We have been hit hard with celebrity deaths recently.

Halloween is approaching but what’s really frightening is that most Americans will put on several pounds over the next couple of months; it will add to what they gained last year, and the year before and so on.

When it was established in 1963, the Lincoln Heritage Trail was intended to link historic sites across three states. Today, only remnants remain, a relic of a not-so-distant era of travel.

The Chicago Teachers Union president was recently elected president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. State legislators haven’t appreciated aggressive advocacy by CTU allies in the past.

From pure cynicism, there may be wisdom in getting Republicans on board with anything Democrats could present as endorsement of gun registration. But more practically, there’s no faster way to clear an administrative backlog than to erase it altogether.

The anxiously-awaited IHSA football pairings have been announced. With all the prognostication leading up to them, there weren’t too many surprises.

I will share this recipe for Monster cookies this week. It is also in my cookbook “The Cherished Table.” This recipe does not have any flour in it, so it has not been omitted.

Column: Not to toot my own horn, but these days I toot my horn to alert drivers who want to join the flow of rush hour traffic that they can enter in front of me. They wave, and I wave back, writes Richard Holinger.

Record stories that captured people's attention in years passed.

Voters could see some future relief in the unlikely event the General Assembly amends state law to clarify donation and disclosure timetables, but at worst Harmon has only reputational damage via a hearing officer’s recommendation to reject his appeal of the fine.

Imagine Dixon with no buildings, no roads, no people … just trees and native grass. The river has no dam and no bridges … just a free-flowing wide stream with many little islands.

'We’re not clinical, but we’ve walked that path and can be a trusted entry point to guide and inform programs – something people without that experience often can’t do.'

Marc Silverman: The question I get the most is whether I’m worried about Caleb Williams and some of the issues he’s dealing with. The answer is no, and here’s why

Roberts: A recent speech by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented the current administration’s policy for the military in front of an unprecedented meeting of all serving generals and admirals at Marine Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025.

Unless the WNBA and its players union reach a new collective bargaining agreement by the Oct. 31 deadline, the league risks undoing the growth it has recently experienced.

Lohr: Despite our country’s great successes, the U.S. democracy is far from flawless. For example, the President we elect has not always won the popular vote, an indication that everyone’s vote does not count equally.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes that despite the many theories of our existence, of our reason for being, there is a common thread: We are participants in something vast - and alive.

Column: What’s happening in Batavia? BatFest returns this weekend, writes Lori Botterman.

Benesh: On behalf of the AOP Board and Committee, I would like to sincerely thank our local support services, sponsors, and volunteers for their ongoing commitment to the Autumn on Parade Festival held on Oct. 4 and 5, 2025.

Wolter: For centuries, horses served as the primary source of transportation and mechanical power for human civilization. From pulling plows and wagons to powering mills and delivering goods, horses were indispensable partners in daily life.

With one week left in the regular season, the football playoff picture is getting clearer. The good news for Byron is that they probably won’t see IC Catholic right off the bat.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights held a statehouse lobby day last week to push its far-reaching veto session agenda.

'Families need long-term stability, not short-term uncertainty. We still don’t know how much funding this measure provides, how quickly states will receive it, or how long it will sustain operations.'

Police departments must prioritize data analysis as a crime-prevention tool

In 2015, there were nearly 113 million registered cars in the United States, mostly powered by gasoline. A pair of Illinois brothers is credited with building the first gas-powered automobile in American history.

OBENDORF: While the Waterbury family were here, they had a stone placed in Fairmount Cemetery honoring William Waterbury. It is a beautiful stone and the Polo American Legion honored him with a ceremony.

This is Lovina’s daughter, Verena, writing. The leaves are changing color more and more. It is always such a beautiful view once the leaves change to such pretty colors.

Who were my teachers?

The first Guest moved to the area of Flagg Township in 1856. Thomas Guest Jr. purchased 160 acres west of today’s Rochelle and began a life in what was then the wild west. 

Last week, the brother of a member of our Ogle County community was taken by ICE during a raid in Chicago, then was swiftly transported to a detention facility in Louisiana, far away from his wife and three children.

On Oct. 13, former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, now also known as Inmate #90368-509, reported to federal prison to begin a 7.5-year sentence after being convicted on 10 counts of public corruption.

The Virginia hillside where Quaker Run Vineyard is located is an unlikely spot for growing grapes.

Ben Johnson’s Chicago Bears are cultivating a culture of belief and winning, Marc Silverman writes

Think there are more idiot drivers on the road these days? Do other drivers' aggressive behaviors set you off? You probably aren't wrong and you're not alone. Those are among the conclusions of a new AAA report on aggressive driving and road rage.

A conversation with a physician can provide clarity on the benefits and potential risks of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for those with underlying health conditions or concerns about side effects.

Opinion from Scott Holland: If the veto session conversation involves sales tax reform, this issue absolutely must be incorporated. Modernizing the tax structure is overdue, including for the opportunity to resolve unintended consequences

In much the same way local governments (especially schools) must dance with the state as its dominant yet clumsy partner, Springfield’s steps are too often intertwined with those from Washington, D.C.

Opinion from our editorial board: The details here matter. Negotiations between billion-dollar franchises and local governments must be transparent, equitable, and accountable.

It’s looking like all six Ogle County football teams will be in the playoffs. The only question mark is Forreston, which has had the toughest road of all.

Virtually every day, the effects of the big lake to our east are brought home to us, even though for those of us out here in the Fox River Valley it is often only through news videos and weather maps on our television screens that we realize what’s happening.

DeWalt: "It’s that time of year again. Here come the pumpkin spice donuts, lattes, cakes, and cookies."

As the United States Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary on Oct. 13, it’s a time to commemorate the Liberty ships, which were used for cargo and other utility purposes in WWII.

On Wednesday, my sister Emma, my husband Joe and I attended the funeral of his Uncle Jonas in Hicksville, Ohio

Does the Constitution give the President the power to send the National Guard into Chicago, or Portland, or Los Angeles? No, it does not.

Column: Community members who wish to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area and who are interested in the work needed to support it are encouraged to check out the Kane County Certified Naturalist information session Nov. 6, writes Patricia MacMillan.

Harris: I have friends and colleagues that tell me if I don’t like America or what’s happening in America, I should find another country. Let me clarify something. I not only like America, but I also love America!

Wadsworth: Many cities named their streets after presidents, famous Americans, trees or nearby towns. But Dixon’s north side holds the distinction of having a large number of streets named after early Dixon settlers.

On Sept. 10, after news broke that Charlie Kirk had been shot but before his passing was confirmed, the U.S. House of Representatives paused for a moment of silence.

Less than a year after one of the most painful regular-season losses in Bears history, a win on Monday at the scene of the crime could vault the Bears into playoff contention, Marc Silverman writes

Common sense tells us that crime is rising. Large majorities agreed that it was in Gallup polling last year, as well as in 23 out of 26 previous yearly surveys. But what seems to be an obvious fact is an illusion.