Kelsey Rettke

Rettke: The sacrifice of being a first responder often trickles down to their families. So today, we say "Thank you" to first responders throughout our DeKalb County communities, and thank you also to the families for all the ways you put service before self.

Rettke: I hope you decide to go use your voice, and your vote, for good Tuesday. Let’s remember that we still have something to say, and a good way to start is by heading to the polls.

Nearly two years in, the pandemic policy response seems to be “Ignore it and hope for the best.” What’s the plan here? Wait for people to do the right thing? See what happens in a month? Here’s what’s happening now, again: Burdens on health care, business, workers, services and schools.

Are you vaccinated? Boosted? Not vaccinated and planning to gather with groups of other unvaccinated loved ones for the holidays? Are you sure it's just a cold? These are questions we should all be considering, and how our choices impact hospitals, businesses and lives of others.

In extraordinary times, it’s taken extraordinary efforts for teams to make it to Huskie Stadium in 2021 for the IHSA Football State Championships. Everyone has worked really hard to make this weekend happen, and we hope you enjoy yourself here in DeKalb. We've got a lot to be thankful for this year.

Being moved by mass death isn’t just about numbers, or what day lost more people. It has to be about rekindling that collective consciousness that says we should all do better because we’re all “going through something hard.” We’re still learning about the tragedy of 9/11, and what we do afterward, two decades later.

It's understandable some may feel we're back to square one after this week's mandates announcements amid the current virus surge. I don't think so. Not yet. This time, we have choices before us we didn't have last year: vaccines.

The Daily Chronicle's Community Calendar is a great way to keep updated on things happening in your community, whether family-friendly events, activities with the kiddos or just the adults, entertainment and places to go for meals. Here's how to make sure we get your event in the paper

Let’s let those for whom the change of status-quo may come a little harder, take all the time they need to feel comfortable and safe again. We are not out of the woods yet. Mask-wearing despite the lifted mandates could mean a number of things:

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken away our control for 406 days. There is now something you can do about it. It has never been easier to secure a COVID-19 vaccine than right now. It's time for you to get one.

According to the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorders Office, voter turnout in DeKalb County hit 14.59%, higher than the 2019 Consolidated Election which didn’t even hit 10%. But so much lower than November’s General Election, which saw over 75% voter turnout. Where did all the voters go?

The power voters have to set the stage for the next four years of DeKalb County leadership can’t be overstated. But I think it’s often overlooked. If this past year has taught us anything, it’s the devastation that can occur when grave responsibility is placed into the hands of those ill-equipped to deal with it.

We keep hearing more vaccine is on the way, but we have yet to see the numbers locally to back that up, or even support the current eligibility demand.

About 4 p.m. Friday, we learned the State of Illinois would be cutting down the amount of COVID-19 vaccine allocated to the DeKalb County Health Department by 75%.

As we attempt yet another reopening of our schools and local economy, I’ve been thinking a lot about our neighbors who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities in light of what appears to be a slow-going vaccine rollout.