Playing at professional baseball's highest level was a feat achieved by five people born in Lee County: Lou Bevilacqua of Nelson, George Bristow of Paw Paw, Betty Degner of Amboy, Leroy Herrmann of Steward and Frank Shaughnessy of Amboy.

Take the opportunity to make new, healthier habits for you and your pets in the new year.

Don't let the wintertime blues drag you down. Find out how to break through and balance the spectrum of your health.

Find out why this favorite exercise class is still all the rage.

Find ways to tap into your creative side in 2026.

Amboy’s own little Cookie Jar blends creativity, comfort and a sense of fun in every batch its owner bakes, proving dessert can be playful and welcoming, with just the right amount of over-the-top.

Looking to unplug and enjoy some time with friends and family? Game shops can bring a lot to the table, whether you like to roll with the roles, practice your skills and perfect your strategy, or go on an epic quest.

The STC Underground is a vital part of the youth community in St. Charles and a safe haven for teens to form healthy connections with their peers.

Don't miss these books when looking for your next read.

When the blue light blues get you down, take steps to detach from the screens.

Let the power of community keep you grounded in your resolutions this year.

For nearly 30 years, ye olde pub in Stockton has rolled out a welcome mat that gives people the Red-carpet treatment, with friends and hospitality from people on both sides of the bar.

A Lanark florist who sees the world through Rosemary-colored glasses loves to help people find just the right flowers for any occasions, from roses of red to violets of blue.

The legacy of Schaefer Greenhouses lives on and grows after a century of business.

Visit Downtown Batavia for an array of shops, restaurants, entertainment and more!

Want to see some life entertainment in the Sauk Valley? All it takes is a ticket and trip to a theater where history and headliners share equal billing. Shaw Local catches up with The Dixon Historic Theater executive director Spencer Aurand to preview the Spring 2026 season.

These breweries and eateries are serving up some of the tastiest concoctions in Kane County.

A registered dietician supports the necessity of a healthy digestive biome.

At Nomia Meadows Farm in Franklin Grove, John and Lisa Ayers tend to bees, apples and 110 acres of native ground, welcoming visitors into the full-circle quiet of their prairie sanctuary.

150 years on, a small Lee County village still finds its strength in the neighbors who never stopped looking out for one another. As Compton celebrates its sesquicentennial, its people remind each other what truly endures in their small town.

My Advisor & Planner suggest five simple tricks for a smooth tax season.

Check out these hot spots for the latest in Kane County entertainment.

Find out more about an organization with an incredible mission to support kids and soldiers with entertainment.

This Kane County nonprofit is effecting change in the community, one step at a time.

“CASA” stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and this nonprofit is doing some of the most important work in the county.

Add these titles to your to-be-read list before the end of the year!

A focus on service and community is a driving force at Carquest’s store in Dixon, where the owner of the family business and his team are building on decades of experience by focusing on relationships and reliability.

Mix, mingle and be merry with local mixologists and more.

This local nonprofit seeks to help children thrive by easing the financial stress families face.

A Freeport music shop is a go-to spot for instruments and inspiration. Whether you’re plucking your first pick or cutting a record, the store keeps the music playing.

Tradition meets innovation at a Forreston business as custom cabinetry becomes a deeply personal experience. From kitchen drawers to Navy installations, Danlee Wood Products blends craftsmanship, comfort and function with made-to-fit pieces.

In the course of playing a game they love, the members of Timber Creek’s Lincoln Highway golf team do more than just become champions – they become friends.

Fishing is in Mike Schafer's blood. The second-generation Fulton business owner has grown his fishery into a worldwide market with most of its catch coming from the mighty river he grew up near.

Let hope in for the holidays, and embrace peace.

Learn more about local opportunities to create, play and give when school lets out.

Check out what St. Charles Park District is updating and working on through wintertime.

Enjoy a holiday tradition with eateries like Nosh, Josef's Meats & Deli and Mad Batter Bakery and Confections.

Coloma Township Park District has a lot to celebrate this year: A century of history in its green spaces and places, people passionate about supporting parks, a Village with lots of stories to tell, and much more … including a big fiberglass chicken.

Having some cents of Ogle County history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Ogle County can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of driving through a cut up rock to blazing trails and rails.

As a luxurious, European-style retreat, The Herrington Inn & Spa was voted one of Kane County’s Finest. 

Add these titles to your shelf, recommended by the staff of Geneva Public Library.

Don't miss out on these dazzling holiday light shows throughout the county this season.

Check out where to find Santa in December.

Creativity is a longtime hobby for many people in Morrison, and throughout Whiteside County, and a downtown art gallery spreads the word about local talent with a mission to inspire and evoke.

A Dixon-born singer has found her happy place in country music. She’s striking a chord with her fans, too, with songs of independence and inspiration that have found a home in charts and hearts.

This local boutique is a Scandinavian treasure trove of baubles and bites.

Don't sacrifice your comfort for style when the days get chilly.

Suburban Superdad reflects on the real joy of the holiday season, with a little help from a beloved tradition.

This local artist explores various disciplines and inspirations while honing her craft.

Sam Tucibat transforms scenes of nature into works of unique photography art through digital composition, blending it into imagination of striking images that reimagine the area.