☀️ Good Morning!
Another Beautiful Day Ahead
Good morning, DuPage! It's a cozy Tuesday with a high of 60°F and a low of 49°F, perfect for a light jacket as you step out into those broken clouds. ☁️
📰 Top Stories
🏆 Glen Ellyn Honors the "Heart of the Community"
The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Glen Ellyn Community Awards tonight, March 10, to celebrate the individuals and organizations that make the village a special place to live. The highlight of the evening will be the recognition of Tom Melms as the Glen Ellyn Park District "Volunteer of the Year". Melms is being honored for his tireless commitment to local parks and recreation, embodying the spirit of service that defines the community.
The awards ceremony, held at the Abbington Distinctive Banquets, brings together local leaders, business owners, and residents to applaud achievements in categories ranging from "Citizen of the Year" to "Non-Profit of the Year". It’s a signature "feel-good" event for the village, serving as a reminder of the collective effort required to maintain Glen Ellyn’s vibrant downtown and family-friendly atmosphere.
🏀 Nazareth Academy Secures State Championship Glory
The local sports world is still buzzing after the Nazareth Academy girls' basketball team captured the IHSA Class 4A State Championship over the weekend. In a dominant performance, the Roadrunners defeated Loyola Academy 55-23, marking the second state title in the program's history and the largest margin of victory ever recorded in a 4A championship game. BYU recruit Stella Sakalas led the charge with a standout performance, capping off a season defined by grit and teamwork.
The victory has sparked celebrations across the Hinsdale and La Grange area, as fans and faculty prepare for a homecoming rally to honor the team’s historic run. For the Roadrunners, this title isn't just about the trophy; it’s a testament to the school's "unimaginable" post-season momentum and a shining example of suburban athletic excellence on the biggest stage in Illinois.
🌳 Wheaton’s "America 250" Green Initiative Takes Root
As part of the nationwide countdown to America’s 250th anniversary, the City of Wheaton has launched a unique environmental project: the 2026 Shared Cost Parkway Tree Planting Program. The city plans to plant 250 parkway trees this season, each adorned with a commemorative America 250 medallion that will remain attached for its lifetime. Residents can choose from 12 different species, with the city splitting the cost to help beautify local neighborhoods while honoring the nation's history.
Beyond the aesthetic boost, the program is a key piece of Wheaton’s broader celebration strategy, which also includes a new downtown mural and special musical tributes by the Wheaton Municipal Band. By focusing on long-term growth through these commemorative trees, the city is offering a way for property owners to leave a "living legacy" that will benefit the local canopy and future generations for decades to come.
Applications are open until March 15 and the cost is $120 per tree.
🌲 The 2026 America 250 Tree Species
| Tree Species | Best For... | Notable Features |
| Catalpa (Northern) | Large spaces | Massive heart-shaped leaves and showy white flowers. |
| Linden (American) | Shade | Fragrant yellow flowers in early summer. |
| Ginkgo (Seedless Male) | Urban durability | Unique fan-shaped leaves that turn brilliant gold in fall. |
| Pink Crabapple | Under wires | Stays smaller at maturity; beautiful pink spring blooms. |
| White Crabapple | Under wires | Compact size with crisp white blossoms. |
| Hackberry | Wildlife | Distinctive "corky" bark and small berries birds love. |
| Red Oak (Northern) | Majestic scale | A fast-growing oak with classic red fall foliage. |
| Hybrid Elm | Disease resistance | Classic vase-shaped canopy but resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. |
| State Street Maple | Compact parkways | A tough, smaller maple that handles salt and drought well. |
| Japanese Tree Lilac | Visual interest | Creamy white flower clusters and beautiful reddish-brown bark. |
| Swamp White Oak | Wet areas | Extremely durable and long-lived; great for DuPage clay soil. |
| Kentucky Coffeetree | Unique texture | Large, compound leaves that offer a tropical look. |
⚡ Quick Hits
- 🏛️ County Business: The DuPage County Board is back in session tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM at the JTK Administration Building in Wheaton
- 🚲 Bike Friendly: The City of Elmhurst was just officially named a "Bicycle Friendly Community" by the League of American Bicyclists, joining an elite group of Illinois towns recognized for safe cycling infrastructure.
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This edition was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor. Learn more