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St. Charles water and sewer rates may be going up significantly

Local news

Mar 18, 2026

St. Charles water and sewer rates may be going up significantly

St. Charles officials signaled support for a utility rate hike that would push a typical resident's combined bill nearly 50% higher by 2029, with further discussion and a public hearing coming on April 6.

Sam Kraft

Batavia rethinking approach to energy plan after residents push back on first draft

Local news

Mar 18, 2026

Batavia rethinking approach to energy plan after residents push back on first draft

Batavia paid a consultant $385K to draft a long-term energy plan, but council members and residents say the first attempt fell short — and now they're sending it back for a rewrite while exploring a task force.

Sam Kraft

Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles

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Newsletter

Mar 16, 2026

March 16 Newsletter: Readers voice concerns about affordability in the Tri-Cities

Plus a LaFox of Campton Hills TIF update, a deep dive into Batavia's windmill history, and several wine-focused events for the week ahead.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Mar 17, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: March 19-22

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

Sam Kraft

Live music

Mar 14, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: March 16-19

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

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local events

Your guide to Easter weekend events across Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

Mar 17, 2026

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5 min read

Your guide to Easter weekend events across Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

The next couple of weeks are packed with local egg hunts, bunny photos, and brunch options across Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles — here's the full rundown of Easter events.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia's new e-mobility and e-bike ordinance is officially on the books

Mar 17, 2026

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3 min read

Batavia's new e-mobility and e-bike ordinance is officially on the books

Batavia officials approved the city's first e-mobility ordinance Monday, which sets fines, age rules, and clear definitions for e-bikes, scooters, and motorized bikes. The city is planning a public education campaign before enforcement begins.

Sam Kraft

Artist profile

Meet the master St. Charles basketweaver who never stops learning

Mar 16, 2026

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6 min read

Meet the master St. Charles basketweaver who never stops learning

A St. Charles basketweaver who got her start at a park district class in 1984 has spent the last four decades teaching her craft at Fine Line Creative Arts Center and weaving herself into the fabric of the local arts community.

Ellen Jo Ljung

Local business

A Rooted Home is getting a permanent spot in downtown Batavia

Mar 17, 2026

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3 min read

A Rooted Home is getting a permanent spot in downtown Batavia

A Rooted Home, a fan favorite from last year's Batavia Boardwalk Shops, is opening a permanent downtown storefront with a "first look" event this Saturday (3/21) and a Grand Opening on March 28.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Steel Beam Theatre closes after 24 years — new youth theater takes its stage

Mar 16, 2026

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2 min read

Steel Beam Theatre closes after 24 years — new youth theater takes its stage

Steel Beam Theatre has closed after 24 years, and the St. Charles venue is reopening as The Fox Youth Stage with a focus on youth theater programming.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Campton Hills board advances $90M LaFox TIF district amid pushback

Mar 13, 2026

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2 min read

Campton Hills board advances $90M LaFox TIF district amid pushback

The Campton Hills Joint Review Board backed a $90 million TIF district for the 900-home LaFox of Campton Hills development, but park, library, and county officials warned the tax freeze could cost their districts significantly.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia officials back school district's bid to expand its Main Street footprint — over some objections

Mar 13, 2026

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4 min read

Batavia officials back school district's bid to expand its Main Street footprint — over some objections

Batavia's Committee of the Whole voted 10-2 to recommend letting the school district purchase 812 Main Street for storage despite some objections that the move will harm the city's redevelopment vision.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Elburn's water retested after PFAS detection — no contamination found

Mar 12, 2026

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2 min read

Elburn's water retested after PFAS detection — no contamination found

Elburn retested its drinking water after a PFAS compound showed up in a December sample — and both follow-up tests came back clean.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles eyes downtown safety upgrades along popular cycling corridor

Mar 11, 2026

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2 min read

St. Charles eyes downtown safety upgrades along popular cycling corridor

St. Charles officials are pursuing a planning contract to study safety and streetscaping improvements along the busy Riverside Avenue corridor, where cyclists and cars have faced challenges coexisting near the Fox River Trail.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Mar 12, 2026

March 12 Newsletter: Local arts community busy with new events, initiatives, and honors

Plus St. Patrick's Day events, a new solar site approved near St. Charles, and weighing in on affordability in the Tri-Cities area.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 9, 2026

March 9 Newsletter: A week of St. Patrick's Day festivities

Plus a popular coffee chain may be coming to St. Charles, the debut of Batavia's first dispensary, and a Batman-like Grappler device in action in Kane County.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 5, 2026

March 5 Newsletter: Proposed state zoning law changes causing a stir locally

Plus a new Batavia restaurant guide, local Underground Railroad sites, and a powerhouse in the Tri-Cities arts community.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 2, 2026

March 2 Newsletter: Vintage Shop Hop weekend approaches

Plus plans are progressing for Batavia's new downtown plaza, election resources as the March 17 Primary approaches, and a mysterious headstone in Geneva.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 26, 2026

February 26 Newsletter: The newest addition to Geneva's cafe scene

Plus a big year for downtown business and tourism in St. Charles, a Geneva wine spot is going out of business, and an update on the Kane County Sheriff's race.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 19, 2026

February 19 Newsletter: Top fish fry spots near the Tri-Cities

Plus local candidates share their positions during recent voter forums, Batavia explores new e-bike and e-moto regulations, and Illinois' "biggest cat show."

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 16, 2026

February 16 Newsletter: Introducing the 2026 class of Batavia Boardwalk Shops

Plus a new childcare center planned for St. Charles, a water quality alert in Elburn, and a fun visit from regional radio personalities to a local high school.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 12, 2026

February 12 Newsletter: Local museums to visit this winter

Plus a weekend of local arts events, an update on historic buildings in St. Charles, and a new exhibit celebration the nation's 250th anniversary.

Sam Kraft