As the holiday season approaches and the year comes to a close, it is time to start making our shopping lists and deciding who has been naughty and who has been nice. For this week's "In Focus," various Northern Star columnists assess America's performance...

Sycamore will kick off the holidays Friday with the Walk with Santa event.This annual event, presented by Discover Sycamore and the National Bank and Trust Co., begins with Santa arriving at the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St.“Santa...

The time where people get into a holiday shopping frenzy, clawing and scratching their way to savings is nearly upon us again. Black Friday is right around the corner and as local stores and businesses gear up for the busiest shopping day of the year,...

It seems that the holiday shopping season begins earlier and earlier, and this year is no exception. With Halloween barely over, stores are already bringing out the Christmas merchandise. Beth Harvey, co-manager at Walmart, 2300 Sycamore Road, said they...