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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A statue of Wally Thurow, the creator of the Sycamore Pumpkin Fest, sits in the sun. The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival will begin Wednesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival begins Wednesday

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | October 22, 2023

DeKALB – Sycamore’s 62nd annual Pumpkin Festival will be taking over downtown Sycamore in the upcoming week. The Pumpkin Festival will run from Wednesday through Sunday with events scheduled throughout the week. The festival will begin at 5...

A group of Canadian geese gather on the edge of the lagoon on Nov. 1, 2021. The DeKalb’s Citizens’ Environmental Commision is accepting nominations for its 2023 P.R.I.D.E. awards. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb P.R.I.D.E. awards looking for submissions

By Kaitlyn Lee-Gordon, News Reporter | October 18, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb’s Citizens’ Environmental Commission are now accepting nominations for the 2023 P.R.I.D.E. awards.  Not to be confused for LGBTQ+ Pride, the P.R.I.D.E. awards are dedicated to People Responsible for Improving DeKalb’s Environment. The...

Artist Danielle Casali and a volunteer work on a mosaic of the Kishwaukee River made using pieces of mirror. A ribbon cutting for the mural on the south wall of DeKalb City Hall will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19. (Courtesy of the City of DeKalb)

City to unveil new mural celebrating belonging

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | October 17, 2023

DeKALB – Citizens are encouraged to come together for the unveiling of DeKalb’s latest public art project. A new mural will be unveiled 5:30 p.m., Oct. 19 at DeKalb city hall, 164 E. Lincoln Highway. The mural, created by artist Danielle Casali...

Victor E. Huskie stands next to the new unveiled statue of Victor E. Huskie that sits in front of DeKalb City Hall, 164 E. Lincoln Highway. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

‘Communiversity’ comes together for block party

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | October 12, 2023

DeKALB – Even gray skies and cold October winds could not damper the Huskie pride put on display during the block party celebration in downtown DeKalb. On Thursday, Lincoln Highway between First Street and Third Street was closed down for a block...

The DeKalb County Veterans Recognition Fund committee stand in front of the DeKalb Veterans Memorial (from left): Mike Coghlan, Ron Lofton, Michael Embrey, Jerry Smith, and Paul Jerde. The fund will support the DeKalb County Veterans group honor veterans. (Courtesy of the DeKalb County Community Foundation)

DeKalb County Veterans receive new funding

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | October 12, 2023

DeKALB – A DeKalb veterans group is getting new funding for memorial projects. The DeKalb County Veterans Recognition Fund was announced by the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The fund will allow the DeKalb County Veterans group to do work honoring...

Small amounts of psilocybin are placed in a dosette box. The legalization of psilocybin in Illinois could legitimize its usage for therapeutic purposes. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Ending the psilocybin ‘prohibition’ in Illinois

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 11, 2023

DeKALB – Illinois is attempting to break ground for the rise of psychedelic mushrooms as a form of legitimized therapy.   On Dec. 5, 2022, Illinois House Rep. La Shawn K. Ford prefiled the Illinois Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act...

Bottles of alcohol sit on a grocery store shelf. Illinois is now mandating that alcoholic beverages are clearly labeled and stocked in a way that does not mislead consumers about their alcohol content. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

Illinois mandates clear distinction of alcoholic beverages

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 10, 2023

To prevent confusion between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in retail stores, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission implemented a fixed rule on Sept. 21, regulating the placement of co-branded alcoholic beverages on Illinois sales floors. Any...

A sign stating "Future home of Kraft Heinz" sits in an open field. Companies like Meta, Kraft Heinz and Ferrara have begun investing in DeKalb and more big investors may follow. (Courtesy of City of DeKalb)

Financial growth earns DeKalb higher bond rating

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | October 10, 2023

DeKALB – Companies like Meta, Kraft Heinz and Ferrara have begun investing in DeKalb and more big investors may follow. DeKalb’s financial growth has increased its bond rating to A1. Bond ratings are a rating of how likely a city will pay back...

City Manager Bill Nicklas reviews the expansions of the property at 1240 Normal Road. The building was originally built by the district but was sold to NIU in 1987 and used by the School of Nursing. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

DeKalb school district seeks renovations to former nursing building

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | October 9, 2023

DeKALB – The former nursing building is being repurposed as an elementary school for the DeKalb school district by 2025. The building, 1240 Normal Road, is returning to the DeKalb school district years after it was constructed in 1974 and sold to...

Jordan Francis, a bartender at Fatty's Pub and Grille, pours a beer. Francis talked about her experience of being a college town bartender. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Bartending, ‘it’s a crazy good time’

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 9, 2023

DeKALB – Bartending can be a fun job, but it’s not all suds and smiles.   Jordan Francis is a bartender at Fatty’s Pub and Grille. Francis began as a waitress but jumped at the change of pace when management asked if she wanted to bartend.   “Bartending...

A gas pump sits in front of a gas station on a sunny day. Gas prices are down nearly 75 cents from Oct. 2022. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Illinois gas prices continue to drop

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | October 9, 2023

Compared to this time last year, the average gas price per gallon of gas in Illinois is 74.7 cents lower today, according to GasBuddy.  The average price of gas in Illinois is $3.65 per gallon today, with the national average being $3.66 per gallon.  Throughout...

Illinois prison libraries to receive grant

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | October 5, 2023

Illinois is awarding $420,000 to the Illinois Department of Corrections to support 28 prison libraries in the state.  According to a press release from Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, each prison library will receive $15,000...