SIDEWALK CHALK – Iowa-based artist Kathleen Roling, left, and assistant Laura Todd, both of Des Moines, work on a sidewalk chalk mural Wednesday, July 1 outside the Sheridan Village Hyvee store in Peoria. The artwork is part of a Hyvee promotion benefiting Feeding America food bank organization. Roling, a three-dimensional chalk artist, has been commissioned to do three more of the murals in Davenport, Sioux City and Ottumwa. Because it’s created from chalk and water-soluble paint, the art will wash away in the rain
Ezra Collom of Peoria holds up a particularly comprehensive Black Lives Matter sign Thursday, July 2, while protesting outside Elevate Trampoline Park in East Peoria.
Retired federal judge Robert Kauffman’s American flag flies high in the sun at his home on Flag Street in Metamora. Kauffman is a passionate proponent of proper flag etiquette.
SMALL TOWN CELEBRATION – Fireworks explode over downtown Roanoke on Friday, July 3, 2020 during the village’s annual Independence Day celebration. Hundreds of people filled Main Street for a car show, live music, food and children’s activities. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roanoke was one of the few central Illinois communities to offer a fireworks display this year.
Tomie Craig twirls her daughter Emmalyn Wade, 7, in circles under a cascade of water from a water cannon during an Independence Day community picnic Saturday, July 4, in South Pekin.
Tyler Dillon, left, of Baer Glass, works at removing a smashed pane of glass while Noel Baer replaces another one Monday, July 6, at the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Downtown Peoria. Danny G. Jeffery, 38, of Metamora was arrested Sunday for allegedly destroying twelve panes with a rock.
Lily Bean, left, splashes her friend Noah Henry, both 8, as they frolic in Lily’s backyard pool Monday, July 6, off W. Charter Oak Road in Peoria County.
SUMMER CAMP AT SOMMMER PARK – Eli Sutton, foreground, and Cole Gilles, both 9, paddle through the algae-covered water of a pond Tuesday, July 7, during the week-long Ancient Oaks Day Camp at W.H. Sommer Park in Edwards. The summer marks the camp’s 50th anniversary, a milestone that has been subdued due to the COVID-19 crisis. This season, groups of 8-10 spent the entire day together with little intermingling of campers outside the groups.
Amanda Bradstreet, her son Fletcher, 8, and friends Carson Bland, 10, and his sister Avery, 8, all of Washington, paddle a dragon boat around a fountain Thursday, July 9, at Mineral Springs Park in Pekin.
Evan Archer of Pekin unclogs a flooded storm drain Wednesday, July 15, along S. 4th Street in Pekin. Heavy rainfall from a line of storms made some streets impassable in Pekin and other parts of central Illinois. Archer, who lives in the neighborhood, worked his way down several blocks, unclogging drains as best he could with a small hoe and his hands.
COVID-19 GRADUATION – Family members take photos as they file through the Five Points Washington Performing Arts Center during a coronavirus-altered graduation ceremony Saturday, July 18, for Washington Community High School. Graduates and their families, all wearing masks, lined up outside the center before proceeding a few at a time through the ceremony.
Washington Community High School graduate Christian Buck poses for a photo by photographer Rich Burk after receiving his diploma during a ceremony Saturday, July 18, at Five Points Washington.
Washington Community High School graduate Aaron Alex is nearly buried in a giant necklace of leis and bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos as he laughs with his girlfriend Allison Vaughn after a graduation ceremony Saturday, July 18, at Five Points Washington. The leis and Cheetos are part of a tradition from Alex’s Micronesian heritage celebrating a big accomplishment.
Runners with the RC Outfitters Half/Full Marathon Training group work out Tuesday, July 28, at the Franciscan Recreation Complex in West Peoria. Led by longtime running enthusiast and coach Michael Lewellyn, the group meets every Tuesday and Thursday evening for 14 weeks from July to October at various locations in the Peoria area. The structured workouts are intended for runners of all ages and experience levels who are interested in developing their long-distance running abilities.
Jill Foster, left, of East Peoria reaches for a discarded aluminum can under a shrub as she and her daughter Emily Foster of Peoria do some volunteer work picking up litter Friday, July 31, along Arcadia Avenue in Peoria. The pair were participating in the eighth and final Weekly Community Cleanup event of the summer, a program hosted by the City of Peoria Community Development Department.
Kristen Syndram stands among some of the tropical plants she has for sale at her new business, Your Plant Mum, 203 W. Jefferson Street, in Morton. Syndram, a wedding and engagement photographer by trade, decided to pursue her passion for tropical house plants a bit more aggressively after business slowed due to the pandemic.
ADVOCATES FOR THE HOMELESS – Rob Allen, right, shows off some lettering he did to homeless advocates Kshe Bernard, foreground, Jessica McGhee, left, and OSF Faith Community nurse Randall McClallen during a recent visit to a campsite in Peoria. McGhee, a local artist, and Bernard, an outreach worker with JOLT Harm Reduction, are spending much of their time helping improve conditions for the homeless with food, supplies and a friendly face. McGhee has created a Facebook fundraiser to aid in their efforts.
