Nocturnal Rites

The world's largest annual religious pilgrimage began on Wednesday as 2.5 million Muslims amassed at Makkah for Hajj. A rare rainstorm also threatened to mar the four-day Hajj, but Saudi officials said they were prepared for all eventualities. Read More

Muslim pilgrims circled Islam's holiest site Wednesday in their traditional white robes, with a few additions — umbrellas and face masks — as the opening of the annual hajj was complicated by torrential rains and fears of swine flu. Read More

John A. Barton, 87, of Sterling, died Nov. 23, 2009, in Merino. Read More

Guy S. Boland, 57, passed away Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, in Davenport. Read More

Muslims circled Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba, wearing traditional white robes, but they also bore new additions - umbrellas and face masks. Read More

A 48-year-old man believed responsible for five armed robberies and a carjacking in Adrian the past several days was arrested Tuesday afternoon at a house in Adrian. Read More

Nearly 1 in 7 parents with grown children said they had a "boomerang kid move back home in the past year, according to a study released yesterday by the Pew Research Center. In a turnabout in the rite of passage in which a college graduate finds a job and an apartment, many are returning to their parents' empty nests because of tight finances or as they pursue an advanced degree. Read More