Local News – Page 56 –

A handgun and loaded magazine were found inside a backpack in an Evanston Township High School student’s gym locker on Oct. 9, 2026, according to school administrators. The 17-year-old student who possessed the gun has since been taken to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. (Brian Cox/for the Pioneer Press).

Handgun, loaded magazine found in Evanston Township High School student’s backpack

By Claire Murphy

October 12, 2026 at 1:37 p.m.

Evanston police said the 17-year-old male student who had the gun has since been taken...

Ron Fleming of Yorkville checks out a classic car during Fall Fest at the Kendall County Fairgrounds in Yorkville on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)

Classic cars, crafts take center stage at Kendall County Fall Fest

By David Sharos

October 12, 2026 at 11:56 a.m.

Sunday was a day of cars and crafts as the Kendall County Fair Association offered...

Republican Trevor De Vries and Democrat Scott Houldieson face off for District 1 Indiana State Senate seat

By Maya Wilkins

October 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Two political newcomers, Republican Trevor De Vries and Democrat Scott Houldieson, are both hoping to...

Providence head coach Tyler Plantz talks with his assistants against Joliet Catholic during an CCL/ESCC Orange game at Memorial Stadium in Joliet on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Former Providence players and assistant coach express support for fired football coach Tyler Plantz

By Steve Millar

September 15, 2026 at 5:59 p.m.

Lucas Proudfoot, Gavin Hagan and Tim Hanrahan, who played for Northwestern, speak out for fired...

Gary’s Chief of staff Ellis Dumas opens a fire hydrant as Indiana American Water celebrated the opening of its $2.2 million American Water Training Center in Gary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Indiana American Water opens $2.2 million Gary training center

By Maya Wilkins

September 15, 2026 at 4:53 p.m.

Indiana American Water opened its $2.2 million training facility in Gary, which will help with...

Paul Myers flips through a historic book about Marktown in this 2017 file photo. (Post-Tribune archives)

‘Marktown Mayor,’ preservationist Paul Myers dies at age 73

By Philip Potempa

September 15, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

Historian of East Chicago's Marktown neighborhood Paul Myers, 73, died Sept. 9 in his sleep...

The Indian Prairie School District 204 board meets at the Crouse Education Center at 780 Shoreline Drive in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Indian Prairie District 204 saw fewer aggression, technology-based student infractions last year, officials say

By Molly Morrow

September 16, 2026 at 9:03 p.m.

The school district recently launched a new behavior dashboard to look at incidents that occur.

Gary firefighter on leave after alleged off-duty hit-and-run of state police car: official

By Meredith Colias-Pete

September 15, 2026 at 3:51 p.m.

A Gary firefighter has been placed on leave without pay after he allegedly drunkenly hit...

Governor Mike Braun speaks during the Fireside Chat portion of the Innovate Northwest Indiana program held at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Indiana again to reimburse communities for gas tax loss

By Carole Carlson

September 15, 2026 at 3:03 p.m.

The State Board of Finance agreed Tuesday to reimburse about $139 million to local governments...

The Kane County Board meets at the Kane County Government Center in Geneva. The board recently passed a balanced budget for 2027. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

After passing a balanced 2027 budget, Kane County looks to the future

By Molly Morrow

September 17, 2026 at 12:20 p.m.

After years of spending down its reserves, the county has made cuts, reallocated money and...

Mark Kolasa, a teaching assistant for a restoration ecology class, uses his binoculars during a tour through Deer Grove East Forest Preserve in Palatine on Sept. 23, 2025, as part of a celebration of the completion of the habitat restoration project. The restoration project, funded by the O’Hare Modernization Mitigation Account, restored acres of native habitat and wetlands at this site. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Forest Preserves spent extra $40 million yearly on expanded conservation, maintenance

By A.D. Quig

September 15, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

Voters overwhelmingly gave Cook County Forest Preserves the OK to raise property taxes by 0.025%...

From left, Portage Mayor Austin Bonta, Police Chief Michael Candiano and City Attorney Dan Bartnicki explain how Portage police officers use Flock camera images and guardrails put in place to deter misuse of the system. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

Portage officials discuss Flock camera locations, policies

By Doug Ross

September 15, 2026 at 1:50 p.m.

The Flock presentation came at Mayor Austin Bonta’s normal monthly “Mayor’s Monday” discussion. Bonta, Candiano...

Magistrate Ana Osan answers a question from fourth graders during Constitution Day at Jackson Elementary School in Valparaiso, Indiana, Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The program moved outdoors as a fire alarm went off during her presentation. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Magistrate holds court for Constitution Day at Jackson Elementary

By Jim Woods

September 15, 2026 at 1:40 p.m.

Magistrate Ana Osan raised her right hand and administered the oath in front of 70...