Nonprofit leaders, volunteers and board members from throughout DeKalb County will gather Sept. 24 for Nonprofit Day at Faranda’s Banquet Center in DeKalb.

In its 26th year, the annual FNBO Challenge showcased school spirit and community support at NIU Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Park District will hold its 20th annual DeKalb Kite Fest next week. Highlights include giant inflatable kites and seasonal activities such as a kite-themed craft station.

Adults will be able to trade in lightly used clothing and swap houseplants during a monthly sustainability swap at the DeKalb Public Library.

Plans for a Marriott-branded hotel were met favorably by DeKalb city leaders this week, as project leaders sought a proposed tax-sharing agreement after the hotel developer blamed tariffs and inflation for rising construction costs. A final vote is expected in September.

The September Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore Series at the DeKalb County History Center will feature a program on the city of Sycamore’s Good Tymes picnics.

That project, a 5-megawatt commercial solar energy system, is expected to be situated on a 40-acre property on the west side of Polk Road in Genoa Township, according to documents submitted to the county.

Northern Illinois University’s WNIJ and WNIU will hold a Weekend of Action to increase public radio support Sept 6 and 7.

The Sycamore school board is again seeking bids to purchase the nearly 100-year-old building that formerly housed Sycamore’s Central School, according to district documents. “At this point, the building is costing us money and we’re not utilizing it,” Alan Zantout said.

The Indian Valley Theatre will hold melodrama performances of “Ghosts and Gold” and “Tillie the Teller” at the Sandwich Fair.

A man died Saturday after a vehicle he was driving collided with a passing train in DeKalb, Police Chief David Byrd said.

The DeKalb Public Library will host two produce swaps for residents to shop for and swap produce.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news and sports in minutes for the week of Aug. 24-30. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a watershed stewardship program for community members in September at locations in Genoa and Sycamore.

Adults with low intermediate or higher English-speaking levels can practice speaking and learning English during classes at the DeKalb Public Library.

The annual Sycamore Chalk Walk is set for Sept. 13 in downtown Sycamore. That and more September happenings with the Kishwaukee Valley Art League here

Discussions about constructing a possible roundabout at the intersection of Normal and Dresser roads in DeKalb are preliminary, DeKalb city attorney Matt Rose said.

Mosquitoes collected in Sandwich city limits have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to a Thursday DeKalb County Health Department announcement.

Explore Mr. Willy’s Dark Art and Oddities in DeKalb, showcasing unique relics and art. The shop is tentatively expected to open this fall.

Greg Spears, Ken Spears Construction president, and his parents and company founders, Ken and Kathy Spears sat down to talk about the businesses 50 years in DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently was chosen as a grant recipient to aid rural communities through a partnership with Compeer Financial.

Catholic church leaders in northern Illinois have asked schools in their dioceses to review security policies as they pray for those affected by a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis.

Still awaiting federal dollars, the Voluntary Action Center has had to seek financial assistance from DeKalb County to cover expenses for nutritional programs, according to county documents.

The Warehouse on Park in Genoa presents "Brass from the Past" on Saturday, Aug. 30.

Looking for something fun to do in DeKalb County this fall? Check out this list of family-friendly events.

A Sycamore family-run Italian restaurant will close its doors for good on Saturday, owner Maria Male announced.

The Sycamore Community School District 427 administrator tasked with filling in for former superintendent Steve Wilder will retain that role through the school year, the district announced Wednesday.

Construction of DeKalb's first Marriott hotel is now underway. DeKalb officials this week touted the build as a way to enhance local tourism and events.

Ken Spears Construction celebrates 50 years of remodeling services in DeKalb.

A Cortland man who appeared in front of a judge Wednesday with his head bandaged has been charged with a hate crime following a bloody attack in DeKalb that police said was provoked by the man yelling racial slurs.

DeKalb city leaders are pushing for state pension reform to help shore up what they call “structural problems” in their 2026 budget.

Column: We’re wrapping up an eventful summer in DeKalb County and heading into the fall season with even more to experience, writes Alexis Aviles of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A DeKalb man who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs when he rear-ended a DeKalb County sheriff’s vehicle, killing deputy Christina Musil, was sentenced by a judge Tuesday to 14 years in prison.

A 13-year-old suffered injuries and was hospitalized Tuesday evening after they collided with a vehicle while riding a bicycle in rural Somonauk, authorities said.

Nathan P. Sweeney, of DeKalb, tearfully apologized to the family of the late DeKalb County sheriff’s Deputy Christina Musil at his sentencing on Tuesday in Sycamore.

Nathan P. Sweeney, 45, of DeKalb, was sentenced to 14 years in prison Tuesday, at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore, for driving under the influence of drugs and causing the March 2024 crash that killed DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy Christina Musil.

A motorcycle club recently raised hundreds of dollars for the Sycamore chapter of Project Fire Buddies, a nonprofit that helps families with children battling illness.

Two years after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, the Trump administration is threatening to revoke federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail.The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice condemned the action.

A hotelier is asking for DeKalb city financial aid to construct a four-story, Marriott-branded hotel, blaming “current economic conditions, tariffs and inflation” for increasing his cost to build, documents show.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently welcomed Scott Gulke as its new finance director.

The Kishwaukee College SkillsUSA chapter recently earned several state and national title medals during the annual SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership and Skills Conference.

The owner of DeKalb-based business, Wreckroom, is organizing support for Rockford mother Emily Vangorkum after the mother's recent hardships.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently awarded $30,000 in 2025 Spinoso Masters scholarships to four local students pursuing postgraduate degrees.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold an international cheese tasting for residents to sample various international cheeses.

A roundabout at Lucinda Avenue and Normal Road on Northern Illinois University campus opened to motorists this week in time for the fall semester.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news and sports in minutes for the week of Aug. 17-23. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Check out some of the top pictures captured by Daily Chronicle photographers for Shaw Local News Network this week: Aug. 16-23, 2025.

“Bake It Til You Make It” tells the story of Yolanda, who always dreamed of becoming a celebrity baker

U.S. Rep. Underwood discusses redistricting and Israel-Hamas conflict at DeKalb town hall.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a craft swap for adults and teens to shop for and donate craft supplies.