Looking for a good book? You now have plenty of options in Will and Grundy counties.

Anyone who donates to Will County Habitat for Humanity by Friday and shines a light may enter the drawing for a chance to win the famous lights.

Artists within a 35-mile radius of Dixon or who are permanent residents of Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, Carroll, Stevenson or Jo Daviess counties and who are at least 16 years of age are eligible to enter.

The presentation will be led by DEA Special Agent Greg Czaczkowski, who will discuss current drug and substance use issues impacting the community, with information tailored to both parents and teens.

A summertime block party-style event is coming to downtown Sterling on July 25. Sterling Street Fest will be a one-day, afternoon-to-evening event featuring live bands, food and activities.

The Next Picture Show is now accepting submissions for Blooming Fusion, a juried exhibition celebrating artistic interpretations of flowers, plants, and gardens. The exhibition will be on view Feb. 18 through March 28 at The Next Picture Show.

Plainfield East High School teacher and soccer coach Lisa Simon was honored this month as a National Mentor of the Month for her work doing community service with her students.

Wellspring United Methodist Church in Oswego will celebrate its fifth anniversary in February.

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

This support will go directly toward car repairs for Grundy County residents who rely on their vehicles to get to work and are SNAP or Medicaid recipients.

Members of the Illinois Youth and Family Services agency gathered in sub-zero wind chills to hold a rally for peace and stop to gun violence on Richards Street in Joliet on Monday. Jan. 26, 2026. The rally came the day after a woman and 4-year-old boy were shot to death at a Joliet home.

The 2026 season is designed to support local businesses, encourage city-wide engagement and celebrate all that Dixon has to offer, according to a news release.

United Way of Lee County is inviting the community to start the new year with creativity and self-care at its upcoming Color Me Happy Workshop on Feb. 5 at the Post House Ballroom in Dixon.

The Kendall County Health Department will share the results of a recent community health improvement survey at its Community Health Summit Breakfast on Jan. 29. Registration for the event is full.

“The Herald Angels campaign has been in existence for nearly 30 years, and we are proud that we set another record in 2025,” Steve Vanisko, publisher of The Herald-News.

In this brand Books & Cooks Book Club, participants will read some great books and bring in recipes and treats to share that were inspired by the reading that month.

Joliet Fire Department crews found smoke and flames showing from a detached residential garage on Tuesday afternoon.

The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans “can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life,” the Illinois Department of Aging said.

The longtime owner of Terrace Inn Lounge in Joliet closed the bar at the end of 2025 to spend more time with his family. 

The group will meet on Feb. 10 to nominate, vote, and donate to make a difference for a local charity or group.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance plays host to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Open Door Community Church in Sterling.

UCP-Center for Disability Services founder – Mel Larsen of Joliet (deceased) – had no connection to anyone with a disability or cerebral palsy.

A Dec. 28 windstorm wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Sterling community’s giving spirit - or one family’s determination to keep the giving going.

Volunteers are needed for the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events.

The children are collecting donations for a “Joy to the World” Basket from Heifer International.

U.S. Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson, D-Chicago, will speak at the African American Business Association's 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch & Celebration in Joliet.

The Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry will host its 2026 Annual Awards Dinner & Celebration of 2025 Success on Feb. 24.

Local cooks will showcase their best chili recipes, serve samples to event attendees and compete for top honors.

The annual event in downtown Joliet featured New Orleans-style music, food and street entertainment.

Come join the Amboy community for a delicious bowl of chili and great fellowship from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, as the Lee Center Church and Amboy Lions play host to the Chili Luncheon & Basket Raffle at the Amboy Community Building, 280 W. Wasson Road.

A federal nutrition program, SNAP-Ed, will end this year after losing federal funding, affecting local families in Kankakee and Will counties who rely on free healthy eating education.

The Morris Theatre Guild will hold auditions for “Steel Magnolias” on Jan. 4 and 5 at the theater.

The Kiwanis Club of Joliet swore in new officers this month as it prepares for its 106th year in the community.

Over 300 guests packed the venue. Organized and brought to life entirely by the Joliet Township High School young entrepreneurs and presented with support from Midland States Bank.

Jon and Gina Osborne, local entrepreneurs and owners of Image360 Mokena, recently received multiple awards from Alliance Franchise Brands.

The Illinois Community College Board has announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers.

State Rep. Haas recently toured Chicago Dough and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation, citing the restaurant’s history and community involvement.

All in need are welcome to visit the pantry location at First Lutheran Church in Plano, 200 N. Center St.

Storytime is a 30-minute drop-in program each Thursday evening designed for families with preschool through early elementary-aged kids.

“We have a community that is working hard – and many are working multiple jobs – to make ends meet. But it’s still not enough,“ said Sarah Oprzedek, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Will County.

The results are in for Blackhawk Hills Regional Council’s 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition. Eleven entries were submitted by designers and scored by a 9-person judging panel with experience in accessibility, community and economic development, and design.

This is the third year United Way of Grundy County is participating in the Herald Angels campaign.

The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA will host a Dec. 17 open house for Aquatics Director Deb Mortonson, who is retiring after being involved with YMCA communities for 39 years.

Evelyn Grace Kamer, a sophomore at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox and member of student council, will portray St. Lucia – also known as the Queen of Light – at the festival.

Maxine Boykin, the first Black female officer for the Joliet Police Department, died on Nov. 26 at 90. Her son, Mark Boykin Sr., 64, said he had been “blessed” with a loving mother.

The horse-drawn wagon rides and Santa & Mrs. Claus visits now will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. Dec. 19, at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.

Come celebrate the grand reopening of Dixon Stage Left with 2026 season auditions. Auditions are by appointment only from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 11 and 5-8 p.m. Jan. 12 at Dixon Stage Left, 105 S. Peoria Ave. in Dixon.

The restaurant, also known by its former name – Babe’s Hot Dogs – serves a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps and its legendary Daisy Brand hot dogs, which Babe’s owner Tim Reilly said he’s used “from day one.”

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.