News across Greater Chicago
NU debuts new Ryan Field with packed house, big ceremony — and a Wildcats win
One hundred years to the day after its predecessor opened, the new Ryan Field football stadium officially debuted Friday night as Northwestern University hosted Penn State before a sold-out crowd of 35,000 and a national TV audience. The launch of Northwestern’s $875 million…
Waffle dessert shop Wafflavor to close permanently on Sunday
Korean waffle and frozen yogurt shop Wafflavor at 1596 Sherman Ave. plans to close Sunday, Oct. 4. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Wafflavor announced the closure on Instagram this week, thanking “everyone who has…
New Ryan Field ready for its close-up
The New Ryan Field officially opens for business Friday, Oct. 2. Northwestern kicks off New Ryan Field in its Big Ten home opener against Penn State at 7 p.m. The game will be televised across the country as part of Fox College Football Friday and the matchup is sold out. Gates…
Space to Place market kicks off this weekend in Bookman’s Alley
Retail incubator and pop-up program Space to Place kicks off this weekend, bringing local Evanston businesses that don’t have brick-and-mortar locations to one of downtown Evanston’s vacant storefronts in Bookman’s Alley, 1712 Sherman Ave. “The whole idea is to begin the process…
Two years old and three times the size
Dozens of people fill Animal Records as the store celebrates its second anniversary and grand reopening. The vintage record (and CDs) store moved to a new space at 620 Grove St., which is almost three times its original space next door. “I think people want a place to hang out,…
Mexican restaurant Boca Brava plans to take over half of former Reza’s space
A new Mexican restaurant called Boca Brava, which means “brave mouth” or “fierce mouth” in Spanish, plans to take over part of the former Reza’s Restaurant and Lounge space at 1557 Sherman Ave. Reza’s closed in May 2025. Owner Carlos Arechiga, 31, has signed a lease for the…
ETHS golf: Golfers score wet win at IHSA regional
Evanston’s golf team has fallen short of winning an Illinois High School Associationstate championship by the slimmest of margins for two years in a row. But there can’t be any doubt about the current squad’s mental toughness even ifthey don’t go all the way in 2026. That mental…
Lolo’s Bowls acai and smoothie shop plans to open in early November
A new acai and smoothie shop, Lolo’s Bowls, plans to open in downtown Evanston the first week of November, store manager Kristen Beaudoin said. This will be the fourth location of the growing family-run acai chain. Founder Lauren “Lolo” Schick and her mother, Darlene “Dolly”…
Bookends & Beginnings children’s manager seeks out the unusual in books for kids, young adults
Adrien Sdao manages the children’s section at Bookends & Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave., and radiates enthusiasm for books for young people. Sdao has been a bookseller for 12 years and arrived at Bookends a year and a half ago. He said from an early age he found books to be a…
Town of Chesterton reminds Porter County residents of early voting
The Town of Chesterton is informing residents in the area of early voting times and locations. Below is early voting and voting center information from the Town of Chesterton Facebook page: EARLY VOTING in Indiana to begin on Tuesday Oct 6 EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE *8:30 a.m. to 3:30…
Ivy Tech Valparaiso to Host Fall into Wellness Mental Health Fair Oct. 5
Community event will connect students, employees and community members with mental health resources, wellness activities and support VALPARAISO, Ind. — Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso Campus will host its Fall into Wellness Mental Health Fair on Monday, Oct. 5, bringing…
Valparaiso Breaks Ground on Weston Street Stormwater Project
Press Release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso has broken ground on a major stormwater infrastructure project designed to reduce flooding, improve stormwater management and continue the City's long-term effort to separate stormwater and sanitary sewer systems. The…