Journal & Topics

The Journal & Topics Newspapers traces its beginnings back to 1930. It was established by Mr. Robert Fabian during the challenging times of the Great Depression, when he decided to create the Des Plaines Journal while working at a local newspaper. Mr. Fabian managed the Journal until 1947, when Richard and Mary Jane Wessell acquired it. The Wessells saved money during the war years to purchase the Des Plaines Journal. Mr. Wessell served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, while Mrs. Wessell worked at the Merchandise Mart. Over the next fifty years, the Journal expanded into a network of 17 newspapers, each catering to communities including Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Rosemont, Prospect Heights, Niles, Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Glenview, Wheeling, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, and Rolling Meadows, all surrounding the bustling O'Hare Airport. In 1979, the name “Topics” was added to the Journal when the Wessell family purchased five additional Topics newspapers. In addition to publishing newspapers, the Journal & Topics operates a modern Goss Community Press for printing other publications, as well as offering job printing and mail processing services. Since its inception, the Journal & Topics has received numerous awards for excellence in both editorial and advertising, including top honors from the Illinois Press Association and the prestigious Peter Lisagor Award for outstanding editorial work. The Journal & Topics is dedicated to delivering quality community news, editorial content, commentary, and photography. We focus on local stories rather than events happening abroad or in Washington, D.C., unless they have a local connection. For any inquiries, please contact Todd Wessell at 847-299-5511.

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Wonderful Winter For Journal-Area Sports

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

It wasn’t as great as the fall sports, but honestly, it would be hard to match the amazing fall season by Journal-area prep sports teams. The winter sports season still had some champions, but more individual compared to team titles. Check back next week for the conclusion of this series with a look at the spring sports season that recently wrapped up. Here’s a look back at top winter sports highlights in the Journal-area: Girls Basketball:State Runner-Up: Fremd (lost 65-44 to Kenwood i...
Riverside-Brookfield Shootout: Loyola, Fremd Both Go 4-0

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The annual Riverside-Brookfield Summer Shootout saw plenty of great boys basketball action Friday-Sunday, June 20-22 with teams from across the state. The Journal-area had 4-0 tournament runs from Fremd and Loyola Academy, while many other Journal teams showed flashes of potential that has their coaches excited for the upcoming 2025-26 season that starts in November. Here’s a look at how the Journal-area teams performed over the three days:Maine South 57, Oak Lawn 49: Leading Maine South to vic...
DeKalb Live: Maine East, Prospect, St. Viator All Go 4-0

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Four Journal-area boys basketball teams hit the courts in DeKalb for the annual DeKalb Live event Friday-Sunday, June 20-22 and three walked away with perfect records. The event is a great showcase for college hopefuls, plus an opportunity for teams to learn and build relationships and roles for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Here’s a look at how things went for Journal-area teams: Maine East:Maine East 61, Cary Grove 56: Maine East was led by rising senior Brandon Schreiber (15 point...
Five Locals Earn IHSBCA 2025 All-State Honors

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) released its 2025 All-State teams for all four classes and five Journal-area players were among those honored. In Class 4A, there were two Journal-area players selected and they were both very deserving. Hersey’s Chuck Meister (.437 BA, 56 H, 3 HR, 17 2B, 1 3B, 25 RBI, 40 R, 13 SB) broke the school career records for hits, doubles, runs and RBI throughout the season and earned All-State honors. Rolling Meadows’ Ryan Schneider (.536 B...
10 Local Softball Players Earn All-State

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The Illinois Coaches Association (ICA) announced the 2025 All-State softball teams for Class 3A and Class 4A late Sunday, June 15 and the Journal-area had 10 players honored. To the surprise of no one, Loyola Academy’s Hunter Lewis (Jr., P/INF) and Fremd’s Haley Lucas (Sr., P) were both selected first team All-State in Class 4A.
Maine West 2024-25 Awards

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Maine West High School recently named its award winners for the 2024-25 season, including a growing list of Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. The Maine West Sports Hall of Fame is different than most, inducting players at the end of their careers, instead of years down the road. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, an athlete must be named first or second team All-State or earn six varsity letters and be all-conference in two sports. Maine West added nine members this year, including the two Ath...
Windmill City Weekend Shootout 2025: Hersey, Fremd, Prospect Go 4-0

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The 2025 edition of the Windmill City Weekend Shootout is bigger and better than ever before, with a large number of teams hitting the courts at Batavia and Geneva High Schools Thursday-Saturday, June 12-14. There were 16 pools with six teams apiece in them at Batavia. In addition, there were four pools of six teams at Geneva. Prospect went a perfect 4-0 to win Pool 2 at Batavia, while Hersey went 4-0 in Pool 9. On the Geneva side, Fremd went 4-0 in their pool. The other Journal-area teams compe...
Pirates Win 2025 Palatine Shootout

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The annual Palatine Shootout for boys basketball saw 16 teams hit the court Friday-Saturday, June 13-14 at Fremd High School. Fittingly, it came down to the two schools from Palatine to determine a champion, with Palatine topping Fremd in the title game, 43-34. Here’s a look at how it went in the shootout: Saturday, June 14 Palatine 43, Fremd 34 (Championship)Highland Park d. Buffalo GroveGlenbrook South d. NorthridgeConant 49, Palatine (No. 2) 46 Fenton vs. Dundee-Crown d. Fe...
CCL Boys Volleyball 2025 Awards

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The Chicago Catholic League recently announced its list of all-conference selections for boys volleyball and three Loyola Academy players were among those honored. Loyola Academy’s three players selected to the CCL Blue all-conference team were Drew Bevan (Jr., OH), Aldis Kins (Jr., Libero) and Luke Malles (Jr., OH). Brother Rice had five selections, while St. Francis had four picks. St. Ignatius and St. Rita both had two selections apiece. Brother Rice’s John Mikrut was named CCL Blue Player o...
Gina Davorija Shines In IBCA All-Star Game

2 days ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Recent Glenbrook South graduate Gina Davorija was one of the stars of the show at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) All-Star games Saturday, June 7 at Pontiac High School. Davorija, one of four players with area ties on the girls Class 3A/4A North team, earned MVP honors in the 3A/4A girls championship game, pacing the winning North side with 18 points. The North won convincingly, 111-71. Mount Vernon’s Kamaree Pollard led her team with 13 points in the losing effort. Besides Da...