Sycamore

Pumpkins are headed to the cinema in the 2025 Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. South Prairie Elementary School 5th grader Rayven Rosas submitted the contest’s winning entry: “Pumpkins at the movies.”

The DeKalb Public Library will host a cheese tasting for community members to sample various international cheeses.

DeKalb County-area veterans groups, cities and organizers will host Memorial Day events throughout the county for the public to come together to honor all who’ve died in service to the country. Memorial Day is May 26.

Figures provided by city officials show Sycamore brings in close to the amount in grocery tax revenue as neighboring DeKalb, a city twice its size. Third Ward Alderperson Nancy Copple said she thinks more people in Sycamore can afford groceries compared people in DeKalb.

Adults and seniors can learn about insurance and health care decisions during a workshop at the DeKalb Public Library.

Construction on Peace Road, Between Route 64 and Freed Road in Sycamore, is underway. The Peace Road work is just one of the projects planned by the DeKalb County Highway Department for 2025.

Though Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is going away come January, Sycamore city residents could still be expected to pay one. The Sycamore City Council will consider a local 1% grocery tax at its Monday meeting.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized 24 students for completing the college’s registered nursing program during a pinning ceremony.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a Home Energy Savings Program informational booth for residents to learn about the program.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy proudly announced the awarding of $23,753 in grants to support youth-serving projects and programs across DeKalb County.

A building-sized mural will soon adorn a downtown Sycamore building, and more could be on the way.

There’s a new, convenient place to buy food in downtown Sycamore now that Xpress Mart has opened in the former 7-Eleven building.

The Sycamore Public Library will host a live demonstration for community members to learn about the art and tradition of Chinese tea.

The Ellwood House Museum recently announced that 23 art pieces created by K-12 DeKalb County students are available for community rental.

Community members are invited to an informational offering in DeKalb this month to learn about public health resources available through the local government.

Seniors and adults are invited to learn about Medicare insurance options during workshops at the DeKalb Public Library.

A Kansas-based bakery chain specializing in gourmet cupcakes recently opened a Sycamore location.

Sullivan’s Tavern, 722 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, is throwing a party this Saturday for its 80th anniversary, and everyone is invited.

The number of 911 calls from those seeking emergency medical aid in Sycamore is higher than the state average, data shows. “A lot of that is symptomatic of the load that’s in the emergency room,” Fire Chief Bart Gilmore said.

Instead of a jury trial in June, a plea could be coming for a DeKalb man accused of driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed DeKalb County sheriff's deputy Christina Musil, his lawyer said Thursday.

RAMP Disability Resources and Services, which offers services in DeKalb County, will host a Summer Youth Leadership Initiative for disabled youth ages 16 to 22 to build self-advocacy and leadership skills.

Sycamore City Manager Michael Hall was given a pay raise by the Sycamore City Council recently. Hall’s base salary has increased by $21,385 over the past three years, records show.

A DeKalb man convicted of murdering high school teenager Gracie Sasso-Cleveland in 2023 has new charges after he punched a DeKalb County jail deputy and spit at another, broke a fire sprinkler and damaged jail property, court records allege.

The Friends of the Sycamore Library recently named Essie McMahon and Jacqui Williams as the winners of the Sycamore Public Library’s Outstanding Staff Member of the Year 2025.

The DeKalb County History Center recently received an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums.

A community group that organizes the Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show is honoring one of its own. The Car Club recently recognized Robert L. “Bob” Brown who will step down from his longtime role on the board this year.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will hold an event for children who are newborns to age 4 at the DeKalb Public Library.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a “Where Have All the Flowers Gone? Ballad of Pete Seeger” program featuring award-winning singer and songwriter Barry Cloyd.

The DeKalb Public Library will host a Camelot Care Centers information booth for residents to learn about its various services.

The Ellwood House Museum will host its third annual “Evening at Ellcourt” event for community members ages 21 and older.

The DeKalb County History Center, the Ellwood House Museum, and the Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center will participate in the Blue Star Museums program for the summer. The program will be from May 17 through Sept. 1.

Kishwaukee College recently recognized outgoing Board of Trustees Secretary Kathleen Spears and Trustee Kathleen Watkins.

Have you ever felt rejuvenated in the great outdoors? You’re invited to join in a walk with a certified forest therapy guide.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The DeKalb County History Center will host the next program in its seasonal cooking series to build its “Food Gathering Around the Table” exhibit.

The DeKalb Public Library will hold a teen advisory group meeting for teens in sixth through 12th grade to earn volunteer hours and develop interpersonal skills.

Teens in ninth through 12th grade can study for finals during study sessions held at the DeKalb Public Library.

City leaders from Sycamore’s schools, parks, business community and city government gathered this week to provide residents with updates on goals for the city and ongoing initiatives.

The DeKalb County History Center will partner with the Sycamore Public Library to host monthly garden story times for children ages 3 to 6 and their families.

The Kishwaukee Archers Club will host Safari Club International’s outdoor 3D shoot. The shoot will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at the club, 28250 Lukens Road, Sycamore.

The DeKalb Public Library will host an after-hours performance featuring the Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer guided wildflower walks for Mother’s Day.

Sycamore Mayor Steve Braser was sworn in for a second term this week.

The Stage Coach Players will open its next production, the drama play “Radium Girls,” May 8. The play is scheduled to run in DeKalb for two weeks.

The 19,000-square-foot new Sycamore fire station at Borden Avenue and South Prairie Drive will be constructed on about 6 acres of land and include a classroom and community meeting space, training tower, and a larger space to house the city’s first ever ladder truck.

By all accounts, Sycamore Middle School career and technical education teacher Kevin Boltz has gone above and beyond to give his students access to equipment that some only see once they’ve arrived on a college campus.

A group of social workers, teachers and coaches at Sycamore High School has come together to form a coalition to support student athletes’ health, both body and mind.

Sycamore educator Annette Keca is going to space. Sort of. To be more precise, she’s been selected as one of 80 educators across the country to participate in a prestigious Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Deb Wheeler, one of three family members who work at South Prairie Elementary School in Sycamore, is getting ready to retire at the end of the school year. “[It’s] bittersweet because I do love what I do," she said.

Educators from across DeKalb County recently received accolades for their teaching at an annual awards ceremony meant to highlight local learning.