Gregory Harutunian

Remaining damage to trees and gravestones left on Oakwood property by a Union Pacific clear-cut on the eastern bluff, two years ago. No legal action has been taken by the city of Waukegan. (Greg Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Officials bemoan upkeep of Waukegan-owned cemeteries: ‘The dead should have more respect than they’re getting’

July 9, 2026 at 4:17 p.m.

“Thousands of individuals … are buried at Oakwood Cemetery, and it is the obligation of each succeeding generation to respect and honor those who came before us,” said Diana Dretske,...

A proposed veterans memorial in Antioch would be placed on wetlands and necessitate the removal of trees. (Gregory Harutunian/ for the Lake County News-Sun)

Antioch Veterans Memorial groundbreaking vote tabled by village board at its June meeting

June 12, 2026 at 2:14 p.m.

An authorization to begin groundbreaking on a Veterans Memorial that has been mired in controversy because of its location was tabled, during Wednesday’s village board meeting. An accompanying resolution to...

Father Daron Stepanian, pastor of St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church, listens to discussions with parishoners regarding the ground realities in Lebanon. (Gregory Harutunian/ for the Lake County News-Sun)

Armenian priest from Lebanon bears witness to living under bombardment for Waukegan church

June 11, 2026 at 2:58 p.m.

Members of Waukegan’s St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church were introduced to the Very Rev. Bayrour Shernezian during the Easter weekend, last April. He was invited by the church’s board and...

A staff member checks dehumidifiers on April 19 in the flooded area of Volo Museum's Titanic exhibit. The inundated area was near the sinking slope platform, left, that gives visitors a sense of the ship's pitch as it went down. (Volo Museum)

Volo Museum’s Titanic exhibit floods on sinking’s anniversary: ‘It’s kind of creepy’

April 30, 2026 at 7:54 p.m.

The Volo Museum opened in 1960 and eventually focused its business on obtaining movie-used vehicles and iconic cars.

Two of the four presumably abandoned kittens are sitting in the tree notches. They were discovered last Sunday afternoon at the trailhead parking lot of the Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest. (Courtesy of Dr. John Kyncl)

Hikers on Lake Forest nature trail work together to rescue kittens from a tree

March 28, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

While it does not qualify as high drama, the episode displays the compassion of people working together.

Tim Medeiros, Save-A-Pet's operations manager, holds Chumbawamba in the interaction room where potential adopters can meet the puppies and connect with them. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Grayslake-area shelter strives to find pets forever homes: ‘We give hope and a voice to these animals’

December 4, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Since opening in 1995, the six-acre complex has provided safety and care to kittens and puppies, along with larger dogs and cats.

Life-size characters from stories by Charles Dickens have been a favorite display in Antioch for more than a decade. (Antioch Chamber of Commerce)

Antioch planning to celebrate month of holiday festivities

November 25, 2025 at 10:44 a.m.

The annual Christmas Parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, following a path through downtown.

The cannons fired by the Union forces, pushed leaves and debris for 30 feet in front of the barrel, during the afternoon battle. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Hundreds attend Hainesville Civil War reenactment: ‘We need to learn the lessons of history’

October 22, 2025 at 4:14 p.m.

People largely came for the battle between the opposing forces, but the entire experience was designed for educational purposes.

The Great Wall is what attracts crowds to the weekend festival in Highwood, as well as the chance to carve their own pumpkins. Additional scaffolding was constantly being erected to accommodate the finished gourds. (Gregory Harutunian/For the Lake County News-Sun)

The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival draws 100K visitors; ‘It’s the perfect Halloween experience’

October 9, 2025 at 5:41 p.m.

People attending the festival were asked to make a suggested donation of $2 per pumpkin with proceeds going to SaLT and Celebrate Highwood.

The Grand Entry of Flags to the event grounds includes a Ceremonial Honor Walk and the Veteran's Walk. (Courtesy of David Sandy of the Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow Committee)

Zion’s Potawatomi Trails Pow Wow mixes tradition, teaching; ‘To celebrate our Native American heritage’

August 25, 2025 at 5:28 p.m.

Activities included walking the fire circle to offer prayers, sampling authentic Native American food like fry bread, and learning about the various tribal heritages.

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