Thumbs up: To the DeKalb City Council’s decision not to implement new rules on cutting or removing trees. For the past few months, DeKalb leaders have struggled with their options for protecting trees in the wake of ComEd clear-cutting trees along the Nature Trail – a 1.5-mile prairie path located between Sycamore Road and First Street. City officials do not have the authority to regulate ComEd in its easement, and DeKalb aldermen were reluctant to regulate trees on private property without a compelling safety reason. It’s great to see anyone in government decide against pursuing an issue that is beyond their authority. It’s much more common these days for government to find ways to expand their authority into any and all issues. We appreciate the restraint shown by DeKalb city officials. 

Thumbs down: To another tough basketball season for the men’s and women’s teams at Northern Illinois University. Neither team reached double-digit wins and both were eliminated in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference tournaments. Obviously every year can’t bring triumphs on the level of an Orange Bowl berth, but it’s been a tough string of seasons on the men’s side. The team has lost at least 20 games in seven consecutive seasons. They’re drawing a little more than 1,000 fans to the Convocation Center on average, compared with the more than 4,000 who turned up for the DeKalb-Sycamore game this year. Some more winning could improve those attendance numbers and give Huskies fans something to look forward to during these long winters. Hopefully NIU’s next athletic director can help bring about positive change on the hardwood.

Thumbs up: To DeKalb County Judge Robbin Stuckert for her refusal to grant another delay in the trial of William “Billy” Curl. Curl, 36, of DeKalb was indicted more than two years ago on charges including rape and murder in connection with the October 2010 slaying of Northern Illinois University freshman Antinette “Toni” Keller. Stuckert rejected a request Wednesday from defense attorneys to delay the trial out of concern that prosecutors would call an expert witness only days before the scheduled trial date. Curl’s trial already has been delayed twice, and the families of both the accused and the victim are ready for some kind of resolution. Curl’s trial remains on schedule to begin April 11.