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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Cars and a motorcycle pass a block's worth of stores in downtown Dekalb. In 2022, tourism in DeKalb County increased over 10%. (Northern Star File Photo)

DeKalb tourism contributes to record economic growth

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 7, 2023

DeKALB – Visitors, and their wallets, are flocking to DeKalb County for all it has to offer.  Recent data released by the Illinois Office of Tourism showed that in 2022 tourism spending in DeKalb County increased by more than 10%, resulting in $123.4...

A group of children are playing with a tree-like toy. A 2022 Promise Grant to Neighbors’ House provided new board games and learning activities for after-school groups. (Courtesy of DeKalb County Community Foundation)

DeKalb Promise Grant applications open

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | September 6, 2023

DeKALB – The DeKalb Community Foundation has opened applications for their Promise Grant program. According to the organization, the Promise Grant works to “inspire, educate, and empower individuals who may experience extraordinary challenges due...

Prescription drugs lay on a countertop. The Sycamore Police Department is hosting a day-long prescription drug drop-off service for people to safely discard their prescription medications. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, file)

Day-long medication drop-off at Sycamore Police Department

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | September 6, 2023

DeKALB – The Sycamore Police Department has partnered with State Sen. Dave Syverson and State Rep. Jeff Keicher in an effort to keep unused prescription drugs out of circulation. A prescription drug drop-off will be held 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m....

A gas pump ticks up as a tank gets filled. Gas prices are decreasing right now. (Bobak | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5)

Gas prices going down, may stay there

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 5, 2023

DeKALB – The long-awaited relief has arrived, as gas prices continue their incremental decline, drivers could have additional opportunities to save.  A recent GasBuddy survey encompassing 4,378 stations across the state, revealed that prices per...

 A sign instructing visitors to wait sits on a DMV desk. Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias' "Skip the Line" program which took effect Sept. 1, is aiming to decrease the wait time at the DMV. (Courtesy of Wikimedia)

DMV rolls out new Skip the Line program

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | September 5, 2023

DeKALB – Going to the DMV just got easier and less stressful for DeKalb residents. Starting Sept. 1, the Driver and Motor Vehicles facility located at 1360 Oakwood Street has begun taking measures to reduce wait time for individuals and make their...

An empty storefront at 2565 Sycamore Road sits stationed in the sun. The empty store's windows are decorated Crumbl Cookie bannners. (Michael Mollsen | Northern Star)

‘Let’s get ready to Crumbl,’ new cookie shop to join DeKalb

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | September 5, 2023

DeKALB – The cookie scene in DeKalb just got fierce with the sneak peak of a Crumbl Cookie store “coming soon” sign appearing in the college town. The formerly empty property on 2564 Sycamore Road, between the GameStop and the Westside Children's...

A white SUV was part of a two-vehicle collision Friday. The area of the crash, the 1500 block of South Fourth Street, was reopened to the public at around 11:20 a.m. (Devin Oommen | Northern Star) (edited)

BREAKING: Car Crash on South 4th Street

By Devin Oommen, News Reporter | September 1, 2023

Editor's note: This piece was updated at 11:50 a.m. to reflect the area of the accident is no longer blocked. DeKALB – Around 10:09 a.m. Friday, a car crash occurred at the 1500 block of South Fourth Street. Two cars were involved, an SUV and a five-axle...

Cars drive under the newly painted NIU underpass mural entering and leaving the NIU campus on Annie Glidden Road. The mural was a collaboration between NIU and the city of DeKalb funded from a grant to create more public art in DeKalb. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

New NIU mural welcomes students to Huskie Nation

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | August 31, 2023

DeKALB - Huskie Nation has a defining new entrance with the unveiling of the mural painted on the Annie Glidden Road underpass. Huskies can now see new NIU decor around campus from the new NIU logo street signs and the visible red and black “Huskie...

NIU crime log, May, June, July 2023

By Bridgette Fox, Written Managing Editor | August 31, 2023

DeKALB – The information in this report is compiled from the NIU Police Department’s Daily Crime Log. Any case defined as “unfounded” was not included in this list. Any case “closed by exception” means the case is closed due to circumstances...

In Fall 2021 Greek and non-affiliated NIU students tailgate outside the Huskie Stadium for a football game. NIU has seen Greek involvement decline sharply since its peak in the 1990s, with less than 700 Greek members reported in the 2020-2021 academic year. (Northern Star File Photo)

New Greek Life Center approved for Annie Glidden neighborhood

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – NIU has finally entered the approval stages of building its first Greek Life Center in the Annie Glidden neighborhood near Greek Row. The city approved a redevelopment agreement at the July 10 DeKalb City Council meeting which was the first...

Road blocks and a “road closed” sign restricts vehicles from entering Normal Road on Aug. 29 at the intersection of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue The road is blocked off from vehicles while plans to resurface the road and a roundabout is planned for the intersection in the summer. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Normal road closure, roundabout to be constructed

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | August 29, 2023

DeKALB – Students and staff will need to keep their eyes on the road as closures and upcoming construction may waylay their schedule. Barricades were set up Aug. 17 on Normal Road between Lucinda Avenue and West Locust Street. Closure of Normal is...

Corn Fest attendees enjoy rides and carnival games on Saturday at the 46th annual Corn Fest in downtown DeKalb on 1st and 4th Street. The festival took place from Aug. 25 to Aug. 27 and expects up to 15,000 festival-goers every year. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Corn, country and celebration: Corn Fest 2023

By Joseph Howerton, Video Editor | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – During move-in weekend, students were given one last opportunity before the college grind to reunite with old friends or make new ones at Corn Fest. The weekend music festival and corn boil in DeKalb is one of the last free admission festivals...