The city of Sterling and Sterling Main Street are proud to announce the installation of a new series of banners along the First Avenue Bridge in celebration of the upcoming America 250 commemoration.

The DeKalb County History Center's campus expansion project renovated the corn crib into an outdoor music and gathering venue. The venue space will be used for the Sycamore Farmers Market, community programs and live performances.

The DeKalb County Forty and Eight, Voiture 207 will hold its annual Mayors’ Memorial Day Breakfast for community members to celebrate Memorial Day.

The RTW Veteran Center will offer residents a luncheon as part of the America 250 DeKalb Memorial Day celebration.

Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser is seeking to rally support for a proposed $11 million healthcare development that would modernize the former Sycamore Kindred Hospital building after the property’s former owners signaled opposition to the facility’s revival

DeKalb County-area cities, veterans groups and organizers will host Memorial Day events throughout the county for the public to honor all deceased service members. Here's what's happening Monday

Here's a schedule of Memorial Day observances taking place Monday in the Sauk Valley.

Montmorency Community School District in Rock Falls recently announced its eighth grade awards honorees.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center has been recognized as one of the nation’s cleanest hospitals, earning a 5‑star cleanliness rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The Iowans will be at the next live Music @ the Museum event taking place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the Savanna Museum & Cultural Center.

A jury trial expected to begin this week for a former DeKalb middle school student teacher accused of grooming and sexually abusing a student has been delayed again, court records show.

Expect patriotic pumpkins to line the walkways of the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn this October, thanks to a timely idea from North Grove Elementary School student Rayna Hochstatter, 9.

Stage Coach Players presents "A Streetcar Named Desire" May 22-24.

A $165.4 million drafted budget for fiscal 2027 is expected to be considered by the DeKalb School District 428 school board this summer.

Cash prizes are up for grabs for the winners of Woodlawn Arts Academy’s 18th annual Juried Art Exhibit. The academy is now accepting fine art and photography entries from adults as well as children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Column: "Put the reminders in the calendar and dust off the inflatables," writes Melissa Rubalcaba Riske for the St. Charles Park District.

The city of Joliet held its Memorial Day service to remember and honor those who died in service of the county at the City Square downtown on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd reflects on five years as the city's top cop: “DeKalb was where I wanted to be, and it’s because of those officers who are already working here,” he said. “I’m just happy I’m here.”

A proposed renovation that would transform the interior of the former Central School building in downtown Sycamore into more than a dozen apartment units has the approval of the Sycamore City Council.

A national chicken brand could soon have a new kitchen out of DeKalb to serve up good eats, if the advice of the Planning and Zoning Commission holds this week.

This summer, WQPT PBS invites families to join its “Summer of Adventure” tour, featuring guest appearances at library story times and community events throughout the region.

Central College in Pella hosted a Celebration of Undergraduate Inquiry to showcase the many research and creative projects by Central students during the 2025-26 academic year.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists will offer two “Stretch, Play, Recover: Pickleball Tips” next month in Genoa and Sycamore for community members to learn more about the sport.

Dawn Rath of Mount Carroll achieved 40 years of continued service with the USDA-Farm Service Agency on March 15 in Mount Carroll.

Luis Maldonado, who opened Ikal Y Sanse in Campton Hills last August, bought a second Mexican eatery, Barrio Taqueria & Cocina in Carol Stream. The spot even offers a special limited menu for dogs

Hinckley residents will soon have one less local sit-down dining option now that the people behind Good Times Grill have decided to permanently close the restaurant. The kitchen will remain open for two local food trucks and catering.

In front of the family of Gary and Holly Schmidt, who were found killed in their home in September 2025, their son, the man authorities allege is responsible, was found unfit to stand trial on Monday.

To get more information about the important part that “smithing” played in the Sauk Valley area, come to the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, to hear Greg Dutchoff, a local blacksmith, speak.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 15 to 26 during the Memorial Day travel period.

A young Wheaton mom never expected a melanoma diagnosis, and now she's spreading the word to others to protect their skin.

The DeKalb Farmers Market recently announced it was selected as a grant recipient through Compeer Financial’s Compeer Giving program. The grant will support efforts to strengthen local farmers and community connections.

The Whiteside Area Career Center’s Health Occupations students have earned a 100% pass rate on the Certified Nursing Assistant exam, according to a news release.

Sycamore Central School could become a downtown apartment building, depending on the whims of the Sycamore City Council on Monday.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy awarded $19,200 in grants to support projects and programs serving youth across DeKalb County.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a watershed stewardship program beginning May 26 in Genoa for community members in the summer.

The Yorkville Public Library is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Curbside service is available.

Column: It was the commission’s honor to celebrate and recognize DeKalb area community members, businesses and organizations showing leadership in sustainability practices, writes Linda Srygler of the city's Citizens' Environmental Commission.

The Geneva Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the grand opening of Savia Cafe and Bakery.

The public’s voice has been heard, and choices have emerged for the name of the new pedestrian bridge in Dixon. Now is the chance to vote from the final list of names.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is encouraging students across the 37th District to stay engaged this summer by participating in his annual Summer Reading Program.

The National Association of County Engineers recently presented the 2026 Urban County Engineer of the Year Award to DeKalb County Engineer Nathan Schwartz.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold a meeting of its Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Book Club for adults to discuss peculiar fiction and nonfiction books.

The city of DeKalb reached an agreement this week to purchase the vacant Monat Building from Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies for $1, part of a larger plan to expand downtown parking options.

Potential plans for an Olive Garden restaurant to come to Sycamore remain hinged on a land sale that hasn’t happened yet, Sycamore City Manager Michael Hall said.

Ermira Ramadani, an intensive care unit nurse at OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, has been recognized with a DAISY Award for providing extraordinary compassionate care for a patient and his family.

Sterling American Legion Post 296 is inviting the public to a Memorial Day ceremony to salute veterans who have died. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. May 25 at the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

The ongoing saga dating back to a 2024 property code citation of the city of Geneva vs. Shodeen Development over the 1840s remnant limestone blacksmith shop continues.

Movie in the Park will feature “Disney Pixar Cars” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

Plans to redevelop a former Advance Auto Parts store along Sycamore Road in DeKalb into a restaurant with a drive-thru are in the works. Pappas Development will present the proposal Monday to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission

Rock Falls High School recently released the names of the graduating students who have earned awards, honors and scholarships.