March 2025

DUAL-TEAM STATE WRESTLING – Washington’s Josh Hoffer battles IC Catholic’s Foley Calcagno in the 215-pound match of the Class 2A dual-team state wrestling championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Hoffer won with a 7-2 decision. The defending champion Panthers took second place by a score of 46-17.
DUAL-TEAM STATE WRESTLING – As his team and coaches watch, Washington’s Peyton Cox, top, handles IC Catholic’s Joey Pontrelli in the 150-pound match of the Class 2A dual-team state wrestling championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Cox won his match 12-0 by major decision. The defending champion Panthers took second place by a score of 46-17.
DUAL-TEAM STATE WRESTLING – Washington’s Wyatt Leman gets a leg up on IC Catholic’s Isaac Barrientos in the 190-pound match of the Class 2A dual-team state wrestling championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Barrientos took the win with a 17-5 major decision. The defending champion Panthers took second place by a score of 46-17.
DUAL-TEAM STATE WRESTLING – Washington’s Noah Woods battles IC Catholic’s Max Cumbee in the 126-pound match of the Class 2A dual-team state wrestling championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Woods fell to Cumbee by a score of 2-1. The defending champion Panthers took second place by a score of 46-17.
DUAL-TEAM STATE WRESTLING – Washington wrestlers console each other after their loss to IC Catholic in the Class 2A dual-team state wrestling championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Rockford East’s Saya Hongmoungkhoune reacts after pinning Montini’s Katelyn Bell in the 100-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Rockford East’s Saya Hongmoungkhoune pins Montini’s Katelyn Bell in the 100-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Hononegah’s Angelina Cassioppi tangles with Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin in the 120-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Hononegah wrestling coach Tyler DeMoss hugs Angelina Cassioppi after her fourth state wrestling title Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Cassioppi defeated Glenbrook North’s Ariella Dobin in the 120-pound final.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers, top, handles Wheeling’s Elise Burkut in the 125-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Bowers took the title with a 10-0 major decision.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – A section of painted fans cheers for Vandalia’s Sophie Bowers after she defeated Wheeling’s Elise Burkut in the 125-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Cumberland’s Natalie Beaumont, bottom, tangles with Schaumberg’s Madeline Zerafa-Lazarevic in the 145-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Beaumont took the title with a 5-0 decision.
GIRLS STATE WRESTLING – Lockport’s Claudia Heeney cries after defeating Mt. Prospect’s Viola Pianetto in the 135-pound final of the girls high school state wrestling championships Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Heeney took the title with a 6-0 decision.

BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley student Trevor Frey, 19, celebrates after hitting a full-court putt to win a brand new car during a timeout promotion in the second half of the Bradley-Northern Iowa basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley senior Duke Deen gets a peck on the cheek as he and his senior teammates are recognized before the start of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves won the season finale 73-56 over Northern Iowa.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson, top, steals the ball from Northern Iowa’s Leon Bond III in the first half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley fans wave cardboard cutouts of Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson to distract a NIU free-three shooter in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves won the season finale 73-56.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley’s Zek Montgomery points to the sky after sinking a three-pointer against Northern Iowa in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves won the season finale 73-56.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley’s Christian Davis defends against Northern Iowa’s Tytan Anderson in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves won their season ender 73-56.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley’s Darius Hannah (35) blocks a shot by Northern Iowa’s Will Nornseth in the second half of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves won the season finale 73-56.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley’s Duke Deen and Jaquan Johnson bump chests near the end of their Missouri Valley Conference basketball game Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves defeated Northern Iowa 73-56.
BRADLEY VS NIU – Bradley head coach Brian Wardles high-fives each player as they come off the court after their 73-56 win over Northern Iowa in the season ender Saturday, March 2, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.

GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – The Washington Panters celebrate their 58-54 win over Sterling in the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional girls basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers will face St. Ignatius College Prep in the state semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – Washington’s Dani Guedet (25) stops Sterling’s Joslynn James in the first half of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – Washington’s Avery Tibbs, right, tries to get a shot over Sterling’s Madison Austin in the first half of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – The Washington defense triples up on Sterling’s Madison Austin in the second half of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – Washington trainer Kyle Geirnaeirt sports an inspirational saying on the back of his shirt before the start of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional against Sterling on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – Washington’s Ainsley Redlingshager, left, and Avery Tibbs, right, battle Sterling’s Joslynn James for a loose ball in the second half of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.
GIRL SUPER-SECTIONAL – Washington’s Ainsley Redlingshafer, left, and Sterling’s Alivia Gibson battle for a rebound in the first half of the Class 3A Rochelle Super-Sectional basketball game Monday, March 3, 2025 at Rochelle High School. The Panthers advanced to the state semifinals with a 58-54 overtime win.

SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Metamora’s Colin Ramage, right, and his teammates celebrate as overtime expires in the Redbirds’ 65-63 victory over Kankakee in the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Illini head coach Brad Underwood, in orange, and associate head coach Orlando Antigua greets fans at the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Kankakee’s Lincoln Williams dunks over Metamora in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Kankakee’s Eli Stipp tries to pass under heavy pressure from Metamora in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Metamora’s Jonah Funk dunks over the Kankakee defense in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Metamora fans get rowdy as the Redbirds battle Kankakee in the overtime period of the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – Metamora head coach Justin Diehm hugs senior guard Ashton Grieves after the Redbirds’ rally to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime in the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School.
SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL – The Metamora Redbirds celebrate with fans after their victory in the Class 3A Washington Sectional semifinal Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Redbirds’ rallied to defeat Kankakee 65-63 in overtime.

PND GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Peoria Notre Dame’s Alli Stickelmaier, right, celebrates a three-pointer against Mt. Carmel in the second half of their Class 2A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish advanced to the title game with a 61-35 win.
PND GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Mt. Carmel’s Maycee Randall, left, blocks a shot by Peoria Notre Dame’s Emy Wardle in the first half of their Class 2A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish advanced to the title game with a 61-35 win.
PND GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Peoria Notre Dame’s Emy Wardle puts up a three-point attempt against Mt. Carmel in the second half of their Class 2A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish advanced to the title game with a 61-35 win.
PND GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Peoria Notre Dame’s Lexi Baer (24) reacts to forcing a Mt. Carmel turnover on the full-court press in the second half of their Class 2A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish advanced to the title game with a 61-35 win.
PND GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Peoria Notre Dame senior Kaitlin Cassidy embraces coach Layne Langholf after the Irish defeated Mt. Carmel 61-35 in the Class 2A girls basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Cassidy, who started for the defending champs last season, has been out her whole senior season with a bad knee injury, but was in the game for the final minute.

WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – A group of young fans cheer for the Washington Panthers during player introductions before the start of their Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal against St. Ignatius on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Washington fell to St. Ignatius 48-33.
WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Washington’s Dani Guedet runs up against St. Ignatius’ Maliyah Miller in the second half of their Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Washington fell to St. Ignatius 48-33.
WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Washington’s Mazzy O’Brien lines up a three-point attempt against St. Ignatius in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Washington fell to St. Ignatius 48-33.
WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Young Washington Panthers fans try to distract a St. Ignatius free-throw shooter in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Washington fell to St. Ignatius 48-33.
WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – Washington’s Ainsley Redlingshafer, right, takes a shot to the face from St. Ignatius’ Maggie Helms in the first half of their Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Washington fell to St. Ignatius 48-33.
WASHINGTON GIRLS STATE SEMIFINAL – The Washington bench shows some disappointment as their rally falls short in a 48-33 loss to St. Ignatius in the Class 3A girls basketball state semifinal Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Peoria High’s LeShawn Stowers (21) celebrates with his teammates after the Lions defeated Metamora 57-48 in the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School.
BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Peoria High’s Spencer Russell (1) makes a move to the basket on Metamora’s Jonah Funk in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Lions defeated the Redbirds 49-37.
BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Metamora’s Ashton Grieves puts up a three-pointer against Peoria High in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Lions defeated the Redbirds 49-37.
BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Peoria High’s Leshawn Stowers blocks Metamora’s Jonah Funk’s drive to the basket in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Lions defeated the Redbirds 57-48.
BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Metamora players start to look forlorn as time gets shorter and Peoria High’s lead gets bigger in the second half of the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School. The Lions defeated the Redbirds 57-48.
BOYS SECTIONAL TITLE – Peoria High’s Anthony Sturdivant III waves goodbye to the Metamora crowd after the Lions defeated the Redbirds 57-48 in the Class 3A Washington Sectional basketball title game Friday, March 7, 2025 at Washington Community High School.

STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame senior Julia Mingus, left, and junior Lexi Baer embrace after the Irish fell to Nashville 55-29 in the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE RUNNER-UP – The Nashville Hornettes celebrate their 55-29 win over Peoria Notre Dame in the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame fans pack the student section to cheer for the Irish in the first half of the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish fell to Nashville 55-29.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame’s Cora Heinz (32) gets caught between Nashville’s Avery Reeder (4) and Makayla Gajewski in the second half of the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish fell to Nashville 55-29.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Nashville’s Summer Brinkmann (5) stops Peoria Notre Dame’s Emy Wardle in the second half of the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish fell to Nashville 55-29.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame’s Julia Mingus, bottom, tangles with Nashville’s Samantha Brinkmann in the first half of the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish fell to Nashville 55-29.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame seniors Julia Mingus, left, and Alli Stickelmaier hug their coaches as they come out of the game in the second half of the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal. The Irish fell to Nashville 55-29.
STATE RUNNER-UP – Peoria Notre Dame senior Alli Stickelmaier holds the runner-up trophy after the Irish fell to Nashville in the Class 2A girls basketball state title game Saturday, March 8, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – Peoria High’s LeShawn Stowers, top right, and Jacob Duffin Jr., top left, scramble for a loose ball with Chicago Brother Rice’s K.J. Morris in the second half of the Class 3A boys basketball Pontiac Super-Sectional on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School. The Lions fell 60-41.
BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – Peoria High’s Spencer Russell puts up a shot over Chicago Brother Rice’s Marco Gonzales in the second half of the Class 3A boys basketball Pontiac Super-Sectional on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School. The Lions fell 60-41.
BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – Peoria High’s Jacob Duffin Jr., right, blocks a shot by Chicago Brothers Rice’s Marcos Gonazles in the first half of the Class 3A boys basketball Pontiac Super-Sectional on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School. The Lions fell 60-41.
BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – A large contingent of Brother Rice fans wave their T-shirts in support of their team as they battle Peoria High in the second half of the Class 3A boys basketball Pontiac Super-Sectional on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School. The Lions fell 60-41.
BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – Peoria High’s Stevyn Williams (2) and Fenix Foy (15) battle for a rebound with Chicago Brother Rice’s Caden Workman in the second half of the Class 3A boys basketball Pontiac Super-Sectional on Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School. The Lions fell 60-41.
BOYS SUPER-SECTIONAL – The Peoria High Lions sit dejected as time winds down on their 60-41 loss to Chicago Brother Rice in the Class 3A Pontiac Super-Sectional boys basketball game Monday, March 10, 2025 at Pontiac Township High School.

1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Peoria Christian fans dressed in all-black cheer for the Chargers as they face Lanark Eastland in the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Peoria Christian’s Malachi Persinger (1) forces his way between a pair of Eastland defenders for a shot in the second half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Lanark Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Peoria Christian’s Trae Brickner runs up against Eastland’s Zyacn Haverland in the first half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Lanark Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Eastland’s Adam Awender, right, bobbles the ball as Peoria Christian’s Myles Zimmerman pressures in the first half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Lanark Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Peoria Christian’s Gavin Walder, far left, battles for the ball with Eastland’s Peyton Spears (20) in the first half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Lanark Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – Peoria Christian’s Malachi Persinger, top, chases a loose ball he forced away from Eastland’s Tanner Stern in the second half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Lanark Eastland defeated Peoria Christian 55-35.
1A STATE SEMIFINALS – The Lanark Eastland Cougars celebrate their 55-35 win over Peoria Christian in the second half of the Class 1A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Manual Rams fans show their enthusiasm at the start of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Chicago Dyett.
2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Chicago Dyett’s Ricky Coleman, right, and Manual’s Dietrich Richardson vie for a rebound in the first half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.
2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Manual head coach Marvin Jordan yells instruction to the Rams as they battle Chicago Dyett in the first half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.
2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Manual’s Tahj Tolliver, left, chases a loose ball with Chicago Dyett’s Jacob Johnson in the second half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.
2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Manual’s Dietrich Richardson, right, tries to get a shot past the Chicago Dyett defense in the first half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.
2A STATE SEMIFINALS – Manual’s Josh Humbles (22) blocks a shot by Chicago Dyett’s Ricky Coleman in the second half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.

ST. PAT’S PARADE – A bespectacled pitbull rides along with a float in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – Sisters Alyssiya Green, left, and Becka Boyer fill the air with bubbles as they vie for beads and candy Monday, March 17, 2025 during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown Peoria. Hundredss turned out for the annual event under sunny skies and a stiff breeze.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – Second-grader Declan Ramsey, 7, leads the way for St. Patrick School’s entry in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – Costumed revelers scream for beads during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025 in downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – A bright yellow cape flies in the breeze for the Illinois Lottery float during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, May 17, 2025 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – L.J. Hoerr, 2, of Peoria sports a big collection of beads as he watches the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade atop his grandfather Steve’s shoulders Monday, March 17, 2025 in downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – Dressed in identical outfits, Dylan Edwards, left, of Washington and Tieler Maritano of Peoria enjoy the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025 through downtown Peoria.
ST. PAT’S PARADE – Felix Fleming, far right, 10, and his brother Paxton, 11, of Peoria wait anxiously for candy to come their way during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Monday, March 17, 2025 through downtown Peoria.

Bradley’s Darius Hannah (35) celebrates a three-pointer he made against North Alabama in the first half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 victory.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley’s Jaquan Johnson (22) goes to the basket against North Alabama’s Donte Bacchus (1) and Corneilous Williams in the first half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 victory.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley’s Darius Hannah dunks over North Alabama in the second half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, Marc 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 victory.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley’s Christian Davis, left, and Ahmet Jonovic, right, stop North Alabama’s Corneilous Williams at the basket in the second half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 win.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley’s Darius Hannah (35) and Duke Deen (21) defend against North Alabama’s Canin Jefferson in the second half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 victory.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley’s Darius Hannah (35) takes a hard foul from North Alabama’s Will Soucie in the second half of their first-round NIT basketball game Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Braves advanced with a 71-62 victory.
NIT FIRST ROUND – Bradley teammates Darius Hannah (35) and Duke Deen celebrate the Braves’ 71-62 win over North Alabama in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Carver Arena.

Tom Baker, owner of Midwest Classic Cars, stands next to a fully-restored 1981 DeLorean for sale in his showroom in Roanoke. Baker has been restoring and selling classic cars, including many used in popular Hollywood movies.

NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Christian Davis walks off the court as Chattanooga celebrates their 67-65 come-from-behind victory in their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Ahmet Jonovic, left, and Duke Deen, right, chase a loose ball with Chattanooga’s Bash Wieland in the first half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Duke Deen (21) runs up against Chattanooga’s Trey Bonham in the second half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Demarion Burch, left, shoots over Chattanooga’s Trey Bonham in the first half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Duke Deen celebrates a three-pointer against Chattanooga in the first half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Chattanooga’s Trey Bonham, left, and Bash Wieland, right, try to knock the ball away from Bradley’s Connor Dillon in the first half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Chattanooga’s Latif Diouf, right, pulls in a rebound over Bradley’s Corey Thomas, left, and Almar Atlason in the second half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.
NIT QUARTERFINALS – Bradley’s Almar Atlason laments the Braves’ loss to Chattanooga in the second half of their NIT quarterfinal basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver Arena in Peoria. The Mocs advanced to the semifinals with a 67-65 win.


TANGLED ROOTS – General manager Cassi Kelton stands in the dining room of the new Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen on the square in Washington. The eagerly-anticipated tavern, which also features a rooftop bar space, opens for business on April 9.
TANGLED ROOTS – The long-awaited Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen on the square in Washington is scheduled to open April 9.
TANGLED ROOTS – A large rooftop bar area at the new Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen will feature a fire pit with an unobstructed view of Washington Square.
TANGLED ROOTS – A horseshoe-shaped bar stands as the centerpiece of the new Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen on the square in Washington. The tavern opens for business April 9.

SUPERFAN – Matt Jaeger of East Peoria stands next to a couple of the Bob Dylan posters he’s collected and put on display throughout his home on Highview Road. Jaeger is a die-hard fan of the legendary singer-songwriter, and Dylan’s April 9 show at the Peoria Civic Center will be Jaeger’s 200th.
SUPERFAN – A cardboard cutout of folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan stands in front of a set of posters featuring the legendary crooner in the basement of superfan Matt Jaeger’s East Peoria home.
SUPERFAN – Dozens of ticket stubs for concerts featuring Bob Dylan, including one for the first Farm Aid Concert in 1985, are collected in a set of frames at Dylan fan Matt Jaeger’s East Peoria home.
SUPERFAN – A collection of VIP passes for various Bob Dylan shows hang from the garage door track in superfan Matt Jaeger’s garage.
SUPERFAN – Matt Jaeger has collected a wide variety of Bob Dylan merchandise from his years as a superfan, including a set of Bob Dylan-brand whiskey Heaven’s Door.

A vintage Budweiser lamp with miniature Clydesdales hangs above the bar at Castle’s Patio Inn in Peoria.
Operations manager Scott Buffington, far left in gray shirt, watches over the training of several employxees at the new Dairy Queen opening April 2, 2025 at 127 E. Ashland Street in Morton.
Shortstop Tre Richardson is making another run with the Peoria Chiefs this season.
Bricks and other debris fall from the former Labor Temple as demolition begins Monday, March 31, 2025 on the century-old building at 400 NE Jefferson Avenue in downtown Peoria. The property will be used for a new Salvation Army men’s shelter, part of a $30 million-dollar expansion project of the Army’s downtown campus.

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