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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

A vertical, columnar statue reads “DeKalb” with the circular penny emblem at its top. Which iconic small town spot in DeKalb gives you the most feels? (Sofia Didenko | Northern Star)

Poll: Which iconic small town DeKalb symbol is your favorite?

By Sofia Didenko, Opinion Columnist | December 3, 2024

Coming from the third largest city in the United States, living in a small town has been a big change for me.  Although only an hour and a half away, DeKalb’s scene proves to be the opposite of Chicago’s. However, as I spend more time here, I...

Former NIU men's tennis head coach Patrick Fisher stands in front of a gray wall, wearing a red shirt, on Oct. 23, 2023 at the DeKalb Police Department. After an incident between Fisher and his wife on Oct. 3, 2023, police charged Fisher with domestic battery. (DeKalb Police via Northern Star Media)

Former NIU men’s tennis coach charged with domestic battery

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | January 29, 2024

DeKALB – Former NIU men’s tennis head coach Patrick Fisher was formally charged with domestic battery that occurred on Oct. 3, 2023. The case was deemed a misdemeanor. According to a court record from the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of DeKalb County,...

DeKalb gives back to the community

By Tamya Burch, Social Media Coordinator | November 9, 2023

DeKalb County Community Foundation supported fifteen local nonprofit and community organizations with grants totaling $191,500. Community Need Grants are disbursed to organizations who are in need of funding in DeKalb County. The grants are given out...

DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes walks alongside NIU students. Cohen Barnes announced his election bid for state representative of the 76th House District for 2024 on Sept. 22. (Northern Star File Photo)

Mayor Cohen Barnes runs for state representative

By Brandon Clark, News Reporter | October 1, 2023

DeKALB – DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes announced his candidacy for Illinois State Representative of the 76th District, which includes parts of Bureau, Lasalle, Livingston, Putnam and DeKalb counties. If elected to the General Assembly in Springfield,...

One of the pages titled 'love lasts' from author Tatianna Salisbury's book "words my heart needed to hear" being flipped. Salisbury has several dates in the DeKalb and Rockford area in October where she will be promoting her debut poetry collection. (Courtesy of Tatianna Salisbury)

NIU alum showcases book, poetry events

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 27, 2023

NIU alum Tatianna Salisbury released her debut poetry collection “words my heart needed to hear” in June. The collection features poems and short stories that express the ugly and dark side of the human experience and the cycle of love.  Salisbury...

Proton Tattoo, a tattoo shop for customers in downtown DeKalb, 125 S. Fourth St., sits on a cloudy day. Proton is celebrating 20 years in DeKalb on Oct. 15 with a free party open to the public. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

DeKalb’s first tattoo shop celebrates colorful history

By Sarah Rose, Managing Editor | September 24, 2023

Proton Tattoo established itself in DeKalb 20 years ago, laying the groundwork for tattooing in a town where tattooing was illegal. The owner, Chris May, started this business with his best friend Jon Bowman from elementary school. It was an arduous battle...

The front of the Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb. The Egyptian hosts dozens of shows and concerts every year. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Upcoming highlights at The Egyptian Theatre

By Eli Tecktiel, Lifestyle Writer | August 29, 2023

One of DeKalb’s oldest and most popular businesses, the Egyptian Theatre, promises an eclectic mix of events in the coming months. This season will feature a wide variety of events, ranging from tributes to popular artists to screenings of classic...

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...

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, Video Editor | May 2, 2023

Correction: This piece has been updated to reflect that the construction will take place between I-88 and I-38 and that the four additional lanes will taper down to two lanes as it reaches Macom Drive. The construction will not be taking place between...

Senior forward Nick Gonzalez rushes the puck into the offensive zone in NIU hockey's 3-2 win over Roosevelt University on Jan. 7. (Photo courtesy of NIU hockey)

NIU hockey hopes ice rink brings DeKalb together

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | May 1, 2023

DeKALB – NIU hockey players roll out of bed at 5 a.m. to make the 40 minute trip to Canlan Ice Sports in West Dundee for their 7 a.m. practices. Anywhere from three to five days a week, the players of NIU’s oldest club deal with the lack of an ice...

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, Video Editor | April 7, 2023

DeKALB – NIU might not be the largest university in the state without a passenger rail service for much longer, as a recent study conducted by DeKalb, NIU and Sam Schwartz Consulting suggests. The feasibility study to extend Metra commuter rail services...

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 158 N Fourth Street, will host its Winter Farmers’ Market this holiday season to support local farmers and artists.

UUFD to host last Winter Farmers’ Market of the season

By Rachel Cormier, News Reporter | February 2, 2023

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb (UUFD) will be hosting their last Winter Farmers’ Market of the 2022-2023 season from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m, Saturday, Feb. 11. The market will take place in downtown DeKalb at 158 North Fourth St. with an...