The GPS Parent Series will present Empowering Athletes: Fostering Confidence for Peak Performance with former Division I athlete and author Kirsten Jones at noon and 7 p.m. Jan. 21 via Zoom.

In an emotional speech this week, Billy Hueramo accepted his newly approved contract as superintendent of DeKalb School District 428 schools. “I just want to thank everyone,” he said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”

The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Soup-er Sunday series will return with a “Restoring Heritage: The Glidden Barn Revival” program led by historic preservationist Roger Keys.

Chapter DX of P.E.O. International recently partnered with Jazz in Progress to hold a monetary and food donations collection during the band’s third annual Christmas concert.

“Are You Ready For It: A Taylor Swift Experience” will headline the Sandwich Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

Construction at the site of the former St. Mary’s Hospital in DeKalb could be a go after repeated delays.

Hope Cancer Wellness Center is hosting a golf tournament fundraiser March 1 at X-Golf Sauk Valley at 13464 Galt Road in Sterling.

Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., where the corn is grown, harvested and distilled on-site, once again earned top honors at the Heartland Whiskey Competition as Best-in-State for Illinois.

DuPage County Stormwater Management is accepting applications for its new Cost-Share Drainage Assistance Program.

St. Francis High School is searching for a new leader following the announcement last week that school President Phil Kerr will retire at the end of the school year.

West Suburban Community Pantry is among five local recipients of DuPage Foundation emergency funds to help address rising hunger in DuPage County.

A Cortland man running in a contested primary race for the DeKalb County Board formally announced his campaign Sunday. Devon Wilcox is running as a Democrat to represent District 5.

Under Wheaton’s newly approved 2026 budget, the city will borrow money to fund a police station remodel and the complete replacement of a fire station.

Flu activity in suburban Cook County elevated from high to very high for the week ending Dec. 27, and continues to increase, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health’s respiratory surveillance data.

Nazareth Academy to continue Parent Speaker Series in 2026

Master gardener Cindy Crosby will speak on “Bison Tales and Tall Grass Trails” at the Jan. 23 meeting on the Lombard Garden Club.

Column: The new year offers several opportunities filled with new beginnings, self-care and thrilling adventures. Geneva Restaurant Week kicks off the chamber's 2026 events Jan. 17-25. More to come in 2026

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.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a hygge program as part of its Hygge Happiness series this month. Hygge is a Danish word used to describe the creation of a cozy, warm and inviting atmosphere.

Column: When you’re in the zone, you know it. It may be fleeting, but when it’s there, it’s as clear as a sunny day, writes Joan Budilovsky.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a workshop for community members to learn how to transcribe the National Archives original documents as part of the America 250 initiative.

Adults experiencing loss and grief can attend two grief support group sessions offered in January at the DeKalb Public Library.

The DeKalb Area Women’s Center will offer a “The Lost Goddess Cultures of Old Europe” educational presentation for adults to learn about neolithic old Europe people.

From elections and major developments to big hires and more, here’s some DeKalb County news we’re keeping an eye on in 2026:

Kishwaukee College will host a Discover Kish event for new students and their families to learn about and explore the college. The Jan. 7 event includes a resource fair.

The following seven area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

The Henry C. Adams Memorial Library, 209 W. Third St., Prophetstown, held a Christmas Coloring Contest that started Nov. 26 and the winner was announced Dec. 29.

Campbell Brock, a mechanical engineering major from Port Byron, was one of several members of the Space Raiders, Milwaukee School of Engineering's Lunabotics student organization, who were recently featured on a low-orbit space satellite.

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.

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

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

The first-time parents of the first baby to be born in DeKalb County in 2026 drove their child home to Hinckley on Friday.

DuPage County forest preserve officials have adopted a $151 million budget that calls for new or continuing habitat restoration projects, improvements to one of the district’s historic properties and a golf course revamp.

A group of Downers Grove Township residents want to create a township 708 Mental Health Board and are working toward putting a referendum question on the November ballot

The Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE) has named Kristen Ninni as its new executive director

The Glen Ellyn Park District will host two community donation drives in January at Ackerman SFC to support local food pantry and blood donation needs

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

Woodlawn Arts Academy students will be showing off their theater and music skills this winter, with performances of “Mary Poppins Jr.” and winter music recitals both set for January.

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.

Riverdale Middle School in Port Byron is announcing the students making first-quarter straight A, honor roll and perfect attendance lists.

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.

Start the New Year off with a winter hike in one of DeKalb County's forest preserves.

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

Here are some of the top images we captured from news and events that happened across Kendall County in 2025

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

Join the Tri-County Opportunities Council in partnership with the Northland Mall for the second annual Frosty Fun-Day Family Fun Fair on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Northland Mall in Sterling.

Come join the Amboy community for a delicious bowl of chili and great fellowship from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, as the Lee Center Church and Amboy Lions play host to the Chili Luncheon & Basket Raffle at the Amboy Community Building, 280 W. Wasson Road.

Now days, we take it for granted that the United States flag belongs in front of our schools, post offices, and other public structures—not to mention in front of so many private homes.

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

Lydea King participated in the 151st Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wisconsin. King, from Rock Falls, is a member of wind orchestra and philharmonic orchestra.