First-year students reflect on fall semester amid COVID-19
DeKALB – Mostly virtual classes, grab-and-go meals, multiple coronavirus tests and Zoom events have been a part of the new first-year student experience amid the COVID-19 pandemic at NIU and many universities across the country.
As the spring semester is set to begin, first-year students are reflecting on their abnormal first few months, both on-campus and off-campus.
Over the summer, first-year students were made aware their first semester would be unusual, as most classes were announced to be hybrid or virtual, along with mandatory on-campus surveillance COVID-19 testing, and meals would need to be eaten in residence hall rooms.
Northern Star
Tuesday
On Tuesday, there will be a high chance of snow after 2 p.m. with a high of 30 degrees and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. There could be a one-inch accumulation of snow.
Hazardous travel conditions are possible Tuesday PM into Wednesday AM. Snow develops over the area late Tue then gradually changes to a wintry mix, including freezing rain overnight. Warmer air moves in on Wed helping end the icing threat during the day for most areas #ILwx#INwxpic.twitter.com/SsyNR93XDu
Wednesday
On Wednesday, rain is expected before 3 p.m., with a slight chance of snow. It will be a high of 35 degrees and cloudy. There’s a 50% chance of precipitation.
Northern Star
DeKALB – Following opposition from DeKalb residents and an hour of back and forth discussion, City Council members approved a special service area for Hunter Ridgebrook Properties at Monday’s meeting.
A special service area allows local governments to tax for and deliver services to a certain geographic area. In this case, the special service area would improve the public safety and security improvements for residents in the housing complex, according to the Oct. 12 city council agenda.
The discussion to make Hunter Ridgebrook Properties, 808 Ridge Drive, a special service area began in September due to an uptick in crime and a series of code violations for broken smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, bed bug infestations, security failures and more, according to an Oct. 9 Northern Star article.
Northern Star
DeKALB – City council members will consider the construction of a city-owned transit maintenance and operations facility at Monday’s meeting.
The city-owned transit facility is being considered to be located along Dresser Road, neighboring the DeKalb County Health Department and DeKalb High School, according to the Dec. 14 City Council agenda. The land is 30 acres in size with approximately 15 usable acres for a transit operations and maintenance facility.
The proposed site is within proximity to NIU as approximately 85% of the fixed route system begins and ends at the Holmes Student Center and DuSable Turnaround.
Currently, the City doesn’t have a designated transit facility to house its vehicles and equipment and instead relies on contracted transit service providers to lease their own facilities.
Snowfall expected across DeKalb County on Saturday northernstar.info - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from northernstar.info Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.