Weeks 13-16 at Journal Star
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Beverly Brown, center, cousin of Peoria resident Clarence Hanson, is comforted by friends Sunday near the Illinois River at State Street. Peoria police received a call early Saturday of a sport utility vehicle in the river. Hanson’s family says he has been missing since Friday night, and they believe the SUV could be his. Divers have been unable to reach the submerged SUV because of strong currents.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Hani Wadi cleans up a cut above the eyelid of Tony O’Neil of the Peoria Area Renegades during the match against the Chillicothe Barbarians on Saturday during the Rugby for Research Festival at Chillicothe Junior High School. Six high school teams competed in the event to raise money to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Jeannie West pulls out water-soaked insulation from the bottom of her home as residents affected by recent flooding clean out their homes on Saturday in London Mills. West considered herself lucky considering her home was only damaged underneath.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Bradley pitcher Madeline Lynch-Crumrine momentarily closes her eyes while in the dugout on Tuesday in the game against Northern Iowa at Laura Bradley Park. Bradley lost to UNI 8-0.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Tony O’Neil of the Peoria Area Renegades is lifted up by his teammates as they go through lineout drills before the start of their match on Saturday during the Rugby for Research Festival at Chillicothe Junior High School. Six high school teams competed in the event to raise money to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Bill Knight, a retired member of the American Federation of Teachers labor union, helps a family clean out a home affected by recent flooding on Saturday in London Mills. Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief, and was enlisting volunteers to help residents affected by recent flooding clean out their homes.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Jose Salgado, 11, of Peoria attempts a trick with a soccer ball while practicing soccer with his family on Monday afternoon in a field at Peoria Stadium. Jose plays soccer for the Morton Blaze soccer club with his sister and two brothers.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Robert Roulds, a volunteer through the Red Cross, sweeps up mud in the basement of a home affected by recent flooding on Saturday in London Mills.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Players with Peoria Area Renegades practice a scrum before the start of their match on Saturday during the Rugby for Research Festival at Chillicothe Junior High School. Six high school teams competed in the event to raise money to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Bart Friend helps tear out the water-soaked insulation from the crawl space of Jeannie West’s home on Saturday as residents affected by recent flooding clean out their homes in London Mills.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Fran and Mel Siegel stand in the home they’ve owned for 33 years and now damaged due to flooding on Saturday in Edwards. “It was an act of God that the flood came and it was an act of God the flood went away,” Mel said. “And now they want me to pay to work on it?”
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Colin Flaherty, 17, of Peoria talks with driving instructor Steve Smart before maneuvering his car through cones on Sunday at the Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving program at Caterpillar’s Mossville plant. With the assistance of in-car instructors, student drivers navigated an advanced driving course, which simulates real driving situations.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Runners gather at the starting line of a fun run hosted by Running Central to raise funds for Boston Marathon bombing victims on Monday on Marietta Avenue outside of Running Central in Peoria Heights.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Friends and family of Peoria resident Clarence Hanson on Sunday examine an area near the Illinois River at State Street. Peoria police received a call early Saturday of a sport utility vehicle in the river. Hanson’s family says he has been missing since Friday night, and they believe the SUV could be his. Divers have been unable to reach the submerged SUV because of strong currents.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Maui Jim employee Amber Grant edits a list of exercises before the start of the Boot Camp exercise class on Thursday in the health club at Maui Jim in Peoria. The upscale sunglasses company added two exercise spaces in their company headquarters as an incentive for the health of their employees.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Sheryl Johnson gives her nephew a kiss on the cheek as she and other members of her family and friends help clean out her mother’s home, which was affected by the recent flooding, on Saturday in London Mills.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Bill Holmes of Edelstein bumps firsts with Hector Martinez of Peoria before the start of the inaugural 5K HUMANe race on Sunday at Shea Stadium. The race is part of the Illinois Valley Striders Grand Prix Series with proceeds benefiting the Peoria Humane Society.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Gage Kenyon of the Chillicothe Barbarians rests after a match against the Twin City Tornados on Saturday during the Rugby for Research Festival at Chillicothe Junior High School. Six high school teams competed in the event to raise money to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Gov. Pat Quinn speaks along side local officials announcing a plan that gives businesses affected by the flooding extra time to file and pay their sales taxes on Tuesday in downtown Peoria.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Kayla Kitt of Manual hits the bar in the high jump on Thursday at the Mid-State 6 Conference girls track & field meet at Richwoods High School.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Drew Zadrzynski of the Chillicothe Barbarians ducks for cover at the bottom of a scrum against the Peoria Area Renegades on Saturday during the Rugby for Research Festival at Chillicothe Junior High School. Six high school teams competed in the event to raise money to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Rick Berlage pulls a cone from under the car of Matt Bender, 16, of East Peoria as event chairman Randy Jones, center, directs Bender on Sunday at the Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving program at Caterpillar’s Mossville plant. With the assistance of in-car instructors, student drivers navigated an advanced driving course, which simulates real driving situations.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Adam White, co-owner of Running Central, greets runners as they come in before the start of a fun run hosted by Running Central to raise funds for Boston Marathon bombing victims on Monday outside Running Central in Peoria Heights.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Children scramble to catch Frisbees thrown from a robot during demonstrations by local high school robotics teams on Saturday as part of National Robotics Week outside the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library. Teams from three local high schools gave children introductions in robotics and provided hands on demonstrations of robots they’ve built.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Items damaged from flooding are piled up at the curb of a home on Saturday as residents affected by recent flooding clean out their homes in London Mills.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Boys high school track athletes compete in the 110 high hurdles prelim at the Dragon Track and Field Invitational on Friday at Pekin Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Casey Johnson talks with the media after winning the 5th District seat on the Peoria City Council on Tuesday night at his victory party at Joe’s sports grille. Johnson won with 54% of the vote.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Rivermen mascot Captain amps up the crowd during the Rivermen’s final game in Peoria against the Milwaukee Admirals on Sunday at Carver Arena. The Rivermen lost to Milwaukee 3-0.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Tim Harris and Tom Magee move a shelf out of Harris’s home on Friday as rising waters from the Illinois River begin to force residents of Spring Bay to evacuate. “I was told it never got this high,” Harris said.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Notre Dame athletes Maryjeanne Gilbert and Taylor Daly shiver in the cold before competing in the 800-meter run on Thursday at the Mid-State 6 Conference girls track & field meet at Richwoods High School.
Week 11 & 12 at the Journal Star
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Kendall Farmer, 3, of Peoria looks inside his Easter egg with his father Ken and sister Jasmine, 6, on Saturday during an underwater Easter egg hunt at the AquaPlex.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Peoria Chiefs outfielder Nick Martini runs onto the field during introductions at the home opener against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Sandra Latham of Peoria spray washes her car as her nephew Bryson accidentally gets sprayed by water on Thursday afternoon at Waterworks Car Wash on North Meadowbrook Rd.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Adrianna Collins, 7, of Peoria gathers Easter eggs in her arms on Saturday morning during an underwater Easter egg hunt at the AquaPlex.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Josh Sender hands out stickers before walking in the March of the Living to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust on Monday during Holocaust Remembrance Day outside of Congregation Anshai Emeth. Over one hundred people participated in the walk and to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Marilou Klein Moore of Nova Scotia has her Easter vigil candle lit by her mother Mary Klein of Germantown Hills on Easter Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Ann Rosenberg and Merle Felder of Peoria chat with others before walking in the March of the Living to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust on Monday during Holocaust Remembrance Day outside of Congregation Anshai Emeth. Over one hundred people participated in the walk and to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Nicholas Greer, 5, of Peoria collects eggs behind a slide on Saturday during an underwater Easter egg hunt at the AquaPlex.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR A referee tries to get the attention of players from the IceHogs and Rivermen on Saturday at Carver Arena. The IceHogs defeated the Rivermen 5-4.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Peoria Chiefs outfielder Nick Martini and catcher Gerwuins Velazco wait for their at bat during the home opener against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Megan Eller, 5, of Germantown Hills shows the inside of her egg on Saturday during an underwater Easter egg hunt at the AquaPlex.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR People walk in the March of the Living to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust on Monday during Holocaust Remembrance Day outside of Congregation Anshai Emeth. Over one hundred people participated in the walk and to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Rivermen defenseman Taylor Chorney attempts to get the puck past IceHogs goalie Henrik Karlsson and defenseman Ryan Stanton on Saturday at Carver Arena. The IceHogs defeated the Rivermen 5-4.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Adam Rosso gives a hug to Journal Star beat writer Dave Eminian after he was formally inducted into the Peoria Rivermen Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the Rivermen game at Carver Arena. Dave Eminian was in his 28th season covering the Peoria Rivermen for the Journal Star at the time of his induction.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Peoria Chiefs players are introduced at the home opener against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Ronan McDaniel, 10, of Peoria gets help putting a sticker from his sister Gwen, 13, and mother Jennifer before walking in the March of the Living to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust on Monday during Holocaust Remembrance Day outside of Congregation Anshai Emeth. Over one hundred people participated in the walk and to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Shadows fall on a fence of those walking in the March of the Living to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust on Monday during Holocaust Remembrance Day outside of Congregation Anshai Emeth. Over one hundred people participated in the walk and to hear the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Blumenthal Lazan.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Brayden Lent, 10, of Dunlap and Aidan Hancock, 10, of Chillicothe look out onto the field during the Peoria Chiefs home opener against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Rivermen defenseman David Shields lays on the ice as he tries to take the puck away from Oklahoma City center Josh Green on Friday night at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Leo Fauser peeks over edge of the railing during the Peoria Chiefs home opener against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Gerwuins Velazco of the Chiefs tags out Parker Berberet of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers during a Midwest League game at Peoria Chiefs Stadium on Sunday. The Chiefs won with a score of 7-2.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Nick Martini of the Chiefs slides into first base after getting checked by Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Jorge Lopez during a Midwest League game at Peoria Chiefs Stadium on Sunday. The Chiefs won with a score of 7-2.
Bathroom window chiaroscuro
I can’t say I like how much I’m paying for rent here in Peoria, but damn, the window light is nice.
Photo gig throwback
Every now and then I find myself going through older external hard drives and reminiscing the old days. For example — for those that don’t know me too well — while my portfolio reflects my interests in photojournalism, I’ve got a whole other portfolio seldom seen. See, before I decided to stick with photojournalism I was a music and fine art photographer. In particular, I shot primarily promotional photos for musical artists for a recording studio in St. Louis and for freelance. So I thought I would share with you all a side of me you might not of know about. Here is a batch of images (not necessarily the best images, just a selection) to give you an idea of what I used to do:
Week 10 at the Journal Star
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Benny Vargas, 8, Emanuel Nunez, 8, and Jose Ortiz, 10, cook tacos on the grill during warmer weather on Saturday afternoon outside a home on the 1000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Zoo educator Lauren Schmidt and Joshua Romain, 9, of Peoria help spread out candy-filled East eggs on Saturday during the annual Easter egg hunt at the Peoria Zoo.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, sophomore Corinne Areos and junior Yasmine Giliana of Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, brush paint on each other while helping paint walls on Sunday at Crittenton Centers. The organization’s break room was getting a make over with the help of players from the Glenbrook South High School softball team and donations provided by Peoria’s Home Depot and East Peoria’s Kohl’s.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Sara Russell, the wife of the late fomer Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell, stands as pallbears move her husband’s casket on Friday during funeral services at Resurrection Cemetery.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Rabbi Daneil Bogard, center, leads a Passover Seder ceremony with the recitation of kiddush, which is a blessing recited over a cup of wine, on Monday in the basement of his home. A Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR A slip of paper with a personal barrier written on it is put in a fire in place of a chametz on Monday during a Seder ceremony in the home of Rabbis Daniel and Karen Bogard. Traditionally chametz — any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their derivatives, which has risen — is forbidden during passover and is sometimes burned.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Pallbearers carry the casket of former Peoria Fire Chief Ernie Russell on Friday morning during funeral services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Russell was 74.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Tyler Shattock (26) of the Rivermen is introduced at the beginning of the game against Toronto on Sunday at Carver Arena. The Rivermen defeated the Marlies 3-2 in a shootout.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Father David Richardson, center, blesses palm leaves during the Palm Sunday service at St. Philomena Church. The ceremony marks the beginning of Holy week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Rabbi Karen Kriger Bogard laughs as her nineteen-month-old son Gavi squints after tasting parsley on Monday during a Seder ceremony in the Bogard home. A Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Mark Buettner holds on to his 9-week-old daughter Gianna while listening to Father David Richardson, not pictured, as he speaks during the Palm Sunday service at St. Philomena Church. The ceremony marks the beginning of Holy week, which concludes on Easter Sunday.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Jordan Davis, a junior at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Illinois, paints a wall while talking with maintenance worker John Burnett on Sunday at Crittenton Centers. The organization’s break room was getting a make over with the help of players from the Glenbrook South High School softball team and donations provided by Peoria’s Home Depot and East Peoria’s Kohl’s.
Morgan Rielly (44) of Toronto eyes a puck in the air on Sunday at Carver Arena. The Rivermen defeated the Marlies 3-2 in a shootout.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left Ron Taxer and Michael Davis perform the Urchatz, which is the washing on one’s hands before the eating of Karpas — an ingredient in the Passover Seder plate —on Monday during a Seder ceremony in the home of Rabbis Daniel and Karen Bogard. A Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Small-school girls basketball POY Taylor McClintock of Illini Bluffs poses with her 3000th point basketball at Illini Bluffs High School.
Rubbing elbows and eating tacos during feature hunting
Today when I was driving to an assignment downtown I drove past a house and noticed a group of people grilling outside. With temperatures well into the lower 50s I knew this would be a standalone feature to have. When I got out of my assignment downtown I drove back to see if the group was still there. They were and so I decided to stop by. While some didn’t want there photo taken others were fine with it — mostly the children, heh. Outside of the photos it was nice to meet to just shoot the breeze with people even though at first were a little bewildered with, “Who the hell is this guy walking over with a camera?” It’s one of my favorite things about this job, just getting out into the community, meeting people and taking some photos along the way. An added plus was one of the family members wants me to do some senior portraits for her daughter AND I might be photographing a quinceañera too!
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Benny Vargas, 8, Emanuel Nunez, 8, and Jose Ortiz, 10, cook tacos on the grill during warmer weather on Saturday afternoon outside a home on the 1000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Manuel Nunez eats a steak taco while barbecuing friends and family during warmer weather on Saturday afternoon outside a home on the 1000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Benny Vargas, 8, left, plays on a bike during warmer weather on Saturday afternoon outside a home on the 1000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Emanuel Nunez and Jose Ortiz cook corn tortillas on the grill during warmer weather on Saturday afternoon outside a home on the 1000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.
I really enjoyed meeting everyone here. It’s one of my favorite parts about this job: just meeting people on the street, holding a conversation outside of being a photographer, but also taking some photos along the way.Everyone was very friendly even if they didn’t want their photo taken. I was offered a steak and jalapeno pepper taco and I even let some of the kids take some photos after they asked how the camera works:
Week 9 at the Journal Star
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Limestone senior Kendall Davis, right, jokes around with junior Cody Rupp, second to right, on Sunday during a pep rally at Limestone Community High School to celebrate the school’s first state trophy in boys basketball after defeating Chicago Orr, 58-49 in the Class 3A state consolation game on Saturday afternoon at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Travis Ledford amps up spectators on Sunday during the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Peoria.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Stevenson fans cheer for their team on Friday at the IHSA Class 4A semifinal game against Edwardsville at Carver Arena. Stevenson defeated Edwardsville 60-49 and advance to the finals on Saturday.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Edwardsville’s Darius Crochrell looks to pass as Stevenson’s Cameron Green defends on Friday at the IHSA Class 4A semifinal game at Carver Arena. Stevenson defeated Edwardsville 60-49 and advance to the finals on Saturday.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Steve Shaw, right, directs students on how not to speak into the microphone on Friday at the Grand Final Bee spelling competition held at the studios of WEEK-TV, Channel 25.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Elker Reed, mother of Cahokia player Darius Austin, shows the hat she made for the tournament on Saturday during the IHSA Class 3A state title game against Chicago Morgan Park at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Cahokia cheerleaders walk on to the court on Saturday during the IHSA Class 3A third place game with Limestone vs. Chicago Orr at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Chris Griggs of Cahokia rolls up a banner after Chicago Morgan Park defeated Cahokia 63-48 on Saturday to win the IHSA Class 3A state title at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Students line up along a wall before entering the studio on Friday before the start of the Grand Final Bee spelling competition held at the studios of WEEK-TV, Channel 25.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR A large Irish flag is carried down Main Street on Sunday during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Peoria.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Imani Strong watches as players are presented with their medals after Chicago Morgan Park defeated Cahokia 63-48 on Saturday to win the IHSA Class 3A state title at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Camryn Collins, 6, rides a horse as her mother Nicki directs them through the crowd on Sunday during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Main Street in downtown Peoria.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR From left, Limestone players Cody Rupp, Terence Shelby and Lorenzo Burns joke around in the dressing room as teams shoot around on Thursday at Carver Arena as they prepare for Class 3A and 4A semifinals that start Friday.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Chicago Morgan Park fans take pictures of the trophy and medal ceremony after Chicago Morgan Park defeated Cahokia 63-48 on Saturday to win the IHSA Class 3A state title at Carver Arena.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Confetti covers the sidewalk on Sunday during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Main Street in downtown Peoria.
NICK SCHNELLE/JOURNAL STAR Darrell Walton of Chicago cheers on Chicago Morgan Park on Saturday during the IHSA Class 3A state title game against Cahokia at Carver Arena.
