Peoria Journal Star

Adios Peoria

January 2, 2011

Today is my last day as an intern. Next week, I start as a staff photographer at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As I finish up a few housekeeping things at the office today, I though I’d take a look back at a few of my favorite images from my internship in Peoria. It’s been an interesting experience, but I’m glad to be done and headed off to start my first full-time job next week. It’ll be a busy few days as I scramble to move to Wyoming, but I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted with a few pictures along the way.

Ongina reacts as a man stuffs money down her bra during a drag performance of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at the Peoria Pride Festival on the Riverfront.

Marion English looks skyward as she tracks the flight path of her balloon as it sails southwest over the Interstate 74 bridge during a launch as part of the National Day of Remembrance on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at the RiverPlex. English was on hand to remember her 19-year-old niece Jasmine Brittine who was fatally shot on March 21, 2010.

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Bradley-Wichita State basketball

January 2, 2011

Bradley guard Dyricus Simms-Edwards drives into the lane between two Wichita State defenders during a game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, at Carver Arena.

Wichita State forward/center J.T. Durley (31) puts up a shot in front of Bradley forward Jordan Prosser (44) and guard Jake Eastman during a game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, at Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill.

Fire destroys Haddad’s Supermarket in West Peoria

January 1, 2011

West Peoria firefighters work on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, at the scene of a fire that destroyed the Haddad's Supermarket in West Peoria. Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday and battled the blaze for several hours through the night. On New Year's Day morning, rubble was all that remained of the supermarket, which had been in West Peoria since 1964.

A West Peoria firefighter surveys the scene of a fire on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, at the Haddad's Supermarket in West Peoria. A blaze destroyed the building late Friday evening.

Rivermen-Admirals hockey

December 31, 2010

Guess it’s fitting that my first and last assignments of 2010 were sports. The paper had an extremely early deadline for color photos this evening (8 p.m.) so I unfortunately couldn’t stay longer than the first period. When possible, I always try to stay to the very end of sporting events to give myself more opportunities to make pictures. As I was leaving, the team scored two goals. Just my luck.

Peoria Rivermen defender Nathan Oystrick (20) plays Milwaukee Admirals Center Mark Van Guilder (29) for control of the puck during a game on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at Carver Arena.

Peoria Rivermen left wing Stefan Della Rovere, middle, looks to play the puck between Milwaukee Admirals centers Jamie Lundmark (21) and Blake Geoffrion (5) during a game on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at Carver Arena.

Peoria nursery seeks volunteers

December 31, 2010

Looking at this photo, how can you say no to volunteering for them? This is from an assignment to illustrate a broader story about charitable giving in 2010. This nursery – the Crisis Nursery at the Crittenton Centers – is in desperate need of volunteers. According to the nursery’s website, volunteers “assist staff and help provide emotional support for children by rocking, holding, talking, and help children in activities including art projects, story telling, singing, reading aloud, playing, eating, etc.” For the next few days, the nursery is operating with a skeleton staff since no volunteers have signed up for the holiday weekend. If you want to volunteer, you can learn more here.