MANUAL VS DUNLAP – Dunlap’s Austin Walker (1) takes the spotlight during player introductions before the start of their nonconference basketball game against Manual High School on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Dunlap High School. The Rams defeated the Eagles 78-65.
MANUAL VS DUNLAP – Dunlap’s Gavin Gibbs tries to block a shot from Manual’s Joshua Humbles in the second half of their nonconference basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Dunlap High School. The Rams defeated the Eagles 78-65.
MANUAL VS DUNLAP – Manual’s Joshua Humbles blocks a shot from Dunlap’s Eli Michanicou in the second half of their nonconference basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 at Dunlap High School. The Rams defeated the Eagles 78-65.
HOLIDAY GRINCH – Holiday decorations fill Oliver’s In the Heights at 1231 E. Samuel Avenue in Peoria Heights. The popular tavern has turned the business into a Grinch-themed Christmas paradise for the holiday season.
HOLIDAY GRINCH – The Grinch can be found in various forms throughout Oliver’s In the Heights for their annual holiday display.
HOLIDAY GRINCH – Green sugar covers the rim of a caramel apple “Grinchtini” at Oliver’s In the Heights, one of seven specialty cocktails created for the holiday season.
HOLIDAY GRINCH – A sly Grinch smile emanates from a lamp at Oliver’s In the Heights.
RIVS VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Jordan Ernst (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Huntsville Havoc a few seconds into the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen, playing as the Peoria Blades, lost 3-2.
RIVS VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Griffen Fox (71) runs into the post while trying to score against Huntsville Havoc goaltender Brian Wilson in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen, playing as the Peoria Blades, lost 3-2.
RIVS VS HAVOC – The Peoria Rivermen gather around teammate Jordan Ernst (11) after his second goal against the Huntsville Havoc in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen, playing as the Peoria Blades, lost 3-2.
RIVS VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Zach Wilkie drops a large stuffed bear onto the ice after fans threw them on the ice after the first Rivermen goal of the game against the Huntsville Havoc in the first period of their SPHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen, playing as the Peoria Blades, lost 3-2.
FASHION SHOWCASE – The Manual High School drum line kicks off the fifth annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette. The event, presented by A Sharp Effect Salon, featured vendors from local beauty and fashion businesses and a “Winter Wonderland” themed fashion show. Proceeds from the event benefit the Living to Serve Foundation, a women’s health advocacy organization.
FASHION SHOWCASE – A model struts down the runway Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 during the 5th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette.
FASHION SHOWCASE – Models enter through a Barbie toy package as young girls look on during the 5th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette.
FASHION SHOWCASE – Patrons make their way to the entrance of the 5th annual Peoria Hair and Fashion Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette.
PND VS DUNLAP – Peoria Notre Dame’s Julia Mingus (5) tries to get a shot off past Dunlap’s Campbell Vrabel (2) and Kelis Morris in the first half Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. The Irish defeated the Eagles 61-49.
PND VS DUNLAP – Dunlap’s Keniya Todd (21) goes to the basket against Peoria Notre Dame’s Cora Heinz in the second half Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at Peoria Notre Dame High School. The Irish defeated the Eagles 61-49.
Graham Janssen, 4, works at shoveling his driveway Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 in a Washington neighborhood.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Metamora’s Ashton Grieves hangs on the rim after a dunk against Morton in the second half of their Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 52-46.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Metamora’s Jonah Funk, right, blocks a shot by Morton’s Collin Burns in the first half of their Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 52-46.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Fans in the Metamora student section reach for a ball thrown their way during player introductions before the start of a Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game between the Redbirds and Morton on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 52-46.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Morton’s Tripp Rugaard (22) tries to get a shot past the Metamora defense in the second half of their Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Redbirds defeated the Potters 52-46.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Morton’s Abby VanMeenen, left, defends against Metamora’s Ella Russell in the first half of their Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Potters defeated the Redbirds 39-33.
MORTON VS METAMORA – Metamora’s Addy Wooden, left, falls on Morton’s Katie Brock as they chase a loose ball in the second half of their Mid-Illlini Conference basketball game Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The Potters defeated the Redbirds 39-33.
BRADLEY VS USF – Bradley fans stand at attention during the national anthem before of a college basketball game between Bradley and the University of San Francisco on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves defeated the Dons 66-64.
BRADLEY VS USF – Bradley’s Christian Davis tries to dunk on San Francisco’s Ben Abosi in the first half of their college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at Carver Arena. Davis missed the dunk but rebounded for a score. The Braves defeated the Dons 66-64.
BRADLEY VS USF – Bradley’s Duke Deen signals three points after sinking a three-pointer against the University of San Francisco in the second half of their college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves defeated the Dons 66-64.
SAFFRON SOCIAL – Upscale Peoria restaurant Saffron Social has updated their menu to include a variety of sushi plates, including this Firecracker Roll consisiting of spicy tuna, cream cheese, jalapeno, cilantro, wasabi caviar, tempura fried, spicy aioli and sriricha.
SAFFRON SOCIAL – A new offering on Saffon Social’s sushi menu is the Saffron Surf & Turf Roll, made of seared tuna, seared Unagi filet, cream cheese, jalapeno, avocado, tempura crunch, wasabi aioli and sweet chili.
SAFFRON SOCIAL – Saffron Social’s Certified American Wagyu Beef is served with flake salt and tangy dipping sauce aside a hot stone so diners can cook their steak to their liking.
EDUCATION DAY – Hundreds of school kids scream for a T-shirt from Rivermen mascot The Captain during the annual Education Day hockey game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at Carver Arena. Nearly 9,000 students, teachers and regular fans watched the Rivermen shut out the Evansville Thunderbolts 6-0.
EDUCATION DAY – Peoria’s Alex Koopmeiners, left, tries to stuff the puck past Evansville goaltender Ty Taylor in the third period of their Education Day hockey game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen blanked the Thunderbolts 6-0.
EDUCATION DAY – Students do the “Macarena” during the annual morning Education Day hockey game Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen shut out the Evansville Thunderbolts 6-0 in front of a record crowd of nearly 9,000.
Traffic crosses two lanes of the new eastbound span of the McClugage Bridge that opened overnight Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Peoria. Work continues on the walking path on the bridge. The old span is closed.
BRADLEY VS CANISIUS – Bradley’s Darius Hannah makes a move to the basket on Canisius’ Cam Palesse in the first half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves routed the Golden Griffins 92-59.
BRADLEY VS CANISIUS – Bradley’s Demarion Burch dishes to a teammate around Canisius’ Dylan Godfrey in the first half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves routed the Golden Griffins 92-59.
BRADLEY VS CANISIUS – Bradley’s Almar Atlason, left, and Canisius’ Paul McMillan IV collide while chasing a loose ball in the first half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves routed the Golden Griffins 92-59.
BRADLEY VS CANISIUS – Bradley head coach Brian Wardle and his staff sport Christmas sweaters as the Braves battle Canisius in the first half of their college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Braves routed the Golden Griffins 92-59.
