Month: February 2026

Dixieland band, ‘Chocolate Fest’ mark Mardi Gras

New England Congregational Church in Aurora, celebrated Mardi Gras with a guest Dixieland trio and an annual Chocolate Festival February 15. Special music during the worship service was presented by the John Papadolias Trio–Steve Gaugel, tenor saxophone; Chad Watson, upright bass; and Papadolias, guitar. Other performers were Heather Azem, soloist;

Chicagoland Area Pottery Tour gears up as nonprofit

Northern Illinois Pottery Tour is growing. The two-day annual pottery tour that features more than 40 artists and highlights the exciting contemporary pottery scene will become an official nonprofit organization. To help raise funds for the tour and the transition to nonprofit status, event organizers are hosting a fundraiser Thursday,

Valentine’s Day: Love, kisses, candy, the Mob

We’ve just celebrated Valentine’s Day, that exceptional, manufactured holiday to sell more Hallmark® cards and show our devotion to the special someone we love, usually by showering her (since I’m writing this from a reasonably normal man’s point of view) not with water, unless she’s extremely dirty, but with chocolate

Weaponized discord is Deep State’s most effective tool

By John & Nisha Whitehead “Love your enemies.” —Jesus Christ “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.” —President Donald Trump This country was built on the radical idea that government exists to serve the people—not to control them, monitor them, manage them, or rule over

Marimar Martinez, Chicago woman shot and briefly charged by Border Patrol, moves to sue

By Maggie DoughertyCapitol News Illinoismdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com  The woman who once faced charges for assaulting Border Patrol agents after being shot five times is no longer on the defensive, now plans to launch her own civil lawsuit against Homeland Security and the agent who shot her. Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old Montessori school

How to vote in Illinois in 2026: Early voting begins

By Jenna SchweikertCapitol News Illinoisjschweikert@capitolnewsillinois.com Capitol News Illinois has launched its revamped 2026 Election Guide to coincide with the opening of early voting throughout much of the state. The guide has a rundown of key dates, information on how to register and vote early, and a lookup tool to put

Reader’s Voice: Three government-controlled causes of ‘un-affordability’

February 3, 2026Dear editor; As far back as Apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, it’s been said that “It rains on the just and the unjust.” I’m probably the last person who ought to quote Scripture, but I believe that this verse means that God’s blessings (sun)