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Where to find food and help in the Tri-Cities area

Local news

Oct 31, 2025

Where to find food and help in the Tri-Cities area

With SNAP benefits disruptions continuing in 2026, Tri-Cities food pantries and nonprofits are stepping up to help local families access meals and groceries. Here's a list of resources.

Sam Kraft

Officials advance solar project near Route 25 in St. Charles Township

Local news

Jan 26, 2026

Officials advance solar project near Route 25 in St. Charles Township

Kane County is moving a community solar project on the capped Tri-County Landfill site near Route 25 forward, but construction will depend on finalizing an agreement that spells out responsibility for protecting the landfill cap before permits are issued.

Sam Kraft

Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles

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Newsletter

Jan 29, 2026

January 29 Newsletter: St. Charles Restaurant Week approaches

Plus a community solar development proposed in St. Charles Township, big changes for popular local businesses, and free help on your taxes.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Jan 28, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: January 29 - February 1

Performances in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles on Thursday through Sunday.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Jan 24, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: January 26-29

Performances in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles from Monday to Thursday.

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local business

Viking General Store: A Geneva-based apparel shop rooted in local pride

Jan 26, 2026

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5 min read

Viking General Store: A Geneva-based apparel shop rooted in local pride

The new local clothing and accessory brand is building a following by blending Geneva pride, hometown nostalgia, and small-batch collections launched through pop-ups and online product drops.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Kane County candidate forums to be held in Batavia

Jan 26, 2026

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3 min read

Kane County candidate forums to be held in Batavia

The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County will host two candidate forums in Batavia in early February, giving voters a chance to hear directly from candidates in several contested races ahead of the March 17 primary.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Random Acts of Kindness Week returns to St. Charles in February

Jan 26, 2026

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2 min read

Random Acts of Kindness Week returns to St. Charles in February

Local nonprofit Random Acts Matter will host its ninth Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 16–22, inviting Tri-Cities residents to take part in simple, community-wide acts of giving.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Geneva officials approve new daycare near busy intersection

Jan 23, 2026

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3 min read

Geneva officials approve new daycare near busy intersection

Geneva officials unanimously approved a new daycare to be constructed near Delnor Hospital, prompting two nearby residents to raise concerns about traffic safety at the busy Randall–Keslinger intersection.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Forest Preserve District expands Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve by 45 acres

Jan 22, 2026

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3 min read

Forest Preserve District expands Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve by 45 acres

Kane County Forest Preserve officials expanded Meissner-Corron Forest Preserve by 45 acres, adding a key parcel in St. Charles that strengthens habitat protection and sets the stage for future prairie restoration.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia adopts long-term plan for South River Street corridor

Jan 21, 2026

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2 min read

Batavia adopts long-term plan for South River Street corridor

Batavia officials approved the South River Street Corridor Plan, establishing a long-term framework for redevelopment of the area while maintaining protections for existing businesses and future public input.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Here's where to skate this winter in the Tri-Cities

Jan 20, 2026

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3 min read

Here's where to skate this winter in the Tri-Cities

Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles offer free outdoor ice skating when cold-weather conditions allow, with residents encouraged to check daily rink status updates before heading out.

Sam Kraft

Local news

More Kane County homeowners are going solar — and saving money doing it

Jan 20, 2026

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2 min read

More Kane County homeowners are going solar — and saving money doing it

According to officials, Kane County's "Switch Together" group-buy solar program has helped local homeowners save about $450,000 so far, with 84 installations completed and more underway.

Sam Kraft

Local news

The Graceful Ordinary team bringing two new concepts to downtown St. Charles

Jan 17, 2026

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3 min read

The Graceful Ordinary team bringing two new concepts to downtown St. Charles

O&D Hospitality plans to open a members-only cigar lounge and a raw bar with live jazz in downtown St. Charles, while construction is now underway on their Vicolo café concept in Aurora.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Jan 26, 2026

January 26 Newsletter: The Tri-Cities emerge from a very cold weekend

Plus a proclamation from St. Charles officials on federal immigration enforcement activity and national recognition for a local Underground Railroad site.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 22, 2026

January 22 Newsletter: How Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva played a key role in our nation's history

Plus a long-term plan for Batavia's South River Street Corridor, how bison were brought back to a Kane County preserve, and ice skating options in the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 19, 2026

January 19 Newsletter: New cigar lounge, raw bar, and jazz venue in the works for St. Charles

Plus an update on the new upscale restaurant planned for downtown Batavia and new regulations for short-term rental properties in Kane County.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 15, 2026

January 15 Newsletter: Geneva Restaurant Week returns this weekend

Plus a narrow vote saves the historic Geneva blacksmith shop (for now), a preservation plan emerges for the Barry House in St. Charles, and a new pedestrian bridge across the Fox River.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 12, 2026

January 12 Newsletter: A new restaurant is coming soon to Geneva's east side

Plus a decision looming for Geneva's historic blacksmith shop and a large senior housing community proposed for St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 8, 2026

January 8 Newsletter: Understanding Geneva’s police station referendum

Plus a project to improve safety at a major Batavia intersection, St. Charles' vision for 2026, and surging flu cases for the foreseeable future.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 5, 2026

January 5 Newsletter: Spotlight on the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles

Plus a proposal for how to repurpose the old Geneva blacksmith shop, local spots with alcohol-free drinks for Dry January, and Limestone Coffee & Tea sets an opening date for its new location.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Dec 29, 2025

December 29 Newsletter: That's a wrap on 2025 in the Tri-Cities

Plus new Illinois laws to know about, an update on the former St. Charles police station site, and ideas for last-minute New Year's Eve plans.

Sam Kraft