Cook County Lifestyle
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Suburban Skyview: CN freight train takes ‘shoo-fly’ around Barrington underpass constructionJan 03, 2026 5:45 am - A Canadian National freight train veers toward the southeast while using a recently laid section of track, which is sometimes referred to as a “shoo-fly,” that will take it around the construction site of an underpass that will take U.S. Route 14 beneath the busy railroad line in Barrington.
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Immigration battle, Kirk assassination among top stories of 2025Dec 30, 2025 11:05 pm - The reaction to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder, immigration enforcement efforts and the conclusion to a decades-old disappearance were among the top suburban stories of 2025.
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Daily Herald photo contest winners for December 2025Dec 30, 2025 3:57 pm - The top finishers in December’s amateur photo contest capture scenes from ferocious to serene.
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‘You will be missed’: Retired Des Plaines police dog Bane has diedDec 29, 2025 7:34 pm - A retired Des Plaines police dog died Saturday, the department announced.
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Bartlett church honors Christmas pageant founders at this year’s eventDec 29, 2025 5:40 pm - Living Lord Lutheran Church in Bartlett celebrated its 35th annual Christmas pageant, “Arrest These Merry Gentlemen!,” with a cast of nearly 70 people. It was extra special this year as the two sisters who started the tradition were honored guests.
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Best bets: Local live music to warm up cold winter nightsDec 29, 2025 11:39 am - Guitarist Scott Tipping celebrates the release of his second album at The Venue in Aurora, the annual Women’s Jazz Festival returns to Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, and Brookfield Zoo offers free admission through Feb. 28.
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New businesses, fond farewells and historic preservation: A look back at the top stories of 2025 in Talk of the TownDec 29, 2025 9:57 am - New businesses and developments, historic preservation, museums and a fairy garden were among the top stories in Dave Heun’s Talk of the Town column in 2025.
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Why gray squirrels and black walnuts go together so wellDec 28, 2025 3:00 am - For many years, we’ve been finding black walnut bits on the benches surrounding our campfire circle. I know where the walnuts come from and I know gray squirrels are eating them.
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Dealing with unwanted gifts takes a little creativity — and a lot of tactDec 26, 2025 8:26 am - Whether it’s a Big Mouth Billy Bass, a cherub tchotchke or a crime scene pen holder, recipients should remember when it comes to gifts it’s the thought that counts. That said, there’s always regifting ... if you are careful!
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The ‘best birds’ of 2025: Snowy Owl, Mountain Bluebird and more arrived this yearDec 26, 2025 2:00 am - As 2025 comes to a close, “Words on Birds” columnist Jeff Reiter takes a look back at the year in birding.