The big storm that dropped a huge blanket of snow on Evanston topped the news last month. But a sweeping election victory also played into the mix along with news of pandemic-related problems for two major downtown businesses.
Here’s a rundown of the month’s top 10 most read stories on Evanston Now:
- Evanston digs out from storm — Feb. 16 — The National Weather Services says we’ve now got well over 20 inches of snow on the ground after a major storm blew through Evanston yesterday and overnight.
- Storm continues to pose challenges in Evanston — Feb. 19 — Evanston still is digging out from this week’s big snow storm, with streets narrowed by piles of snow and slippery sidewalks making walking challenging.
- Biss sweeps mayoral race, incumbents trailing in wards — Feb. 23 — Evanston voters appear to have swept Daniel Biss into the mayor’s office, without having to vote again in the April election.
- Foreclosure lawsuit filed against Hilton Orrington — Feb. 26 — A complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court says owners of the Hilton Orrington hotel in Evanston have failed to make mortgage payments since August.
- Packages stolen from Evanston homes — Feb. 12 — Thefts occur throughout the area as retail shopping from home increases.
- In-person schools finally reopen in District 65 — Feb. 18 — After nearly a year of sitting in front of computer screens at home, public school students in Evanston are finally back in the classroom. At least some of them are.
- District 65 looking to redraw school boundaries — Feb. 5 — Staff memo foresees declining enrollments but calls for creation of a new 5th Ward school.
- Former leader of PEER Services dies — Feb. 23 — Kate (Catherine Ellen) Mahoney, 61, a former executive director of Evanston-based PEER Services, died on Feb. 17 of mesothelioma.
- Operator cancels lease on downtown Evanston theater complex — Feb. 23 — The Cinemark Theater complex in downtown Evanston, which closed along with countless movie theaters nationwide during the coronavirus pandemic, will not be reopening.
- Quick OK sought for tiny homes zoning — Feb. 19 — Evanston aldermen on Monday will be asked to introduce and give final approval to zoning changes that would permit creation of tiny homes on small lots in the city.