Local News – Page 19 –

A long-stalled hotel development at 4930 Oakton Street, Skokie, may soon progress, as an attorney for the village confirmed at an Oct. 5 Board meeting that of the "eight to 10 developers" who have expressed interest in the site, Murphy Development Group has emerged as the frontrunner. (Pam DeFiglio/Pioneer Press)

Skokie identifies developer ready to take over stalled downtown hotel project

By Claire Murphy

October 8, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

Skokie's attorney Rodney Lewis told the Board Oct. 5 that Chicago developer Murphy Development Group...

This is Room 11 at Richneck Elementary School, where Abby Zwerner was shot by a 6-year-old student on Jan. 6, 2023. The gun is at left, under the table, while the boy’s checkered bookbag is near the desk to the right of the window. (Newport News Circuit Court, trial exhibit)

Unsealed police video shows 6-year-old student after shooting Virginia school teacher

By Peter Dujardin

October 8, 2026 at 5:16 p.m.

Newport News police body camera footage shows the boy cursing at a school staffer and...

This flyer promoted "When We Are Older," the last production staged by youth arts nonprofit Hamilton Wings. The organization dissolved Sept. 30 after serving the Elgin area for more than 30 years. (Image courtesy of Hamilton Wings)

Elgin’s Hamilton Wings formally dissolved after 30 years serving the community

By Mike Danahey

October 8, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

After serving the Elgin area for more than 30 years, arts nonprofit Hamilton Wings formally...

Evanston's only dog beach is slated to close Dec. 1, 2026, after Council members failed to agree on a ramp design contract at their Sept. 28, 2026 meeting to make the dog beach ADA-accessible.

Evanston’s dog beach to close Dec. 1 as legal concerns over lack of accessibility mount

By Claire Murphy

September 30, 2026 at 11:09 a.m.

Evanston officials said they would work toward a new contract by December to build an...

Portage City Hall. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage zoning board approves Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros Coffee

By Doug Ross

September 30, 2026 at 10:02 a.m.

Chick-fil-A and Dutch Bros Coffee got quick approval by the Portage Board of Zoning Appeals...

Right tackle Tyler Engstler is a ‘freak athletically’ for No. 7 Downers Grove North. Do colleges see that?

By Mike McGraw

September 30, 2026 at 8:51 a.m.

Tyler Engstler excels wherever he plays for Downers Grove North, which is ranked No. 7...

Chicagoland high school football rankings: Get Mike McGraw’s Top 25 for Week 7

By Mike McGraw

September 30, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

Brother Rice tops Mount Carmel in the rivalry — and the rankings — as St....

When Stevenson’s Brandon Hersh has the ball, teammates ‘get excited.’ Big plays come in small packages.

By Steve Reaven

September 30, 2026 at 7:49 a.m.

Stevenson's play callers find new ways to utilize 5-foot-10, 170-pound wide receiver Brandon Hersh, who...

Lockport's Christopher Huizar (10) races over to hug his father, Jose after scoring against Stagg during a SouthWest Suburban Conference game in Lockport on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Lockport’s Christopher Huizar ends drought with go-ahead goal against Stagg, then runs over to hug his dad

By Steve Millar

September 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Christopher Huizar’s breakthrough tally powered host Lockport to a 2-1 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over...

Providence's Jovanny Gonzalez (10) tries to steal the ball from Brother Rice's Anthony Piech (9) during a Catholic League crossover game in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 8, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Steve Millar’s high school boys soccer rankings and player of the week for the Southland

By Steve Millar

September 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Lockport, De La Salle and Stagg make the biggest moves, while Oak Lawn enters the...

St. Charles North's Ellie Sutter (9) serves the ball against St. Charles East during a DuKane Conference match in St. Charles on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Ellie Sutter, a proponent of being ‘really positive,’ keeps faith as St. Charles North edges St. Charles East

By Paul Johnson

September 30, 2026 at 10:28 a.m.

Ellie Sutter leads both teams with 15 kills in St. Charles North's 25-13, 23-25, 25-18...

Senior offensive tackle Corey Laga, a Vanderbilt recruit, stands on the elevated practice field at Lemont on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (Patrick Z. McGavin / Daily Southtown)

Vanderbilt commit Corey Laga, who feels ‘you can’t be scared,’ puts fear into opponents at tackle for Lemont

By Patrick Z. McGavin

September 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Leading the way at left tackle, Vanderbilt-bound Corey Laga helps Lemont hit season high for...

Mother McAuley’s Jayce Prohaska (4) keeps the ball in play against Joliet Catholic during a GCAC crossover match in Chicago on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (Nate Swanson / Daily Southtown)

Described by her coach as ‘the complete package,’ Mother McAuley’s Jayce Prohaska makes a splash. Literally.

By Jeff Vorva

September 30, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Jayce Prohaska picks up eight kills and eight digs for Mother McAuley in a 25-14,...