Top stories on Evanston Now in December included more pandemic-related misfortunes, but also news of opportunities in the midst of the fractured economy.
Here’s a rundown of 10 most-read stories last month:
- One restaurant closes, another opens two doors down on Davis — Dec. 28 — A popular bar/restaurant on Davis Street downtown has shut its doors, the 10th eatery to close in Evanston since the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.
- Economy is cold, but Evanston housing market is hot — Dec. 11 — Single family home prices are up 15% from a year ago.
- Murder charge expected in Evanston man’s death — Dec. 4 — Authorities say a retired attorney was leaving his apartment to pickup a carryout dinner order when he was brutally attacked.
- Burger King with link to royalty closes — Dec. 15 — Evanston’s downtown Burger King — the only 24-hour restaurant downtown — closed permanently this week.
- Restaurants try ‘ghost kitchens’ to help survive pandemic — Dec. 8 — While some Evanston restaurants have given up the ghost during the coronavirus pandemic, owners of others are using a “ghost” concept to innovate.
- Pandemic helps drive down Evanston apartment rents — Dec. 23 — If you are looking for an apartment in Evanston, now is definitely a “renter’s market.”
- Strangers pitch in for family that lost everything in fire — Dec. 24 — Evanstonians step forward to help family in need at the holidays.
- YWCA gets $9 million gift from MacKenzie Scott — Dec. 17 — Gift from billionaire was totally unexpected, says YWCA’s executive director.
- D65 may require doctor’s note to get staff out of in-person school — Dec. 11 — Officials still hope to reopen school buildings next month.
- Objections filed against petitions of five candidates — Dec. 3 — Evanston’s field of 28 municipal election candidates could shrink significantly next week as a result of objections filed against the nominating papers of several candidates.