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

2025 Year in Review: These feel-good, unique and community-focused news stories made headlines in DeKalb County this year for highlighting major wins, triumph over adversity and neighbors celebrating neighbors.

Applications are available for KVAL’s 55th annual Northern Illinois Art Show

Kishwaukee College recently celebrated 115 graduating students.

The Indian Valley Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming performances of “Birthday Club.”

Is the DeKalb County Courthouse open? Find out what days DeKalb County offices, as well as the courthouse, will be closed in 2026.

The meeting schedule for every DeKalb County Board meeting, and all of its committees, has been set for 2026.

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:

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.

Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, will perform at the Sandwich Opera House Dec. 27.

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.

A Sandwich man has been charged with driving under the influence after multiple people were hospitalized following an early morning crash involving a Mercedes on Christmas Eve, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

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.

While the holidays are often a time for cheer and merriment, the season also can be difficult for those experiencing mental health emergencies, grief or loss. Resources, including those specifically for youth, are available in DeKalb County:

Three congressional candidates vying to serve different parts of the Northwest or West suburbs will find out early next month if they’ll appear on March 2026 primary ballots or be booted.

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:

Delaney Wood had 16 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block. Brielle Molloy had nine points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocks. And while Hiawatha lost to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the senior duo have the Hawks ahead of last year's win total.

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.

A St. Charles father and daughter have been named to Northern Illinois University’s inaugural Hall of Fame class for the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

“Right now we have probably the most efficient and high‑powered offense that I’ve ever had,” Ethan Franklin said. But Sycamore’s surge is coming on defense — charges, steals and four straight wins as the Spartans lock in.

A national publication, Food Bank News, named Northern Illinois Food Bank CEO Julie Yurko was named 2025 Food Bank Leader of the Year.

A new program has been launched to aid DeKalb County-area elderly residents who need specialized equipment and other health care services.

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

Overall, 184 students completed a program or certificate requirement for the fall 2025 semester.

Austin Roop was in charge on Friday night for Hinckley-Big Rock. The senior guard took four charges and the Royals held on for a 60-57 victory over visiting Indian Creek in Little Ten Conference action.

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

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.

The Village Greek restaurant in downtown Sycamore will serve its last meal on New Year’s Eve, said owner Makie Maratos, who also owns Sycamore State Theater next door.

'A Magical Motown Christmas' will perform the music of The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and more at the Egyptian Theatre Friday, Dec. 19.

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

A 66-year-old woman was killed Tuesday after she was struck by a car while attempting to walk across the road near her home in unincorporated Sycamore, authorities said.

Gov. Pritzker on Tuesday signed legislation that raises $1.5 billion to fill a fiscal hole for the Chicago area’s public transit agencies set to kick in next year. Legislation relies on increased sales tax in the Chicago area and a diversion of funds from the state’s Road Fund.

Mendota was hanging around, down 15 in the third quarter. It could have been a lot closer, but Xander Lewis drew charges on back-to-back possessions, steadying Sycamore during a short offensive dry spell in a 71-58 win over the Trojans on Wednesday.

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.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

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.

Staff and teachers, from kindergarten to Sycamore High School, have begun receiving AI video training sessions, according to district documents. District 427 officials hope to begin implementing AI into the classroom during the 2026-2027 school year.

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 DeKalb panel dedicated to amplifying the creative arts is looking to start meeting again monthly in the new year.

The three sophomores on Rochelle’s roster made their presence felt in a big way Monday in the Hubs’ 47-34 home win over Genoa-Kingston in a nonconference matchup.

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.