DEE-MACK VS. DWIGHT – The Dee-Mack Chiefs march to the football field for their Week 3 high school football game against Dwight on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Mackinaw. The Chiefs fell 44-12.
DEE-MACK VS. DWIGHT – Paul Miller, the last surviving member of Dee-Mack High School’s 1951 inaugural football team, tosses the coin before the start of the Chiefs’ Week 3 high school football game against Dwight on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Mackinaw.
DEE-MACK VS. DWIGHT – Dwight’s Joseph Duffy (5) and Dee-Mack’s Zack Day fight for a reception in the first half of their Week 3 high school football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Mackinaw. The Trojans defeated the Chiefs 44-12.
DEE-MACK VS. DWIGHT – A group of youth football players celebrate a touchdown with Dee-Mack’s Zack Day in the first half of their Week 3 high school football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Mackinaw. The Trojans defeated the Chiefs 44-12.
DUNLAP VS. METAMORA – Dunlap’s Brady Young, far right, embraces teammate Bo Sutter (8) after Sutter’s touchdown reception against Metamora late in the second half of their Week 3 high school football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Dunlap. Sutter’s score proved to be the game-winner as the Eagles held off the Rebirds in the final minutes for a 30-26 win.
DUNLAP VS. METAMORA – Fans in the student section cheer on the Dunlap Eagles as they battle Metamora in their Week 3 high school football on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Dunlap. The Eagles defeated the Redbirds 30-26.
DUNLAP VS. METAMORA – Youth cheerleaders entertain the crowd during a break in the action between Dunlap and Metamora in the second half of their Week 3 high school football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Dunlap. The Eagles defeated the Redbirds 30-26.
DUNLAP VS. METAMORA – Dunlap players Colton Mosack (4) and Ryder Rennette celebrate after an interception in the endzone by teammate Pierce Placher to end their Week 3 high school football game against Metamora on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Dunlap. The Eagles defeated the Redbirds 30-26.
UNIFIED FIELD DAY – Students gather in a circle for a dance party Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 in the finale of the the annual Unified PE Field Day at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville. About 700 developmentally disabled high school students and their mentors enjoyed the morning playing a variety of circus-themed games.
UNIFIED FIELD DAY –Emcee Grant Kocher, dressed as a circus ringmaster, revs up the crowd Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 during the annual Unified PE Field Day at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville.
UNIFIED FIELD DAY –Dunlap High School student Abdulla Alkafah enjoys a spin on a circus ring with help from Yaretzy Ledezma, left, and Megan Albert of The Blue Star Circus during the annual Unified PE Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville.
UNIFIED FIELD DAY –Charlotte Nauman of Metamora Township High School takes her best shot with a giant bowling ball Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 during the annual Unified PE Field Day at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville.
UNIFIED FIELD DAY –Students try to run across rainbow parachute before it collapses on them Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 during the annual Unified PE Field Day at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville.
9/11 CEREMONY – Peoria firefighters and other first responders stand at attention for the national anthem during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
9/11 CEREMONY – John Morris, right, President and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, greets John, left, and Julia Chan after a ceremony marking the 25 anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at the museum. The Chans’ son Charles “Chip” Chan was killed in the attacks while working in the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
9/11 CEREMONY – Peoria Fire Dept. Captain Ron Eertmoed rings the bell during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at the Peoria Rivefront Museum.
9/11 CEREMONY – Members of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra perform Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” after a wreath-laying for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the tragedy Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – The Morton Potters celebrate their 56-30 win over Washington on Friday night at Babcook Field in Washington.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – Washington’s Camden Westerfield (1) stretches out for a touchdown reception past Morton’s Brody Watson in the first half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 in Washington. The Potters defeated the Panthers 56-30.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – Morton’s Jackson Nowicki tries to keep a grip on Washington’s Cayden Park in the second half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 in Washington. The Potters defeated the Panthers 56-30.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – A member of the Washington Community High School Marching Band performs on the kettledrums at halftime of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 in Washington. The Morton Potters defeated the Panthers 56-30.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – Washington fans from the student section run a set of flag along the stands in the second half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 in Washington. The Morton Potters defeated the Panthers 56-30.
WASHINGTON VS. MORTON – Washington’s Ayden Swenson (13) eyes a touchdown reception past Morton’s Braxton Kratzer in the second half of their Week 4 high school football game Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 in Washington. The Potters defeated the Panthers 56-30.
DUNLAP VS. MORTON – Dunlap goaltender Radu Hintea, in blue, collides with Morton’s Cooper Smith in the first half of their Mid-Illini Conference boys soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at Dunlap Valley Middle School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 3-1.
Dunlap’s Colin Egel, right, and Morton’s Dane Klopfenstein battle for a header in the rain in the second half of their Mid-Illini Conference boys soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at Dunlap Valley Middle School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 3-1.
DUNLAP VS. MORTON – Dunlap’s Jackson Orris leaps over a Morton defender in the second half of their Mid-Illini Conference boys soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at Dunlap Valley Middle School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 3-1.
DUNLAP VS. MORTON – Dunlap’s Jackson Orris, left, and Morton’s Luke Geyer leap for a header in the first half of their Mid-Illini Conference boys soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 at Dunlap Valley Middle School. The Potters defeated the Eagles 3-1.
WASHINGTON VS. DUNLAP – Washington’s Carly Dawson (9) dunks on Dunlap’s Katherine Burns in the second set of their high school volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 2-1.
WASHINGTON VS. DUNLAP – Washington’s Carly Dawson bumps a serve from Dunlap in the first set of their high school volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 2-1.
WASHINGTON VS. DUNLAP – Dunlap’s Stella Serfling (13) tries to spike the ball past Washington’s Josie O’Brien in the second set of their high school volleyball match Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at Dunlap High School. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 2-1.
EAST PEORIA VS. CANTON – East Peoria’s Eddie Finchum, right, tries to reel in a touchdown pass over Canton’s Ari Chain in the first half of their high school football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 in East Peoria. Finchum wasn’t able to hold on, but the Raiders went on to defeat the Little Giants 26-20 in overtime.
EAST PEORIA VS. CANTON – East Peoria cheerleaders stand with the crowd for the national anthem before the start of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Canton Little Giants 26-20 in overtime.
EAST PEORIA VS. CANTON – Canton’s Asher Blessman (57) celebrates a tackle against East Peoria in the first half of their high school football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Little Giants 26-20 in overtime.
EAST PEORIA VS. CANTON – The East Peoria High School Marching Band performs before the start of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 in East Peoria. The Raiders defeated the Canton Little Giants 26-20 in overtime.
OKTOBERFEST – Gary Gillis, vice-president of the Homebrewers of Peoria, advertises free beer samples Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 during the 30th annual Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront. The Homebrewers of Peoria club was founded in 1998 to promote and teach the art and science behind home brewing. The club includes about 40 home breweries around the Peoria area.
OKTOBERFEST – Young and old decked out in German attire hold their flags high as they march in a short parade Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 during the 30th annual Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront.
OKTOBERFEST – Antonia Hoeger dances with her daughter Oonagh Doran, 5, to the peppy polka sound of the Quincy-based Heidelberg German Band on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 during the 30th annual Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront.
OKTOBERFEST – The Springfield International Folk Dancers dance in wooden shoes Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 during the 30th annual Oktoberfest on the Peoria riverfront.
LIMESTONE VS. MORTON – The Limestone Rockets celebrate a point against Morton during their high school volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets.
LIMESTONE VS. MORTON – Morton’s Leigha Kempf dives for a return from Limestone during their high school volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets.
LIMESTONE VS. MORTON – Limestone’s Coco Lamberti digs a serve from Morton during their high school volleyball match Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets.
FOOTBALL PREP – Mike Wiesehan, in cap, and Jeremy Doty, head groundskeeper, work at erecting a goal post in the warning track in far left field Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. Workers from Wilson Services spent Thursday morning converting the baseball field into a football field for Friday night’s game between Peoria Notre Dame and Danville.
FOOTBALL PREP – A robotic painter puts down yard lines on the baseball field Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Dozer Park in preparation for a Friday night high school football game.
FOOTBALL PREP – Johnny York of Wilson Services carries a section of goal post out to left field Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria.
SHEEN BEATIFICATION – Parishioners gather to watch a livestream of the beatification ceremony for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on Thursday, Sept. 24 2026 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. The event was broadcast from The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
SHEEN BEATIFICATION – Pre-kindergarten student Gentry Chambers colors in a chalk drawing of “JMJ,” meaning Jesus, Mary and Joseph, to celebrate the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at St. Mary’s School in Kickapoo.
SHEEN BEATIFICATION – Third-grade students work on a word search centered around Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in celebration of his beatification Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at St. Mary’s School in Kickapoo.
SHEEN BEATIFICATION – Second-grade teacher Kathy Nester reads a book about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to her students to celebrate his beatification Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 at St. Mary’s School in Kickapoo.
METAMORA VS. PEKIN – Pekin’s Dylan Anderson, left, snags a touchdown pass against Metamora in the second half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 in Metamora. The Dragons defeated the Redbirds 21-18.
METAMORA VS. PEKIN – Pekin quarterback Matthew Stopes II (8) gets a pass off over Metamora’s Jaxson Backes (37) and Mark Aeschliman in the second half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 in Metamora. The Dragons defeated the Redbirds 21-18.
METAMORA VS. PEKIN – Metamora’s Briggs Bucy, right, hangs on to Pekin’s Isaac Filarski in the second half of their Week 7 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 in Metamora. The Dragons defeated the Redbirds 21-18.
PND VS. DANVILLE – Peoria Notre Dame’s Noah Tockes bears the colors and leads the Irish onto the field for their their Week 6 high school football game against Danville on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. The Irish defeated the Vikings 52-22.
PND VS. DANVILLE – A group of fans help Peoria Notre Dame’s Gavin Long celebrate a touchdown against Danville in the first half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. The Irish defeated the Vikings 52-22.
PND VS. DANVILLE – Danville’s Amillian Beasley, right, pushes away Peoria Notre Dame’s Zach Pribaz in the first half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. The Irish defeated the Vikings 52-22.
PND VS. DANVILLE – Peoria Notre Dame’s Zach Pribaz, left, and Blaise Williams, bottom, battle for a fumbled ball with Danville’s Amillian Beasley in the first half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. The Irish defeated the Vikings 52-22.
PND VS. DANVILLE – Seven-year-olds Kynlee Manning, Elizabeth Phelps and Aubrey Teverbaugh perform their own cheer routine as they watch Peoria Notre Dame battle Danville in the first half of their Week 6 high school football game Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at Dozer Park in Peoria. The Irish defeated the Vikings 52-22.
Metamora’s Gillian Tyra drives from the fairway during the Class 1A girls golf regional Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026 at Metamora Fields Golf Club. Tyra finished in second place with a 2-over 73.
Water flies off of ROWVA-Williamsfield’s Chris Burgin-Lytle as he tees off on No. 3 during the Class 1A boys golf regional Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Bartonville.
