Dominant Hornets: Heyworth Rolls Over Clinton 58-6 Lucas Bartels (2) finds more yards behind his blocker.   (Photo by Alan Look) Friday night under the lights in Heyworth was a relentless statement performance from start to finish. The Heyworth Hornets put on an absolute clinic on their home field, delivering a 58-6 powerhouse victory over the visiting Clinton Maroons. Braydon Laesch gets past Cole Thomas.   (Photo by Alan Look) From the opening whistle, Heyworth controlled every phase of the game. The offense moved the ball almost at will, stacking up unanswered touchdowns and pulling away early, which brought the IHSA running clock into play for the second half. On the defensive side, the Hornets were overwhelming, forcing turnovers and shutting down Clinton’s drive momentum snap after snap. To their credit, Clinton kept fighting to put points on the board late, but the night belonged entirely to Heyworth, whose depth, execution, and explosive energy set a high bar for the r...

Tough Night for Raiders: NCHS Dominates BHS in Crosstown Rivalry  Photos by Alan Look Photography The scoreboard at the end of Friday night’s Bloomington-Normal crosstown rivalry told a stark, uncompromising story: Normal Community High School 47, Bloomington High School 4. By the end of the third quarter, the IHSA running clock was already in motion, turning the rest of the game into a swift formality. For BHS, finding traction against a juggernaut NCHS roster proved near-impossible. In a twist as rare as the final score itself, Bloomington’s four points came entirely courtesy of two safeties—a testament to relentless defensive pressure when pinned near the endzone, even as offensive rhythmic momentum remained out of reach. Yet, amid the brutal reality of the scoreline, the true heart of football showed up on the Purple Raiders' sideline. Veteran legendary head coach Norm Eash was present in a supporting role, offering his vast wealth of knowledge, guiding eyes, and assistance to ...

  Burning Alcohol and Big Dreams: The Heartbeat of Drag Racing at Midstate Dragway                                                                      Alan Look Photography - www.alanlook.com Before the mega-sponsors, the stadium seating, and the thunderous roar of nitro-burning Top Fuel monsters echoing on national television, every legend in drag racing starts in the exact same place. They start at small, local tracks tucked away off county highways. Places like Midstate Dragway near Havana, Illinois, where the pavement tells a thousand stories and the love of speed is passed down like a family heir. On a hot, humid afternoon, these grassroots strips come alive with a sensory overload that stirs instant nostalgia. It’s the sweet, sharp sting of burning alcohol fuel hanging thick in the heavy summer air, the...

 Sounds of the Streets: Capturing the Energy at Make Music Normal 2026 Photos by  Alan Look Photography Uptown Normal was absolutely electric as the 12th annual  Make Music Normal  festival transformed the heart of the town into a massive, multi-stage walking concert.   Produced by Normal LIVE and presented by CEFCU, this massive celebration of grassroots music brought over 50 local and regional acts right to the streets across six dedicated stages.   From acoustic roots to driving rock-and-roll, the sheer variety of local talent on display proved exactly why the Bloomington-Normal music scene continues to punch well above its weight. Walking through the festival grounds, it was impossible not to feel the community spirit.  Beyond the scheduled sets, the interactive open mic and jam stages allowed everyday music lovers and unexpected weekend warriors to jump up, grab a microphone, and showcase their skills.  Whether capturing the massive crowds pa...

Images by Alan Look Photography  There is an old saying that music heals the parts of the soul that medicine cannot reach. Yesterday, at the 2026 Freedom Sings USA Veterans’ Songwriting Retreat in Heyworth, Illinois, that truth was on full display as local Marine Corps veteran Sean Tibbs of El Paso paired up with hit Nashville songwriter Bobby Tomberlin to turn a heavy military journey into a powerful piece of musical art. Tibbs, known locally as a dedicated Teledata electrician with IBEW Local 197, originally stepped away from his civilian life and apprenticeship around 2009 to answer the call of duty. Deploying to Afghanistan for a grueling nine-month tour, Tibbs served with honor, returning home in 2010 to present his union with a U.S. flag flown during a combat mission over enemy territory. While Tibbs successfully transitioned back into civilian life—graduating his apprenticeship in 2016 and continuing his trade—the invisible weight of deployment never truly disappears. That i...

 Route 66 Thunder: The 2026 Hot Rod Power Tour Awakens McLean County Images by Alan Look Photography There is a specific kind of magic that happens when thousands of American horses wake up at sunrise, and this morning, McLean County had a front-row seat to the symphony. As part of the historic Route 66 Centennial celebrations, the  2026 Hot Rod Power Tour  turned the local pavement into the world’s largest rolling automotive festival.  For gearheads and Mother Road purists alike, this morning's leg was nothing short of a religious experience.  An estimated  5,000 to 6,000 classic cars, custom hot rods, and high-octane muscle machines  filled the horizon, converting a routine Wednesday commute into a living, breathing timeline of American horsepower. The caravan rolled into the county via Route 136, making its unmistakable presence known through Heyworth and into the Village of McLean. Lawns were lined with folding chairs, and local folks stood shoulde...

Chrome and Chords on Route 66: The Atlanta Car Show and Cruise In Images by Alan Look Photography The classic lines of historic cars blended seamlessly with the preserved vintage architecture of downtown Atlanta, Illinois, today as the annual Atlanta Car Show and Cruise In took place along Route 66. The central gathering point near the landmark Arch Street structures filled early with a diverse array of restored vehicles, ranging from gleaming mid-century American muscle cars to meticulously detailed antique models. Under a clear afternoon sky, visitors walked along the rows of polished chrome, custom paintwork, and open hoods that put vintage engineering on full display. The event brought together automotive collectors from across Logan and McLean counties, providing an opportunity to share the histories behind individual restoration projects and rare vehicle models. The lively atmosphere was enhanced by the rhythm of the Blono Boogie Band. Performing from the central stage area, the ...

  Heartland Awakening: The First Turn of the Soil The earth is finally waking up. After months of winter silence, the Heartland landscape is transforming as the sun breaks through the haze, warming soil that has been locked in frost since late last year. There is a specific energy to this time of season—a mixture of urgency and optimism—as the rhythmic rumble of diesel engines replaces the quiet of the dormant fields. Standing at the edge of the field, you can practically smell the change in the air. It’s the scent of damp, freshly overturned earth and the crisp breeze of a central Illinois spring. I find myself back in my element, camera in hand, documenting the stark transition from the monochrome grays of winter to the rich, dark textures of a seedbed being born. Photos by Alan Look . Soul of the Heartland. alanlook.com. The centerpiece of the scene is the machinery—a powerful tractor, tracks caked in the honest mud of a day’s labor, pulling a massive harrow across the horizon....

  Umpire Absence Turns Millikin–Eureka Softball Matchup Into the Quietest Game of the Season Graphic by Alan Look Photography EUREKA, Ill. — Wednesday’s scheduled Millikin University at Eureka College women’s softball game had everything a spring matchup could ask for: warm weather, a prepped field, two teams ready to compete, and fans settling in for an afternoon of collegiate action. What it did not have was arguably the most important ingredient of all — umpires. The field sat ready, the dugouts were stocked, and the players completed their warmups with the usual focus. But as the minutes ticked toward game time, it became clear that the only people prepared to call balls and strikes were spectators in lawn chairs. Somewhere in the labyrinth of scheduling, confirmations, and calendars, the umpiring crew simply wasn’t assigned. With no officials available to oversee play, the day took an unexpected turn. After evaluating the situation, Millikin chose not to proceed with an infor...

  Two Veterans, Two Wars, One Album: Freedom Sings USA Releases “Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1” Photo by Alan Look Photography HEYWORTH, Ill. — The newest Freedom Sings USA album, Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1, released March 14, 2026, brings together the voices of Illinois veterans whose stories span more than eight decades of American military history. Among them are two men whose service could not be more different in era or battlefield, yet whose songs now stand side by side: World War II veteran Paul Petry and Vietnam War helicopter pilot Cpt. David E. Henard. Freedom Sings USA, a national nonprofit that pairs veterans with professional songwriters to turn their life stories into original music. Each track on the album is written with the veteran, drawn directly from their own spoken memories, and performed by either the veteran or a collaborating artist. --- A 99‑Year‑Old WWII Veteran Tells His Story in “Since the Beginning” At 99 years old, Paul Petry is one of the last living m...

  Sideline Etiquette: Don’t Be That Guy Graphic by Alan Look Photography Every sideline has that guy . You know the one. Photographers are quietly tracking the play, waiting for the moment… and suddenly that guy appears and manages to ruin 12 people’s shots in a single motion. It’s almost impressive. If you're new to the sideline — or you just want to make sure nobody secretly hopes you step in a sprinkler — here’s a quick guide. Don’t Stand in Front of People Already Shooting If a photographer is kneeling or sitting, they chose that spot for a reason. Walking in front of them during a play means they now have a beautiful sequence of action shots featuring… you. Don’t Steal Someone’s Spot A bag, stool, monopod, or suspiciously flattened patch of grass is basically a territorial marker. If someone leaves for two minutes and comes back to find you there, you might be that guy. If You're Tall… Be Self ■ Aware If you're tall and stand up during a big play, congratulations — y...

  Redhawks Rule the Roost in 4A Championship Clash CHAMPAIGN  — In a defensive masterclass that would make the old-timers nod in approval, the Marist Redhawks stifled the Benet Academy Redwings, 44-28, to claim the IHSA 4A crown on Lou Henson Court. It was a contest where every bucket felt earned and the hardwood of the State Farm Center served as a lonely place for shooters in a chilly second frame. Photos by Alan Look Photography The Redhawks relied on a balanced attack and a punishing defensive front that held Benet to just 28 points on 28.9% shooting. Charles Barnes Jr. led the Marist charge, tallying 13 points and proving nearly automatic from the charity stripe with a perfect 7-for-7 performance. When the Redwings threatened, Stephen Brown anchored the interior, chipping in 8 points and hauling down 8 rebounds to keep the Lisle squad from finding their rhythm. For Benet Academy, the afternoon proved a difficult struggle against the Marist length. After a promising first ...

  Flyers Ground Warriors in Physical 3A Battle CHAMPAIGN  — In a contest defined by grit and second-chance opportunities, the East St. Louis Flyers outlasted the Deerfield Warriors, 52-46, on the hallowed hardwood of the State Farm Center. It was a blue-collar performance for the Flyers, who used a relentless assault on the offensive glass to secure the victory in this IHSA 3A matchup. Photos by Alan Look Photography The Flyers took control early, establishing a 17-13 lead by the end of the first period. While Deerfield found success with efficient shooting—hitting 50% of their field goals for the game—they simply could not keep the Flyers off the boards. East St. Louis hauled in 18 offensive rebounds, a staggering figure that translated into 19 second-chance points, nearly quadruple the production of their opponents in that category. Jamison White proved to be the engine for the East St. Louis offense, leading all scorers with 19 points and dominating the glass with 17 reboun...

Washington Lady Panthers Secure Historic 3A State Title Over Chatham Glenwood Photography by Alan Look Photography  The journey to the top of Illinois high school basketball reached its pinnacle on Saturday at CEFCU Arena, as the  Washington Lady Panthers  captured the program’s first-ever state championship. Facing off against a resilient  Chatham Glenwood  squad in the IHSA Class 3A final, Washington utilized a balanced offensive attack and a clinical defensive performance to secure a 60-45 victory. The win marks a historic milestone for the Panthers, who improved upon their third-place finish from the previous season to claim the ultimate prize in Normal. Washington established control early, finishing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead and extending that margin to 34-22 by halftime. The Panthers’ shooting was particularly sharp in the second frame, where they hit 75% of their field goal attempts.  Avery Tibbs  anchored the Washington offense, deli...