COSPLAY CONVENTION – A group of costumed costumed animé fans listen during the opening ceremony event of the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria. The three-day event features animé and cosplay workshops, merchandise, contests and dances.
COSPLAY CONVENTION – James Williams of Northbrook performs on a recorder in the hallway during the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.
COSPLAY CONVENTION – Nicholas Ahrens of Freeport sports a large tail while shopping for merchandise during the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.
COSPLAY CONVENTION – Chloe Springer, facing, of Metamora, and Phillip Vanderburg of Washington share a moment as they watch the opening ceremony of the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.
COSPLAY CONVENTION – Emily Wiegmann of Pekin peruses a selection of books during the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.
COSPLAY CONVENTION – A pair of Umbrella Corporation soldiers from the Resident Evil series check a cellphone in the hallway during the annual Animé-ZAP! convention Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. MISSOURI STATE – Bradley’s Connor Hickman moves to the basket against the Missouri State defense in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bears 86-60.
BRADLEY VS. MISSOURI STATE – Bradley’s Darius Hannah reacts to his slam dunk over Missouri State in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bears 86-60.
BRADLEY VS. MISSOURI STATE – Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic, top, and Missouri State’s Nick Kramer tangle over a loose ball in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bears 86-60.
BRADLEY VS. MISSOURI STATE – Bradley’s Christian Davis (5) shoots a three-pointer over Missouri State in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bears 86-60.
BRADLEY VS. MISSOURI STATE – Bradley’s Connor Hickman celebrates with the crowd after sinking a three-pointer against Missouri State late in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2023 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Bears 86-60.
SNOWY MORNING – Wet snow starts to pile up in Emerson Brown’s hair as he walks up Spring Street under a steady snowfall after a trip to a convenience store Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Peoria.
SNOWY MORNING – A school bus navigates E. Nebraska Avenue in a heavy snowfall Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Peoria.
SNOWY MORNING – Mike Chavez of Peoria clears some heavy, wet snow off his car Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Peoria.
RICHWOODS VS. PEORIA HIGH – Peoria High’s Danielle Ruffin, left, tries to knock the ball away from Richwoods’ Alanna Ross during their girls basketball game Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at Richwoods High School. The Lions prevailed 43-40.
RICHWOODS VS. PEORIA HIGH – Peoria High’s Niasha Rutherford, left, and Richwoods’ Kyra Lee battle for the ball during their girls basketball game Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at Richwoods High School. The Lions prevailed 43-40.
RICHWOODS VS. PEORIA HIGH – Peoria High’s Allannah Jackson (24) tangles with Richwoods’ Londyn Sommerville during their girls basketball game Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at Richwoods High School. The Lions prevailed 43-40.
RICHWOODS VS. PEORIA HIGH – Richwoods coach Shamar Hill offers some advice to his players during their girls basketball game Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at Richwoods High School. The Lions prevailed 43-40.
RICHWOODS VS. PEORIA HIGH – Richwoods’ Braniyah Hickman’s hair flies wildly as Peoria High’s Allannah Jackson defends during their girls basketball game Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at Richwoods High School. The Lions prevailed 43-40.
RIVERMEN VS. HAVOC – Peoria’s Cale List, left, and Huntsville’s Kyle Clarke fall to the ice while chasing the puck in the first period of their SPHL hockey match Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen fell to the Havoc 4-3 in a sudden-death shootout.
RIVERMEN VS. HAVOC – Huntsville’s Mason Palmer, top, takes down Peoria’s Andrew Durham in the second period of their SPHL hockey match Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen fell to the Havoc 4-3 in a sudden-death shootout.
RIVERMEN VS. HAVOC – Peoria Alec Baer celebrates his goal against Huntsville in the third period of their SPHL hockey match Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen fell to the Havoc 4-3 in a sudden-death shootout.
PRECISION PLANTING – The massive new Precision Planting warehouse in Morton dwarfs the company’s former facility nearby.
PRECISION PLANTING – A forklift driver glides through the tall shelves full of parts in the new 510,000-square-foot Precision Planting facility at 801 Agriculture Drive in Morton.
PRECISION PLANTING – A team of 26 robots stock and retrieve items from the “AutoStore,” a giant high-tech storage unit that can hold up to 58,000 parts, at the new Precision Planting facility in Morton.
PRECISION PLANTING – Workers assemble products in the production area of the massive new Precision Planting facility in Morton. The business employs about 240 people at its Morton warehouse.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – Holly Walker pets a pair of cats she’s hosting at her new business coffee shop River Kitty Café at 3226 N. University Street in Peoria. Walker hopes to open to the public sometime in February. Patrons can sit behind the glass and watch the cats play while they enjoy their coffee and snack, or they can pay to spend some up-close quality time with the furry companions in the room.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – A cat lounges on a hanging shelf in a window at River Kitty Café on University Street in Peoria.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – A cat sits on a pillow in a tent at the River Kitty Café, opening soon at 3226 N. University Street in Peoria.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – Owner Holly Walker has converted a former cash loan office into a cat café called River Kitty Café on University Street in Peoria. When the business opens to the public, patrons can spend time with a number of adoptable cats in the back room of the coffee shop.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – A cat sits in a shaft of sunlight hitting a chair at the new River Kitty Café on University Street in Peoria.
RIVER KITTY CAFE – A cat cleans grooms himself in a window seat at the River Kitty Café on University Street in Peoria.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. PEORIA CHRISTIAN – Illini Bluffs’ Hank Alvey shoots over Peoria Christians’ Gavin Walder, left, and Lane Hunt in the second half of their ICAC Conference basketball game Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Chargers 71-59.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. PEORIA CHRISTIAN – Peoria Christian and Illini Bluffs players battle for a rebound in the first half of their ICAC Conference basketball game Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Chargers 71-59.
ILLINI BLUFFS VS. PEORIA CHRISTIAN – Peoria Christian’s Malachi Persinger (1) passes under pressure from Illini Bluffs’ Hank Alvey in the second half of their ICAC Conference basketball game Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Glasford. The Tigers defeated the Chargers 71-59.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – The Bradley bench erupts in celebration after a Braves three-pointer against Belmont in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves routed the Bruins 95-72.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s Kyle Thomas (24) dunks over Belmont’s Isaiah Walker in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s Malevy Leons blocks a shot by Belmont’s Isaiah Walker in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves routed the Bruins 95-72.
BRADLEY VS. BELMONT – Bradley’s Darius Hannah high-fives his coaching staff as the Braves come off the court after their 95-72 victory over Belmont on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Lincoln’s Piper Whiteman, left, and Becca Heitzig, right, pressure Peoria Notre Dame’s Emy Wardle in the first half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Peoria Notre Dame’s Kaitlin Cassidy puts up a shot over Lincoln’s Piper Whiteman in the first half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Lincoln’s Kloe Froebe gets a forearm in the face from Peoria Notre Dame’s Julia Mingus in the first half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Peoria Notre Dame’s Mya Wardle tries to get off a shot over the Lincoln defense in the first half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Peoria Notre Dame’s Mya Wardle (22) argues a call as the Irish battle Lincoln in the second half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
METAMORA VS. MORTON – Morton cheerleaders perform in front of a giant American flag hanging in Toepke Gymnasium before the start of a Mid-Illini Conference basketball game between Morton and Metamora on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Metamora. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 67-48.
METAMORA VS. MORTON – Metamora’s Luke Hopp (14) and Nick Walker (5) defend against Morton’s Wes Gudeman in the first half of their Mid-Illini Conference basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Metamora. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 67-48.
METAMORA VS. MORTON – Metamora fans in the student section react to a three-pointer against Morton in the second half of their Mid-Illini Conference basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Metamora. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 67-48.
METAMORA VS. MORTON – Metamora’s Cooper Koch (30) lines up a three-pointer over Morton’s Gus Rugaard in the first half of their Mid-Illini Conference basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Metamora. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 67-48.
METAMORA VS. MORTON – Morton head coach Abe Zeller watches anxiously as the Potters battle Metamora in the first half of their Mid-Illini Conference basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Metamora. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 67-48.
SHAVE ROOM – Peoria barber Jorell Glass recently moved his Twin Towers shop, Shave Room, to a larger, more prominent space in the downtown Peoria shopping mall. Glass has also been operating a barber school called Mr. Glass Tonsorial Christian Institute for the past two years on Sterling Avenue in Peoria.
SHAVE ROOM – Shave Room owner Jorell Glass gives customer Blair Gambill a hair cut at his new shop in the Twin Towers shopping mall in downtown Peoria.
SHAVE ROOM – Shave Room custmer Blair Gimball holds his 8-month-old son Blair Gimball II as shop owner Jorell Glass gives the senior Gimball a trim at the Twin Towers barbershop in downtown Peoria.
SHAVE ROOM – Jorell Glass, owner of the Shave Room and Mr. Glass Tonsorial Christian Institute, analyses a haircutting video during a class at the barber school in Peoria.
A pair of Heartland Parking attendants team up to salt the icy sidewalks Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 around the PNC Bank parking deck along Harrison Street in downtown Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. MURRAY STATE – Bradley’s Kyle Thomas (24) blocks a shot by Murray State’s Nick Ellington in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. MURRAY STATE – Bradley’s Malevy Leons (14) tries to get a shot past Murray State’s Justin Morgan in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Racers 71-63.
PND VS. LINCOLN – Peoria Notre Dame’s Mya Wardle tries to get off a shot over the Lincoln defense in the first half of their nonconference basketball game Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. The Irish fell to the Railsplitters 63-52.
BRADLEY VS. MURRAY STATE – Murray State’s Rob Perry (2) collides with Bradley’s Duke Deen in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Racers 71-63.
HEIGHTS VS. CHRISTIAN – The Peoria Christian Chargers hug teammate Gavin Walder after his three-pointer in the final seconds gave them a 60-58 win over Peoria Heights on Friday, Jan. 26 2024 at Peoria Heights High School.
HEIGHTS VS. CHRISTIAN – Peoria Heights’ Barrett Marfell (21) and Peoria Christian’s Jameson Fisher leap for a rebound in the second half of their high school basketball game Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at Peoria Heights High School. The Chargers defeated the Patriots 60-58.
HEIGHTS VS. CHRISTIAN – Peoria Heights’ Camron Williams, left, and DeAndre Marks (10) battle for a rebound with Peoria Christian’s Jameson Fisher, right, and Josh Walton in the second half of their high school basketball game Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at Peoria Heights High School. The Chargers defeated the Patriots 60-58.
HEIGHTS VS. CHRISTIAN – Peoria Heights Camron Williams, right, passes the ball around Peoria Christian’s Josh Walton in the second half of their high school basketball game Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at Peoria Heights High School. The Chargers defeated the Patriots 60-58.
HEIGHTS VS. CHRISTIAN – Peoria Heights’ DeAndre Marks (10) puts up a shot over Peoria Christian’s Josh Walton in the second half of their high school basketball game Friday, Jan. 26, 2024 at Peoria Heights High School. The Chargers defeated the Patriots 60-58.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – UNI’s Trey Campbell, bottom, faceplants onto the court in a collision with Bradley’s Duke Deen in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated the Panthers 85-69.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – The Bradley Braves celebrate a three-pointer against UNI in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – Bradley’s Connor Hickman, left, makes a move on UNI’s Jacob Huston in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – Bradley cheerleaders tumble across the court during a break in the action between Bradley and UNI in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – Bradley’s Malevy Leons, top, tangles with UNI’s Jacob Huston (11) for a loose ball in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS. UNI – Bradley head coach Brian Wardle gives some directions in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game against UNI on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
