Senior Jake Pence (left) attacks the paint darting by a Breese Central player during St. Joseph-Ogden's Class 2A state semifinal basketball game on March 11, 2016 in Peoria. Thanks to outscoring the Cougars 33-15 in the second half, the Spartans advanced to Saturday's game on the wings of a 60-48 victory. Playing guard, Pence finished the night with eight points and a rebound for the eventual state champions from downstate Illinois.
After his first loss, Gavel drops the hammer at state
Unity's Ben Gavel celebrates his victory after defeating Winnebago's Carlos Sanchez in the 126-pound third-place medal at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals last February. Gavel, a junior, entered the 2020 state finals with a 50-4 record. After losing his first round match to Ridgeview's Coby Windle, 8-4, he then plowed his way through the consolation bracket rolling off five consecutive pins to take home the bronze medal.
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
I’ve always known my Arab culture is worth celebrating.
I heard it in Syrian tenor Sabah Fakhri’s powerful voice reverberating in my mom’s car on the way to piano lessons and soccer practice during my youth. I smelled it in the za’atar, Aleppo pepper, allspice, and cumin permeating the air in the family kitchen. Read more . . .
CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally. Read more . . .
Photo Galleries
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.