Check out some of the top news and feature pictures captured Daily Chronicle photographers in 2025

DeKalb Township will partner with the Northwestern Medicine advance care-planning team to offer residents ages 18 and older one-on-one advance care-planning sessions.

Businesses came and went in DeKalb this year, Here’s a look at a few changes:

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.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a workshop for adults to learn how to care for houseplants during the winter.

Here’s where Rooted for Good's DeKalb County area mobile food pantry will make stops in January. The pantry offers free food for all in need, no questions asked.

Yes, you can recycle your used Christmas tree. Here’s how if you live in DeKalb County.

If there’s a group that can compete with the Christmastime goodwill of Santa Claus, it’s the Goodfellows of DeKalb and Sycamore – a volunteer group that distributed thousands of gifts to children on Christmas Eve.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation recently awarded $124,250 in program enhancement funds for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Teenagers in sixth through 12th grades are invited to sound off against DeKalb Public Library teen staff in various games to celebrate winter break.

Adults 18 and older will be able to create personalized take-home dryer balls during a hands-on program at the DeKalb Public Library.

DeKalb School District 428 has its finalist for new superintendent, and its a familiar face, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Trees were lit, parades were held and snow even made a major appearance in early December. Though this Christmas may not be white, festivities throughout DeKalb County spread holiday cheer in communities near and far. Take a look back at some highlights:

A longtime Sycamore educator’s life and legacy is being honored with a new endowment fund.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized 26 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 14-20. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Seventeen-year-old Diego Garcia-Barranco had never been outside the country, let alone flown in a plane, until last month. The DeKalb High School senior’s first flight took him to new heights during a school trip to perform in Prague, Czech Republic.

The DeKalb Public Library will host an event for disabled residents ages 16 and older and their caregivers to socialize and interact with each other.

Children ages four to 13 can celebrate the winter solstice during a program at the DeKalb Public Library.

DeKalb School District 428 has agreed to buy more Chromebooks for incoming students headed for first, fifth and ninth grade, as well as replacement devices for staff.

The DeKalb School District 428 Board approved a property tax levy for 2025 this week, accounting for an increase to health insurance premiums, loss of transportation reimbursement payments from the state and other costs expected in the new year.

The DeKalb County History Center’s new $1.8 million outdoor expansion is expected to open in May.

Safe Passage, DeKalb County’s only domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center, is one step closer to tying up the final step needed to build a new facility in DeKalb.

A DeKalb commission, tasked with advising the City Council on planning and zoning matters, has voted in support of a pair of measures to allow a special education day school in town.

Column: Elevate, DeKalb County's young professionals program, is getting a reboot, writes Jessi Haish LaRue. The group helps young people feel connected where they live and work – because when people are engaged and invested, they’re more likely to stay and build their lives here

A new veterans service and veteran impact organization is expected to open up soon in DeKalb’s Junction Shopping Center. Also on site at 854 W. Lincoln Highway is the nonprofit home of Made In DeKalb, a new training center for customized textile manufacturing.

A private therapeutic day school for students with special needs could relocate to DeKalb on North Sixth Street, according to a development proposal headed to the city for review this week.

The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center recently announced the schedule for its 2026 Soup-er Sundays winter lecture series that focuses on local history and preservation.

The Hampshire couple behind a popular Elgin gym has expanded their claim to fame with a new location in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold a tribute program to Redford on Thursday, Dec. 18.

The United Church of Sandwich’s United Kids After School program recently filled Operation Christmas Boxes as part of a Samaritan’s Purse project.

Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news in minutes for the week of Dec. 7-13. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

After repeated delays, plans to redevelop the long-vacant former St. Mary’s Hospital building into apartments in DeKalb may be a go.

The DeKalb City Council greenlighted its 2026 spending plan for approval during its Dec. 8 meeting.

A new shop promising a special curated collection of decoration and design essentials has found a home in the landmark downtown Fargo block in DeKalb, its owner said.

The facility, 220 College Ave. in DeKalb, will serve area youth ages 14 to 18 and be the first of its kind in DeKalb County.

A DeKalb man was jailed and denied release this week after being accused of sexually abusing a minor in a Walmart bathroom in December 2024, according to court records. Police said he had a history of approaching minors at the DeKalb Walmart.

DeKalb County has warming centers throughout DeKalb, Sycamore and Genoa free to use and open to all looking for shelter during the cold season and winter weather.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of DeKalb will host an indoor farmers and artisans market fundraiser Saturday, meant to raise funds to finance a new roof.

Though a groundbreaking already marked the ceremonial start to a new facility for a DeKalb-based domestic violence crisis shelter, the nonprofit behind the build still needs final approval from the city for construction. The amended plan will go before a city commission on Monday

A DeKalb man who was shot by police during a confrontation after he wielded a knife inside a car dealership won’t spend any time in prison, though he pleaded guilty this week to attempted armed robbery, court records show.

Area nonprofits that offer programming for DeKalb County youth are invited to apply for grant funding.

Column: With only a few short days to prepare for the championship games, which were rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau team stepped up to assist

The world-renowned pianist and composer returns to the stage with a heartwarming concert experience that celebrates the season through music, storytelling and holiday cheer.

The Kishwaukee Concert Band will perform a holiday concert to celebrate the band’s and community ensemble musicians who perform for the love of music.

Rooted for Good – a nonprofit working to address hunger and expand access to healthy, sustainably grown foods – is about 30% of the way toward funding a new $6 million headquarters on DeKalb’s northwest side.

The Fellowship Baptist Church will host a drive-thru Nativity on Dec. 18 for the community to celebrate Christmas.

Six area programs that address hunger, medical resources, social services, education, mental health and community building for the elderly recently received funding boosts through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The Federated Church of Sycamore will host its annual cookie and candy sale on Dec. 19 to support the church preschool’s programs.

When local homeowners get their tax bills in 2026, they could find themselves owing about $350 more to DeKalb School District 428.