Shun Graves

Shun Graves is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

A vehicle passes the mostly empty parking lot at the Metra station in downtown Wilmette on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Union Pacific Railroad owns the lot. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Wilmette sees flurry of new businesses, developments, with prospect of major one ahead

May 26, 2026 at 3:28 p.m.

Wilmette sees flurry of new businesses, developments, with prospect of major residential development ahead.

Commander Brian Beatty of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7186 speaks to more than a hundred people assembled at Fountain Square in Evanston on Monday, May 25, 2026. “As you sit on the beach, leave a space to remember their service,” Beatty told the Memorial Day crowd. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

On Memorial Day in Evanston, a meditation on sacrifice and unity

May 26, 2026 at 4:35 p.m.

On Memorial Day 2026 in Evanston, speakers hold a meditation on sacrifice and unity at Fountain Square.

Zander Schwartz, from left, Yishu Zhang and Victoria Kindratenko stop in front of the Starbucks in downtown Evanston to pick up litter on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Kindratenko and Schwartz work on research at a Northwestern lab, whose plastic waste spurred them to help with the Earth Day-themed cleanup. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Earth Day-themed cleanup in downtown Evanston impresses with cleanliness

April 28, 2026 at 3:57 p.m.

Earth Day-themed cleanup in downtown Evanston impresses with cleanliness

Costa Kutulas, the Winnetka Park District’s director of parks and maintenance, holds up a sample of the chain-link fence that would enclose an off-leash dog beach on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Despite the props, the Winnetka Design Review Board recommended against the dog beach project. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Winnetka Park District pursues fenced dog beach despite some public criticism

April 24, 2026 at 4:05 p.m.

Winnetka Park District will continue its bid for afenced dog beach despite some criticism from the public.

Jayne Epperson, who lives at The Carrington senior home in Lincolnwood, speaks into the microphone while Julianne Arvizu, right, her daughter and the senior home’s life enrichment director, smiles at the No Kings rally in Lincolnwood on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Epperson spearheaded the organizing of the rally. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Passionate octogenarians at Lincolnwood senior home take up ‘No Kings’ cry after Evanston rally

March 30, 2026 at 2:18 p.m.

Near the close of the No Kings rally in Lincolnwood on Saturday afternoon, the chants rang out from beneath the waving American flag with a defiant twist. “We may be...

Steve Juliusson shows his T-shirt castigating the Winnetka Park District after the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Despite adjustments, Winnetka Park District’s dog beach plans face another setback

March 16, 2026 at 10:32 a.m.

Despite adjustments, Winnetka Park District’s dog beach plans face another setback from the Zoning Board.

The entrance to Centennial Beach in Winnetka, which currently requires that dogs be leashed, is seen Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The Winnetka Park District plans to enclose the beach in fencing, allowing dogs to roam freely. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Winnetka dog beach plans unleash pushback, potential end of donation pact with billionaire

February 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Winnetka dog beach plans unleash pushback and the potential end of a donation pact with billionaire neighbor Justin Ishbia.

Chris Van Nostrand smiles after being sworn in to the Evanston/Skokie District 65 Board of Education on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Evanston. Board President Patricia Anderson stands beside him after administering the oath. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

New Evanston-Skokie D65 Board member floats goal of 100% college readiness

February 10, 2026 at 12:44 p.m.

New Evanston-Skokie D65 Board member Chris Van Nostrand was sworn in 2/9/2026 and floated the goal of 100% college readiness.

Wilmette Village President Senta Plunkett listens to a discussion of proposed e-bike and e-scooter rules at Village Hall in Wilmette on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. The Village Board indicated that it would keep mulling the restrictions once the village gathered more feedback. Corporation Counsel Jeffrey Stein is at right. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Wilmette Village Board waives vehicle sticker fees, tussles over e-bike rules

February 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Tne Wilmette Village Board waived vehicle sticker fees for lower-income residents, and trustees debated e-bike rules.

The sirloin at Burl Restaurant in Evanston comes served with a vegetable slaw after being marinated in an anise and chili mix and cooked with fish sauce. This plate was prepared Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Burl brings ‘farmer-driven’ dining, Midwestern flair, to Evanston restaurant scene

February 2, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

Burl, a fine dining restaurant, has opened in Evanston, with owners Tom Carlin, Rachel Canfora-Carlin touting farmer-driven cuisine.

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