Host exchange students

America International Exchange, a Chicago-area non-profit, is looking for families on the North Shore to host each of its high-school-aged visitors from Spain. This year’s students will be here July 27-Aug. 18. The students speak English, are insured, and have their own spending money. All …

Northbrook man cited in Evanston accident involving pedestrian, 7

A 50-year-old Northbrook man has been cited with two traffic violations after allegedly striking a 7-year-old pedestrian Thursday in south Evanston.

District 65 teachers grant strike authority

Members of the District 65 teachers’ union have authorized their leadership to “take the steps necessary for a potential strike” in the event talks don’t produce an agreement. The School Board and its teachers’ union are negotiating an agreement to replace a four-year pact that expires June 30.

Evanston police blotter for May 24, 2012

Police arrested two people on drunk-driving charges early Wednesday. Those incidents were among those reported in the Evanston Police Department’s Daily Crime Bulletin for Thursday, May 24.

1.5 million people to use Midway, O’Hare this holiday weekend

About 1.5 million people are expected to pass through Chicago’s two airports this Memorial Day weekend, city aviation officials say.

Evanston’s public beaches to open Saturday, May 26

The city of Evanston’s 2012 beach season will begin on Saturday, May 26. The last day of the season will be Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day). A daily pass or season token must be presented for beach admission.

Evanston police blotter for May 23, 2012

Police investigated an armed robbery, took nine reports of theft in recent days and made arrests on drug, battery and criminal trespassing charges. Those incidents were among those reported in the Evanston Police Department’s Daily Crime Bulletin for Wednesday, May 23.

Evanston police blotter for May 22, 2012

Police made three arrests Sunday. One involved a drunk-driving charge, a second on a domestic battery charge and a third on a charge of violating an order of protection. Those were among the incidents reported in the Evanston Police Department’s Daily Crime Bulletin for Tuesday, May 22.

Study says Chicago traffic congestion actually got better

Drivers in the Chicago area were stuck in traffic an average of 36 hours in 2011, 12 fewer than the 48 wasted in traffic in 2010, according to INRIX, a company that studies traffic patterns.

New interim principal named for Bessie Rhodes in Evanston-Skokie District 65

The District 65 School Board Monday approved the appointment of Carlos Mendez, assistant principal at Haven Middle School, to step into the top job at Bessie Rhodes Magnet School for the 2012-13 school year.

Park Ridge woman gets burial for MIA brother after 40 years

The Vietnam War was waging and George Macdonald knew he wouldn’t be returning home. “He gave away his track trophies and told the family he wouldn’t be coming back,” his only sister, Jeanette Frye, recounted. It was 1972 and Macdonald, an Evanston native, was heading …

Evanston teachers protest work changes

Wearing T-shirts proclaiming the District 65 teachers union is “650-plus members strong,” teachers jam-packed Monday’s School Board meeting to protest changes in teachers’ evaluations and workloads that District 65 administrators hope to impelement during the upcoming school year.

The meeting also drew many parents and …

Evanston police blotter for May 21, 2012

Police made one arrest on drunk-driving charges Saturday and took nearly a dozen reports of graffiti. Those were among the incidents reported in the Evanston Police Department’s Daily Crime Bulletin for Monday, May 18.

Wilmette’s American Legion: Come visit

Area residents looking to honor veterans and to help the American Legion as it does the same, have another way to help — they can look to the American Legion Huerter Post 46 at 1925 Wilmette Ave., take advantage of its facilities, and in doing so support the many charitable efforts Post 46 members organize.

Voterama in Congress, week ending May 18, 2012

House

Violence Against Women Act: Voting 222 for and 205 against, the House on May 16 approved a Republican bill (HR 4970) to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through fiscal 2016 on a budget of $680 million annually. The bill was disputed mainly …