Our photos of the week

Steve Nagy/BND - U.S. Steel in Granite City

Steve Nagy/BND - Doug May of Collinsville talks after his shift while outside the U.S. Steel Corp. plant in Granite City Wednesday. May is a crane operator in the basic oxygen furnace and has worked there for thirty-five years.

Tim Vizer/BND - The home's dining area.

Provided to BND - Kevin Ross, left, and Darren Rueter, holding the antlers of the doe.

Derik Holtmann/BND - Tina Markovich lights a candle for Keith Allen Croffoot who was diagnosed with AIDS when he was 5 years old and died in 2007.

Paul Baillargeon/BND - Jordan Haar works on his Eagle Scout project, planting a shrub at the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway and Route 13.

Tim Vizer/BND - The Santa Claus Parade began at 17th and West Main Streets, and stretched for many city blocks in length.

Steve Nagy/BND - Megan Fitzgerald of Alton plots her next move after loading a home theater speaker system into her cart at Best Buy in Fairview Heights.

Tim Vizer/BND - Dancers from the Adams School of Dance shake metallic pom-pons as they march in the Santa Claus Parade.

Tim Vizer/BND - Santa and Mrs. Claus waves to the crowd as their sleigh float passes through downtown Belleville's Public Square during the annual Santa Claus Parade.