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🌱 Will downtown DeKalb trade an empty NIU building for more parking?
DeKalb, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings DeKalb! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Will downtown DeKalb trade an empty NIU building for more parking?
- How DeKalb is honoring two young Barbs lost on I-88
- DeKalb students now eligible for part of a $6.6 million scholarship
Also on today's calendar: After-hours Concert: Jazz in Progress and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Breezy and cooler, with a high of 63 and low of 39 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 70, low: 52.
- Friday: A shower in the a.m.; windy, with a high of 77 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. DeKalb Considers NIU Building Purchase For Downtown Parking Lot (1023thecoyote.net) — DeKalb officials are weighing a $1 purchase of NIU’s vacant Monat Building downtown, with plans to demolish it and add roughly 56 net new parking spaces. Funded through TIF District 3, the project could reshape access and future development near Lincoln Highway and Route 23, and may face a council vote tonight. 
2. DeKalb High School grads, track stars killed in I-88 crash: ‘Always part of the 1 Barb family' (shawlocal.com) — Two 21-year-old DeKalb High School graduates, Sariyah Watson and Heaven Williams, were killed Sunday in a wrong-way crash on I-88 near Aurora, and the DeKalb community is grieving their loss. Friends, school officials, and UIC Athletics are sharing tributes, GoFundMe campaigns are helping with funeral costs, and a public balloon-release memorial is planned Saturday at the DeKalb High School track.
3. Zari Foundation gifts $6.6 million for CFFRV scholarships (thevoice.us) — DeKalb High School students are now eligible for a share of $6.6 million newly added to the Albert M. Zari Scholarship Fund, supporting Fox River Valley residents heading to college, grad school, or trade school. Applications for the 2027–28 scholarships will open online in November 2026, giving local families significant new financial aid possibilities.
4. 3 who died in I-88 crash ID'd as 2 DeKalb residents, both 21, and Melrose Park man (shawlocal.com) — Two 21-year-old DeKalb residents, Sariyah Watson and Heaven Williams, were among three people killed in a wrong-way crash on I-88 near Sugar Grove early May 10. Illinois State Police say an eastbound vehicle in the westbound lanes struck their car head-on, and all three were pronounced dead at the scene as investigators continue the traffic homicide investigation.
5. Cole Latimer homers in DeKalb win: Tuesday's Daily Chronicle sports roundup (shawlocal.com) — DeKalb High School’s baseball team rolled to a 10–0 home win over Metea Valley, highlighted by Cole Latimer’s homer and multi-RBI day. The roundup also checks in on nearby Hiawatha, Genoa-Kingston, and DeKalb softball results, keeping local prep fans current.
📸 Around DeKalb
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
DeKalb
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Michael W Smith →
Egyptian Theatre, 135 N 2nd St, DeKalb
7:30 pm
Friday May 15
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Theme Thursday - Movie Day
Littlejohn Elementary Dekalb, IL 60115
8:00 am -
Tyler Student Showcase
Tyler Elementary Dekalb, IL 60115
5:30 pm -
Lincoln Field Day
Lincoln Elementary Dekalb, IL 60115
8:55 am -
After-hours Concert: Jazz in Progress →
Dekalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb
6:30 pm -
'Mellow Monday' - Pajamas
Littlejohn Elementary Dekalb, IL 60115
8:00 am -
'Team Tuesday' - Favorite Sports Team
Littlejohn Elementary Dekalb, IL 60115
8:00 am -
Recognition Night
Clinton Rosette Middle School Dekalb, IL 60115
6:00 pm
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Saturday May 16
Monday May 18
Tuesday May 19
📣 DeKalb Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
2026 Food Truck Wednesdays →
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commons - NIU MLK Commons, DeKalb
11:00 am -
Sip & Snack Social - Special Needs PTA
Sugar Grove Public Library District, 125 Municipal Dr, Sugar Gro
6:30 pm -
DeKalb Public Library Board →
Dekalb Public Library, 309 Oak St, DeKalb
6:30 pm -
Sycamore Outreach →
Sycamore Public Library, 103 E State St, Sycamore
1:00 pm
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- The Ferrara Candy Company posted a job opening for Material Handler 1st Shift in Dekalb. Apply here.
- Dekalb District 428 posted a job opening for Second Shift Custodian .5 FTE in Dekalb. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near DeKalb here.
Ok DeKalb! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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