Joseph States

Elise Davidson, 10, learns how to "walk the dog," one of several pickleball lessons given during a crash course July 26 at Danny Cuniff Park in Highland Park. Organizers emphasized the sport's inclusivity and health benefits for the young summer campers. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Highland Park hosts ‘unofficial’ world-record pickleball attempt; ‘It’s all about giving back to the kids’

July 21, 2025 at 3:54 p.m.

The effort is not a Guinness-recognized world record -- something organizers said would have been prohibitively expensive -- but it's unofficially recognized online.

A jar of sago pondweed, one of several native and invasive plants on display as table centerpieces during the Lake County Lake Lovers event Thursday. The event celebrated the group's ongoing lake monitoring pilot program, started in March. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Group trying to take care of Lake County’s ‘orphaned’ lakes; ‘Nobody is responsible for cleaning up these lakes’

July 21, 2025 at 9:51 a.m.

According to Paul Spiewak, tech team leader for Lake Lovers, many of the county’s lakes are considered impaired due to high phosphorus concentrations.

A pair of monarch butterfly chrysalis hang next to a caterpillar preparing to make its own. Annie Lawson and Heather Bauer have various ways of protecting the caterpillars as they transform into butterflies. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Grayslake residents share passion for monarch butterflies; ‘It’s like this whole other world that you come into’

July 17, 2025 at 4:26 p.m.

The monarch butterfly is most renowned for its yearly odyssey. Some will travel up to 3,000 miles during their two-way winter journey.

The Northern house mosquito, also known as culex pipiens, can transmit the West Nile virus.

Lake County reports first case of West Nile virus

July 17, 2025 at 8:18 a.m.

Last year saw 69 cases across the state, including six in Lake County, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Highland Park increases e-bike, e-scooter minimum fines to $100

July 15, 2025 at 3:36 p.m.

The maximum fine amount of $500 will remain unchanged.

An artwork near Highwood's city hall, by Anna P Murphy. It's one of a dozen painted during last year's Mural Fest, and the city plans to keep adding to its collection every year. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Highwood, Highland Park moving forward with public-art plans; ‘It becomes that destination where people want to … see all the murals’

July 10, 2025 at 3:38 p.m.

Both artists and officials agreed that such artworks provide a variety of community benefits, from the aesthetic to the economic.

The Waukegan Planned Parenthood facility, the first in Lake County and 18th in Illinois. Although Wisconsin has struck down its abortion ban, Planned Parenthood Illinois still expects Wisconsin care seekers in the future. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Highland Park bans e-bikes, e-scooters from sidewalks, trails; ’28 mph down a sidewalk … puts the public safety in jeopardy’

July 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

The new ordinance passed by the City Council last month also requires riders to meet age and licensing requirements to ride such vehicles.

All Stories