Karie Angell Luc

Far right, leading a tour group is volunteer and CFC board member Jim Vanderpoel of Arlington Heights on July 20, 2026 at the restored tallgrass Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills, managed by the volunteer group (CFC) Citizens for Conservation of Barrington. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Naturalists, botanists and restoration volunteers spotlight Grigsby Prairie in Barrington Hills

July 21, 2026 at 1:45 p.m.

As environmentalists from around the world convened at the Aspen Ideas: Climate event in Chicago from July 20 to July 22, the conversation about conservation moved to Barrington Hills on...

Charlotte Smolen, 17 months, of Long Grove, plays with bubbles from a pink bubble wand held by her mother, Lisa, at Vernon Hills Days on July 17, 2026 at Century Park. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Thousands attend Vernon Hills Days after smoke delays start: ‘It was the right decision’

July 21, 2026 at 11:50 a.m.

Officials said the decision to postpone the start of the event was an easy one.

Third from left, in wide brimmed hat, is Jane Jordan of Chicago Albany Park, among volunteers. Also seen is far left, Jordan Botezatu of Lincolnshire and far right, Mick Dart of Highland Park. Second from left in blue shirt is Ali Fakhari of Highland Park at Somme Prairie Nature Preserve on July 18, 2026 in Northbrook at a Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves scything event. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Northbrook volunteers use old-fashioned scythes to clear invasive species

July 20, 2026 at 2:56 p.m.

Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves volunteers used old-fashioned scythes to clear invasive species at Somme Prairie in Northbrook.

Charlie, a chocolate labrador from Arlington Heights, takes a leap into the pool with the encouragement of handler/owner Brian Tonkovic of Arlington Heights at the Dog Days of Summer hosted by the Knights of Columbus (Council #3674) on July 11, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Dog Days of Summer brings 11,000 to Libertyville: ‘It’s nice to … enjoy something a little bit different’

July 13, 2026 at 4:20 p.m.

More than $11,000 was raised for local Catholic charities to address hunger relief, including Lake County area residents needing handmade beds.

Quinn Kirik, 10, a rising fifth-grader from Buffalo Grove, reacts with curiosity to an oversized bubble that is still floating on a midway at the Lincolnshire Art Festival at Village Green North in Lincolnshire on July 4, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Lincolnshire Art Festival attracts 75 artists from around U.S.: ‘Take home a memory’

July 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

The Lincolnshire Art Festival has been going strong for nearly three decades.

The 2026 Mundelein Community Days Parade on July 5, 2026 in Mundelein. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Mundelein parade marks country’s 250th anniversary: ‘It’s a chance to reflect on our nation’s history’

July 6, 2026 at 7:35 a.m.

Nearly 70 units participated in the parade as part of the Mundelein Community Days festival, which took place from Thursday through Sunday.

Rodney Addison, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1988, has caught a bluegill on Little Bear Lake at the Jim Heier Veterans Fishing Derby in Vernon Hills on June 27, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Annual Vernon Hills fishing derby welcomes Lake County veterans ‘They’ve done so much for us, they’ve been through a lot’

June 29, 2026 at 3:46 p.m.

About 45 veterans from the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago were treated to a midday of fishing, fellowship and a barbecue at the annual...

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