DeWalt: A healthy obsession with apples can benefit our health in several ways.

Dog n Suds was a popular choice for fast food in the 1960s and 1970s, and remains a recognized root beer brand today. A co-founder of the chain was formerly a high school music teacher in Illinois.

Dickson: The United States is not a democracy, although it appears Mr. Harris would prefer mob rule over rule by law.

I’ve always wanted to get back into writing. It seems that every time I write, I quit after 20 pages in, and that makes 20 pages of unfinished stories.

IBV Energy Partners, in concert with its subsidiary, Kyte River Solar, is in the process of developing a 150-megawatt solar farm near the intersection of South Meridian Road and Lincoln Highway. The land use permit is expected to be submitted at the end of this year.

Column: What's Happening in Batavia? The Batavia Fire Department will host an Open House is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Station 2, 1400 W. Main St.

Harris: As I receive responses to my articles, I feel like I’m shaking my wife lying lifeless in our bed, screaming for her to wake up.

So, what is heaven, and where is it? Is it a place, a state of being, or a journey? Or is it all of the above?

Technology tends to creep into our lives. This is most striking to me as I travel the ever-so-convenient interstate highway and pass under those colossal power lines that stretch beyond sight.

'The question is, why is IDOC now saying it’s an emergency, right? What has changed?'

Column: With autumn on the horizon, the St. Charles Park District encourages families to explore a number of new programs and returning favorites. Kids can channel their inner artist with several courses led by All Things Art Studio.

Wadsworth: Dixon’s saddest tragedy of the last 100 years is likely the 1957 story of the little Guernsey girls. The heart-rending accident emerged from a quarry at Dixon’s cement plant and was front-page news from coast to coast.

Columnist Tom Weitzel believes changes are needed in the warrant arrest system

A healthy democracy leads to healthy communities.  A high voter turnout encourages elected officials to be more accountable. 

TIDEMAN: Several strategies can slow erosion and get food and farm systems back on a sustainable track. By keeping roots in ground year-round, cover crops help keep soil in place and maximize water-holding ability, making it more resistant to floods and droughts.

The elephant in the room is Williams’ work ethic. There have been far too many reports that the second-year quarterback still doesn’t understand what it takes to become truly great, Marc Silverman writes

West coast winemaker Dave Merfeld of Northstar Winery continues to promote Merlot, the often-maligned wine varietal.

New statistics for prostate cancer underscore the need for early detection no matter the cancer.

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes about how having a Plan B affects your life's Plan A.

There’s always reason to be wary of bureaucrats seeking credit for the successes of private entities. But outcomes like this rely at least in some part on public investment.

Column: The DeKalb Chamber Foundation has a new program for residents to learn about running for office. The goal is to provide a realistic and encouraging look at public service, equipping residents with the knowledge and confidence to step up as local leaders, writes Matt Duffy

It takes an awful lot of screen taps to get to that information from your average Instagram story slide, and that’s only if there’s a link in the first place.

A lawsuit filed by House and Senate Republicans was recently tossed out by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Jack Davis, II. The suit sought to strike down a new law backed by trial lawyers (Senate Bill 328). The Republicans say they will appeal.

During early European and American exploration of American and Canadian prairies (semi-arid), this region was thought unsuitable for European-style agriculture.

The threats of the Trump administration to send National Guard troops into Chicago have drawn sharp rebukes from Gov. JB Pritzker. In an earlier era, troops were shipped to Chicago to restore order after the epic Chicago Fire, and the governor from Illinois was never consulted.

Column: Ah, September. As the crisp air rolls in and the leaves begin to turn, there’s a collective sense of new beginnings, writes Johanna Patterson of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.

"Illinois has taken a major step to protect individuals and families from the financial shock that too often follows a medical emergency," writes Kim Godden of the Illinois State Ambulance Association

Lovina's family celebrated her youngest child's 20th birthday with an outdoor supper of broasted chicken and french fries.

Farming accounts for $1 in every $7 in the Alexander County economy. The school district enrolls about 300, fewer than the middle school I can see from my front porch.

A campfire caps a long day in the sun full of friends and family, good food and loud fun, including volleyball. We call it the Lost Weekend, which has been locked into the Labor Day holiday since 1978.

Column: Meditation can be quite a strenuous workout. Most people don’t realize they can control their personal mind chatter, writes Joan Budilovsky.

As summer 2025 winds down and harvest season will soon arrive, it is good to reflect on the generosity of God.

Nerheim’s quote is directed at lawyers and detectives. Fair, given his background, but the lesson applies to everyone: presented reality is not always the truth.

Marc Silverman: This will be my 31st season covering the Bears as a reporter, talk show host, or columnist after growing up a diehard fan. I’d like to think I’ve seen it all and have refined the way I predict a season

Column: Pollution prevention is vital to protect the environment and is everyone’s responsibility, writes Linda Srygler of DeKalb Citizens' Environmental Commission.

The topic of child pornography is a serious and complex issue that affects many people.

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

In this week's column, Toby Moore writes about working to avoid the creation of deep groves in our "anger pathway" of our brain.

Whether the subject is data centers or just about anything else outside of personal privacy concerns, NDAs where one party is funded by tax dollars seem to run directly counter to the ideal of government transparency.

Dr. Linda Hellmich: Fritts "could have used this moment to bridge differences and mediate a common ground. Unfortunately, his one-sided words and actions attacked a vibrant community organization’s credibility and viability."

Experts say it is possible for "sandwich generation" caregivers to balance their responsibilities while protecting their own well-being. The Alzheimer’s Association offers some practical tips to do just that.

The founders of our republic made a fateful decision on July 16, 1787, when they decided that the Senate would represent the states, instead of the people.

Since the inauguration, the President has waged a campaign to gain control of the legislative and judicial powers assigned by the Constitution to Congress and the Supreme Court.

If your body makes more cholesterol than it needs, there could be several reasons, and most of them are related to your lifestyle.

The breadth of invited attendees at the event organized last week by Gov. JB Pritzker really stood out.

A more valuable solution would be a nationwide approach to dictating Congressional district boundaries, as it has become untenable for so many states to operate under different conditions.

Museum's Waterbury doll sent out for repair; plans in the works to plant prairie flowers around Aplington House.

Local media serves as a community’s connective tissue, especially in small towns like Rochelle, where residents look to trusted neighborhood outlets for timely, relevant information.

A recent Senate subject-matter hearing on energy made one thing crystal clear: Illinois families and job creators are paying the price for shortsighted, politically driven policies.

We gathered at daughter Loretta and Dustin’s house by 2 a.m. to start grilling a thousand pounds of leg quarters