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Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
Joseph Howerton

Joseph Howerton, News Reporter

Joseph Howerton is a junior communications major and is minoring in digital media production. He has been apart of the Northern Star as a news reporter since October 2022 and covers the Board of Trustees.

Between his work at the Star and studies at NIU, Joseph works at the Sycamore Public Library's circulation desk and runs the library's D&D youth group.

In his freetime he enjoys watching movies, playing video games, D&D, cosplay and writing.

All content by Joseph Howerton
Members of the Local 1890 union sit in on a board of trustees meeting. The Local 1890 union members addressed pay compression and pay inversion in their new agreement. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU, clerical union make deal addressing pay disparity

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 29, 2023
Brendan Lai stands in front of a wall. Lai was arrested on Nov. 27 in Sycamore on theft and methamphetamine charges. (Courtesy of Sycamore Police Department)

Methamphetamine found in retail theft

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 29, 2023
A gallery inside Jubilee Artisans features framed artwork from local DeKalb county artists. Jubilee Artisans lets local artists display their art and features paintings, handmade jewelry, photographs and stationary items for sale. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

DeKalb’s art scene finds home in local consignment

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 28, 2023
A picture displays the title for Chapter 1 of the textbook for Anthropology 441, Sexual Selection in Primates. Anthropology 441 discusses the anatomy and reproductive traits of primates. (Margaret White | Northern Star)

Anthropology class discusses primate sexual selection

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 20, 2023
“Trans lives are sacred!” is written in sidewalk chalk in front of the Jack Arends Hall. The Transgender Day of Rememberance is a yearly observance on Nov. 20 for individuals who’ve lose their lives to anti-transgender violence. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

NIU to hold Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 20, 2023
Homemade apple and walnut salad, stuffed mushrooms, green bean casserole, corn flake cheese potatoes, fresh cranberry sauce with the side of a dinner roll and mint tea. There are many meals coming up on weekly Ellingtons menu. (Sasha Norman | Northern Star)

Running Ellington’s Restaurant: What does it take?

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 16, 2023
Madison Wescott holds an energy drink in front of her food truck, Main Squeeze. Wescott sells homemade lemonade and energy drinks to pay for her college tuition. (Courtesy of Madison Wescott)

NIU student pays for school with lemonade

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 16, 2023
Steam rises out of the top of Patterson Hall West on Nov. 13. A steam relief valve caused an emergency evacuation of Patterson Hall residents around 2 a.m. on Nov. 14. (Courtesy of Lydia Dunker)

Patterson Hall steam valve bursts, repairs finished

By Gabby Crabtree and Joseph Howerton
November 14, 2023
Jay Jarvis, program assistant for transfer programming, takes off on their Apollo electric scooter outside the Peter Campus Life Building. NIU students and faculty are using e-vehicles to travel around campus. (Rachel Cormier | Northern Star)

Riding in style or convenience?

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 13, 2023
Workers unload food from a DeKalb County Community Gardens truck. The city of DeKalb has approved of the The DeKalb County Community Gardens Community Health Education and Food (CHEF) Complex. (Northern Star File Photo)

CHEF complex to combat food insecurity

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 7, 2023
A green combine harvester fills corn in a trailer attached to a green tractor during a sunset. DeKalbs corn yield has yet to be determined, as only 10% of the crop has been harvested. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

DeKalb county’s corn harvest underway

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 1, 2023
Rep. Jeff Keicher stands in the Illinois House of Representatives. Keicher brought a bill to the House last week that will bring attention to metastatic breast cancer. (Courtesy of Jeff Keicher)

HR 368 to raise awareness for metastatic breast cancer

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 31, 2023
Students focus on school assignments at the Procrastination Café Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room. The Procrastination Café is open to students and NIU staff between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Procrastination Café offers aid in tackling stress

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 30, 2023
Multicolored microplastics are magnified under a magnifying glass. The Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability now has a new system that can identify and research microplastics. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

NICCS sees new system to battle microplastics

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 25, 2023
Students line up on Normal Road to order food after long classes on a Wednesday morning. This Wednesday is the last day of food trucks for the Fall 2023. (Ariyonna Mcgahee | Northern Star)

Last call for food trucks

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 24, 2023
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, News Reporter
October 17, 2023
White, green and orange pumpkins sitting in front of a Jewel Osco located on 1320, Sycamore Road. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

It’s the great pumpkin, Illinois!

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 15, 2023
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, News Reporter
October 12, 2023
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, News Reporter
October 10, 2023
A classic Mustang drives down a road taking part in the 2022 homecoming parade. Homecoming will include events hosted by the university as well as local businesses. (Northern Star File Photo)

116th Homecoming gets ready to kick off

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 8, 2023
Customers wait in line to order at Burger Naan. Burger Naan is a new fusion street food restaurant in DeKalb. (Joeseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Burger Naan brings Indian and street food to DeKalb

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 3, 2023
Netflix is a familiar app and platform for many people. The streaming service platform provides a weekly top 10, displaying popular titles currently out for users to chose from. (Madelaine Vikse | Northern Star)

Kaiju, dragons and bears, oh my!

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 3, 2023
Employers set up tables on the floor of the Convocation Center for a job fair. The All-Majors Internship and Job Fair takes place at the Convocation Center on Wednesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Over 100 businesses to participate in job fair

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 2, 2023
The DeKalb County Courthouse sits under clear skies on a sunny day. The DeKalb County Courthouse is located on, 133 W. State St. (Umer Khan | Northern Star)

Illinois eliminates cash bail

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 27, 2023
A group of people dance on a hardwood floor. Dimensions Dance Academy begins its Fall Ballroom series Oct. 7. (Courtesy of Getty Images)

DeKalb fall dance classes offered

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 26, 2023
Two archers aim down their sights. Archery Club hosted a weekly meeting on Tuesday. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Take aim with NIU Archery Club

September 26, 2023
A screenshot of an NIU students Blackboard course page. Blackboard Ultra, the updated version of the original, will be the main learning management system for NIU for Spring 2024. (Joey Trella | Northern Star)

NIU to switch to Blackboard Ultra

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 21, 2023
A flower painted fire hydrant sits near the Suite Sixteen apartments. Fire hydrants around DeKalb have been painted as part of the Paint-A-Plug program. (Sasha Norman | Northern Star)

Livening up DeKalb one hydrant at a time

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 14, 2023
A DeKalb High School student walks across stage to receive the DHS Alumni Scholarship award. This DeKalb student, along with 136 others in the county, earned scholarships from the DeKalb County Community Foundation. (Courtesy of the DeKalb County Community Foundation)

DeKalb County students receive $196,000 in scholarships

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 13, 2023
NIU mascot Victor E. Huskie rides atop a convertible, greeting the crowd viewing the March of the Huskies, for the 115th homecoming celebrations Thursday night on Second Street in downtown DeKalb. (Northern Star File Photo)

116th Homecoming to take over downtown

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
September 11, 2023
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, News Reporter
September 5, 2023
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, News Reporter
August 29, 2023
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, News Reporter
August 27, 2023
Cars drive on Peace Road Saturday near Bethany Road in 2014. The City of DeKalb plans to widen the road to four lanes and add a free-flow right turn lane by around the end of October.

Peace Road to be four-lane road

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
May 2, 2023
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood talks to a crowd in downtown DeKalb about why voting matters in contemporary elections in November, 2022. Underwood recently proposed $2.5 million in funding for Safe Passage to build a new shelter. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Proposed $2.5 million for Safe Passage would bring new shelter

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 30, 2023
Exterior of Ellwood House Museum, a historic site in DeKalb. Ellwood House Museum is hosting two public events in May. (Photo courtesy of Ellwood House Museum)

Ellwood House Museum opens doors for summer events

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 28, 2023
The board members of the Muslim Student Association standing in front of their presentation about Eid on Tuesday. The group put together an event discussing a Muslim tradition that falls after Ramadan called Eid, as a part of Asian Heritage month. (Nyla Owens| Northern Star)

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 26, 2023

Pritzker’s school Medicare expansion approved

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 23, 2023
The Distinguished Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. performs on stage in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. Eight black student organizations represented their histories through stepping and performance at the Rep Yo Org event on April 15. (Joseph Howerton | Northern Star)

Creativity, passions and histories at Rep Yo Org

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 17, 2023
McDonald’s fries box in the front along with other accumulated garbage in the background on campus, near Cole Hall on April 13, 2023. (Christian Quevedo | Northern Star)

Student organization gets students thinking green

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 15, 2023
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Safe Passage has two upcoming events this month to uplift survivors and to fundraise for their own organization. | (Getty Images)

Safe Passage stands by survivors in upcoming events

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 14, 2023
The south side of the Holmes Student Center on a foggy day. The hospitality and tourism major has been dissolved, instead becoming an emphasis in the College of Business. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Hospitality and tourism management major to change, move

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 9, 2023
DeKalb could see a Metra train line and station in the future.

Metra study: Passenger rail service would prove paramount in DeKalb

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 7, 2023
The NIU Recreation Center’s new sign on Thursday. NIU Recreation is reviving a program where faculty and staff can play pickup basketball games. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Staff and faculty shoot hoops and build camaraderie

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 6, 2023
Clouds over the College of Nursing building Monday at 1240 Normal Road. The NIU board of trustees approved a lease-to-purchase agreement with the DeKalb CUSD 428 Tuesday for the building and 9.1 acre property. (Christian Quevedo | Northern Star)

Board of Trustees approves sale of nursing building

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 4, 2023
Illinois Representative Jeff Keicher (left), NIU President Lisa Freeman and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in conversation after a press conference Tuesday. During this press conference, Pritzker spoke on college funding and ensuring affordable education for Illinois students. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Pritzker discusses college funding at NIU

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
April 4, 2023
The Rainbow Rave will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. Registration is free.

Rainbow Rave; night of contests, face paint, free food

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 31, 2023
“Junior meteorology major and current Trustee Tim Moore (left) and junior pre-medical chemistry major Yazan Masri debate for the SGA representative seat on the NIU Board of Trustees Monday at the Carl Sandburg Auditorium. The canidates answered questions from the public before having the chance to question one another during the debate. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)”

SGA debates: Treasurer and trustee

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 29, 2023
Zelina Azul posing during the Campus Activities Boards drag show. J.J. Hernandez, chairman of Huskies After Dark for CAB, said the event was held due to a recent lack of drag shows and the passing anti-drag and anti-transgender legislation. (Cheyenne Quintanilla | Northern Star)

‘The sun doesn’t ask permission to shine,’ the CAB drag show

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 26, 2023
A photo of the East Lagoon and Altgeld Hall in the distance.

NIU Art Museum highlights Burmese art, reboots 2015 exhibit

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 24, 2023
Chase, a new therapy dog working for NIU, being pet by students at the first Chilling With Chase event on Wednesday in the Counseling and Consultation Services office. Chase was employed by NIU to help students deal with stress. (Nathan Kyriazopoulos | Northern Star)

Chase, your friend in tough times

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 8, 2023
Counseling and Consultation Services is located in Campus Life 200.

NIU counseling to host session on stress, coping

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 3, 2023
The closed Sandella’s Flatbread Cafe sits empty with high top tables in front in the lobby of DuSable Hall. Sandella’s is projected to reopen under a new name in 2023. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: Sandella’s in DuSable?

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
March 2, 2023
DuSable Hall is home to multiple types of humanities classes and is located on the west side of campus. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: DuSable’s disrepair?

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 28, 2023
The current phone switch used to operate landlines housed on the second floor of the NIU Police Department. The landline servers will soon be replaced by smaller servers after the transition to Microsoft Teams Voice phones. (Courtesy of John Kearsing)

NIU’s Microsoft Teams Voice transition continues

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 26, 2023
The DeKalb Public Library sits under a cloudy sky located in downtown DeKalb. Jazz In Progress will visit the library on Oct. 14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

DeKalb Public Library to open display case to nonprofits

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 24, 2023
The entrance to Patterson Hall West. Rises to room and board fees were among the changes voted for approval by the Board of Trustees. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Fees for housing, graduation, student support to rise

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 19, 2023
The Spring 2023 term ends May 12.

Spring 2023 graduation deadlines: What to know

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 10, 2023
The southern Grant Towers sit vacant on Saturday night as the northern Towers light up the surrounding parts of campus. The Grant Towers were built between 1965 and 1966, with the southern Towers most recently having been used for COVID-19 surveillance testing. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: The South Grant Towers?

By Rachel Cormier and Joseph Howerton
February 5, 2023
A tour being given in the Ellwood House in which the guide is pointing out a sculpture.

Ellwood House wanting to train new guides

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
February 2, 2023
Mission III, the newest addition to the Huskie pack, walking around and meeting the NIU community for the first time on Friday at the Holmes Student Center. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Continuing the Mission legacy with Mission III

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
January 27, 2023
NIUs Reproductive Rights Association is selling T-shirts ranging from $30 to $40 until Feb. 7.

RRA aims to promote awareness, sponsors charity drive

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
January 20, 2023
The College Grind, a closed coffee shop, sits on the second level of the Holmes Student Center. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

What’s Up With: The College Grind cafe in Holmes

By Joseph Howerton and Evan Mellon
January 19, 2023
The berimbau comes from Africa and was brought to Brazil during the Transatlantic slave trade.

Upcoming Arcomusical concert, berimbau demonstration at DeKalb Public Library

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
December 2, 2022
Two collisions occurred on North Annie Glidden Road Thursday morning, according to the DeKalb Police Department.

DeKalb Police: Collisions on Annie Glidden Road leads to brief road closure

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 17, 2022

‘Stories From My Childhood’ exhibit to show events through a child’s perspective

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 15, 2022
The creative lab will feature laser cutters, Cricut paper cutters and more.

DeKalb Public Library to host weekly creative lab, 3D medium emphasis

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 11, 2022
County clerk candidate Linh Nguyen being greeted by supporters as she arrives at the DeKalb County Democrats election watch party on Tuesday. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Watch parties held in anticipation for midterm election results

By Bridgette Fox and Joseph Howerton
November 9, 2022
Polling at Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center was available until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Voters have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballot for the 2022 midterm election

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 8, 2022
Voters arrived at polling locations all throughout DeKalb on Tuesday morning, such as the polling place First United Methodist Church standing against the blue sky behind. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

DeKalb voters react morning of 2022 midterm elections

By Joseph Howerton and Zachary Bertram
November 8, 2022
Barb City Bagels displays painting by students from the Dec the Downtown homecoming event that took place on Oct. 4. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Business Spotlight: Barb City Bagels

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 4, 2022
Two first-generation student events will be held in the Holmes Student Center on Nov. 7 and 9, 2022. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU celebrates first-generation students

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
November 3, 2022

Guest speaker to give lecture on expressing culture through art

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 28, 2022
Well-o-ween 2022 will offer Halloween themed activities on campus to practice wellness.

Self-care and scare during Well-o-ween 2022

By Joseph Howerton, News Reporter
October 21, 2022
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Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. and is a limited public forum whose content is determined exclusively by its student editors. Information presented on this website and in its print products is not controlled by NIU administration, faculty or staff. The Star publishes online at northernstar.info and sends out its TLDR newsletter Monday through Friday.

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The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

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Northern Star

The Northern Star is the student-produced, independent media at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill. The Northern Star covers NIU campus news, DeKalb news, NIU Huskie sports and northern Illinois entertainment.

Our Coverage

Campus

City

Sports

Opinion

Lifestyle

About Us

The Organization

Staff

Contact Us

Apply to the Northern Star

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