CHICAGO – The Midwest Xtreme dance teams were at it again. And once again, the big stage had the teams from Warsaw shining brightest. Recently the Warsaw-based Midwest Xtreme All-Star Cheer and Dance teams competed at The American Championship – Varsity Brand. The two-day competition attracted over a hundred teams from all over the Midwest. …read more.

Two men, one of which was an airline employee, were arrested in separate incidents involving loaded handguns at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago March 27. Transportation Security Administration agents using an X-ray machine on the carry-on bag of James Long, 50, an airline employee, detected a loaded 9 mm Ruger ST40C inside around noon Friday. …read more.

Oprah Winfrey plans to auction off furniture, paintings, designer clothes and other personal belongings from her Chicago residence next month. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers announced March 24 that the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The school helps disadvantaged high school-aged girls learn to become future …read more.

WARSAW – After making his NHRA racing debut at the AAA Insurance NHRA MIdwest Nationals in September 2014, Warsaw native Kyle Wurtzel was eager to secure a sponsor for the 2015 racing season. Xtreme Edge of Bolingbrook, IL, will be the primary sponsor for the Route 66 NHRA Nationals, which will take place  at the …read more.

A Batesville, IN, man has discovered that a painting he bought at a yard sale for 50 cents ten years ago may be worth a lot of money. Jesse Ronnebaum bought the early 1900s picture of seven guys shooting pool because it stood out to him for some reason. He recently noticed it said “Palette …read more.

The South Shore railroad line will debut a new express train from South Bend to Chicago beginning March 16, with a goal of getting passengers to the windy city in approximately 90 minutes. The ‘Sunrise’ express train will depart South Bend at 6 a.m. (Eastern time zone) and make only two stops along the way, at …read more.

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago will honor teachers by offering them complimentary tickets to its Choral Classics concert at 7:30 p.m.March 7 in the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 South Woodlawn Ave. Tickets are limited to one per teacher and available at the door with a school ID. Music education contributes to stronger student …read more.

React Presents is thrilled to announce the lineup (see below) for the fourth annual Spring Awakening Music Festival, happening at the historic Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., June 12, 13, and 14. Grammy-award winning producer Zedd is joined by the #1 DJ in the world, Hardwell, and dance music legend Tiesto returns. Eric Prydz, Diplo …read more.

INDOT has announced that Amtrak will continue to operate the Hoosier State Line train between Indianapolis and Chicago under a contract extension approved through April 1. The previous extension is set to expire Jan. 31. The agreement allows an extra 60 days to complete long-term contract negotiations for Amtrak to continue operating the line with …read more.

Police arrested Gary James, 27, 4311 W. 18th St., Chicago, on charges of forgery, a class C felony and theft, a class D felony, following a December 2013 incident in Milford. James was arrested Monday and booked in the Kosciusko County Jail. Indiana State Police Officer Kyle Dukes filed the affidavit of probable cause with …read more.

A north Chicago park board commissioner and two park district employees, one of which is the commissioner’s son, were charged with felony theft Monday, Jan. 12, for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of donated toys shortly before Christmas. The toys, which had been dropped off in a park facility by members of the Marine …read more.

Stage 773 Creative Director Brian Posen is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated line-up for the 14th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Over the past 14 years, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has garnered international attention, attracting over 10,000 patrons annually from around the world. Jan. 8 through Jan. 18, audiences will enjoy the largest …read more.

The Apollo Chorus, Chicago’s oldest musical organization, will perform their signature rendition of the choral masterpiece Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, and at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at at Harris Theater for Music & Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. …read more.