In 2015, there were nearly 113 million registered cars in the United States, mostly powered by gasoline. A pair of Illinois brothers is credited with building the first gas-powered automobile in American history.

OBENDORF: While the Waterbury family were here, they had a stone placed in Fairmount Cemetery honoring William Waterbury. It is a beautiful stone and the Polo American Legion honored him with a ceremony.

This is Lovina’s daughter, Verena, writing. The leaves are changing color more and more. It is always such a beautiful view once the leaves change to such pretty colors.

Who were my teachers?

The first Guest moved to the area of Flagg Township in 1856. Thomas Guest Jr. purchased 160 acres west of today’s Rochelle and began a life in what was then the wild west. 

Last week, the brother of a member of our Ogle County community was taken by ICE during a raid in Chicago, then was swiftly transported to a detention facility in Louisiana, far away from his wife and three children.

On Oct. 13, former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, now also known as Inmate #90368-509, reported to federal prison to begin a 7.5-year sentence after being convicted on 10 counts of public corruption.

'Treating our values like a liability means selling them out, and Illinois can’t afford leaders who cave when it counts.'

The Virginia hillside where Quaker Run Vineyard is located is an unlikely spot for growing grapes.

Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears are cultivating a culture of belief and winning, Marc Silverman writes

A conversation with a physician can provide clarity on the benefits and potential risks of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for those with underlying health conditions or concerns about side effects.

Think there are more idiot drivers on the road these days? Do other drivers' aggressive behaviors set you off? You probably aren't wrong and you're not alone. Those are among the conclusions of a new AAA report on aggressive driving and road rage.

Opinion from Scott Holland: If the veto session conversation involves sales tax reform, this issue absolutely must be incorporated. Modernizing the tax structure is overdue, including for the opportunity to resolve unintended consequences

In much the same way local governments (especially schools) must dance with the state as its dominant yet clumsy partner, Springfield’s steps are too often intertwined with those from Washington, D.C.

Opinion from our editorial board: The details here matter. Negotiations between billion-dollar franchises and local governments must be transparent, equitable, and accountable.

It’s looking like all six Ogle County football teams will be in the playoffs. The only question mark is Forreston, which has had the toughest road of all.

Virtually every day, the effects of the big lake to our east are brought home to us, even though for those of us out here in the Fox River Valley it is often only through news videos and weather maps on our television screens that we realize what’s happening.

DeWalt: "It’s that time of year again. Here come the pumpkin spice donuts, lattes, cakes, and cookies."

As the United States Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary on Oct. 13, it’s a time to commemorate the Liberty ships, which were used for cargo and other utility purposes in WWII.

On Wednesday, my sister Emma, my husband Joe and I attended the funeral of his Uncle Jonas in Hicksville, Ohio

Does the Constitution give the President the power to send the National Guard into Chicago, or Portland, or Los Angeles? No, it does not.

Column: Community members who wish to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area and who are interested in the work needed to support it are encouraged to check out the Kane County Certified Naturalist information session Nov. 6, writes Patricia MacMillan.

Harris: I have friends and colleagues that tell me if I don’t like America or what’s happening in America, I should find another country. Let me clarify something. I not only like America, but I also love America!

Wadsworth: Many cities named their streets after presidents, famous Americans, trees or nearby towns. But Dixon’s north side holds the distinction of having a large number of streets named after early Dixon settlers.

On Sept. 10, after news broke that Charlie Kirk had been shot but before his passing was confirmed, the U.S. House of Representatives paused for a moment of silence.

Less than a year after one of the most painful regular-season losses in Bears history, a win on Monday at the scene of the crime could vault the Bears into playoff contention, Marc Silverman writes

Common sense tells us that crime is rising. Large majorities agreed that it was in Gallup polling last year, as well as in 23 out of 26 previous yearly surveys. But what seems to be an obvious fact is an illusion.

With each yearly check-in with the neurologist, the progression of my husband's early-onset Alzheimer's disease becomes more apparent. And that reality can be hard to take.

‘If I were the federal government, I’d strongly urge holding off until Thursday,’ she said of the plan to activate troops. But she added, it’s ‘up to them.’

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes about the humble - somewhat ragged - beginnings of the U.S Navy.

The announcement last week that the Illinois AFL-CIO was withdrawing from the “agreed bill process” at least 40 years after its inception took almost everyone by surprise, but nobody was really shocked.

The Illinois ag sector is vital to the local, state and national economies.

While resting up in the comfort of home for an ultra trail run on the Hennepin Canal, I took the night off from covering football and watched a few games on the NFHS streaming network. Simultaneously, I followed Byron, Forreston, Oregon and Stillman.

German ancestry is the most prevalent ancestry in the state, and the culture of the German homeland has been a mainstay in Illinois for a century and a half.

Column: Brush pickup begins Monday, Oct. 13, for east side residents and Monday, Oct. 20, for the west side, writes Lori Botterman.

Camp Grant had been established in 1917 as a training center for World War I soldiers. By 1918 it was the center of the Spanish Flu outbreak in our area.

Facebook algorithms review what you view, post, read, or browse while on the site. From that information, along with location data and other demographic data, they develop a profile which they sell to marketers and advertisers.

Anyone with a talent for carving or decorating pumpkins won’t want to miss submitting their masterpiece for Ghoulish Gourds on Parade with the St. Charles Park District.

My mother penned the Amish Cook column for 11 years. I was a teenager at home when she started writing. After her sudden death on Sept. 17, 2002, I started writing.

Column: Since many Scandinavians live in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and South Elgin, I would love to hear from anyone who has baked with antler salt, writes Janet Lagerloef.

Opinion by Scott Holland: This project could be transformative beyond even bold predictions, but that degree of potential also drastically elevates the stakes of failing to deliver.

There’s a large hunk of rusted iron lingering in my backyard. Waiting.

Column: With grass growing slower and leaves starting to drop, our lawn care shifts from beautifying to cleaning up and preparing for the cold winter ahead, writes Rob Srygler of DeKalb's Citizens' Environmental Commission.

Larson: One who builds upon a strong foundation, will enjoy the blessings of life and weather every storm.

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

It’s important to remember that any development at this scale necessarily impacts public resources, even if just transportation infrastructure and emergency response.

For the entire month, wine lovers are encouraged to host small, casual get-togethers to celebrate their love of wine.

Ben Johnson gets the perfect scenario for the bye week – the good feelings of a two-game win streak while his team gets valuable time to reset, work, and improve with 13 games still on the schedule, Marc Silverman writes

Column: On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the public is invited to join the “Makers on the Move” Bus Tour as it stops in DeKalb County to celebrate centennial manufacturers and farms, writes Melissa Amedeo.

The Oswegoland Park District was created in a March referendum 75 years ago. The landmark Little White School Museum was completed on its present site at Jackson and Polk streets 175 years ago last spring.