SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Beecher players mob teammate Taylor Norkus after her RBI in the 10th inning gave the Bobcats a 4-3 win over Brimfield/Elmwood in the Class 2A softball supersectional Monday, June 2, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Brimfield/Elmwood’s Brooke Allen (25) celebrates as she reaches second base in the sixth inning of the Class 2A softball supersectional Monday, June 2, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The Beecher Bobcats defeated the Indians 4-3 in ten innings.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Beecher’s Ava Olson throws to first base on a Brimfield/Elmwood hit in the fifth inning of the Class 2A softball supersectional Monday, June 2, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The Bobcats defeated the Indians 4-3 in ten innings.
SOFTBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Brimfield/Elmwood’s Layni Linthicum gets fired up after taking a walk in the sixth inning to load the bases against Beecher in the Class 2A softball supersectional Monday, June 2, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The Bobcats defeated the Indians 4-3 in ten innings.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – The Washington Panthers gather at home plate to welcome teammate Jenna Flessner after her home run against Pontiac in the first inning of the Class 3A softball sectional semifinals Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The Panthers fell to the Indians 4-3.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – Pontiac’s Olivia Lindsay gets pumped up after an RBI against Washington in the third inning of the Class 3A softball sectional semifinals Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Eastside Centre in East Peoria. The Panthers fell to the Indians 4-3.
SOCCER SUPERSECTIONAL – Ponytails fly as the Peoria Notre Dame Irish celebrate their 3-0 victory over Providence Catholic in the Class 2A state soccer supersectional Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Babcook Field in Washington.
SOCCER SUPERSECTIONAL – Peoria Notre Dame teammates, from left to right, Delaney Driscoll, Hannah Daly, Maddie Stickelmaier and Ava Lafollette celebrate Lafollette’s second goal aginast Providence Catholic in the second half of the Class 2A state soccer supersectional Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Irish advanced to the state semifinals with a 3-0 victory. Lafollette scored all three goals.
SOCCER SUPERSECTIONAL – Providence Catholic’s Katelyn Walker, left, and Peoria Notre Dame’s Ryleigh Bennett clash on a header in the first half of the Class 2A state soccer supersectional Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Irish advanced to the state semifinals with a 3-0 victory. Lafollette scored all three goals.
SOCCER SUPERSECTIONAL – Peoria Notre Dame’s Delaney Driscoll, middle, and Providence Catholic’s Gabriella Savarino, far right, leap for a header in the second half of the Class 2A state soccer supersectional Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Irish advanced to the state semifinals with a 3-0 victory.
SOCCER SUPERSECTIONAL – The Peoria Notre Dame Irish celebrate their 3-0 victory over Providence Catholic in the Class 2A state soccer supersectional Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Babcook Field in Washington.
BASEBALL SECTIONAL – Dunlap second baseman Ryder Rennette seems a bit annoyed by the celebration antics of Morris’s Brett Bounds after a double in the sixth inning of the Class 3A baseball sectional semifinals Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Chillicothe. The Eagles were eliminated 8-4.
BASEBALL SECTIONAL – The ball pops out of Dunlap outfielder Drew Thiel’s glove as he lands on a diving catch against Morris in the third inning of the Class 3A baseball sectional semifinals Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Chillicothe. The Eagles were eliminated 8-4.
BASEBALL SECTIONAL – Dunlap’s Davis Weeks tries to slide around Morris catcher Griffin Zweeres at homeplate in the fifth inning of the Class 3A baseball sectional semifinals Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Chillicothe. Weeks was out on the play. The Eagles were eliminated 8-4.
CAT TECH – Trainers explain the ins and outs of operating a Caterpillar excavator during a hands-on demonstration at Construction & Technology Days on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center.
CAT TECH – Caterpillar dealer, customers and trainers chat as they inspect some heavy equipment and new technology Wednesday, June 4, 2025 during Construction & Technology Day at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center in Edwards.
CAT TECH – Customers and dealers try out Caterpillar excavators Wednesday, June 4, 2025 during Construction & Technology Day at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center in Edwards.
CAT TECH – Caterpillar customers check out some heavy equipment Wednesday, June 4, 2025 during Construction & Technology Day at the Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center in Edwards.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – The Metamora Redbirds don party hats as their cheer on their teammates during the Class 2A softball sectional title game Friday, June 6, 2025 at Eastside Centre. The Redbirds fell 1-0 to the defending state champion Pontiac Indians.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – Metamora’s Nora Johnson tries to pump up her team after notching a single in the seventh inning of the Class 2A softball sectional title game Friday, June 6, 2025 at Eastside Centre. The Redbirds fell to the defending state champs 1-0.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – Pontiac’s Nevaeh Vogt slides safely into home plate to score the winning run against Metamora in the seventh inning of the Class 2A softball sectional title game Friday, June 6, 2025 at Eastside Centre. The Redbirds fell to the defending state champs 1-0.
SOFTBALL SECTIONAL – The Pontiac Indians celebrate their 1-0 victory over Metamora in the Class 2A softball sectional title game Friday, June 6, 2025 at Eastside Centre.
BEN ZOBRIST – Chicago Cubs legend and Eureka native Ben Zobrist shares some stories from the early years of his Major League Baseball career and the 2016 World Series during the Sunday Morning League Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Ballroom in East Peoria.
BEN ZOBRIST – A large crowd enjoys a question-and-answer session with Chicago Cubs legend Ben Zobrist led by WMBD-TV sports director Kurt Pegler during the Sunday Morning League Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Ballroom in East Peoria.
BEN ZOBRIST – Ben Zobrist sports his 2016 World Series ring while signing jerseys for auction during the Sunday Morning League Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Ballroom in East Peoria.
STATE SOCCER – St. Ignatius’ Quinn Urquhart and Peoria Notre Dame’s Baylie Lefler head the ball in the second half of the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Naperville. The Irish fell 1-0.
STATE SOCCER – Peoria Notre Dame head coach Ben Ralph and the Irish bench call for possession against St. Ignatius in the second half of the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Naperville. The Irish fell 1-0.
STATE SOCCER – Peoria Notre Dame’s Abigail Chaddock kicks the ball in traffic as the Irish battle St. Ignatius in the second half of the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Naperville. The Irish fell 1-0.
STATE SOCCER – St. Ignatius College Prep players rush the field after their 1-0 win over Peoria Notre Dame in the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Napierville.
STATE SOCCER – Alli Stickelmaier (8) and Maddie Stickelmaier take a moment to console each other before the medal ceremony after the Irish fell 1-0 to St. Ignatius during the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Napierville.
STATE SOCCER – The Peoria Notre Dame Irish huddle one last time after falling 1-0 to St. Ignatius in the Class 2A soccer state title match Saturday, June 7, 2025 at North Central College in Naperville.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington’s Sam Peters walks off the field in dejection and the Benet Academy Redwings celebrate after the final out of their 6-3 win over the Panthers in the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington head baseball coach Kyle Wisher congratulates Micah McCoy as he rounds third base on a home run in the first inning of the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo. The Panthers fell to the Redwings 6-3.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington’s Gavin Lawrence puts a diving tag on Benet Academy’s Merrick Sullivan on a rundown between first and second base in the sixth inning of the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo. The Panthers fell to the Redwings 6-3.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Benet Academy’s Nathan Cerocke celebrates a double against Washington in the second inning of the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo. The Panthers fell to the Redwings 6-3.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – The Washington Panthers watch from the dugout and wait their turns to bat against Benet Academy in the fifth inning of the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo. The Panthers fell to the Redwings 6-3.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – Washington’s Gavin Lawrence shows his disapppointment after the Panthers’ 6-3 loss to Benet Academy’s in the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo.
BASEBALL SUPERSECTIONAL – The Washington Panthers huddle up one last time as the sun sets on Stone Field in Geneseo after the Class 3A baseball supersectional Monday, June 9, 2025 in Geneseo. The Panthers fell to the Benet Academy Redwings 6-3.
SHOOTING VIGIL – Friends of shooting victim Jayden Morris write supportive words on balloons during a vigil for the 12-year-old boy Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at an apartment complex on Lehman Road in Peoria.
SHOOTING VIGIL – Family and friends of 12-year-old shooting victim Jayden Morris hold up balloons inscribed with messages of support as they pray for his recovery and an end to gun violence during a vigil Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the apartment complex where he was shot on June 4 in Peoria.
SHOOTING VIGIL – Friends and family members line up to hug Samantha Royer, mother of 12-year-old gunshot victim Jayden Morris, during a vigil Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the apartment complex on Lehman Road in Peoria where he was shot.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Perennial Steamboat Classic runner Guillermo Rolon of Peoria holds up his rosary beads as he crosses the finish line of the Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown Peoria. Rolon finished first in the Men’s Masters Open division.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Runners in the 4-Mile Men’s Masters race run up NE Washington Street under the Interstate 74 overpass at the start of the 51st Steamboat Classic road races Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Riley Kelly of Edwards, left, and Mya Hill of Brimfield holds hands as they cross the finish line of the Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Hundreds of runners bolt up NE Washington Street towards Adams at the start of the 51st Steamboat Classic road races Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown Peoria.
STEAMBOAT CLASSIC – Megan Jung (1584) of Washington gets a high-five at the finish line of the 51st Steamboat Classic 4-Mile race Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown Peoria.
JUNETEENTH PARADE – Members of the Royal Family dance crew carry Juneteenth flags at the front of their entry in the Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade on Saturday, June 15, 2025 on MacArthur Highway in Peoria.
JUNETEENTH PARADE – Supporters are all smiles as they film their dance crew girls marching in the Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Peoria.
JUNETEENTH PARADE – Derrick Booth fires off some confetti as he, his wife State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and their daughter Jianna ride in the Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Peoria. Rep. Gordon-Booth served as grand marshal with her husband while their daughter served as junior marshal.
JUNETEENTH PARADE – Young spectators get handfuls of candy while watching the Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Peoria.
JUNETEENTH PARADE – Kids scramble for candy thrown along MacArthur Highway during the second annual Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Peoria.
A pair of young girls brave the big slide during the Old Settlers Days festival Friday, June 20, 2025 in Metamora. The festival continues at 7:30 a.m. Saturday with the 52nd Lincoln-Douglas Run, a parade at 10 a.m., an arm-wrestling competition from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and all-you-can-ride carnival wristbands from noon to 5 p.m.
FLAG FOOTBALL – A flag football player keeps an eye out for her opponent during a drill at the Monsters Flag Football Clinic on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Peoria Stadium. The Chicago Bears created and sponsor the event which was hosted by Peoria Public Schools. Dozens of local girls of high school age and younger learned the basics and some new skills from local volunteer coaches.
FLAG FOOTBALL – A pair of flag football players compete during the Chicago Bears’ Monsters Flag Football Clinic on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at Peoria Stadium.
SOFTBALL POY – Metamora’s Kaidance Till is the Journal Star Softball Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. The highly-recruited infielder will play for the University of Mississippi next season.
SOFTBALL POY – Metamora’s Kaidance Till is the Journal Star Softball Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. The highly-recruited infielder will play for the University of Mississippi next season.
Mapleton native Brad Look poses with the Primetime Emmy Award he won in 1996 for Outstanding Makeup for a Series for an episode of the television show Star Trek: Voyager. After a long and successful career in Hollywood, Look has returned to central Illinois to teach at Bradley University and work on a script for an animated movie.
GOVERNOR’S VISIT – Gov. JB Pritzker greets supporters during a visit to Illinois Central College’s Workforce Sustainability Center on his four-city re-election announcement tour Thursday, June 26, 2025 in East Peoria.
GOVERNOR’S VISIT – Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to supporters during a visit to Illinois Central College’s Workforce Sustainability Center on his four-city re-election announcement tour Thursday, June 26, 2025 in East Peoria.
GOVERNOR’S VISIT – Gov. JB Pritzker comforts emotional supporter Terri Kirkland who traveled from Springfield to Illinois Central College’s Workforce Sustainability Center to meet the governor on his four-city re-election announcement tour Thursday, June 26, 2025 in East Peoria.
