Local News

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

By Gregory Harutunian

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

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

Brother Rice’s Gavin Helpingstine (14) heads to third base against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

Varsity rookie Gavin Helpingstine boosts Brother Rice with leadoff double, smart baserunning. ‘Gets after it.’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

March 27, 2026 at 11:43 p.m.

Gavin Helpingstine's leadoff double and smart baserunning produces go-ahead run, sparking Brother Rice to 9-2...

Lincoln-Way Central's Taylor Watt (29) sends the ball up the field against Marist in the Windy City Ram Classic championship game at Reavis in Burbank on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Fearless even after torn ACL, Lincoln-Way Central’s Taylor Watt scores twice on headers. ‘Hungry for it now.’

By Steve Millar

March 27, 2026 at 10:44 p.m.

Taylor Watt scores twice as Lincoln-Way Central tops Marist 3-0 in the Windy City Ram...

Homer Glen resident Tom Canning stands next to Long Run Creek Thursday. Natural leaf litter has accumulated, but he has also pulled out items such as a hot tub cover and a kiddie pool. (Michelle Mullins/for the Daily Southtown)

Homer Glen officials discuss helping remove debris from flood-prone creek

By Michelle Mullins

March 26, 2026 at 1:39 p.m.

Homer Glen resident Tom Canning has pulled numerous items including a child’s swimming pool and...

In a 5-4 vote, Elgin council delays ‘welcoming city’ ordinance decision

By Gloria Casas

March 26, 2026 at 1:06 p.m.

Elgin City Council's vote on a welcoming city ordinance was delayed after it became clear...

The Batavia Police Department said four people were injured in a crash on Wednesday. (Batavia Police Department)

Four injured in Batavia traffic crash, police say

By Molly Morrow

March 26, 2026 at 12:21 p.m.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing, the Batavia Police Department said.

Michelle Maxia, founder and director of Toy Box Connection, shows off the DAR Community Service Award she recently received from the Swallow Cliff chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Swallow Cliff DAR)

Around the Southland: Swallow Cliff DAR lauds women for volunteerism, trout season opens

By Melinda Moore

March 26, 2026 at 11:37 a.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Palos Heights, Calumet City, Orland Park, Glenwood,...

Mourners gather outside a home in the 3400 block of East Norway Trail in unincorporated Crete Township on March 25, 2026, in memory of Jacob Lambert, 32, his mother, Stacy Forde, 54, and her husband, Patrick Forde, 55, who were found dead there on Monday. According to authorities, Jenna Strouble, a St. John, Indiana, resident and the mother of Lambert's children, was charged with the first-degree murder. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

‘They were lights in this neighborhood’: Neighbors mourn Crete Township family killed in triple homicide

By Evy Lewis

March 26, 2026 at 3:31 p.m.

Dozens came out Wednesday night to grieve Jacob Lambert, 32, his mother, Stacy Forde, 54,...

Glencoe’s Public Safety Department is investigating an incident that occurred on March 24 at the Glencoe Golf Club, 621 Westley Road, where gunshots were fired on course property. (Glencoe Golf Club)

Police investigating gunshots fired at Glencoe Golf Club

By Claire Murphy

March 26, 2026 at 1:01 p.m.

Glencoe’s Public Safety Department is investigating an incident on March 24 at the Glencoe Golf...

Warren’s Peyton Balanag doesn’t lack velocity. But he baffles hitters too. ‘It’s really funny watching them.’

By Steve Reaven

March 26, 2026 at 7:57 a.m.

Right-hander Peyton Balanag throws a knuckleball that he learned from his father, Terry, who also...

The hotel at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora, under construction, as seen on Thursday, March 19, 2026. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora sets special liquor rules for new Hollywood Casino resort

By R. Christian Smith

March 26, 2026 at 7:41 a.m.

The Aurora City Council has approved special rules around the sale of liquor and other...

Kaiden Rhodes’ ‘amazing’ season, perhaps his last, may get even better when Crown Point plays for state title

By Michael Osipoff

March 26, 2026 at 6:59 a.m.

If the Class 4A state final is the last game of Kaiden Rhodes’ career, he...

Evie Blohm, 4, of Vernon Hills is at the buffet line and excited about the macaroni and cheese, her favorite entree here, her mother Christine Blohm said during the SMV Men’s Club Friday Night Lenten Fish Fry on March 20, 2026 in the Rev. John P. Finnegan Parish Center at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek Men’s Club serving church and fish during Lent

By Karie Angell Luc

March 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Between 250 to 300 people dine on Fridays for the SMV Men’s Club Friday Night...