Local News – Page 72 –

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has named its 2026 photo contest winners. Mike Nielsen’s photo of a doe and her fawn in Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook won Voters’ Choice. (Forest Preserve District of DuPage County)

Community news: Deer, ducks, sunset and stream take top honors in Forest Preserve photo contest

By Melinda Moore

October 15, 2026 at 5:04 p.m.

News from the community includes items from Forest Preserve District of Will County, Western Springs,...

Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso.
- Original Credit: Porter County

Porter County taskforce coming together on local income tax approach

By Shelley Jones

October 15, 2026 at 3:57 p.m.

The Porter County Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce is coalescing around an approach to local income...

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele speaks during a press conference on Dec. 4, 2025. A contract between Portage Township Assessor Crystal Millsap and the Leanor Group, owned by Steele, is drawing scrutiny for its high price tag. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Porter County officials question high-dollar contract for Portage Township Assessor’s Office

By Shelley Jones

October 15, 2026 at 3:44 p.m.

Porter County officials asked the county attorney to investigate a contract between the Portage Township...

Consultant Targhi Arshami of The Arsh Group offers advice to a small group discussing ideas for Portage’s new comprehensive plan. The small groups offered ideas during a public input session at Woodland Park Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. The new plan, to be considered by the Plan Commission and City Council, will be the first comprehensive plan since 2009. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Transit, roundabouts likely for Portage’s wish list after public input

By Doug Ross

September 13, 2026 at 2:36 p.m.

The comprehensive plan being drafted for Portage is likely to include roundabouts and public transit...

West Aurora’s Carlos Rivera (13) calls out secondary assignments against Bartlett during an Upstate Eight West game in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Carlos Rivera, a safety who ‘backs down from nobody,’ tackles another challenge as West Aurora downs Bartlett

By Rick Armstrong

September 13, 2026 at 11:31 a.m.

Carlos Rivera pushes his team-high total to 31 tackles as West Aurora rolls to a...

Lincoln-Way Central’s Aiden Noto (20) gains extra yards against Lutheran North of Missouri during a nonconference game in New Lenox on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Aiden Noto follows in older brother’s footsteps to lead Lincoln-Way Central: ‘I just want to be like him.’

By Steve Millar

September 13, 2026 at 10:47 a.m.

Aiden Noto runs for 98 yards and a key late TD as Lincoln-Way Central holds...

Aja Bridges stands outside her mother’s home in Gary, Indiana on Friday, August 28, 2026. Like many residents in Northwest Indiana, Bridges, 27, had struggled to survive with her two children after recent storms pummeled the region. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Gary moms recall challenges during power outage: ‘I gotta get to my kids’

By Meredith Colias-Pete

September 13, 2026 at 4:21 p.m.

Caught off guard with smaller paychecks, childcare jams, or using “bill money” for unexpected expenses...

Sandhill cranes congregate in a coal ash pond next to R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, while it operates, Feb. 9, 2026, in Wheatfield, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Activists raise concerns with NIPSCO Jasper County water permit application

By Maya Wilkins

September 13, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

If approved, the permit would mix wastewater from the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, a new...

From left, Jennifer Stallings, Aurora city clerk; Jason Guisinger, legal counsel to the Aurora electoral board; Ald. Juany Garza, 2nd Ward; and Ald. Mike Saville, 6th Ward listen to arguments concerning a recall referendum effort during a Sept. 1 meeting of the electoral board. The board is set to meet on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, to make a final decision on whether the proposed recall referendum questions will be on the fall ballot. (Addison Wright/The Beacon-News)

Final decision expected Monday on whether recall referendum questions will be on fall ballot in Aurora

By Addison Wright

September 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Aurora electoral board said it plans to reach a final decision Monday on whether...

Curtis Evans prepares to affix a bright pink poster underneath a Flock camera near McCormick Boulevard in Skokie on Sept. 3, 2026. Since mid-July, Evans has been posting the signs to alert the public about the controversial license plate reader cameras. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Police say Flock is invaluable. But as misuse mounts, many wonder how to rein in the surveillance system.

By Rebecca Johnson

September 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As allegations of Flock misuse mount, police departments and lawmakers are grappling with what must...

Jacob York of West Chicago, the Turning Point USA chapter president at Olivet Nazarene University, is the first among a series of people to speak during a Charlie Kirk Vigil and Remembrance at Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

Charlie Kirk supporters host vigil in hometown year after his killing

By Mick Zawislak

September 12, 2026 at 7:04 p.m.

Dozens gathered at the Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights to remember Charlie Kirk in his...

Police: Axe-wielding driver arrested after attacking two semis

By Post-Tribune

September 12, 2026 at 3:59 p.m.

A New Jersey man is in custody after police said he attacked two semis with...

An updated map of the Marquette Greenway shows the trail, which stretches from Calumet Park, Illinois, to New Buffalo, Michigan, is coming closer to fruition. (Mitch Barloga/provided)

Marquette Greenway about 65% complete but toughest sections remain

By Doug Ross

September 12, 2026 at 3:36 p.m.

The Marquette Greenway is getting closer to completion, but the sections that remain are the...