UNITY

Apr 03 2026CRIME

Oakland’s crime drop: What’s working and what’s still a worry

The first three months of this year have seen Oakland’s crime rates fall sharply, with violent crime down by nearly a quarter and overall crime almost a third lower than last year. Homicides dropped by 39 percent, gun-related assaults fell by 17 percent, and robberies plunged by 30 percent. Even cat

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Apr 02 2026LIFESTYLE

Connecting for Health: Small Chats, Big Gains

A recent book argues that talking to strangers can be as good for our body as walking a mile. The author says research links helping others to lower inflammation, while chasing personal pleasure can raise it. She warns that feeling alone or facing injustice triggers an inner alarm that pushes us tow

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Apr 02 2026BUSINESS

Batavia’s Jewelry Store Turns 21 with a Diamond Raffle and Trunk Show

A local jewelry shop in Batavia is throwing a party to celebrate 21 years in business—a milestone that doesn’t just mark time but also cements its place in the community. Instead of just blowing out candles, K. Hollis Jewelers is rolling out a celebration packed with estate jewelry, free snacks, and

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Apr 02 2026EDUCATION

How Illinois communities benefited from local education programs in 2025

In 2025, a community education network in Illinois reached over 25, 000 people across three counties—Grundy, Kankakee, and Will—through hands-on learning. The programs covered gardening, youth leadership, farming advice, and health workshops. Every day, about 70 locals took part in these sessions. N

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Apr 02 2026OPINION

City Park Golf Course: A Baton Rouge staple worth keeping

Baton Rouge has long been known for its community spaces that bring people together, and City Park Golf Course stands out as one of them. This course isn’t just about golf—it’s where many locals learned the game, practiced their swings, or enjoyed a quick nine holes after work. But as cities grow an

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Apr 02 2026ENVIRONMENT

Marysville shelter opens last-minute doors for fire victims

A late-night fire in Marysville forced ten adults with special needs out of their home Monday. Firefighters arrived quickly but the damage still left the group without a safe place to stay. Many had no family nearby to call, making their situation urgent as night temperatures dropped. The Marysvill

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Apr 01 2026EDUCATION

Community April: A Month of Support and Action

The Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is launching a full‑month program to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Their plan mixes learning, outreach and chances for the public to back survivors. Instead of waiting for a single event, SPARCC has lined up weekly activities that spa

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Mar 31 2026BUSINESS

Community Credit Union Gives Big Boost to Local Nursing School

Members First Credit Union has given a $75, 000 gift to Mid Michigan College in Harrison. The money will build a new nursing laboratory on the college’s campus, which will carry the credit union’s name. The lab will let students practice clinical skills with real equipment, help teachers plan

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Mar 31 2026SPORTS

Denver Women’s Soccer Team Secures Future Stadium Land

A new chapter begins for Denver women’s soccer as the club lands a 14‑acre plot in Santa Fe Yards, poised to become Colorado’s first stadium dedicated to female professional sports. The site sits where the old Gates Rubber factory once stood, at Broadway and Interstate 25, and will host a mixed‑use

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Mar 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

App Turns Roadkill Data Into Wildlife Roads Ahead

A lone woman in the South Bay walks a quiet road at night, pausing every few feet to check for dead newts that have fallen during their yearly trek from the Sierra Azul slopes to a nearby reservoir. She measures each body, snaps a photo, and uploads everything to a smartphone app that records the da

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