Ryan Vranek’s passion for chess began in first grade. Years later, the Brookfield seventh-grader took fifth place in the Illinois State All Grade Scholastic Chess Championship Tournament Nov. 8.

Even before Bobby Troup penned “Route 66” in 1946, the iconic highway had captured the imagination of the young and the restless. Now, many communities across the country see the asphalt ribbon as the road to prosperity.

In a recent church newsletter column titled “A Still More Perfect Union,” the Rev. Joe Mills, 49, of the Westchester Community Church, reached out to his congregation to urge respect for one another and made a promise to refrain from using the pulpit as a place to endorse candidates or partisan stances. Now that the election is over, Mills talks about the need for bipartisanship and community involvement.

Running a red light in Westchester could soon put a dent in more than your car.

Village and district officials have reached an agreement to split all costs in providing crossing guards for Westchester Public School District 92 1/2.

With wooden swords and slingshots, the Lost Boys of Never-Never-Land defended their home from a band of inept pirates.

Three men were arrested in a Lyons tavern Nov. 5 for trafficking cocaine following an ongoing undercover operation involving the Lyons Police Department and Cook County’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Unit.

The village of La Grange is getting into the theater business — just barely — following Monday’s Village Board meeting.

Each year some corners of the world anticipate Nov. 3 with proclamations, banners and festivals to celebrate the coming of a special crop.

Thursday will mark the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout, a day that endeavors to reach out and help smokers trying to quit and honor the efforts of those who already have.

Though the raging gas prices that tore through budgets have dropped, local governments are still struggling under the weight of higher pump prices.

The Riverside Public Library is hosting a Marine display with World War II memorabilia. Local residents can enjoy the display. On Veterans Day people came and shared their stories about war and the memorabilia they still have.

Each time Aidan Walton opens his trumpet case, he is greeted by a picture of the father he never knew.

A Brookfield man pleaded no contest to first degree intentional homicide of a Wisconsin woman at his recent court hearing in Jefferson County, Wis.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently released district report cards, indicating whether adequate yearly progress is being made at schools across the state.