DeKalb Police Department to adapt policy reforms, budget unchanged
Kierra Frazier, Reporter
July 14, 2020
DeKALB — Following weeks of protest and community meetings calling for police reform, the DeKalb Police Department will be making several departmental changes. There are no changes to the department’s budget. Two resolutions —to approve a law enforcement embedded social worker and to adop...
Officer involved in August excessive force arrest to remain on police department
Kierra Frazier, Reporter
July 14, 2020
DeKALB — Sgt. Jeffery Weese, who used a chokehold during an August arrest, can’t be fired due to police union contracts. Weese has already been disciplined for his actions in February, DeKalb city officials said. “Could you go back in time and fire them for those incidents that may have happen...
County COVID-19 cases rise to 653
July 11, 2020
DeKALB — The DeKalb County Health Department announced the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased to 653. Among those who have tested positive for the coronavirus, 65 are younger than 19, 158 are in their 20s, 109 are in their 30s, 94 are in their 40s, 85 are in their 50s, 43 are in their 6...
NIU community navigates ICE policy
Ahyen Labanan and Kierra Frazier
July 10, 2020
DeKALB — NIU international students must notify International Student and Scholar Services of their fall plans by July 15 by filling out a form. International students are now required to enroll in at least one in-person course for the fall semester in order to remain in the U.S., otherwise, they must le...
Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to host virtual workshop
July 7, 2020
The Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a workshop 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday discussing the history of protest and racism in America. The workshop will also discuss asset-based approaches. This event is part of a four-part social justice workshop and town hall vir...
Northern Star alumni remember colleague as ‘the epitome of community journalism’
Ahyen Labanan, News Editor
July 4, 2020
An NIU and Northern Star alumnus, Barry Schrader spent his entire life practicing what he loved: journalism. He will be remembered by the DeKalb community for his involvement, love of news and storytelling. Schrader, 79, died Tuesday after battling pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, ...
County COVID-19 cases rise to 593
July 3, 2020
DeKALB — The DeKalb County Health Department announced the number of positive COVID-19 cases increased to 593. DCHD also reported an additional death Thursday. Among those who tested positive for the coronavirus, 56 are younger than 19, 139 are in their 20s, 106 are in their 30s, 91 are in th...
State enters Phase 4 of reopening plan
Kierra Frazier, Reporter
July 1, 2020
DeKALB —The state has moved into the fourth stage of its coronavirus reopening plan which permits gatherings of 50 or fewer people and indoor dining at restaurants. Phase Four began on June 26 and is a part of the five-pronged “Restore Illinois” plan which is based on public health metrics issued b...
Employees donate $27K to Student Emergency Fund
Mikah Walker, Reporter
June 30, 2020
DeKALB — 672 NIU employees donated their parking pass refund to the Student Emergency Fund. The parking refund donations ended with a total of $27,413, said Michael Adzovic, director of the Northern Fund. Donations were accepted from June 1 to 15. Staff donations were extended to June 18 due to high d...
Facebook to construct data center in DeKalb
June 30, 2020
DeKALB — Facebook will construct a 907,000 square foot data center in DeKalb. This will be the social media company’s 12th data center in the country. The center, which will be called the Facebook DeKalb Data Center, will be located at the intersection of Gurler Road and Peace Road. Face...
DeKalb Joint Review Board discusses audit
Kierra Frazier, Reporter
June 28, 2020
DeKALB — The DeKalb Tax Increment Financing Joint Review Board reconvened Friday to discuss a recent forensic audit on the city’s use of tax increment finance spending, which found TIF funds of $7.9 million being used to balance salary costs from 2009 to 2018. This was the board’s first mee...
Coronavirus’s impact on fall enrollment ‘completely unknown’
Kierra Frazier, Reporter
June 28, 2020
DeKALB — Potential impacts of COVID-19 on fall enrollment are “completely unknown,” as the university is preparing for a unique semester, said Sol Jensen, vice president of enrollment management, marketing and communications. “[Fall enrollment] is a crystal ball at this point,” Jensen said. “I think every uni...
