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

Delaney Wood had 16 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block. Brielle Molloy had nine points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocks. And while Hiawatha lost to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the senior duo have the Hawks ahead of last year's win total.

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.

A St. Charles father and daughter have been named to Northern Illinois University’s inaugural Hall of Fame class for the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

“Right now we have probably the most efficient and high‑powered offense that I’ve ever had,” Ethan Franklin said. But Sycamore’s surge is coming on defense — charges, steals and four straight wins as the Spartans lock in.

A national publication, Food Bank News, named Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Julie Yurko was named 2025 Food Bank Leader of the Year.

A new program has been launched to aid DeKalb County-area elderly residents who need specialized equipment and other health care services.

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

Overall, 184 students completed a program or certificate requirement for the fall 2025 semester.

Austin Roop was in charge on Friday night for Hinckley-Big Rock. The senior guard took four charges and the Royals held on for a 60-57 victory over visiting Indian Creek in Little Ten Conference action.

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

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.

The Village Greek restaurant in downtown Sycamore will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve, said owner Makie Maratos, who also owns Sycamore State Theater next door.

'A Magical Motown Christmas' will perform the music of The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and more at the Egyptian Theatre Friday, Dec. 19.

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

A 66-year-old woman was killed Tuesday after she was struck by a car while attempting to walk across the road near her home in unincorporated Sycamore, authorities said.

Gov. Pritzker on Tuesday signed legislation that raises $1.5 billion to fill a fiscal hole for the Chicago area’s public transit agencies set to kick in next year. Legislation relies on increased sales tax in the Chicago area and a diversion of funds from the state’s Road Fund.

Mendota was hanging around, down 15 in the third quarter. It could have been a lot closer, but Xander Lewis drew charges on back-to-back possessions, steadying Sycamore during a short offensive dry spell in a 71-58 win over the Trojans on Wednesday.

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.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

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.

Staff and teachers, from kindergarten to Sycamore High School, have begun receiving AI video training sessions, according to district documents. District 427 officials hope to begin implementing AI into the classroom during the 2026-2027 school year.

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 DeKalb panel dedicated to amplifying the creative arts is looking to start meeting again monthly in the new year.

The three sophomores on Rochelle’s roster made their presence felt in a big way Monday in the Hubs’ 47-34 home win over Genoa-Kingston in a nonconference matchup.

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 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.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, a Democrat representing parts of Bureau, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Putnam and Will counties, has opened a new constituent office in DeKalb, according to a news release.

An Oswego man was charged this week after a three-day manhunt with federal authorities following a report of a home invasion and domestic battery in Sandwich.

A new shop promising a special curated collection of decoration and design essentials has found a home in the landmark downtown Fargo block in DeKalb, its owner said.

The facility, 220 College Ave. in DeKalb, will serve area youth ages 14 to 18 and be the first of its kind in DeKalb County.

Kishwaukee College nursing students were honored during a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 at the college.

A DeKalb man was jailed and denied release this week after being accused of sexually abusing a minor in a Walmart bathroom in December 2024, according to court records. Police said he had a history of approaching minors at the DeKalb Walmart.

Grace Brunscheen's 3-pointer with 1:27 left put Kaneland on top, the 18th and final lead change in the Knights 56-51 win over the Spartans. Brunscheen, back from an injury, was used sparingly early before her fourth-quarter heroics.

DeKalb County has warming centers throughout DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa free to use and open to all looking for shelter during the cold season and winter weather.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb will host an indoor farmers and artisans market fundraiser Saturday, meant to raise funds to finance a new roof.

Malta United Methodist Church, 201 E. Sprague St, at the corner of South Third Street and Sprague, is hosting its annual Cookie Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the church Fellowship Hall.

Though a groundbreaking already marked the ceremonial start to a new facility for a DeKalb-based domestic violence crisis shelter, the nonprofit behind the build still needs final approval from the city for construction. The amended plan will go before a city commission on Monday

A DeKalb man who was shot by police during a confrontation after he wielded a knife inside a car dealership won’t spend any time in prison, though he pleaded guilty this week to attempted armed robbery, court records show.

Elementary school students have been announced as winners of a Genoa holiday coloring contest and got to meet Santa Claus this month.

Area nonprofits that offer programming for DeKalb County youth are invited to apply for grant funding.

Column: With only a few short days to prepare for the championship games, which were rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau team stepped up to assist