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:

  1. 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.
  2. Economy is cold, but Evanston housing market is hot — Dec. 11 — Single family home prices are up 15% from a year ago.
  3. 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.
  4. Burger King with link to royalty closes — Dec. 15 — Evanston’s downtown Burger King — the only 24-hour restaurant downtown — closed permanently this week.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.”
  7. Strangers pitch in for family that lost everything in fire — Dec. 24 — Evanstonians step forward to help family in need at the holidays.
  8. YWCA gets $9 million gift from MacKenzie Scott — Dec. 17 — Gift from billionaire was totally unexpected, says YWCA’s executive director.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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