Claire Murphy – Page 5

North Shore United Methodist Church's legacy oak tree was honored by the Glencoe Tree Commission as the 2026 Tree of the Year. Church officials said the oak is estimated to be about 140 years old. (North Shore United Methodist Church)

Glencoe honors legacy oak with 2026 Tree of the Year Award

September 14, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.

The oak tree has stood on the grounds of North Shore United Methodist Church since its founding, estimated to be 140 years old.

Members of Skokie's fire department, police department and other first responders stand in silence during a remembrance ceremony at Fire Station 16, 7424 Niles Center Rd., Skokie, to honor the victims of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary, Sept. 11, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Skokie, North Shore remember 9/11 on 25th anniversary: ‘It’s a sad day’

September 11, 2026 at 8:43 p.m.

The ceremony is one of three put on by the Skokie Fire Department annually to honor the first responders and victims of 9/11.

Skokie's Village Crossing Shopping Center sold at the end of August for a reported $122 million to Fairbourne Properties, LLC. Pictured Sept. 10, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Skokie’s Village Crossing Shopping Center sells in landmark retail deal

September 10, 2026 at 5:33 p.m.

In reportedly the largest Chicago-area retail deal in a decade, Skokie’s Village Crossing has sold for a record-setting $122 million, a spokesperson for Fairbourne Properties, LLC, the shopping center’s buyer,...

Skokie's Village Board advanced changes to its short-term rental pilot program Sept. 8, reducing operator licensing fees and length of stay mandates. The modifications will come back for a final Board vote in the coming weeks. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Skokie makes changes to short-term rentals; lowering fees and required length of stay

September 9, 2026 at 5:38 p.m.

Changes approved by Skokie trustees Tuesday could make short-term rentals more appealing to residents looking to gain some extra income by listing their homes on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

Marc Fainman was sworn in as the Village of Northbrook’s next chief of police Aug. 25, during the village’s Board meeting. Fainman is a 20-year veteran of the department. Picture taken at the first swearing-in ceremony, Aug. 7. (Village of Northbrook)

Northbrook appoints 20-year department veteran as next chief of police

September 8, 2026 at 5:24 p.m.

As Northbrook prepares to usher in a new chapter for its law enforcement with a revitalized police station now in the works, the village’s public safety team is undergoing another...

Andre L. Riley, of the 900 block of Hinman Avenue, Evanston, was charged with multiple felonies after police conducted an investigation following reports Riley was allegedly selling crack cocaine in the 900 block of Maple Avenue. (Evanston Police Department)

Evanston man charged after police seize narcotics following investigation

September 8, 2026 at 12:01 p.m.

Police conducted an investigation of Riley in August, following reports he was allegedly selling cocaine in the 900 block of Maple Ave.

At 8825 East Prairie Road in Skokie, a new kosher fridge offers visitors in need free food 24 hours a day. The initiative was started by the bridge-building Orthodox social action group Solu to honor the legacy of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, Sept. 4, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Skokie honors Hamas hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin with first-ever kosher fridge

September 4, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

In a community that refuses to let his memory fade, 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the Israeli-American citizen with Chicago ties held hostage for nearly 11 months before he was later killed...

Westfield Old Orchard, formerly Old Orchard Shopping Center, is celebrating 70 years as the North Shore's premier retail shopping destination. Amid a nationwide decline in malls, Old Orchard continues to expand its retail and restaurant offerings. Pictured Aug. 19, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie celebrates 70 years as North Shore landmark

September 4, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

It was the morning of Monday, October 22, 1956, when the doors of a new Marshall Field & Company, the crown jewel among Chicago’s retail royalty, opened for the first...

Construction workers and machinery fill the lakefront property of Justin Ishbia along Sheridan Road in Winnetka on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Since construction started earlier this summer, nearly all of the trees have been clearcut and the bluff has been taken down. The property was once three separate homes. It is now 3.7 acres. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Federal judge dismisses refiled Winnetka homeowner lawsuit over lake bluffs

September 3, 2026 at 3:29 p.m.

Federal claims filed by a group of 25 Winnetka homeowners over regulations restricting what can be constructed along the shoreline were dismissed Tuesday, likely ending a years-long tussle between the...

The Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center, one of Evanston-Skokie District 65's schools, pictured in February 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Evanston-Skokie District 65 anticipates $5 million deficit for 2027 fiscal year

September 2, 2026 at 4:36 p.m.

The tentative budget deficit includes a $3.625 million payment for remaining construction costs at the newly-opened Foster School in Evanston’s 5th Ward.

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