Steve Rambach, who has spent all 52 of his education career at Lanphier High School, lit the five candles the public Menorah Lighting as a part of a Hanukkah celebration at White Oaks Mall Thursday.

Chabad of Springfield will have a special public lighting of the menorah at White Oaks Mall (Dick's Sporting Goods Wing) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood of Peoria, who was also a member of Congress representing central Illinois, will be the featured speaker at the annual Abraham Lincoln Association Birthday Banquet Feb. 12 in Springfield.

Happy holidays and merry Christmas! It's that time of year to celebrate many things, and precious time with family is near the top of most "to do" lists!

BLOOMINGTON - For a majority of the first 10 minutes Thursday, the Springfield High School basketball team performed quite well against Metamora's man-to-man defense.

CENTRALIA - Luke Lehnen scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had six assists as Chatham Glenwood High School defeated Marist 49-36 on Thursday in its opening game of the Centralia Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament.

RIVERTON - Jillian Hamilton and Rachel Holthaus both finished in double figures and Pana High School improved to 3-0 in the round-robin tournament of the Riverton Lady Hawks Classic with a 53-43 victory over Hillsboro.

WILLIAMSVILLE - With Wyatt Peek on the floor, Williamsville High School's boys basketball team had a puncher's chance against sixth-seeded Deer Creek-Mackinaw.

PEKIN - In the first half, Lanphier High School's offense was off-kilter as the Lions never found a rhythm.