery in Peoria Heights.
TREFZFGER’S BAKERY – Cake decorator Rue Duffy creates a masterpiece with pink and purple frosting at Trefzger’s Bakery in Peoria Heights.
MATARI COFFEE CO. – Brothers Omar, left, and Mohamed Elmadari have opened a new Yemeni coffee shop, Matari Coffee Co., in the Willow Knolls Court shopping center in Peoria.
MATARI COFFEE CO. – The new Matari Coffee Co. in Willow Knolls Court offers a spacious, well-lit dining area decorated with gold-colored trim and Aramaic and Arabic symbols.
MATARI COFFEE CO. – Matari Coffee Co. in the Willow Knolls Court offers a variety of coffee styles with beans sourced from the mountains of Yemen.
MATARI COFFEE CO. – A wide variety of baked goods including cakes, pastries and Dubai chocolate are available for customers at the new Matari Coffee Co. in Willow Knolls Court.
Dunlap High School students express their displeasure with ICE activities during a protest Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 outside the District 323 administrative offices in Dunlap. About 50 students held signs, blew whistles and chanted as traffic passed at S. 4th Street and Legion Hall Road.
Dunlap High School sophomore Ghena Kahil blows a whistle and holds up her sign during an anti-ICE protest Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 outside the District 323 administrative offices in Dunlap. About 50 students held signs, blew whistles and chanted as traffic passed at S. 4th Street and Legion Hall Road.
Organizer Sammit Chidambaram, left, a senior at Dunlap High School, talks with lone counter-protester and fellow senior Magnus Orman, holding a flage, during an anti-ICE protest Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 outside the District 323 administrative offices in Dunlap. About 50 students held signs, blew whistles and chanted as traffic passed at S. 4th Street and Legion Hall Road.
A group of protesters hold up their signs and chant during an anti-ICE protest Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 outside the District 323 administrative offices in Dunlap. About 50 students held signs, blew whistles and chanted as traffic passed at S. 4th Street and Legion Hall Road.
Peoria Heights’ Courtney Jamison, right, and Jorge Castro, leftt, defend against Elmwood’s Garrett Webster in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at Peoria Heights High School. The Patriots defeated the Trojans 66-45.
Elmwood’s Gavin Strom, bottom, and Peoria Height’s Jorge Castro (20) scramble for a loose ball in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at Peoria Heights High School. The Patriots defeated the Trojans 66-45.
Peoria Heights’ Deandre Marks dribbles the ball between Elmwood’s Garrett Webster, left, and Quinton Johns, right, in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at Peoria Heights High School. The Patriots defeated the Trojans 66-45.
Peoria Heights’ lone senior Ashton Heady (2) celebrates his three-pointer against Elmwood late in the second half of their high school basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at Peoria Heights High School. The Patriots defeated the Trojans 66-45.
The Washington Panthers celebrate their 61-33 win over Dunlap for the Class 3A girls basketball regional title Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at Dunlap High School.
Dunlap’s Chloe Carmean tries to pass the ball around Washington’s Dani Guedet in the second half of their Class 3A girls basketball regional title game Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers advanced to the sectional with a 61-33 victory.
Washington head coach Kim Barth strategizes with her team during the first quarter break in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball regional title game against Dunlap on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers advanced to the sectional with a 61-33 victory.
Washington’s Ainsley Redlingshafer, right, collides with Dunlap’s Chloe Carmean in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball regional title game Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers advanced to the sectional with a 61-33 victory.
Dunlap’s Campbell Vrabel (2), Chloe Carmean (10) and Keyaira Haywood leave the court after their 61-33 loss to Washington in the Class 3A girls basketball regional title game Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at Dunlap High School.
Peoria’s Connor Szmul puts the puck past Evansville goaltender Kristian Stead in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The goal tied the game at 1-1, but the Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
Peoria’s Connor Szmul celebrates his goal against Evansville in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The goal tied the game 1-1, but the Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
An airborne puck bounces of Evansville’s Max Thiessen as the Thunderbolts battle Peoria in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
Peoria’s Griffen Fox (89) takes down Evansville’s Dmitry Yushkevich in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
The puck floats in front of Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich on a shot from Evansville in the second period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
Peoria’s Brandon Stojcevski crashes headfirst into the boards in the third period of an SPHL hockey game against Evansville on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel gives directions to his player in the final seconds of the third period of an SPHL hockey game against Evansville on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen fell to the Thunderbolts 3-2.
Canton’s Connor Williams celebrates his victory over Lena-Winslow/Stockton’s Jeremiah Luke in the 285-pound title match of the Class 1A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Chatham Glenwood’s Cooper Clarke tangles with Freeport’s Treyden Diduch in the 106-pound title match of the Class 2A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
A group of shirtless fans high-five as their wrestler battles to win a state wrestling championship Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Freeburg’s Dane Olmstead dowes a somersault after winning the 215-pound title in the Class 1A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Freeport’s Treyden Diduch, foreground, and head coach Nathan Arendt, in orange suit, celebrate his victory over Chatham Glenwood’s Cooper Clarke in the 106-pound title match of the Class 2A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Hononegah’s Brody Sendele, top, tries to pin Aurora West’s Dayne Serio in the 175-pound title match of the Class 3A state wrestling championship Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Sendele took the title with a fall.
Olympia’s Connor Collins celebrates his victory over GCMS’s Bentley Fields in the 106-pound title match of the Class 1A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Sandwich’s Cooper Corder, right, and Decatur Unity Christian’s Clinton VerHeecke comfort each other after a long match during the Class 2A state wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Corder defeated VerHeecke for the title.
Richwoods’ Londyn Sommerville (20) and Moline’s Aniya Dixon battle for the ball in the second half of their Class 4A girls basketball sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Richwoods High School. The Knights advanced to the final with a 62-49 win.
Richwoods’ Kayla Herron (2) drives to the basket past Moline’s Adalynn Voss in the first half of their Class 4A girls basketball sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Richwoods High School. The Knights advanced to the final with a 62-49 win.
The Richwoods student section cheers for the Knights as they battle Moline in the second half of their Class 4A girls basketball sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Richwoods High School. The Knights advanced to the final with a 62-49 win.
The Moline defense puts some pressure on Richwoods’ Haley Davis in the second half of their Class 4A girls basketball sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Richwoods High School. The Knights advanced to the final with a 62-49 win.
Moline’s Aniya Dixon, left, rejects Richwoods’ Magnolia Lee in the first half of their Class 4A girls basketball sectional semifinal Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at Richwoods High School. The Knights advanced to the final with a 62-49 win.
Garrett Mahaffey, a technician from Texas, works on a Caterpillar 906 Wheel Loader at a station Tuesday, Feb. 24 2026 during the Global Dealer Technician Challenge Finals at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center. Ten of the best technicians from around the world gathered in Edwards to compete to decide who would become the best Caterpillar technician in the world. The winner will be announced at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the largest construction trade show in the world, taking place March 3-7 in Las Vegas.
A technician and his assessor work in the cab of a Caterpillar 966 Wheel Loader during the Global Dealer Technician Challenge Finals on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
CAT TECH CHALLENGE – Harry Mott, a Caterpillar technician from Canada, works diligently and quickly on a 50-ton 722G off-highway truck Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2025 during the Global Dealer Technician Challenge Finals at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center.
