HIGH ALTITUDE RENOVATION – Scaffolding surrounds a terra cotta eagle on the facade of the former Commerce Bank building, now known as 416 Main Street, high above downtown Peoria. The historic building’s century-old facade is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation.
HIGH ALTITUDE RENOVATION – Huber Commercial construction supervisor Todd Claerhout looks out over the edge of scaffolding at an elevator for workers and materials near the top of the former Commerce Bank building in downtown Peoria.
HIGH ALTITUDE RENOVATION – Sets of refurbished decorative railing posts lie in an office of 416 Main, ready to be remounted on the facade of the historic building.
HIGH ALTITUDE RENOVATION – Part of the upper lantern at the very top of 416 Main Street has been removed and sent for repair.
MANUAL VS. ROCK ISLAND – Manual’s Kamron Causey, right, tries to block a shot by Rock Island’s Mareion Anderson in the second half of the Class 3A Peoria Sectional semifinals Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum on the Bradley University campus in Peoria. The Rams fell to the Rocks 67-62.
MANUAL VS. ROCK ISLAND – Manual’sManual’s Devonte Burse shows some frustration as the Rock Island fans get excited after a foul call late in the second half of the Class 3A Peoria Sectional semifinals Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum on the Bradley University campus in Peoria. The Rams fell to the Rocks 67-62.
MANUAL VS. ROCK ISLAND – Manual’sRock Island’s Jaylin Randle, left, tries to console Manual’s Idius Robertson after the Rams fell 67-62 in overtime in the Class 3A Peoria Sectional semifinal Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum on the Bradley University campus in Peoria.
BRIMFIELD VS. NEOGA – Brimfield fans cheer on the Indians as they take the court for their Class 1A state semifinal game against Neoga on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Brimfield advanced to the Saturday title game with a 60-44 win.
BRIMFIELD VS. NEOGA – Brimfield’s Elynn Peterson (12) knocks the ball away from Neoga’s Sydney Richards in the first half of their Class 1A state semifinal Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Brimfield advanced to the Saturday title game with a 60-44 win.
BRIMFIELD VS. NEOGA – Brimfield teammates Jaclyn Fabry, facing, and Elly Doe share a hug after the Indians’ 60-44 win over Neoga in the Class 1A state semfinals Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
WINNEBAGO VS. FIELDCREST – Winnebago’s Campbell Schrank, top, and Fieldcrest’s Carolyn Megow scramble for a loose ball in the first half of their Class 2A state semifinal Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
WINNEBAGO VS. FIELDCREST – Winnebago fans use their phone flashlights to say goodbye to Fieldcrest as time expires in their Class 2A state semifinal Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Fieldcrest fell to Winnebago 51-47.
WINNEBAGO VS. FIELDCREST – Fieldcrest’s Ashlyn May (24) takes a hand to the face from a Winnebago player as she makes a move to the basket in the first half of the Class 2A state semifinals Thursday, March 3, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Fieldcrest fell to Winnebago 51-47.
METAMORA VS. ROCK ISLAND – Rock Island’s Marieon Anderson blocks a shot by Metamora’s Zack Schroeder late in the second half of their Class 3A Peoria Sectional title game Friday, March 4, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum. Despite a furious comeback attempt, the Rocks fell to the Redbirds 68-64.
METAMORA VS. ROCK ISLAND – Metamora’s Drew Tucker blocks a shot by Rock Island’s Amarion Nimmers in the second half of their Class 3A Peoria Sectional title game Friday, March 4, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum on the Bradley University campus in Peoria. Metamora advanced to the supersectional with a 68-64 win over the Rocks.
METAMORA VS. ROCK ISLAND – Ethan Kizer, in headband, and the Metamora Redbirds celebrate as time runs out on their 68-64 victory over Rock Island in the Class 3A Peoria Sectional title game Friday, March 4, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria.
METAMORA VS. ROCK ISLAND – Metamora’s Ethan Kizer, facing, consoles Rock Island’s Marieon Anderson after the Redbirds’ 68-64 victory in the Class 3A Peoria Sectional on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Renaissance Coliseum on the Bradley University campus in Peoria.
BRIMFIELD STATE CHAMPS – Brimfield’s Ella Lune, right, blocks a shot from Galena’s Addie Hefel in the first half of the Class 1A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
BRIMFIELD STATE CHAMPS – The Brimfield bench erupts as sophomore guard Elynn Peterson draws a foul with the game tied in the final two seconds of the Class 1A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
BRIMFIELD STATE CHAMPS – The Brimfield Indians celebrate their Class 1A state title victory Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. The Indians defeated the Galena Pirates 32-31.
BRIMFIELD STATE CHAMPS – The Brimfield Indians celebrate their 32-31 comeback victory over Galena in the Class 1A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Ellyn Peterson, middle, sunk the winning free throw with 2 seconds left in the game.
WINNEBAGO VS. QUINCY NOTRE DAME – Winnabago’s Campbell Schrank (15) and Miyah Brown battle for a rebound with Quincy Notre Dame’s Abby Schreacke in the first half of their Class 2A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
WINNEBAGO VS. QUINCY NOTRE DAME – Winnebago’s Campbell Schrank (15) reacts to fouling out late in the fourth quarter of their Class 2A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal. The Indians fell to the Quincy Notre Dame Irish 63-56.
WINNEBAGO VS. QUINCY NOTRE DAME – Fans in the Winnebago student section react to the Indians’ 63-56 loss to Quincy Notre Dame in the Class 2A state title game Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Redbird Arena in Normal.
METAMORA VS. WHEATON ST. FRANCIS – The Metamora student section sings and waves goodbye to the Wheaton St. Francis fans across the court as time winds down in the Redbirds’ 60-44 victory over the Pirates in the Class 3A Ottawa Supersectional on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Ottawa Township High School.
METAMORA VS. WHEATON ST. FRANCIS – Metamora’s Ethan Kizer (21) stops a shot from Wheaton St. Francis in the second half of the Class 3A Ottawa Supersectional on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Ottawa Township High School. The Redbirds defeated the Pirates 60-44.
METAMORA VS. WHEATON ST. FRANCIS – Metamora fans hoist one of their own in the student section during the Class 3A Ottawa Supersectional on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Ottawa Township High School. The Redbirds defeated the Wheaton St. Francis Pirates 60-44.
METAMORA VS. WHEATON ST. FRANCIS – Metamora’s Zach Schroeder hugs his teammate Ethan Kizer as he comes off the court in the final seconds of the Redbirds’ 60-44 victory over Wheaton St. Francis in the Class 3A Ottawa Supersectional on Monday, March 7, 2022 at Ottawa Township High School.
SHG’s J’veon Bardwell, left, takes an intentional foul from St. Ignatius’ Kyle McIntyre late in the fourth quarter of their Class 3A state semifinal Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
METAMORA VS. CHICAGO SIMEON – A fan in a cardinal mask cheers for the Metamora Redbirds as they battle Chicago Simeon in the Class 3A state semifinal Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Redbirds advanced to the state title game with a 50-47 win over Chicago Simeon.
METAMORA VS. CHICAGO SIMEON – Metamora’s Zack Schroeder (11) and Tyson Swanson (22) battle Chicago Simeon’s Miles Rubin (24) and Wesley Rubin in the second half of their Class 3A state semifinal Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Redbirds advanced to the state title game with a 50-47 win.
METAMORA VS. CHICAGO SIMEON – Metamora’s Drew Tucker, left, and Matthew Zobrist console Chicago Simeon’s Jalen Griffith after the Redbirds’ 50-47 win in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
METAMORA VS. CHICAGO SIMEON – Metamora’s Tyler Mason hugs a teammate after the Redbirds’ 50-47 win over Chicago Simeon in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
METAMORA VS. CHICAGO SIMEON – Metamora head coach Danny Grieves and junior guard Ethan Kizer hug after the Redbirds’ 50-47 win over Chicago Simeon in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday, March 11, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora’s Drew Tucker, left, and Tyler Mason, right, stop a shot at the basket from SHG’s J’veon Bardwell in the second half of the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Cyclones defeated the Redbirds 53-30 in double overtime.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora’s Tyson Swanson takes a shot to the face after diving for a loose ball in the second half of the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones defeated the Redbirds 53-30 in double overtime.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora’s Tyson Swanson (22) puts up a shot over SHG’s Will Hamilton (23) and Keshon Singleton in the first half of the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Cyclones defeated the Redbirds 53-30 in double overtime.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora’s Tyler Mason, middle, and SHG’s J’veon Bardwell, left, and Keshon Singleton scramble for a loose ball late in the second half of the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Cyclones defeated the Redbirds 53-30 in double overtime.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – The Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones celebrate their 53-50 double overtime victory over the Metamora Redbirds in the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora teammates Briar Cremeens, far right, and Drew Tucker console one another as they leave the court after the Redbirds 53-50 loss in double overtime to the Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones in the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Keshon Singleton, middle, and his teammates celebrate after Singleton’s last-second three-pointer in double overtime gave the Cyclones a 53-50 win over the Metamora Redbirds for the Class 3A state basketball title at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – Metamora’s Zack Schroeder (11) hugs teammate Ethan Kizer after the Redbirds’ 53-50 double overtime loss to the Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Cyclones in the Class 3A state basketball title game Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
SHG CHAMPIONSHIP – SHG’s Mike Utinske, middle, holds the Class 3A state title trophy while filming his teammates after the Cyclones’ 53-50 double overtime victory over the Metamora Redbirds on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Illini Bluffs’ Lilly Hicks, left, tries to keep her hand on the bag as East Peoria’s Alayla Thornton applies the tag on a pickoff attempt at first base Thursday, March 17, 2022 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. East Peoria defeated Illini Bluffs 4-1.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – Sarah Hanson, left, and Nichole Fincham drop some Jello shots as they bike down Main Street during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17, 2022 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – Irish flags fly in the breeze during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thurday, May 17, 2022 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – Pete Hutchinson of East Peoria does what he has to do to get some beads during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in downtown Peoria.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – Candace Martin, representing Professional Leasing and Real Estate Services, wades through the crowd in an inflatable suit passing out beads to revelers during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, May 17, 2022 in downtown Peoria.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE – Members of the Alter Ego Salon entry appear to be riding a variety of inflatable creatures as they make their way down Main Street during the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in downtown Peoria.
REBA – Country music legend Reba McEntire performs a sold-out show Friday, March18, 2022 at the Peoria Civic Center Arena.
REBA – Country music legend Reba McEntire performs a sold-out show Friday, March18, 2022 at the Peoria Civic Center Arena.REBA – Rising country music singer Reyna Roberts opens for Reba McEntire on Friday, March18, 2022 at the Peoria Civic Center Arena.
Morton’s Katie Krupa collected three Class 3A state basketball medals in her high school career, helping the Potters to a title in 2019, second in 2020 and third in 2022. The Harvard commit is the 2022 Journal Star Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Metamora’s 6-foot-3 guard Zack Schroeder was the Redbirds’ only senior and helped lead the team to a Mid-Illini Conference title and an unprecedented run to a runner-up finish in the Class 3A state tournament. He is the 2022 Journal Star Boys Basketball Player of the Year.Powder-coating technician Roy Orwig coats parts with the signature orange of the Martin Engineering brand at the company’s facility in Neponset.
MUSIC MUSEUM – Danny Gruder, left, and Mike Tucker hang out in the “music museum” they created in a building on Tucker’s property near Glasford. Danny Gruder’s massive collection of dozens of rare guitars, amplifiers, distortion pedals and other music-related memorabilia surrounds a stage for band rehearsals.
MUSIC MUSEUM – Dozens of electric guitars hang on the walls of a “music museum” created by local musicians Danny Gruder and Mike Tucker in a building on Tucker’s property near Glasford.
MUSIC MUSEUM – A 1957 Les Paul guitar signed by several music legends like BB King and Warren Zevon hangs from the ceiling at Danny Gruder and Mike Tucker’s “music museum” near Glasford.
MUSIC MUSEUM – Vintage amplifiers fill shelves along one wall of the “music museum” near Glasford. Local musician Danny Gruder has collected dozens of rare amplifiers over the years. He and friend Mike Tucker have created a museum of sorts to house and display the collection.
Stephanie Figueroa, left, and Erin Marcuccilli of Chicago take turns beating what was once a computer monitor in the Gone Mad Rage Room, 1001 SW Washington in Peoria’s Warehouse District. The Rage Room is part of Red Hat Enterprises’ amusement center that also features Gone Ax Throwing and Gone in 60 Escape Rooms.
Peoria’s Mitch McPherson (16) and Alec Hagaman, far left, duke it out with Quad City’s Taylor Pryce (19) and Tommy Tsicos in the third period Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Rivermen defeated the Storm 9-4.
