Shoppers aren’t the only ones competing with sharp elbows on Black Friday. Retailers are jockeying to make big sales this weekend as holiday shopping ceremonially kicks off, because even if stores are crowded the day after Thanksgiving, projections for the rest of the season are dim.

Store managers at Stratford Square Mall said crowds today have been busier than expected.
 

Residents looking to donate toys to the annual U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program can drop off items at the Woodridge Village Hall.

Autopsies conducted Thursday show that the father killed his wife and kids — ages 12 and 8 — before turning the gun on himself.

Glenbard West and Wheaton Warrenville South are taking the battle for bragging rights to the big stage in Saturday's Class 7A state championship game. The seniors from both teams have a unique history against one another, but the rivalry goes back much further than that.

Also, quarterback Brandon Pechloff of Glen Ellyn leads Montini's Cinderella run to the Class 5A title game against Joliet Catholic.

Check out championship weekend coverage at FNL.MYSUBURBANLIFE.COM.

From prep sports to community events, SNAPSHOTS is the place to view and purchase pictures taken by the award-winning photographers at Suburban Life Publications. But it's also much more. SNAPSHOTS allows to you customize gift items featuring your photo, and it also has reprints of pages that were published in Suburban Life newspapers.

FOR A LIMITED TIME, TAKE 35% OFF ALL PHOTO REPRINT PURCHASES. ENTER CODE PHOTO35 AT CHECKOUT.

This special sale runs through Monday, Nov. 30.