Obendorf: Up at the Dr. Burns House in the newspaper room is a beautiful antique slanted wooden piece of furniture for reading the big newspaper books. Since the newspaper books are now being brought to the museum, we want to bring this antique down to the museum.

Our minds wander, and before you know it, stories of your family find their way into your column

The Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies is only $100 million. Democrats created the pool by sweeping money from 57 other funds in anticipation of federal decisions with negative fiscal implications for Illinois.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes there are certainly issues associated with getting older, but it sure beats the alternative.

Henry Henze, of Rochelle, stood guard over Abraham Lincoln’s casket from Chicago to Springfield on his last ride home. 

Paschal: While going through my archive from the last month or so, a few different techniques came to light in how I watch people.

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster reflects on recent conversations with two community fixtures that focused on viewing Kankakee County through a camera.

Clearly $20 is significant to someone counting every penny, but as a yearly figure it won’t sway anyone’s vote. The loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits is a different story, with an average of about $184 per beneficiary each month.

It’s okay to say it, Bears fans. Caleb Williams has to be better, and he has to be better right now, Marc Silverman writes

As the vibrant leaves change colors and the temperatures begin to drop, we are reminded that fall has officially arrived in Rochelle.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes that that harshest times can often create the strongest of souls.

It is simply too late. Candidates have expended considerable time and resources gathering petition signatures, the filing deadline is Nov. 3 and any alteration now costs money the state doesn’t have while inviting legal exposure that could exponentially increase fiscal liability.

Here is photographer Alex T. Paschal's cross section of images of people watching in the Sauk Valley.

Halloween is approaching but what’s really frightening is that most Americans will put on several pounds over the next couple of months; it will add to what they gained last year, and the year before and so on.

When it was established in 1963, the Lincoln Heritage Trail was intended to link historic sites across three states. Today, only remnants remain, a relic of a not-so-distant era of travel.

The Chicago Teachers Union president was recently elected president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. State legislators haven’t appreciated aggressive advocacy by CTU allies in the past.

From pure cynicism, there may be wisdom in getting Republicans on board with anything Democrats could present as endorsement of gun registration. But more practically, there’s no faster way to clear an administrative backlog than to erase it altogether.

The anxiously-awaited IHSA football pairings have been announced. With all the prognostication leading up to them, there weren’t too many surprises.

Plote: The DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association (DAAHA) is launching a discussion series exploring the use of artificial intelligence in farming. The first event is Oct. 29 in Malta.

Column: You won’t find this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed farmhouse (the one and only) by looking for it, the single roadside proclamation on a simple black mailbox: “Muirhead Farm," writes Richard Holinger.

I will share this recipe for Monster cookies this week. It is also in my cookbook “The Cherished Table.” This recipe does not have any flour in it, so it has not been omitted.

Column: Not to toot my own horn, but these days I toot my horn to alert drivers who want to join the flow of rush hour traffic that they can enter in front of me. They wave, and I wave back, writes Richard Holinger.

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

Voters could see some future relief in the unlikely event the General Assembly amends state law to clarify donation and disclosure timetables, but at worst Harmon has only reputational damage via a hearing officer’s recommendation to reject his appeal of the fine.

Column: Sing carols to the cows and dine with the Grinch this holiday season as the St. Charles Park District presents a holiday lineup filled with fun and new traditions for all ages, writes Melissa Rubalcaba Riske. Register now since these events fill fast

In this week's column, Dennis Marek takes a trip down memory lane during a visit to Washington, D.C., and is reminded through words from Thomas Jefferson that derision is part of our nation's fabric.

'We’re not clinical, but we’ve walked that path and can be a trusted entry point to guide and inform programs – something people without that experience often can’t do.'

In this week's “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about how to add an extra element of fun to mundane tasks or commonplace occurrences.

Marc Silverman: The question I get the most is whether I’m worried about Caleb Williams and some of the issues he’s dealing with. The answer is no, and here’s why

Roberts: A recent speech by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented the current administration’s policy for the military in front of an unprecedented meeting of all serving generals and admirals at Marine Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025.

Column: Batavia Business Beat: The public is invited to the 2025 State of the Community Breakfast on Nov. 6, writes Shirley Mott of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes that despite the many theories of our existence, of our reason for being, there is a common thread: We are participants in something vast - and alive.

Wolter: For centuries, horses served as the primary source of transportation and mechanical power for human civilization. From pulling plows and wagons to powering mills and delivering goods, horses were indispensable partners in daily life.

With one week left in the regular season, the football playoff picture is getting clearer. The good news for Byron is that they probably won’t see IC Catholic right off the bat.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights held a statehouse lobby day last week to push its far-reaching veto session agenda.

'Families need long-term stability, not short-term uncertainty. We still don’t know how much funding this measure provides, how quickly states will receive it, or how long it will sustain operations.'

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.

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. 

In this week's column, Dennis Marek shares some wonders of the English language, which can be maddening, frustrating and humorous - all at the same time.

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.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about a recent trip to Joshua Tree, Calif., and the astounding views the area offers.

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

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.

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.