By Kathy Casstevens-Jasiek

UTICA - This has been an unusual winter. Snow fell and then it disappeared quickly. Photo opportunities are out there, offering a chance to capture unique scenes of what many consider to be doldrums. You have to be ready.

PEORIA — The north side of the City of Peoria is continuing to grow commercially.

A new commercial development is expected to bring at least three retail outlets, including a Walgreens, McDonald’s and Schnuck’s supermarket, to the northern edge of Peoria.

NORMAL — As part of the EVTown effort, the Town of Normal recently awarded 10 free electric vehicle charging stations to six Normal businesses.

SPRINGFIELD — For the first time ever, still pictures and limited video recording will be allowed in Illinois courtrooms.

Photo by News Bulletin staff.

More food price increases likely in 2012

Last year's high grocery prices had many west suburban residents scrambling for ways to save at the at their neighborhood Jewel, Dominicks or other food store.

The upswing in prices over the past 12 months may have you wondering what will happen this year at your local grocery store.

The North Aurora Lion’s Club has named Ryan McKinness as 2011 North Aurora police officer of the year. 

The award was made at the recent Lion's Club awards dinner at the Lincoln Inn, in Batavia. On hand in the audience were members of the police and fire departments’ command staffs, Lion’s Club members, and the nominees and their families.

Burglary reduction is objective for new year

Reports of serious crime in Elgin dropped by more than 7 percent in 2011 – the single, largest decline seen in the city in the past five years.

Photo by News Bulletin staff.

A traveling exhibition on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War is continuing through Feb. 17 at Aurora University's Phillips Library.

Naperville Police Chief David E. Dial has announced he will retire in May after 22 years on the job.

A view of one of two Downer Place bridges from Waubonsee College's downtown Aurora campus.  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

Benton Street between River Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Aurora has been reduced to one eastbound lane through Monday, Feb. 6.

The north lane has been closed while the south lane remains open to eastbound traffic. The intersection at Benton Street and Stolp Avenue has been turned into a three-way stop with the traffic lights flashing red.

- Contributed by Jeff Long

Those New Year’s resolutions are now four weeks old. Made any progress? If yours was a commitment to start a fitness program and get in better shape, this first month is barely a blip on the radar in terms of the big picture.

The highly acclaimed, multi-media production Songs My Mother Taught Me is a celebration of the music and life of Judy Garland, and a theatrical extravaganza melding one of the world's most familiar songbooks with personal memories of her loving daughter, Lorna Luft.