Gregory Harutunian –

Young artists carve out faces on hollowed-out pumpkins at one of the table stations. The orbs also had large holes to make illuminating them easier and quicker. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

More than 100K attend Highwood Pumpkin Fest: ‘This is now 17 years of what amounts to a family adventure’

October 6, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

The primary beneficiary of this year’s funds is SaLT (Service and Learning Together), a non-profit volunteer group led by students and educators.

The marble and granite statuary marking the graves at Waukegan's Oakwood Cemetery glistens in the sunlight. Some markers date back to 1836, highlighting denizens of the city's history and growth. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Waukegan officials promise improved upkeep at neglected cemetery: ‘It needs to be maintained properly’

September 16, 2026 at 5:11 p.m.

Concerns reached City Hall this year about a lack of grounds maintenance for prime dates, including Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, in lieu of working to “beautify” other sites for...

A rendering of the planned Veterans Memorial that would be placed at the intersection of Orchard Street and Toft Avenue, which contains a small park with a combat tank on display. (Village of Antioch)

Antioch approves new location for Veterans Memorial: ‘This is not final’

August 31, 2026 at 3:08 p.m.

The project has been discussed for a decade with no movement and was forwarded by the Antioch Veterans Memorial Committee in 2023.

Ronnie Preston, the Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow's emcee, performs the eagle dance around the arena. Demonstrations and tribal songs were augmented by storytelling and historical facts about the Zion site. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Thousands attend Zion Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow: ‘A healing experience’

August 26, 2026 at 2:23 p.m.

An estimated 4,600 people cycled through the three-day event to hear stories, take part in tribal dances, taste indigenous foods, and become immersed in a culture native to the land.

A rendering of the proposed Veterans Memorial that would be placed at the intersection of Orchard Street and Toft Avenue, which contains a small park with a combat tank on display. (Village of Antioch)

Antioch again delays proposed Veterans Memorial site decision: ‘They keep moving the goalposts’

July 24, 2026 at 1:25 p.m.

The contentious June 22 meeting featured a trustee walking out, verbal broadsides on former members of the veterans committee, and eventually making stipulations for funding and engineering.

Camp Director Juanita Black assists a group ready for the art of beekeeping, not only for honey production, but also for caring for the hives and the insects themselves. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Zion academy teaches children creative and practical skills: ‘Every activity has a mental wellness component’

July 21, 2026 at 10:28 a.m.

Each day brings a different challenge or goal to achieve. The programs follow a curriculum guideline that is also aimed at individual growth and self-confidence.

Damage remains to trees and gravestones on June 22, 2026, on the Oakwood Cemetery property by a Union Pacific clear-cut on the eastern bluff that occurred two years ago. No legal action has been taken by the city of Waukegan. (Greg Harutunian/for the Lake County News-Sun)

Officials bemoan upkeep of Waukegan-owned cemeteries: ‘The dead should have more respect than they’re getting’

July 14, 2026 at 1:52 p.m.

“Thousands of individuals … are buried at Oakwood Cemetery, and it is the obligation of each succeeding generation to respect and honor those who came before us,” said Diana Dretske,...

A proposed veterans memorial in Antioch would be placed on wetlands and necessitate the removal of trees. (Gregory Harutunian/ for the Lake County News-Sun)

Antioch Veterans Memorial groundbreaking vote tabled by village board at its June meeting

June 12, 2026 at 2:14 p.m.

An authorization to begin groundbreaking on a Veterans Memorial that has been mired in controversy because of its location was tabled, during Wednesday’s village board meeting. An accompanying resolution to...

Father Daron Stepanian, pastor of St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church, listens to discussions with parishoners regarding the ground realities in Lebanon. (Gregory Harutunian/ for the Lake County News-Sun)

Armenian priest from Lebanon bears witness to living under bombardment for Waukegan church

June 11, 2026 at 2:58 p.m.

Members of Waukegan’s St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church were introduced to the Very Rev. Bayrour Shernezian during the Easter weekend, last April. He was invited by the church’s board and...

A staff member checks dehumidifiers on April 19 in the flooded area of Volo Museum's Titanic exhibit. The inundated area was near the sinking slope platform, left, that gives visitors a sense of the ship's pitch as it went down. (Volo Museum)

Volo Museum’s Titanic exhibit floods on sinking’s anniversary: ‘It’s kind of creepy’

April 30, 2026 at 7:54 p.m.

The Volo Museum opened in 1960 and eventually focused its business on obtaining movie-used vehicles and iconic cars.

All Stories