Here’s what’s happening at Somonauk Public Library in January:

AARP’s Tax–Aide will offer a free tax return preparation program for 2026 for area residents ages 50 and older. The program will be available at five locations in DeKalb, La Salle, Genoa, and Sycamore.

A fire that started in a water heater closet inside an apartment building in DeKalb late Thursday initially displaced seven residents, authorities said. As of Friday afternoon, only one resident from one unit remains displaced, said Acting Fire Chief Luke Howieson.

To mark our 175th anniversary at Shaw Media, we looked back at how the “day after” was covered across four different decades. In 1975, the paper focused on a panel formed to rewrite city water rates and welcomed “Jeremy,” the first DeKalb baby born in 1975

A developer wants to install an industrial and commercial business park with travel center, a gas station and convenience store along Peace Road in DeKalb. The plan is being called the DeKalb Commerce Center, documents show.

After years of delays, a developer is expected to present his final plan to turn the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital on Fisk Avenue in DeKalb into an apartment building.

Column: The DeKalb Citizens’ Environmental Commission will launch a Green Business Recognition Program in early 2026 to encourage and celebrate businesses that take meaningful steps toward sustainability, writes Linda Srygler and Shaun Langley.

Applications are available for KVAL’s 55th annual Northern Illinois Art Show

DeKalb police are asking for the public’s help in an investigation of a reported burglary in the Summit Enclave subdivision on Christmas Day.

2025 Year in Review: From data centers to local protests, major trials and more, here are some top news stories that made headlines in DeKalb County this year

Year in Review: The city of DeKalb welcomed a variety of new businesses in 2025.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 21-27. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

2025 Year in Review: These feel-good, unique and community-focused news stories made headlines in DeKalb County this year for highlighting major wins, triumph over adversity and neighbors celebrating neighbors.

Check out some of the top news and feature pictures captured Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025

Kishwaukee College recently celebrated 115 graduating students.

The Indian Valley Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming performances of “Birthday Club.”

Check out some of the best sports images captured by Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025.

DeKalb Township will partner with the Northwestern Medicine advance care-planning team to offer residents ages 18 and older one-on-one advance care-planning sessions.

Businesses came and went in DeKalb this year, Here’s a look at a few changes:

Shaw Local photographers across northern Illinois captured some amazing moments this year, including the excitement and drama of high school sports, the hometown pride of a summer festival, and the reality of the news events that shaped our communities. Together, these images preserve not just what happened in 2025, but how it felt to live in the towns and neighborhoods we call home.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a workshop for adults to learn how to care for houseplants during the winter.

Here’s where Rooted for Good's DeKalb County area mobile food pantry will make stops in January. The pantry offers free food for all in need, no questions asked.

Yes, you can recycle your used Christmas tree. Here’s how if you live in DeKalb County.

If there’s a group that can compete with the Christmastime goodwill of Santa Claus, it’s the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore – a volunteer group that distributed thousands of gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation recently awarded $124,250 in program enhancement funds for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Teenagers in sixth through 12th grades are invited to sound off against DeKalb Public Library teen staff in various games to celebrate winter break.

Adults 18 and older will be able to create personalized take-home dryer balls during a hands-on program at the DeKalb Public Library.

DeKalb School District 428 has its finalist for new superintendent, and its a familiar face, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Trees were lit, parades were held and snow even made a major appearance in early December. Though this Christmas may not be white, festivities throughout DeKalb County spread holiday cheer in communities near and far. Take a look back at some highlights:

A longtime Sycamore educator’s life and legacy is being honored with a new endowment fund.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized 26 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 14-20. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Seventeen-year-old Diego Garcia-Barranco had never been outside the country, let alone flown in a plane, until last month. The DeKalb High School senior’s first flight took him to new heights during a school trip to perform in Prague, Czech Republic.

The DeKalb Public Library will host an event for disabled residents ages 16 and older and their caregivers to socialize and interact with each other.

Children ages four to 13 can celebrate the winter solstice during a program at the DeKalb Public Library.

DeKalb School District 428 has agreed to buy more Chromebooks for incoming students headed for first, fifth and ninth grade, as well as replacement devices for staff.

The DeKalb School District 428 Board approved a property tax levy for 2025 this week, accounting for an increase to health insurance premiums, loss of transportation reimbursement payments from the state and other costs expected in the new year.

The DeKalb County History Center’s new $1.8 million outdoor expansion is expected to open in May.

Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center, is one step closer to tying up the final step needed to build a new facility in DeKalb.

A DeKalb commission, tasked with advising the City Council on planning and zoning matters, has voted in support of a pair of measures to allow a special education day school in town.

Column: Elevate, DeKalb County's young professionals program, is getting a reboot, writes Jessi Haish LaRue. The group helps young people feel connected where they live and work – because when people are engaged and invested, they’re more likely to stay and build their lives here

A new veterans service and veteran impact organization is expected to open up soon in DeKalb’s Junction Shopping Center. Also on site at 854 W. Lincoln Highway is the nonprofit home of Made In DeKalb, a new training center for customized textile manufacturing.

A private therapeutic day school for students with special needs could relocate to DeKalb on North Sixth Street, according to a development proposal headed to the city for review this week.

The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center recently announced the schedule for its 2026 Soup-er Sundays winter lecture series that focuses on local history and preservation.

The Hampshire couple behind a popular Elgin gym has expanded their claim to fame with a new location in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold a tribute program to Redford on Thursday, Dec. 18.

The United Church of Sandwich’s United Kids After School program recently filled Operation Christmas Boxes as part of a Samaritan’s Purse project.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 7-13. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

After repeated delays, plans to redevelop the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital building into apartments in DeKalb may be a go.

The DeKalb City Council greenlighted its 2026 spending plan for approval during its Dec. 8 meeting.