Illini Bluffs’s Cora Ellison floats off the pitcher’s circle as she throws against LeRoy in the Class 1A softball state semifinals Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Tigers advanced to the state title game with a 10-0 win in five innings.
Metamora’s Katie Ramage, left, and Sydney Trentman hoist the Class 3A softball sectional plaque after defeating Washington 3-1 in the sectional title game Friday, June 2, 2023 in Metamora.
Richwoods second baseman Zach Gilbert makes an off-balance throw for an out after fielding a Rock Island grounder in the second inning of the Class 3A baseball sectional title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Metamora. The Knights fells to the Rocks 8-5.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – St. Bede’s Bailey Engels lies flat on her face after getting tagged out by Illini Bluffs’ shortstop Zoe Eeten in the second inning of the Class 1A softball state title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The defending champion Tigers fell to the Lady Bruins 7-6.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – St. Bede’s Emma Slingsby slides under the tag from Illini Bluffs catcher Lexi Brinkman for a run in the second inning of the Class 1A softball state title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The defending champion Tigers fell to the Lady Bruins 7-6.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – The St. Bede Lady Bruins start the celebration as Illini Bluffs’ baserunner Anna Tibbs (2) leaves the field on a force-out at second base to end the Class 1A softball state title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The defending champion Tigers fell to the Lady Bruins 7-6.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – The St. Bede Lady Bruins celebrate their Class 1A softball state title after defeating defending champion Illini Bluffs 7-6 in the title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – Illini Bluffs teammates Tessa Howard, right, and Lilly Hicks console each other after the Tigers’ 7-6 loss to St. Bede in the Class 1A softball state title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP – Illini Bluffs’ Lilly Hicks, right, peeks at her teammates through the glass insert of the Class 1A softball state runner-up trophy after the defending champs fell 7-6 to St. Bede in the title game Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Lemont’s Avaree Taylor (22) slides into home plate as Metamora catcher Madeline Mooney puts a tag on her in the third inning of the Class 3A softball supersectional Monday, June 5, 2023 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Redbirds fell to Lemont 6-0.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Lemont’s Raegan Duncan gets hyped up after hitting a solo home run against Metamora in the first inning of the Class 3A softball supersectional Monday, June 5, 2023 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Redbirds fell to Lemont 6-0.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Lemont’s Sage Mardjetko (16) runs down the third base line to her cheering teammates at home plate after her two-run home run against Metamora in the first inning Monday, June 5, 2023 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. Lemont defeated the Redbirds 6-0.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Metamora senior catcher Madeline Mooney holds back tears as she and her teammates line up to shake hands with Lemont after the Redbirds fell 6-0 in the Class 3A softball supersectional Monday, June 5, 2023 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Metamora teammates console each other after their 6-0 loss to Lemont in the Class 3A softball supersectional Monday, June 5, 2023 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria.
ANCIENT SETTLEMENT – Archaeologists and archaeology students search for artifacts Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the site of a 600-year-old Native American settlement in a farm field off Spring Bay Road in East Peoria. Archaeologist Dana Bardolph and her students joined UC-Santa Barbara professor of anthropology Greg Wilson and archaeologists from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey to excavate the site this summer after mapping it last fall.
ANCIENT SETTLEMENT – A stone ax head is one of many notable artifacts recently discovered by archaeologists at the site of a Native American settlement that once thrived in the 1300s along the Illinois River in northern Tazewell County.
ANCIENT SETTLEMENT – Volunteers Lynn Carl left, Steven Miller, middle, and Kerwin Brown sift through piles of dirt for artifacts like pieces of bone and pottery dug up from the site of an ancient Native American settlement recently discovered in a farm field in East Peoria.
ANCIENT SETTLEMENT – A volunteer finds a small piece of bone fragment while screening dirt pulled from an archaeological dig at the site of an ancient Native American settlement in northern Tazewell County.
ANCIENT SETTLEMENT – Archaeologist Dana Bardolph, lower left, of Northern Illinois University, Patrick Brown, middle, and Christian Hasler, lower right, both of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey, work the site of an ancient Native American settlement in a farm field in northern Tazewell County.
SWEETS SHOP – Peyton Thaxton of Sucré Sweets and Socials sprinkles powdered sugar over a bubble waffle stick at the shop’s new location at 105 S. Main Street in Morton. In addition to the new shop, they’ve also added new menu items, including soft-serve ice cream, bubble waffles and boba drinks.
SWEETS SHOP – Carly Whitaker, left, and Avery Braker, both 16, have a chat as they enjoy some boba drinks at the new location of Sucré Sweets and Socials at 105 S. Main Street in Morton.
SWEETS SHOP – Addison Caldera, left, 12, and her brother Parker, 10, enjoy a snack at the new location of Sucré Sweets and Socials at 105 S. Main Street in Morton.
SWEETS SHOP – A neon sign hangs over the candy jars at the new location of Sucré Sweets and Socials at 105 S. Main Street in downtown Morton.
SUMMER TRADITION – The Lifeguards Plus One team, left, and the Miss Tremont team circle their bed racing carts once in the middle of the course during the annual Tremont Turkey Festival bed races Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
SUMMER TRADITION – Abe Dickey, left, 6, and his sisters Jolie, in purple, and Lyla, both 11, chow down on some whipped cream and strawberry shortcake during the shortcake-eating contest Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Tremont Turkey Festival.
SUMMER TRADITION – The Chairmen team and the Titans vs. Turks team race up James Street during the annual Tremont Turkey Festival bed races Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
SUMMER TRADITION – Jessie Plattner sports a beard full of whipped cream after scarfing down a plate of strawberry shortcake during the annual Tremont Turkey Festival shortcake-eating contest Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
SUMMER TRADITION – The Miss Tremont team sprints up James Street as they compete in the annual Tremont Turkey Festival bed races Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
SUMMER TRADITION – Sophia Berger laughs as she tries to eat as much whipped cream and strawberry shortcake as she can in two minutes during the Tremont Turkey Festival shortcake-eating contest Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Tremont.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Maria Rabadan and Javear Figuaroa, 7, walk past the East Bluff Community Center after a visit to the center’s food pantry Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 512 E. Kansas Street in Peoria. The center usually offers its food pantry four Saturdays a month depending on donations.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – East Bluff Community Center volunteer Wanda Aberle chats with a customer at the center well-stocked food pantry on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Peoria. Each customer receives a pre-packaged grocery bag of staples and can shop for other items as supplies last.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Zayleigh Edmonds share her bacon with her doll as she waits for her family’s turn to shop at the East Bluff Community Center food pantry Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Peoria. The center provides breakfast for customers waiting for the pantry.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Jenny Winne, left, the new director of the East Bluff Community Center, chats with Javear Figuaroa, 7, after helping him carry groceries from the food pantry Saturday, June 10, 2023 in Peoria.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – A customer fills a box from shelves and crates of donated items Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the East Bluff Community Center food pantry.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Guest coach Randy Rogers, head coach of the Concordia University men’s basketball team and father of former East Bluff Community Center director Kari Jones, explains the rules of the game to a group of third through fifth-graders during a summer basketball camp Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in the center’s gymnasium in Peoria. The community center offers several programs for kids throughout the year.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Aubraya Porter, 8, practices her ball-handling skills during a summer youth basketball camp Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the East Bluff Community Center in Peoria.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – All eyes are on the ball as volunteer Landon Shelton of Washington demonstrates the proper form to shoot a basketball during a youth basketball camp Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the East Bluff Community Center in Peoria.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Coach Kevin Thomas gives his team a pep talk before a game during a youth basketball practice Tuesday, June 14, 2023 at the East Bluff Community Center in Peoria.
EAST BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER – Young basketball players battle for the ball during a scrimmage Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the East Bluff Community Center in Peoria.
SENIOR SALUTE – East Peoria’s Gracie Luna and an umpire do the chicken dance between innings of the Senior Salute All-Star softball game Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SENIOR SALUTE – IVC’s Katie Petran (32) struggles with her tricycle during a race between innings at the Senior Salute All-Star softball game Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SENIOR SALUTE – Umpires don silly costumes during the Senior Salute All-Star softball game Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
SENIOR SALUTE – High school softball players enjoy a popsicle break during the Senior Salute All-Star game Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS – Theo Williams, far left, host of America’s Best Restaurants, shares a laught with the Bernardi family, from right, Stephanie Bernardi-Brott, her brother Tony Bernardi and father Mike Bernardi, as they film a segment for the online show Friday, June 16, 2023 at Mona’s Italian Restaurant in Toluca. The 90-year-old business was founded by Mike Bernardi’s father Nildo ÒMonaÓ Arthur Bernardi in 1933.
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS – Josh Madu of America’s Best Restaurants records Tony Bernardi and Stephanie Bernardi-Brott putting the finals touches on a dish Friday, June 16, 2023 at Mona’s Italian Restaurant in Toluca.
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS – Josh Madu of America’s Best Restaurants records close-ups of Mona’s Italian Restaurant’s famous fried chicken during filming of a segment for the online show Friday, June 16, 2023 in Toluca.
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS – Lucas Bernardi, son of Tony Bernardi and the fourth generation of the Bernardi family working at Mona’s Italian Restaurant, interviews with Theo Williams of America’s Best Restaurants for an upcoming segment Friday, June 16, 2023 in Toluca.
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS – The America’s Best Restaurants van sits outside Mona’s Italian Restaurant for a segment Friday, June 16, 2023 in Toluca.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Tammie Mance of Bloomington meditates before competing in the Steamboat Classic 15K race Saturday, June 17, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Adrienne Coleman (1511) of Mahomet and Ed Coleman of Canton share a kiss at the finish line of the Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 17, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Stephen Svymbersky of Peoria sports an inspirational slogan on his T-shirt before the start of the Steamboat Classic road races Saturday, June 17, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Max McDaniel (2161) of Festus, Missouri shares a laugh with Garrett White of Crestwood, Illinois at the finish of the Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 17, 2023 in dowtown Peoria. McDaniel won the race, while White finished third.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Christine Paternoga (2051) of Brimfield and Katie Janovetz of Peoria share a moment together after finishing the Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 17, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Runners make their way up Main Street en masse at the start of the Steamboat Classic road races Saturday, June 17, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – The South’s Jace Weaver of LVC (Lewistown, Spoon River Valley and Cuba High Schools) slides safely into second base under the North’s Mason Heitzler of Annawan/Wethersfield in the fourth inning of the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – The South’s T.J. Pfeiffer of Midwest Central catches a fly ball to the outfield during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – Young Limestone Rockets watch the North All-Stars battle the South All-Stars from atop a dugout during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – The South’s Dalton Strode of Bushnell-Prairie City is all smiles after tagging out a North player at second base to end the fourth inning during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – The North’s Jace Weaver of LVC slides around South catcher Jameson Fisher of Peoria Christian for a score during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – A group of girls enjoy some quality time with a giant inflatable Grimace during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – An excited young fan runs down an aisle after recover a foul ball during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
BASEBALL ALL-STARS – The East’s Ethan Krutke, right, of East Peoria taps helmets with his teammates after hitting a home run against the West All-Stars during the 32nd annual McDonald’s All-Star Game on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
COMBINED FOOTBALL PRACTICE – Morton and Peoria High receivers battle for the ball in a drill during a combined practice Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Peoria High School.
COMBINED FOOTBALL PRACTICE – New Morton High School head football coach and former Peoria High assistant Adam O’Neill, left, talks with Peoria High head coach Tim Thornton during a combined practice Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Peoria High School.
COMBINED FOOTBALL PRACTICE – Morton and Peoria High linemen face off during a combined practice Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Peoria High School.
COMBINED FOOTBALL PRACTICE – A Morton ball carrier tries to get past of gauntlet of Peoria High defensive backs during a combined practice Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Peoria High School.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Metamora sophomore infielder Kaidance Till helped lead the Redbirds to a second consecutive appearance in the Class 3A supersectionals. She is the 2023 Journal Star Softball Player of the Year.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Metamora sophomore infielder Kaidance Till’s connected for 58 hits and a .496 batting average to help lead the Redbirds to the Class 3A Elite Eight. She’s the 2023 Journal Star Softball Player of the Year.
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Metamora sophomore Kaidance Till is the 2023 Journal Star Softball Player of the Year.
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Morton senior pitcher and Bradley signee Tate Roley used his skill on the mound (0.49 ERA) and with the bat (.406 batting average) this season to become the 2023 Journal Star Baseball Player of the Year.
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Morton senior and Bradley signee Tate Roley is the 2023 Journal Star Baseball Player of the Year.Morton senior pitcher and Bradley signee Tate Roley used his skill on the mound (0.49 ERA) and with the bat (.406 batting average) this season to become the 2023 Journal Star Baseball Player of the Year.
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Morton senior pitcher and Bradley signee Tate Roley used his skill on the mound (0.49 ERA) and with the bat (.406 batting average) this season to become the 2023 Journal Star Baseball Player of the Year.
A juvenile deer takes a look around while foraging in a field Friday, June 23, 2023 near Morton.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – Patrick Simmons, left, Marc Russo, middle, and John McFee perform with The Doobie Brothers on the legendary rock band’s 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – Vocalist and keyboard player Michael McDonald of The Doobie Brothers performs on the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – Legendary rock band The Doobie Brothers perform on the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – A fan records the opening song of The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour during their performance Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – Saxophonist Marc Russo performs with The Doobie Brothers on the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS – Guitarist and vocalist Patrick Simmons, foreground, and percussionist Marc Quinones perform The Doobie Brothers greatest hits during the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Peoria Civic Center.
TONY ROMO IN METAMORA – CBS sportscaster andfFormer Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, right congratulates a fellow golfer on a successful putt Tuesday, June 27, 2023 during the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship & Pro-Am Tournament at Metamora Fields Golf Club in Metamora.
TONY ROMO IN METAMORA – Dallas Cowboys fans Jim Rohweder, left, of Morton and Rob Matthews of Metamora share a laugh as they wait for Tony Romo to tee off on No. 9 during a scramble Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship & Pro-Am at Metamora Fields Golf Club.
TONY ROMO IN METAMORA – CBS sportscaster and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo watches his drive from the fairway on No. 9 during the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship & Pro-Am on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Metamora Fields Golf Club.
TONY ROMO IN METAMORA – Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo acknowledges the crowd after sinking a putt on No. 9 Tuesday, June 27, 2023 during the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship & Pro-Am at Metamora Fields Golf Club.
WILDFIRE HAZE – A thick haze hangs over the Peoria skyline Tuesday, June 27, 2023 due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
WILDFIRE HAZE – Ducks swim along the shoreline as the Murray Baker Bridge stretches across the Illinois River and the hazy Peoria skyline Tuesday, June 27, 2023 as seen from East Peoria.
WILDFIRE HAZE – The Peoria skyline is obscured by thick haze Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in a view west towards the city on Interstate 74.
WILDFIRE HAZE – The steeple of St. Joseph Church is seen through a thick haze covering the region Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Peoria.
WILDFIRE HAZE – The Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette and the Twin Towers stand out in thick haze covering the region Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in downtown Peoria.
