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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

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...

DeKalb Police Department wants people to celebrate Halloween safely this year by not driving while impaired.

DeKalb Police Department encourages residents to not drive while impaired

By Nick Glover, Lifestyle Editor | October 19, 2022

With Halloween approaching, the DeKalb community is gearing up to see some scary things – ghouls, ghosts and goblins galore – but perhaps the scariest of them all will be impaired drivers.  Not only can impaired drivers impact their own lives,...

Footage released by DeKalb Police Department Sept. 1 shows two officers instructing Elonte McDowell, 25, of Aurora, to exit his vehicle.

Sgt. Weese suspended for choking McDowell

By Kierra Frazier | February 20, 2020

DeKALB — DeKalb Sgt. Jeff Weese will serve a 30-day unpaid suspension and undergo cultural competence and use of force training immediately for his actions during the Elonte McDowell arrest. A viral video released in August showed McDowell being choked...

Grand jury declines to indict DeKalb Police officer

By Noah Johnson | December 21, 2019

DeKALB — Charges against a DeKalb Police Officer involved in Elonte McDowell’s arrest have been declined by a grand jury. An internal review of the incident will be conducted to determine if the officer followed the department’s policies and procedures.  A...

Police to work on racial sensitivity

By Kierra Frazier | December 1, 2019

DeKALB — Increased training could be coming to the DeKalb and NIU Police Departments this month to teach officers how racial and emotional intelligence can serve the community. Interim Police Chief John Petragallo said there needs to be continuous...

Point/ counterpoint: Texting and driving laws

By Jordan Radloff and Nicole Kain | September 15, 2019

Texting while driving law too stringentJordan Radloff | Contributor A law pertaining to distracted driving laws was recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly to change Section 5 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The new law was put into effect on...

Attendees listen as Trevada Redmond, of DeKalb, asks police leadership how they plan to hold themselves and their officers accountable.

Police chief promises daily updates on arrest statistics at community meeting

By Noah Thornburgh | September 5, 2019

At a community meeting Wednesday night, DeKalb Police Chief John Petragallo agreed to post a daily breakdown of arrests by race and economic status to the department’s social media, following a demand by a resident.DeKalb community members filled New...

Accident or crime scene cordon tape, police line do not cross.

DeKalb police release in-car video footage of incident

By Noah Thornburgh | September 1, 2019

Due to heightened public interest, the DeKalb Police Department have released footage of an Aug. 24 arrest incident, according to a press release.The 17 minute footage is available on YouTube here.Elonte E. McDowell, 25, of Aurora, was arrested and charged...

Upcoming events: week of Sept. 2

Upcoming events: week of Sept. 2

By Northern Star Staff | September 1, 2019

MondayJonamac Orchard grand opening weekend: Jonamac Orchard will be opening its weekend activities. The corn maze will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and apple picking will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the season.TuesdayNIU Esports club open...

Church to welcome students, DeKalb community following viral video

Church to welcome students, DeKalb community following viral video

By Northern Star Staff | August 29, 2019

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is welcoming students and the DeKalb community to start a discussion following the video posted online of an officer choking an Aurora man.The event will start at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church,...

Accident or crime scene cordon tape

Video shows DeKalb police officer choking, tasing man

By Kierra Frazier | August 28, 2019

A DeKalb police officer has been temporarily reassigned to his administrative duties after a video posted online showed him choking a man during an arrest on Aug. 24.The DeKalb Police Department is reviewing available video footage and statements regarding...

Officer Keunte Mallet and his wife Heather and son before his pinning ceremony for his promotion to sergeant during the Jan. 28 City Council meeting at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.

Alumnus becomes first African-American officer promoted to sergeant in DeKalb

By Kierra Frazier | February 10, 2019

Officer Keunte Mallet and his wife Heather and son before his pinning ceremony for his promotion to sergeant during the Jan. 28 City Council meeting at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.