For decades, female journalists were relegated to soft news and local coverage, rarely allowed to cover the biggest, hard-hitting stories. Louise Hutchinson, however, broke that mold, along with numerous gender barriers.

Wise: Since its invention, the locomotive has been a backbone of the American economy. It has also been one of the most talked about machines in our native folklore.

Betty Obendorf of the Polo Historical Society recaps the year 1949 in Polo.

Lovina shares how she spent a busy weekend spoiling grandchildren, cooking family meals, and making memories with loved ones.

Surely some very smart people have handy explanations for these calculations being so significant in the average Illinoisan’s property tax obligation.

I was given this job in July 1948. You’d think I would understand the basic duties by now, right? This living life thing should be easy.

Column: Primary elections sometimes raise questions for voters, so I wanted to take a moment to walk through a few of the most common questions and share some helpful information for voters in DeKalb County, writes Clerk and Recorder Tasha Sims.

You can train yourself to avoid fraud. First, recognize the characteristics of most scams. Then tell yourself, if this happens to me, I will always talk to someone I trust to ask for help. Who do you trust? Write down their name and number.

Column: Today, March 12, is the final day to request a mail-in ballot for the primary election on Tuesday, March 17. That and other tips you should know before you head to the polls, writes Christi Slavenas of the League of Women Voters of DeKalb County.

That’s not to say slower is inherently safer, or even logical, but speed limits are set through municipal ordinance, and that’s precisely the type of topic that draws residents to meetings.

Column: Primrose Farm offers unique experiences with a wide range of classes and programs, including upcoming classes featuring cooking, baking and soap-making specially geared to adults 50 and older, writes Patricia MacMillan for the St. Charles Park District.

You don’t have to win free agency in order to win games, but the pressure is on Bears GM Ryan Poles to find guys who can pressure the quarterback in next month’s draft, Marc Silverman writes

Longtime McHenry optometrist Dr. Robert Peterson, affectionately known as Dr. Bob, was one of those people who made the world a brighter place. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him.

Pritzker isn’t responsible for people lacking shelter, but he chose to lay down the marker, and things have only gotten worse.

In this week's column, Toby Moore urges everyone not to shrink from the future involving AI.

If one in five Americans can’t read proficiently, it’s time for parents – not just policymakers – to take responsibility and reclaim a culture of reading in their own households.

Because lawmakers vote on spending plans in such massive amounts, it’s a virtual certainly the minority party will find enough objectionable allocations to oppose the overall plan.

We’ve had a problem in this country and in this state with hallucinatory campaigns that go beyond the normal campaign fibs for a very long time.

Dressed in formal attire, the 34 members of the award-winning Tiskilwa band came equipped with a 36-song list that included fan favorites like “Proud Mary” as they serenaded fans during the 1976 state quarterfinals. It was the very first high school band to play at state.

Column: At the Geneva Chamber, we are thinking about all the fun festivities and all the heartfelt memories that will be made as it continues to warm up in this City that we are fortunate to call home, writes Elisa Reamer of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

How are you doing? Really – I want to know, how are you doing this week?

Frances Willard devoted her life to stamping out alcohol as the face of the temperance movement in the late 19th century.

A week filled with family visits, home cooking and simple joys reminds Lovina how quickly time passes as children and grandchildren gather together.

The more power the state gives local governments to generate their own revenue, the less the municipalities would need to rely on getting a cut of income taxes.

I do not have a sense of living through distinct eras. Most of it is a rapid, constant flipping of the calendar, month after month and year after year.

From our Editorial Board: Sycamore officials issued a statement on fire department planning, but it didn’t address questions about Fire Chief Bart Gilmore. Shaw Local has filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking answers.

For generations, Americans have believed in a simple principle that our elections should be honest, secure, and decided by the citizens of this country.

Now Trump has made another promise that will be almost impossible to keep – demolishing Iran’s tyrannical theocracy and replacing it with a stable, popularly chosen government.

Born on May 1, 1851, The Telegraph is one of the oldest institutions in the city and throughout northern Illinois.

From our editorial board: Local government depends on trust. That trust is built not through carefully worded non-answers, but through clarity about how public institutions operate.

More than 100 vendors will be present, many offering free samples of their locally produced food and beverages. Tickets are just $5, but admission is free for kids 10 and younger, as well as veterans and active-duty military members, teachers, and first responders.

It has been 41 years since the Bears won at least one playoff game in consecutive seasons, Marc Silverman writes, which is why Bears GM Ryan Poles should trade for Maxx Crosby

The first minutes of any school threat are not the time for public updates. They are the time for action, argues former police chief Tom Weitzel

If there's a battle between generations, chances are pretty good Generation X isn't involved. After all members of this generation are used to flying under the radar.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes despite any concepts to the contrary, we are all connected.

'Affordable housing' is somewhat of a nebulous concept for people who aren’t in the market as buyers or sellers.

As we move closer to spring here in Rochelle, the temperatures are finally beginning to feel far more comfortable than the below-zero stretch we experienced not long ago.

It’s said that March 4 is the only day on the calendar that tells you what to do. That factoid, together with the warming trend in the weather, reminds me how important it is to get outside every day during daylight hours.

Medication is only one piece of the health care puzzle. There are people who choose between an X-ray and new shoes for the kids. Or those who go to work sick because they can’t make ends meet without every last hour on the time card.

Pritzker’s contribution to Margaret Croke’s comptroller campaign has ignited a debate among Democratic candidates over independence, loyalty and the proper relationship between the state’s fiscal watchdog and the governor’s office.

Today, the presidential inauguration is held on Jan. 20, but the transfer of power wasn’t always on that day.

The city of Rochelle wants the Prairie State power plant in Marissa, Illinois, to remain open after 2035, until all bonds reach maturity in 2041. Gov. JB Pritzker does not.

The hamburger was ground, steaks sliced and beef chunks cut up and packaged. Some of the meat we canned as well. By late afternoon, we were all done.

On one level, this entire debacle sheds useful light on the legislative process to taxpayers and voters who rarely spare a thought for Springfield.

My surgeon expects my leg to recover after some physical therapy, yet to come. He did some scraping to give the nerve more room to heal and do its job.

On Wednesday, March 4, our publications in Oregon, Polo, Mt. Morris and Forreston will be merged into our Ogle County Life publication, which instead of publishing on Mondays, will be published on Wednesdays going forward.

One of the most serious threats to press freedom has been playing out in a low-level federal court in Virginia, and it was already weakening the ability of journalists to hold this president accountable for his actions.

Are you willing to lose out on restaurant loyalty rewards tied to your phone number or email address? Would you get a test your doctor recommended if you thought that might make your grandkids ineligible for basic medical coverage?

The thing I was asked the most about by a landslide was the Bears stadium situation, Marc Silverman writes. I still believe there’s a better chance than not that the Bears find their way to Arlington Heights

Another Winter Olympics is in the books. However, the story lines and life lessons are sure to stay with us for years to come. Also, a follow-up on the anxiety-producing event of last week.