SOLAR ECLIPSE – This composite image shows some of the stages of a solar eclipse with the moon blocking out about 95 percent of the sun as seen from a viewing event Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – Tim Williams of Bloomington is surrounded by his grandkids Dale Hamen, left, 11, Charlie Hamen, top, 9, and Anthony Hamen, 7, as they watch the solar eclipse Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – Bailey Blessman, right, 6, and D.J. Herrick, 13, both of Pekin don a set of homemade paper plate solar eclipse glasses to gaze at the solar eclipse during a viewing party Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – A large crowd fills Sun Plaza at the Riverfront Museum for a solar eclipse viewing party Monday, April 8, 2024 in Peoria.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – Desmond Hunter of Peoria helps his wife Syntia take a cellphone photo through a pair of eclipse glasses during a solar eclipse viewing party Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
SOLAR ECLIPSE – Retired science teacher Rick Pantages basks in the sun and a view of the solar eclipse during a viewing event Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Lead vocalist Todd La Torre of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche performs in some rolling fog Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Queensrÿche guitarists Mike Stone, left, and Michael Wilton join lead singer Todd La Torre during their show Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Queensrÿche drummer Casey Grillo pounds the drums under a blue light Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Members of the heavy metal band Queensrÿche perform Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Queensrÿche lead singer Todd La Torre, left, works the crowd as guitarist Michael Wilton performs Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater.
QUEENSRŸCHE – John Bush of heavy metal band Armored Saint belts out a tune Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The band opened for Queensrÿche.
QUEENSRŸCHE – Guitarist Jeff Duncan and the rest of heavy metal rockers Armored Saint perform Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. The band opened for Queensrÿche.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – Peoria’s Alec Hagaman watches the puck sail into the net past Pensacola goaltender Stephen Mundinger in the first period of Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2204 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – Peoria’s Mathew Redhing celebrates his goal against Pensacola in the second period of Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – Fans pound on the glass as the Rivermen celebrate JM Piotrowski’s goal against Pensacola in the third period of Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich falls on the puck, stopping a shot from Pensacola’s Garrett Milan in the second period of Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – Peoria’s Meirs Moore (28) and Alec Baer celebrate Moore’s goal against Pensacola in the second period of Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
SPHL SEMIFINALS – A group of fans spell out RIVERMEN in the stands as the team battles Pensacola in Game 2 of the first round of the SPHL playoffs Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Peoria’s Joe Drapluk, right, celebrates with teammate Jordan Ernst after his game-tying goal against Evansville in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 win.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Rivermen goaltender Nick Latinovich blocks a deflected puck against Evansville in the first period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Peoria’s JM Piotrowski, second from left, celebrates with his Rivermen teammates after his game-winning goal against Evansville in Game 2 of the SPHL semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at Carver Arena. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – A young Rivermen fan shares his opinion of a goal by Evansville in the second period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 win.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Peoria’s Meirs Moore (28) and Evansville’s Mark Zhukov try to gain control of a flying puck in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – A pair of Evansville players celebrate a goal in front of Peoria goaltender Nick Latinovich in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Peoria’s Joe Drapluk (7) and Chase Spencer (4) tangle with Evansville’s Scott Kirton in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
RIVERMEN ADVANCE – Peoria’s Alec Baer (91) navigates through the Evansville defense in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup semifinals Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory.
MURDER SENTENCING – Stephanie Jones, mother of Navin Jones, enters the courtroom for her sentencing hearing Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the Peoria County Courthouse. Judge John Vespa sentenced her to 100 years in prison for the starvation death of the 8-year-old boy in 2022.
MURDER SENTENCING – Peoria Police Det. Jason Leigh identifies a photograph of Navin Jones’ bedroom where the boy had been locked in and starved by his mother Stephanie Jones and her boyfriend Brandon Walker during a sentencing hearing Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the Peoria County Courthouse. Stephanie Jones was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the 2022 death of the 8-year-old-boy.
MURDER SENTENCING – Stephanie Jones of Peoria cries and hides her face as evidence is shown in court during a sentencing hearing Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the Peoria County Courthouse. Judge John Vespa sentenced Jones to 100 years in prison for the 2022 death of her severely malnourished son.
MURDER SENTENCING – A photo of Navin Jones, 8, in better times is shown on a television screen during the sentencing hearing for his mother Stephanie Jones on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the Peoria County Courthouse. Jones was sentenced to 100 years in prison for the 2022 starvation death of the boy.
WASHINGTON PROM – Washington Community High School students walk through the Peoria Civic Center for their prom festivities Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Peoria.
WASHINGTON PROM – Washington Community High School students walk down the stone pathway to the Soderstrom Castle on Grandview Drive for photos before their prom Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
WASHINGTON PROM – A group of Washington Community High School students pose at the Soderstrom castle on Grandview Drive before their prom Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
WASHINGTON PROM – Washington Community High School students mingle with Peoria Rivermen fans as they walk from the parking lot to their prom Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Peoria Rivermen were playing in Game 2 of the SPHL finals the same night.
WASHINGTON PROM – A photo is displayed on the screen of a DJ4U automated camera as a group of Washington Community High School students strike a silly pose during their prom Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
WASHINGTON PROM – Washington Community High School prom-goers hang out on the balcony of the upper level of the Peoria Civic Center during their prom Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Peoria.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Alec Hagaman celebrates after scoring a breakaway goal against Huntsville goaltender Mike Robinson in the first period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Braydon Barker goes airborne over Hunstville’s David Thomson in the second period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Huntsville’s Matt Doran, right, slams along the boards on a collision with Peoria’s Mathew Rehding in the first period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Chase Spencer (4) battles Huntsville’s Phil Elgstam (88) and Dylan Stewart in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Jordan Ernst (11) collides with Huntsville goaltender Mike Robinson in the net in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Mike Gelatt (27) and Huntsville’s Buster Larsson get tangled up in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN VS HAVOC – Peoria’s Alec Baer, right, and Renat Dadadzhanov celebrate Baer’s goal against the Huntsville Havoc in the third period of Game 2 of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen forced a Game 3 with a 6-4 victory.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – The Peoria Rivermen spill onto the ice in celebration of their 5-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel hugs his son Tristan Trudel after the team defeated the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s JM Piotrowski hoists the President’s Cup as a large crowd of Rivermen fans cheer after their 5-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s Zach Wilkie, right, passes the President’s Cup to teammate Joe Drapluk as the Rivermen celebrate their 5-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s JM Piotroswki, left, and head coach Jean-Guy Trudel share a moment after their team’s 5-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel hoists the President’s Cup after the team defeated the Huntsville Havoc 5-1 in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s Alec Hagaman parades the President’s Cup along the boards for the crowd after the Rivermen defeated the Huntsville Havoc 5-1in the deciding game of the SPHL finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Champagne spray fills the Peoria Rivermen locker room as they celebrate their 5-1 victory over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s Tristan Trudel, left, hugs Jason Ruff, the team’s director of communication and broadcasting, after helping douse him in beer while celebrating the team’s 5-1 win over the Huntsville Havoc in the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Fans gather on the steps leading down to the Zamboni entrance to welcome the Peoria Rivermen for player introductions before the start of the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen defeated the Huntsville Havoc 5-1 for the title.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s Mitch McPherson, right, celebrates after his goal against the Huntsville Havoc in the first period of the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
RIVERMEN WIN THE CUP – Peoria’s Chase Spencer gets airborne as he tangles with Huntsville’s Doug Elgstam in the first period of the deciding game of the SPHL President’s Cup finals Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – MaryBeth Milburn, left, and her son Dan Gilfillan started MD’s Sports Bar and Grill, 7719 N. University Street in Peoria, in 2017.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – The bars of the old Silver Bullet saloon still hang on the front door of MD’s Sports Bar and Grill on University in Peoria.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – A plaque featuring a Journal Star story on MD’s Sports Bar and Grill hangs on a wall at the popular tavern on N. University in Peoria.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – A pool table, dart board and vintage high school scoreboard sit in a section of MD’s Sports Bar and Grill in Peoria. Co-owner Dan Gilfillan hopes to get the scoreboard working again in the near future.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – Dollar-bills cover a section of the ceiling at MD’s Sports Bar and Grill on N. University Street in Peoria.
MOTHER-SON BAR OWNERS – A giant mulberry grows in the middle of MD’s Sports Bar and Grill’s large outdoor beer garden.
