Karie Angell Luc – Page 8

The community vigil and protest on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Ela Peace Pole in downtown Lake Zurich. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Vigil and protest held in Lake Zurich over fatal shooting in Minneapolis: ‘I’m mad and I’m sad’

January 12, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

People braved the cold to stand outside in solidarity at a community vigil and protest at the Ela Peace Pole in downtown Lake Zurich.

With the Three Kings, on right, is event emcee and organizer/spokesperson Jose Rodriguez, who moved to Round Lake Beach in 1998, and is now of Gurnee, at the annual Three Kings Day celebration at Gurnee Mills in Gurnee on Jan. 3, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Hundreds celebrate Three Kings Day at Gurnee Mills: ‘It’s useful … to know more about our culture’

January 6, 2026 at 7:53 a.m.

Three Kings Day is a global religious tradition honoring the biblical story of the three wise men who journeyed to see the baby Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and...

Val Rosenthal, 1, of Morton Grove and mom, Alice Rosenthal, visit with The Grinch at the annual "Brunch with The Grinch" event Dec. 20, 2025, at the Prairie View Community Center in Morton Grove. (Karie Angell Luc/for Pioneer Press)

The Grinch reminds families about ‘the spirit of the holidays’ as he dines with families at Morton Grove brunch

January 5, 2026 at 3:59 p.m.

Dozens of families filled the Prairie View Community Center in Morton Grove for the second annual “Brunch with the Grinch,” spreading holiday cheer despite the green one’s iconic grouchiness. The...

Center, in blue dress, is CC Buccola, 4, after the grand balloon drop. On left is CC's parent Lauren Buccola at the Noon Year's Eve Party on Dec. 31, 2025 in Glenview at the Park Center. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

1,500 balloons drop during Glenview Noon Year’s Eve festivities

January 5, 2026 at 10:27 a.m.

The Glenview Park District dropped 1,500 balloons from the ceiling during Glenview Noon Year’s Eve festivities to welcome 2026.

From left to right, are Scott Frendreis of unincorporated Lake County, site steward Chris Call of Deerfield and Bill Sullivan of Deerfield by the brush fire at Berkeley Prairie Nature Preserve Area on Dec. 27, 2025 in Highland Park (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Volunteers spruce up ‘secret’ Highland Park nature preserve: ‘It is definitely a hidden gem’

December 29, 2025 at 6:55 p.m.

The secret garden was dedicated in October of 2014 and is owned by the Lake County Forest Preserves District.

From left to right, Peter Theodore Estorque Deligero, 6, a kindergartner of Gurnee, portrays an angel along with, on far right, Giselle Coutinho, 6, a first-grader of Mundelein as the angels take part in the procession for mass of Simbáng Gabi 2025 on Dec. 20, 2025 at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Simbang Gabi celebrated at Lake County Catholic parishes: ‘It connects us to home, culture and identity’

December 22, 2025 at 3:34 p.m.

Simbang Gabi, a Filipino Christmas tradition, is celebrated annually in the Catholic community through Dec. 23, with each day having a theme.

Santa Claus waves to fans at the Howard stop during the Purple Line appearance of the Allstate CTA Holiday Train on Dec. 19. 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

CTA’s Holiday Train brings lights, color through Evanston, Wilmette

December 22, 2025 at 7:31 a.m.

CTA's Holiday Train, Purple Line version, brings lights, color through Evanston and Wilmette.

It is taking about an hour to drive through the Vernon Hills area by the Chabad Jewish Center of Vernon Hills during its Hanukkah parade on Dec. 17, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Vernon Hills synagogue hosts its first Lake County Hanukkah parade

December 19, 2025 at 2:42 p.m.

History was made on a December Wednesday night in Lake County with a new first-time Vernon Hills holiday motorcade tradition.

From left to right, flipping the new custom oversized switch are David Fermaint, Zion Park District board president and Zion Mayor Mayor Billy McKinney at the Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Zion Park District Leisure Center in Zion on Dec. 12, 2025. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)

Oversized handmade switch lights Zion Christmas tree: ‘Now that’s a switch’

December 15, 2025 at 12:05 p.m.

Flipping up the custom switch were Park District board President David Fermaint and Mayor Billy McKinney.

Starting the drive through the show on Nov. 25, 2025 at the fifth annual Willow Hill Lights show in Northbrook at Willow Hill. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

Willow Hill holiday lights display in Northbrook welcomes dogs to enjoy the show

December 10, 2025 at 8:29 a.m.

Willow Hill holiday lights display in Northbrook welcomes dogs to enjoy the 2.5 mile drive-through lights show in family cars.

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