A brief history of Swedish Days, the Geneva festival that keeps reinventing itself
Geneva's always evolving Swedish Days festival started in 1949 as a retail promotion, survived a brief detour as "Butter Days," and arrives at its 76th year this June with a community-rescued parade and a few new twists.
Chianti's in Geneva is launching a food truck and hoping to add a dining room
Not only is long-time Geneva establishment Chianti's launching a food truck with a grand opening party on Saturday (6/20), but they've filed with Geneva to add on-site dining to the current Stevens Street carryout location.
Sam Kraft
Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles
Sign up for the free Tri-Cities Central newsletter
Campton Hills puts a temporary hold on large accessory structures on farm properties
Campton Hills has put a 120-day moratorium on building permits for large accessory structures in farm zones as officials look into whether current rules are doing enough to prevent non-agricultural commercial uses on farm properties.
New "Sidewalk Sessions" live music series coming to downtown Geneva this summer
A new weekly live music series will add to the downtown Geneva ambiance starting July 5, bringing acoustic acts to various locations along Third and State every Sunday through September.
Officials advance plans for a new "America 250" mural at Batavia City Hall
Batavia officials advanced plans for a six-panel public mural on City Hall celebrating the city's overlooked contributions to American history with a community reveal in planning for later this summer.
Years ahead of schedule, Batavia has replaced nearly all of its lead water lines
Batavia has replaced nearly 1,000 lead water service lines since 2020 (at no direct cost to homeowners) and expects to finish the remaining 200 by 2027, when many other Illinois communities will just be getting started.
A historic Batavia home just earned a spot on the national Underground Railroad map
Two Tri-Cities sites have been added to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom — the St. Charles History Museum and a Batavia home connected to an overlooked local abolitionist who helped link the entire network from Illinois to Canada.
Power Moves Yoga is bringing back a popular outdoor yoga class at the Geneva Commons
In celebration of both International Day of Yoga and Father's Day, Power Moves Yoga is bringing its popular outdoor yoga class back to Geneva Commons on June 21 (free and open to all!).
St. Charles taps David Petschke as new Ward 3 Alderperson
St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull appointed David Petschke, a 12-year city resident and finance executive with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, to fill the Ward 3 alderperson seat vacated by Robert Gehm's retirement in May.
How a "fragile yet fierce" Geneva author turned cancer into two unflinching books
Geneva writer and artist Alexia Monaco turned an ovarian cancer diagnosis into two courageous books — and a resource for anyone who knows someone living with the disease.
ICE arrests at Kane County jail prompt statement from state's attorney, undersheriff
Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and Undersheriff Amy Johnson clarified what local law enforcement can and can't do after federal immigration agents arrested two men outside the county jail on May 31.
Batavia's Wednesday farmers' market moves to the Riverwalk this summer
The Wednesday Evening Batavia Farmers' Market opens its third season June 10 at a new Riverwalk location, featuring about 20 vendors, opening-day specials, and a raffle for Downtown Dollars.
June 8 Newsletter: Summer getaway ideas along Lake Michigan
Plus the Little Owl building in Geneva is ready for lease, Batavia's Wednesday Evening Farmers Market starts this week, and a circus is coming to St. Charles.
June 4 Newsletter: What's your favorite local breakfast spot?
Plus an update on Batavia's riverfront affordable housing project, a St. Charles bar shut down by the city, and the Big Boy locomotive barrels through Geneva.
May 28 Newsletter: See where the Tri-Cities land on a ranking of all 205 Chicagoland towns
Plus a New York-style Italian deli is now open in Geneva, a senior home facility project advances in St. Charles, and officials discuss rising energy bills.
May 25 Newsletter: The next phase for an iconic Geneva shop
Plus a project that would bring a restaurant, retail, and apartments to downtown Geneva — and a teenage girl set fire to the Kane County Cougars' team bus in Canada.
May 21 Newsletter: Memorial Day happenings in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles
Plus St. Charles takes an official position on the Fox River dam, pools open this weekend across the Tri-Cities, and a local writer reflects on five decades of creative pursuits.
