News across Greater Chicago
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Rehwaldt, ‘political junkie,’ with sharp wit dies at 37
Nicholas Lloyd Rehwaldt, 37, of Evanston, died Sept. 6, 2026. Born July 5, 1989, in Chicago, Nick graduated from Evanston Township High School. He received an Associate of Arts degree from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology…
Ivy Tech Valparaiso to offer free FAFSA assistance during College Goal Sunday
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso Campus will welcome students and families on Sunday Oct. 4, 2026, for College Goal Sunday, a free statewide event designed to help Hoosiers complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The event begins…
NIPSCO Reminds Eligible Customers of Energy Assistance Options Available Oct. 1
News release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO): As temporary service disconnection protections end, customers are encouraged to explore available options MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – NIPSCO’s temporary suspension of residential electric disconnections for nonpayment…
‘It never goes away’: Evanston native, ex-trooper’s first fatal crash drives his mission to teach teens
Almost 40 years later, Evanston native and former Illinois State Police Sgt. Doug Whitmore still vividly remembers the first fatal crash he responded to. “It was a 16-year-old girl. She was on I-294 near Willow Road, driving a red BMW convertible with a black top. She missed her…
NAACP Evanston Youth Council hosts youth-led voting rights event on Oct. 2
The community is invited to join a youth-led presentation from members of the NAACP Evanston Youth Council, held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St. Explore the history of Black voting rights and the fight for access. Learn how to…
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,…
New Evanston resident Daniel King finds thrills, wit while directing ‘Murder’ at Oil Lamp Theater
Theater director Daniel King moved to Evanston from Rogers Park less than a year ago, and he is enjoying the residential feel of his new neighborhood. It’s the perfect location for him and his husband, Spencer Donovan, both of whom are heavily involved in the Chicagoland theater…
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…
The Traffic Guy 2.0 hears … news of ‘yikes for bikes,’ support for safer speeds, plus Traffic Guy will be taking some time off
… that the Traffic Guy 2.0 is driving off into the sunset after this column (scheduling conflicts, FYI), but only for the rest of 2026. An early 2027 return is planned — that is, if the GPS is working. (That’s Global Positioning System, in case you’ve forgotten or, hey, no shame,…
‘Mapping Black Evanston’ event being held on Oct. 3 at Shorefront Legacy Center
Join Shorefront Legacy Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, for a first look at “Mapping Black Evanston.” The event will take place at the Shorefront Legacy Center and Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church, 2214 Ridge Ave. Throughout this year-long partnership…