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Batavia officials continue to debate complexities of consequential state housing bill

Local news

Apr 1, 2026

Batavia officials continue to debate complexities of consequential state housing bill

Batavia Committee of the Whole took a deep look at the state's BUILD Act housing bill, with officials finding positive opportunities in parts of the proposal even as they raised concerns about local control, parking, and infrastructure.

Sam Kraft

The kiln whisperer: Matt Brej opens up about pottery, patience, and teaching in St. Charles

Artist profile

Apr 2, 2026

The kiln whisperer: Matt Brej opens up about pottery, patience, and teaching in St. Charles

Matt Brej stumbled into a ceramics class at Elgin Community College two decades ago, which launched a dynamic career as a potter, teacher, and studio manager at Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles.

Ellen Jo Ljung

Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles

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Newsletter

Apr 2, 2026

April 2 Newsletter: Introducing the Tri-Cities Dinner Club

Plus a housing debate in Batavia, a historic building to be revived in downtown St. Charles, and native plant sales coming up.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Apr 1, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: April 2-5, 2026

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

Sam Kraft

Live music

Mar 29, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: March 30 - April 2, 2026

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

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local business

Riverlands Brewing celebrates 7 years of bringing the community together through beer

Apr 1, 2026

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7 min read

Riverlands Brewing celebrates 7 years of bringing the community together through beer

The St. Charles brewery just celebrated its seventh anniversary, and co-founder Steve Marck reflects on how a Fourth of July barbecue, a decade of homebrewing, and a commitment to transparency turned Riverlands into a Tri-Cities institution.

Sam Kraft

Local news

New class inducted into Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame

Apr 1, 2026

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2 min read

New class inducted into Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame

The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame inducted seven new artists — spanning classical music, folk, theater, journalism, and progressive rock — at its 25th anniversary banquet at Eagle Brook Country Club.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles water meters going wireless — no more home visits for readings

Mar 31, 2026

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2 min read

St. Charles water meters going wireless — no more home visits for readings

St. Charles is replacing aging water meters with wireless versions that allow remote readings and real-time leak detection so that home visits will no longer be required.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Spring gardening guide for Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

Mar 29, 2026

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4 min read

Spring gardening guide for Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

Everything you need to kick off your spring garden in the Tri-Cities, including ideal timing for local planting, free seeds at all three library systems, native plant resources, and more.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Geneva considering grant program to help historic homeowners pay for repairs

Mar 28, 2026

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2 min read

Geneva considering grant program to help historic homeowners pay for repairs

Geneva's Historic Preservation Commission recommended a new facade grant program that would offer up to $10,000 to help historic district homeowners pay for repairs that align with historic character.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia and Campton Hills police launching Blue Envelope Program

Mar 28, 2026

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3 min read

Batavia and Campton Hills police launching Blue Envelope Program

The Batavia and Campton Hills police departments are both launching the free Blue Envelope Program, giving residents with autism, cognitive disabilities, or severe anxiety a simple tool to communicate their needs during officer encounters.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Seven Batavia businesses earn Ole Awards for 2025

Mar 25, 2026

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3 min read

Seven Batavia businesses earn Ole Awards for 2025

Seven Batavia businesses earned Ole Awards from the Chamber of Commerce for new construction and remodeling projects completed in 2025 — and two organizations also received Civic Impact Awards.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles residents want public, open space at the former riverfront police station site

Mar 22, 2026

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3 min read

St. Charles residents want public, open space at the former riverfront police station site

St. Charles residents expressed a strong preference that the former downtown police station site be turned into public riverfront open space — not a townhome development or a hotel. A second community feedback event is coming up.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia residents speak at school board meeting about Women's History Month post

Mar 21, 2026

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3 min read

Batavia residents speak at school board meeting about Women's History Month post

After a Women's History Month post from the Batavia school district about U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride drew national commentary and was quietly deleted, Batavia community members showed up to the school board meeting to speak about it.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Mar 30, 2026

March 30 Newsletter: A spring planting and gardening guide for the Tri-Cities

Plus the Batavia community rallies behind a local family after tragedy, a major housing project proposed in St. Charles, and a day dedicated to all things Geneva.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 23, 2026

March 23 Newsletter: Flea markets near the Tri-Cities

Plus St. Charles residents make their voices heard about the future of a downtown riverfront property and Batavia hosts its first-ever "Wine Walk."

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 19, 2026

March 19 Newsletter: Local election and referendum results

Plus a potential water and sewer rate hike in St. Charles, new e-bike and e-moto regulations in Batavia, and a smorgasbord of Easter events coming up across the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

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

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