MORTON TAKES DOWN METAMORA – Morton’s Conner Hines (9) stiff-arms Metamora’s Peyton Morrison on the way to a touchdown on the kickoff to the second half Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Morton. Morton defeated Metamora 40-30.
MORTON TAKES DOWN METAMORA – The Morton Marching Potters perform at halftime of a game against Metamora on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Morton. Morton defeated Metamora 40-30.
MORTON TAKES DOWN METAMORA – Metamora’s T.J. Reising, left, grabs a reception over Morton’s Tyson Hart in the second half Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Morton. Morton defeated Metamora 40-30.
MORTON TAKES DOWN METAMORA – The Morton student section mobs the team on the field after the Potters’ 40-30 defeat of Metamora on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Morton.
NORMAL COMMUNITY DEFEATS PEORIA HIGH – Peoria Police Chief Eric Echavarria bumps fists with Peoria High School football players as they exit their buses for their game Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 against Normal Community at Peoria Stadium.
NORMAL COMMUNITY DEFEATS PEORIA HIGH – The Peoria High Lions emerge from the locker room to take on the Normal Community Ironmen on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Lions fell to the Ironmen 42-38.
NORMAL COMMUNITY DEFEATS PEORIA HIGH – The Peoria High Lions line up against the Normal Community Ironmen in a heavy downpour in the first half Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Lions fell to the Ironmen 42-38.
NORMAL COMMUNITY DEFEATS PEORIA HIGH – A pair of Peoria High defenders bring down Normal Community’s Jackson Hesse in the first half Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Lions fell to the Ironmen 42-38.
NORMAL COMMUNITY DEFEATS PEORIA HIGH – Peoria High’s Malachi Washington celebrates his touchdown against Normal Community in the first half Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Lions fell to the Ironmen 42-38.
Nehemiah Doyle, 28, left, and Ciara Barker, 24, both of Peoria, are two of Peoria’s newest police recruits.
Surrounded by his massive and storied Chicago White Sox collection, Dale Bruda gives Chillicothe resident Dale Spain a haircut at Dale’s Barber Shop, 121 N. Washington St. in Lacon.
Dale Bruda’s prized possession, a photo of legendary White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, taken more than thirty years ago when Fisk made a surprise visit to Dale’s Barber Shop in Lacon.
White Sox-themed buttons, stickers and signed baseball cards fill a bulletin board on a wall at Dale’s Barber Shop in Lacon.
A Pepsi can from the Chicago White Sox’s World Series title in 2005 sits on top of an original brick from the old Comiskey Park in Dale Bruda’s barber shop in Lacon. Bruda has filled the walls and shelves of his business with a huge collection of White Sox memorabilia.
Pennants, photos, signs, buttons and all manner of other tchotchkes and collectibles line the walls and shelves at Dale’s Barber Shop in Lacon. Barber Dale Bruda sits in a trio of stadium seats pulled from the old Comiskey Park. Two of the seats are tied up for social distancing purposes.
PEKIN UPSETS METAMORA – Pekin players try to douse their head coach Doug Nutter after the Dragons’ 35-28 victory over Metamora on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Malone Field in Metamora.
PEKIN UPSETS METAMORA – Metamora’s T.J. Reising (33) snags Pekin ballcarrier Tanner Sprecher’s jersey as he bolts through the Metamora defense in the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Malone Field in Metamora. The Dragons defeated the Redbirds 35-28.
PEKIN UPSETS METAMORA – Pekin fans decked in bright neon colors cheer on the Dragons as they battle Metamora on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Malone Field in Metamora. The Dragons defeated the Redbirds 35-28.
PEKIN UPSETS METAMORA – Exhausted Pekin back Tanner Sprecher (8) waits to shake hands with the Metamora Redbirds after teh Dragons’ 35-28 victory Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Malone Field in Metamora.
PEKIN UPSETS METAMORA – Pekin’s Kanye Tyler, facing, and Tanner Sprecher hug after their 35-28 victory over Metamora on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Malone Field in Metamora. In the background, a throng of fans and cheerleaders wait to greet them when they leave the field.
PEORIA HIGH ROUTS CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL – Peoria’s Eddie Clark, left, tries to outmaneuver Matthew McMullen and the Champaign Central defense in the first half Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Peoria Stadium.
PEORIA HIGH ROUTS CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL – The ball pops out of Peoria quarterback Tino Gist’s hands as he scrambles to avoid Champaign Central defenders in the first half Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. Gist managed to maintain possession. Peoria High defeated Champaign Central 60-6.
PEORIA HIGH ROUTS CHAMPAIGN CENTRAL – Peoria’s Gary Rutherford (9) and Tejuan Smith try to pump up the crowd in the first half Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. Peoria High defeated Champaign Central 60-6.
RESCUING STAINED GLASS – Stephen Berlinger, right, COO of Heritage Restoration and Design Studio, and glass restoration technician Rick Melby show off a stained-glass window salvaged from the historic Hale Memorial Church on Peoria’s West Bluff.
RESCUING STAINED GLASS – A stained-glass window from Hale Memorial church lies taped together atop a lightbox at the Heritage Restoration and Design Studio in Peoria.
RESCUING STAINED GLASS – Stephen Berlinger of Heritage Restoration and Design Studio in Peoria holds up a century-old piece of stained-glass to a window.
RESCUING STAINED GLASS – Bicyclists pass by the historic and dilapidated Hale Memorial Church at the corner of Main and High Streets in Peoria.
First and second-graders pick up their school lunches at Limestone Walters Elementary School in Bartonville. School administrators and cafeteria cooks have had to scramble to fill school menus depleted by shortages caused by supply chain issues.
TRI-VALLEY STINGS THE HORNETS – Eureka’s Mason Trent runs through a wall of fog during player introductions Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Eureka. The Hornets fell to the Downs Tri-Valley Vikings 29-7.TRI-VALLEY STINGS THE HORNETS – Green and white fog fills the field as the Eureka Hornets run out for the start of their game agains Downs Tri-Valley on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Eureka. The Hornets fell to the Vikings 29-7.TRI-VALLEY STINGS THE HORNETS – A bobbled pass falls between Eureka’s Austin Weigand (37) and Mason Boles (23) and Downs Tri-Valley defenders Noah Streenz and Blake Regenold in the first half Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Eureka. The Hornets fell to the Vikings 29-7.TRI-VALLEY STINGS THE HORNETS – Mud and grass stick to Eureka running back Mason Boles’ helmet during a timeout in the first half in the first half Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Eureka. The Hornets fell to the Downs Tri-Valley Vikings 29-7.TRI-VALLEY STINGS THE HORNETS – Eureka fan Grace Grider, 15, watches the action as the Hornets battle Downs Tri-Valley in the first half Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Eureka. The Hornets fell to the Vikings 29-7.
WASHINGTON DOWNS RIVAL METAMORA – Washington’s Jack Limas (8) and his teammates celebrate his touchdown against Metamora late in the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at Babcook Field in Washington. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 24-14.
WASHINGTON DOWNS RIVAL METAMORA – Metamora’s T.J. Reising (33) loses his handle on a pass in the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at Babcook Field in Washington. Washington defeated the Redbirds 24-14.
WASHINGTON DOWNS RIVAL METAMORA – The Washington Panthers celebrate their 24-14 victory over Metamora on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 at Babcook Field in Washington.
GREAT-GRANDMA MOM – Sandra Leathers stands with four great-grandchildren she is raising at her home on Bradley Avenue in Peoria. Shown from left to right are Javonda Oliver, 8, Josiah Oliver, 6, Nhyome Brown, 8, and Jamira Oliver, 5. Her grandson André Leathers was shot and killed during an argument on June 29, 2020 in Peoria.
GREAT-GRANDMA MOM – Jurea Patterson, 4, right, gives her cousin Jamira Oliver, 5, a hug and kiss as they play together at Sandra Leathers’ West Bluff home.
GREAT-GRANDMA MOM – Nhyome Brown, 8, granddaughter of André Leathers and great-granddaugther of Sandra Leathers, gives the family dog Maverick some attention at their West Bluff home. Sandra Leathers is in the process of adopting Nhyome and three of her siblings after the shooting death of André in June of 2020.
BLIND FLUTIST – Washington Marching Panthers freshman flutist Amelia Heinze suffers from vision impairment mainly due to albinism, a genetic disorder that limits the production of melanin, which determines the color of a person’s skin, hair and eyes. Albinism also affects development of the optic nerve, causing vision impairment.
BLIND FLUTIST – Washington freshman Amelia Heinze, 15, performs with the flute section of the Marching Panthers during halftime of a recent football game at Babcook Field in Washington. Despite being legally blind, Heinze is able memorize the music and march in step with her bandmates.
BLIND FLUTIST – Washington freshman flutist Amelia Heinze, in white shirt, marches in formation with her bandmates during a recent practice on Babcook Field.
MANUAL SQUEAKS BY RICHWOODS – A pass falls just out of reach from Richwoods receiver Jaivyn Moore (15) and Manual safety B.J. Cranford in the first half Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Rams defeated the Knights 22-20.MANUAL SQUEAKS BY RICHWOODS – Manual’s B.J. Cranford (8) checks his Richwoods pursure Darrin Dusset on the way to a touchdown in the first half Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Peoria Stadium. The Rams defeated the Knights 22-20.
MORTON WINS AGAIN – Morton players douse head coach Tim Brilley after their 42-7 victory over Dunlap on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The win gave the Potters a share of their first Mid-Illini title since 1992.
MORTON WINS AGAIN – Morton quarterback Seth Glatz heads down the field for his fifth touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 42-7.
MORTON WINS AGAIN – Morton star running back Seth Glatz smiles as he chats with a teammate late in the fourth quarter Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 42-7.
MORTON WINS AGAIN – Morton’s Brett England (15) flies over teammate Micah Wong, left, and Dunlap’s Kyle Erickson after Wong and Erickson collided on a pass play in the second half Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 42-7.
MORTON WINS AGAIN – The moon glows in the cloudy skies behind the fan section Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The Morton Potters defeated the Eagles 42-7.
PEORIA VS. MACON – Macon’s Taylor Cutting (8) rides Peoria’s Alec Hagaman into the net as Macon goalie Michael Stiliadis stops a shot in the first period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
PEORIA VS. MACON – Peoria’s Alec Hagaman jumps into the glass to cheering fans after scoring what would be the game-winner over the Macon Mayhem in the third period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
PEORIA VS. MACON – Peoria’s Michael Laidley, middle, and Macon’s Tayler Cutting, right, slam into the net past goalie Michael Stiliadis in the second period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
PEORIA VS. MACON – Peoria’s Cody Dion, right, and Macon’s Taylor Cutting scuffle in the second period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
PEORIA VS. MACON – Peoria goaltender Jack Berry looks for the puck after Macon’s Nigel Slade fell on in a scrum at the net in the first period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
PEORIA VS. MACON – The Rivermen celebrate Mathieu Cloutier’s goal against the Macon Mayhem in the third period Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 at Carver Arena.
MORTON TAKES SECTIONAL TITLE – Morton’s Ethan Gibson, right, collides with Washington’s Eddie Papis, left, and Eric Nolte in the first period of their Class 2A sectional soccer match Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 at Dunlap High School. Morton advanced to the super-sectional with a 2-0 win.
MORTON TAKES SECTIONAL TITLE – Morton teammates Riley Lennington (4), Jacoby Blake (5), Tyler Kempf, far left, and Grant Selke celebrate a goal against Washington in the first period Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 at Dunlap High School. The Potters clinched the Class 2A Dunlap Sectional title with a 2-0 victory over the Panthers.
MORTON TAKES SECTIONAL TITLE – The Morton Potters celebrate their 14-7 victory over Washington in the Class 2A Dunlap Sectional soccer match Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 at Dunlap High School.
SECTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY – Class 2A Metamora Sectional boys cross country champ Wilson Georges carries a Limestone High School flag after taking the title Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. Georges won in a time of 15:02.77.
SECTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY – Spectators cast long shadows over the course as runners turn a corner during the Class 2A Metamora Sectional boys cross country championship Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora.
SECTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY – Dunlap’s Abbie Gleason (78) shows some determination as she competes in the Class 2A Metamora Sectional girls cross country championship Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora. Gleason finished seventh with a time of 18:41.48.
SECTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY – Lemont’s Liam Carey (197) and Adam Bromberek lie muddied and exhausted after competing in the Class 2A Metamora Sectional boys cross country championship Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora.
SECTIONAL CROSS COUNTRY – Washington teammates Olivia Nordhielm (444) and Sophia Nordhielm get a hug after competing in the Class 2A Metamora Sectional girls cross country championship Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Black Partridge Park in Metamora.
