Groot Industries asks residents not to place their tree in a plastic bag. Waste stickers are not required for this free collection.

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

It was a busy year in Kendall County. Here is a rundown of some of the 2025's top stories.

The mental fitness hearing for Darryl Lee Jr., 19, of Kankakee, who is being held in the Kendall County Jail, now is set to take place at 9 a.m. Jan. 6.

The village’s Unified Development Ordinance states that painting brick, limestone or other natural stone is prohibited so that the materials retain their natural colors.

There’s still time left to donate to Kendall Area Transit’s “Adopt-A-Rider Fundraiser,” helping “open doors for those who are simply unable to afford transportation.”The fundraiser runs through Dec.31.

The Oswego Fire Protection District was dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the 0–100 block of Stone Hill Road on Sunday.

The Operations Department proposes to replace flooring in the gyms at Lakewood Creek and The Wheatland elementary schools as well as the second-floor hallway at Fox Chase Elementary School.

This past June, four men were charged in connection with a series of Oswego burglaries that occurred in 2024.

Community Solar is a program that is guaranteed to provide 10% savings annually.

Foam should not be dropped off at the church before Jan. 3, as the church does not have the required storage facilities.

On Dec. 18, the pantry served 622 families as part of its Christmas distribution.

The long-range facility plan is broken down into three phases: facility condition assessment, educational alignment and long-range facility planning.

These 10 stories defined conversations around dinner tables, dominated social media feeds, and shaped how residents see their corner of Illinois during 2025

The village would use $2.7 million in motor fuel tax funds along with $1.3 million in capital improvement funds to fund the project.

Shaw Local photographers across northern Illinois captured some amazing moments this year, including the excitement and drama of high school sports, the hometown pride of a summer festival, and the reality of the news events that shaped our communities. Together, these images preserve not just what happened in 2025, but how it felt to live in the towns and neighborhoods we call home.

In recent years, Christmas decorations have been coming out immediately after Halloween, and by Thanksgiving we’re bombarded with demands that we buy this or that gift. Unfortunately, I suspect some of my ancestors might be responsible for this holiday excess.

Janel Cabadas, a lifelong Oswego resident, becomes the new Earthmover Credit Union CEO on Jan. 1

During the year, these dedicated volunteers contributed more than 500 hours supporting the Oswego Police Department in a variety of roles,

A data center is a centralized physical facility that stores businesses’ critical applications and data. Yorkville officials have touted their tax revenue benefits.

As part of the new rules, e-bicycles and e-scooters are not allowed on sidewalks in the village.

Residents are being asked to place leaves in piles on the parkway near the curb by 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22.

The new rules only apply to new construction. “We don’t want to force a retrofit on existing structures,” Oswego Development Services Director Rod Zenner had said.

Darryl Lee Jr., 19, of Kankakee, has plead not guilty to the charges. He faces 11 felony counts, including first-degree murder, concealment of a homicidal death and armed robbery.

The new law creating the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority is drawing mixed reviews from suburban lawmakers along party lines.

“This agreement will outline project expectations, responsibilities, timelines, and financial details,” District 308 said in a recent post on its website regarding the plans for the former school property.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the district started receiving federal relief grants that were used to give fifth through 12th grade students a take home device.

Oswego School District 308’s 13 elementary and two specialized schools will need about $1.3 million in life safety improvements over the next 10 years.

An Oswego man was charged this week after a three-day manhunt with federal authorities following a report of a home invasion and domestic battery in Sandwich.

The Kendall County Health Department maintains a list of warming centers on its website but recommends people call ahead.

Oswego village trustees unanimously approved a financial incentive agreement of up to $1.5 million with the owners of the shopping center that would be paid over a maximum of 15 years.

The mission of the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club is to build camaraderie.

As proposed, five three-story apartment buildings containing 125 units would be built as well as six two-story owner-occupied townhouse buildings containing 36 units.

This is the 21st year the church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in Oswego presented this display. It was held during Oswego’s annual Christmas Walk

Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in Oswego held its 21st annual display of 60 nativity sets from around the world. There were exhibited Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2025 during the annual Oswego Christmas Walk.

Musical performances, a tree-lighting ceremony and live reindeer helped to ring in the holiday season as part of Oswego Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Oswego village trustees on Tuesday are set to vote on the revised concept plans. The number of units has been reduced from 202 units to 161 units.

The new ramp is located on Main Street and will help make downtown Oswego more accessible to those with disabilities.

The work is expected to continue through winter and likely into the Douglas roundabout project in the spring, weather permitting,

The Oswego Christmas Walk will take place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Oswego.

Celebrations in Montgomery, Oswego, Plano and Sandwich will help you get into the holiday spirit Friday through Sunday.

The Oswego football team played Mount Carmel Saturday to decide the IHSA Class 8A state championship in Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

The store is owned by Shorewood couple Stephanie and Evan Ott and is in the space that formerly housed Happenstance Goods.

The property contains six structures including a feed mill, grain elevators and a storage building, none of which are currently in use. Brad Smith, who had once owned Oswego Grain & Supply, donated the land.

Every year community members gather in Montgomery to run for a cause. This year, the Montgomery River Run led to a $2,000 donation being presented to to CASA of Kendall County.

Plenty of people were sledding on the hill at Oswegoland Park District's Prairie Point Park in Oswego on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Hudson Crossing Park in downtown Oswego also was covered in the newly fallen snow.

The village owns about 15 acres of land on the north side of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks, west of Orchard Road. At the Nov. 18 Oswego Village Board meeting, village trustees approved a new contract with Creekside Farms, LLC.

At approximately 3:27 a.m., the Oswego Fire Protection District was dispatched for a structure fire in the 0-100 block of East Washington Street.

The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign will run through Dec. 2. Officers will look for seat-belt violations, speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving caused by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis.

The indoor event, 19 W. Washington St., Oswego, will feature a variety of vendors and crafters.