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.
Sam Kraft
Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles
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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.
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.
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.
New board members bring leadership and passion to CASA Kane County
CASA Kane County added a former HR executive, a financial crimes compliance specialist, and a Fox Valley real estate agent as new board members to help guide the Geneva nonprofit's work supporting children in foster care.
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.
St. Charles denies proposed Route 31 senior care home
St. Charles officials unanimously recommended denying a proposed 16-resident senior care facility on Route 31, citing the location as inappropriate and overriding the Plan Commission's earlier approval.
Local schools rack up national honors and district recognition
Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles schools each picked up notable honors recently, from a national music designation to a vocabulary team finishing 2nd in the country.
Geneva's old Hi-Hat building is becoming a downtown event venue
Geneva officials approved a $50,000 historic preservation grant to help convert the 1906 church building at 227 Hamilton (formerly the Hi-Hat Resale shop) into a downtown event venue called the Hamilton Venue.
Batavia approves $1M in TIF funds for affordable housing near downtown
Batavia officials approved a $1 million TIF agreement to build a 72-unit affordable housing complex on a former quarry site at 400 S. River Street, with a land closing targeted for July and construction expected to take roughly two years.
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.
May 14 Newsletter: Here's what you should know about local farmer's markets this season
Plus a new restaurant planned for the former site of The Elms in Batavia, a proposed solar farm in Geneva, and a sneak peek at Simple EJ's in St. Charles.
