Wednesday, Dec. 16:

• City briefs: tax levy ordinance, new squad cars and fire dept. hires, American Water buys EMC, and more

• City council concludes roadshow -- in pictures

• Oltmanns, Kirk honored at city council

• ALMH Light Up A Life donations continue

• Community Action cheeseburgers back on March 13

• President Obama orders feds to purchase Thomson

• GOP candidates offer few differences in debate

• Laura on Life: Letter from Santa to parents

• This week's LCDPH flu fact

• Logan Lanes: Jay Bird League

• Lynx 75, Danville 60

• AP news

Tuesday, Dec. 15:

• It's official: Thomson prison to get Gitmo detainees

• Facts on a white Christmas in Illinois

• Distracted driving laws go into effect Jan. 1

• Critics bash Quinn on early release of inmates

• Lucky Six drawing dates, Lincoln Youth Wrestling, Erich Maxheimer and Jordyn Lindsey Hull make Close Up
  By Mike Fak

• Police reports

• This week's 'Viewpoint' guest: Karen Hasara

• Railers get '2' seed in Collinsville tournament

• Logan Lanes: Split 'n' Gutter League

• AP news

Monday, Dec. 14:

• Gov. orders 'top-to-bottom' exam of prison release program

• The story that caused the investigation: Illinois prisons shave terms, secretly release inmates

• St. John UCC youth group clothes community children

• Memo may point to IL as site for Gitmo detainees

• IL governor hopefuls weigh in on crime, punishment

• Recall information 

• Police reports

• Railer season-to-date stat sheet -- 12/14/09

• Logan Lanes:

• Sunday Night Mixed

• Rollin 66ers

• Major Super Trios

• LC Lynx 69, John Wood 46

• Red Lions defeat Preachers 81-69

• AP news

Saturday, Dec. 12:

• CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Victorian and folk arts, collectible Santas and angels, extraordinary finds in Mount Pulaski

• County discusses topics of liability and protection

• Christmas at the Montessori Children's House

• Bomke: Campaign finance bill will have limited impact

• State fire marshal offers candle safety advice

• 'Better' Railer team runs past Chatham Glenwood 59-45 -- in Sports

• Marriages

• Dissolutions

• YMCA notes

• Laura on Life: Googles and murders

• Home Country: Romance tones down murder mystery

• 'Better' Railer team runs past Chatham Glenwood 59-45

• Red Lions attain national ranking in coaches poll

• AP news

Friday, Dec. 11:

• CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Lincoln, a great place for holiday shopping
  Downtown Lincoln -- Part 2

• County discusses topics of liability and protection

• H1N1 vaccine availability expanded

• Reminder: Rotary citrus pickup this weekend

• Student art show Saturday at Sunney Art Center

• Warmer temps allow time to get vehicles ready for next arctic blast

• Quinn: Prison decision 'very shortly'

• Zion Lutheran honor roll, Zion drive-through Nativity, Morgan Litterly, LCHS band concert, ALMH card party winners, Ill. Drug Free Youth ornaments and Lincoln Youth Wrestling results all in Close Up
  By Mike Fak

• Police reports

• Logan Lanes: Logan Lassies

• AP news

Thursday, Dec. 10:

• CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Lincoln, a great place for holiday shopping
  Downtown Lincoln -- Part 1

• County discusses topics of liability and protection

• Bone-chilling temps hit area

• Illinois firearm deer season just short of 6 figures

• Ill. reaches agreement with capital on fast trains

• A year after Blago arrest, Quinn signs ethics law

• Police reports

• Letter: Christmas parade: Where were the bands? Where were the floats?

• Holiday events coming up at Dana-Thomas House

• Logan Lanes: Tuesday Super Trios

• LCU's Farr named 2009 AVCA NCCAA National Coach of the Year

• AP news

Wednesday, Dec. 9:

• EXTREMELY STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TODAY

• City briefs: auditor's report, workers' compensation, streets and alleys, search for new zoning officer and more

• CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: Elkhart, a little village full of big shopping surprises
  (1st in a series on shopping locally)

• Covered wagon gets ride to new home -- in pictures

• Light Up A Life donors

• LC Habitat for Humanity celebrates its contribution to reaching 2,000-home milestone of $125 million alliance

• P&M Communications hopes to fill a Salvation Army kettle, with your support

• Stimulus money provides extended office hours at Community Action

• Letter: Director expresses appreciation to retailers and businesses for allowing kettles

• Book Look: 'A Season of Gifts'

• Logan Lanes: Jay Bird League

• Red Lions defeat Greenville

• AP news

Tuesday, Dec. 8:

• Lincoln police chief tenders resignation effective March 15

• Coroner's jury rules homicide in Beason family deaths

• Aldermen recognize their ward's citizen of the year

  • City recognizes wards' citizens of the year -- in pictures

• ALMH Auxiliary luncheon -- in pictures

• The Log Cabin Quilt Shop opens on the square

• IEMA, OSFM holiday gift ideas to keep loved ones safe

• Quinn: Action on Thomson prison to come this month

• Zion Lutheran School student council clothing drive, Atlanta Methodist Church, Harvest of Talents Christmas program, Santa in New Holland, snow art at the YMCA and the park district's Christmas home decorating contest all in Close Up
  By Mike Fak

• Police reports

• Oltmanns and Pagel complete Realtor graduate course

• This week's 'Viewpoint' guest: Scott Altman

• Logan Lanes: Split 'n' Gutter League

• Red Lions drop to 4-3

• AP news

Monday, Dec. 7:

• An aspiring journalist: 10-year-old Hayley Matson

• Lee Dowling art exhibit at Lincoln College -- in pictures

• Lincoln Youth Wrestling tournament -- in pictures

• LCPA celebrates 10th anniversary -- in pictures

• Speed limit increasing for truckers in Illinois

• Quinn not hiding dislike for Hynes

• Recall information 

• Logan Lanes:

• Sunday Night Mixed

• Rollin 66ers

• Lincoln's Hilary Hobler begins collegiate career on top

• LC Lynx 72, Olney 68

• LCU Red Lions defeat NIU 84-75

• AP news

Saturday, Dec. 5:

• LaDonna Gass receives Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award -- story and pictures

• Illinois Drug Free Youth plans 3D movie night at LCHS

• LCHS FFA chapter always busy

• Acro-Cats cat circus Dec. 21 in Lincoln

• Coroner's inquest for the Gee family set for Monday

• Hynes says no to Quinn's $500 million state borrowing plan

• Marriages

• Dissolutions

• YMCA notes

• Laura on Life: Dear Santa...

• Home Country: Tofu in tamale-land

• Railers sluggish in 60-53 win over Jacksonville

• LC Lynx down Lincoln Trail 77-67

• AP news

Friday, Dec. 4:

• 2009 Lincoln Christmas Parade -- album 1

• 2009 Lincoln Christmas Parade -- album 2

• Harris brothers' defense teams receive mountain of discovery

• Lincoln College hosts Lee Dowling exhibit at Layman Gallery through Jan. 8

• Christian Homes Inc. plans expansion

• Illinois H1N1 Flu Hotline answering medical questions

• Christmas in the Chapel, Harvest of Talents cookie walk, a busy Saturday in Elkhart, Nicholas Haferkamp, Schyler Conrady, Melissa Van, Sana Wahab, Ashley Nguyen and YMCA winter break Fun Days in Close Up
  By Mike Fak

• Police reports

• December YMCA programs

• Logan Lanes: Major Super Trios

• Red Lions win at Tip-Off

• AP news

Thursday, Dec. 3:

• County's need for building codes trips sale of home

• The District 27 5th- and 6th-grade concert band -- in pictures

• Local high school students attain Illinois State Scholar awards

• Open house Saturday at Postville Courthouse

• 7th-warmest November on record

• Illinois law enforcement officials back Thomson plan

• U of I cuts expensive DC-based arts program

• Police reports

• December YMCA programs

• Lincoln Log Cabin candlelight tours Friday

• Presidential museum offers holiday gift ideas

• Civil War diary written by Illinois native is donated to presidential library and museum

• Children's program on coal mining a century ago
  Presidential library event Jan. 16 to commemorate 1909 Cherry Mine Disaster

• AP news

Wednesday, Dec. 2:

• ALMH Light Up A Life tree lights up the community -- in pictures

• Additional names of Light Up A Life donors

• Christmas tree fact list
  It's still big business

• Hynes: Innovation key to increasing Illinois jobs

• Gov. Quinn names key education council
  'Race to the Top' for federal funds starts with new P-20 panel

• Seniors reminded to apply NOW online for Illinois Cares Rx to avoid a break in coverage

• Book Look: 'Save Your Retirement'

• Laura on Life: 8th-grade field trip

• This week's LCDPH flu fact
  Children need 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine

• 8th-grade WL-B Lady Wolverines advance to regional championship

• Logan Lanes: Jay Bird League

• AP news

Tuesday, Dec. 1:

• Friendship Manor Festival of Trees -- in pictures

• Lincoln Jaycees Breakfast with Santa on Saturday

• Extension offers holiday workshops for youth

• Reminder: ALMH Light Up A Life ceremony tonight at 6

• Some governor candidates balk at releasing tax info

• Gov. Quinn calls on Illinois residents to support our troops this holiday season

• Make this a 'black Christmas' for everyone in Logan County -- in Perspectives

• Maxheimer points to qualifications for circuit clerk post

• Railer Nation and Jeff Benjamin, Humane Society, blood drives, park district Treats with Santa, Christmas parade, First Baptist Church and a happy birthday to paramedic association, all in Close Up
  By Mike Fak

• Police reports

• Library notes

• Park district notes

• Logan Lanes:

• American Bowling League

• Split 'n' Gutter League

• AP news