DeKalb County

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is accepting applications for fall 2025 Community Needs and Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund grants. Nonprofit and public sector organizations are encouraged to apply.

DeKalb High School graduate Ian Wickens-Walther recently was named the 2025 winner of the Christopher Anderson Memorial Scholarship.

Two people were trapped in their Toyota and later hospitalized after a crash with a semi truck Wednesday near the border of Kane and DeKalb counties, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

At the July 21 Sandwich City Council meeting, Sandwich Mayor Todd Latham broke a 4-4 tie vote in approving a bid for repairing the gutters on the Opera House.

The DeKalb community is getting ready to celebrate the birthday of a woman who could be considered the matriarch of the city’s agricultural history. Saturday will mark what would be her 160th birthday, and the Glidden Homestead is hosting a free event for the occasion.

Sip 'n' Savor in Sycamore, Annie Glidden's 160th Birthday Party and more this weekend in DeKalb County.

The city of Sycamore has joined DeKalb, Genoa and Sandwich by also enacting a 1% grocery tax, which will replace the sunsetting 1% state tax on most grocery items.

The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra recently awarded summer lesson scholarships to eight DeKalb and Sycamore students to provide private music instruction financial aid.

The Sycamore Veterans Club’s Sons of the American Legion Squadron 99 is holding a fundraiser to support veterans and their families who lost homes in the Texas flooding.

The DeKalb County Health Department announced Tuesday that mosquitoes collected in traps in the city of Sycamore have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The excavation of the new Hopkins Pool support building in DeKalb has been delayed, but officials said that won’t deter plans for reopening in time for summer 2026.

The downtown mural “Its Merits Recommend It...” by artist Olivia Gude at the corner of Lincoln Highway and First Street in DeKalb. The mural also showcases Annie Glidden, a notable local historic figure with a 160th birthday celebration this week.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold three performances of Robin’s Dog Stars for families with children featuring border collie Aria and black labrador Gracie.

Teens ages 12 to 18 are invited to put their heads together to solve an Escape Room at the DeKalb Public Library.

Vocalist Daerielle Balika will join the DeKalb Municipal Band, conducted by Kirk Lundbeck, for a special themed concert, “Broadway and the Silver Screen,” on Tuesday.

Four Genoa residents were hospitalized recently after an ATV rollover crash involving seven total people on a trail at Apple Canyon Lake, according to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.

Open to all high school students in DeKalb County, YEP mentors students into lifelong philanthropy and aims to improve the quality of life for youth in the area. Membership applications are available through Sept. 1.

Check out some of the best pictures captured by Daily Chronicle photographers for Shaw Local News Network the week of July 12 through July 18, 2025.

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce recently congratulated home construction company Lennar for the opening of its Reston Ponds community model home.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Future Fades Academy’s move to DeKalb.

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Lil’ C’s Mini-Cheesecakes to its membership.

Following a string of shootings over five weeks in May and June in the Annie Glidden North Neighborhood, DeKalb residents came together Friday to march for peace and rally against gun violence.

DeKalb City Council approved cannabis tasting rooms in a pair of unanimous decisions this week. “I think that this is so unique and just a brilliant business model," 1st Ward alderwoman Carolyn Zasada said.

About 30 people gathered in Prairie Park this week to provide feedback to the DeKalb Park District which is considering ways to improve the park’s user experience for area residents.

Heavy rains that passed through DeKalb Saturday morning didn’t stop some protestors from demonstrating outside Hopkins Park as part of a series of protests organized to show opposition to President Donald Trump.

Eleven DeKalb County area libraries have been awarded more than $295,000 in state grant funding, about half of which is expected to be used to improve library technologies and at least one construction project.

Heartland Bank soon will have a new location to call its own along Grove Street in DeKalb. The bank's Grove Street plans were greenlit this week.

Genoa-Kingston high schooler Quincy James recently attended a national journalism conference in Washington, D.C., part of a program meant to inspire future media professionals and young leaders.

Ex-police officer James Corralejo, 26, of DeKalb, was sentenced by a judge Thursday to four years in prison for driving drunk and causing a 2023 crash that killed Graciela Reza Contreras. “I don't expect to be forgiven," Corralejo told Graciela's family in an emotional hearing.

The J.F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center, in partnership with the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, will celebrate the 160th birthday of local pioneer Annie Glidden with a free, family-friendly event.

Former suburban Cook County police officer James Corralejo, of DeKalb, was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday for aggravated DUI in a 2023 crash that killed DeKalb woman Graciela Reza Contreras.

At her first town hall in DeKalb this month, freshman lawmaker and state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, spoke about the effects that federal funding cuts could have on rural schools and food banks.

'Shakespeare in Hollywood' at Stage Coach Players, Waterman Lions Summerfest and Antique Tractor & Truck Show and more this weekend in DeKalb County!

The DeKalb County History Center will host its fourth annual Cocktails at the Crib fundraiser this month to support the history center’s programming.

Sycamore Park District's free summer concert series continues this week and next at Good Tymes Shelter at the Citizens Memorial Sports Complex, 435 Airport Road.

The curtain will rise on a bit of Shakespearean mischief with a silver screen twist when Stage Coach Players opens their summer production of “Shakespeare in Hollywood” on July 17.

Timothy M. Doll, who pleaded guilty in February to the 2023 murder of teenager Gracie Sasso-Cleveland, will be sentenced in August, a DeKalb County judge ruled Wednesday.

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual legislative briefing Wednesday with state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, and state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore.

Organizers with the city of DeKalb, police agencies and an area church are organizing a public peace rally Friday to encourage the community to work together against gun violence.

Magician Tim Adamz is bringing his comedic magic to life with two upcoming family-friendly shows in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Public Library will host its annual Family Fun Science summer extravaganza for children to participate in summer science activities.

A state freshman lawmaker is proposing new bills targeting action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, but she’s not fully optimistic they’ll change anything.

The owner of land annexed into Sycamore in June presented his latest plans to bring commercial and residential developments this week to city officials.

Hundreds of miles and four days later, almost 100 bicyclists found ways to grieve, support each other and remember police officers killed while on duty in Illinois in 2024. Cycle Across Illinois benefiting the Illinois chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors concludes Sunday.

Eyemart Express, a national optical retailer dedicated to providing focused eyecare at an affordable price, is expanding to northern Illinois with a location along Sycamore Road in DeKalb.

The DeKalb Park District is hosting an open house on Wednesday, hoping to solicit community feedback about ways to improve the experience at Prairie Park.

Kishwaukee United Way’s executive director Michele Vaughn will part ways with the organization at the end of the month, the agency’s board of directors announced in a news release. The agency supports DeKalb County area nonprofits.

Tails Humane Society will host its Tails on Tap Bar Crawl on Aug. 2 in downtown Sycamore to raise funds for animals in need of care, medical treatment and second chances.

Road work on Illinois Route 64 in Sycamore is expected to start Monday and last through September, according to the city. Motorists should expect periodic and temporary lane closures, likely causing delays, starting the week of July 18.

The 13th annual Family Fun Fest returns to Hopkins Park Wednesday, co-hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and DeKalb Park District.