St. Charles North senior earns statewide volleyball honor

St. Charles North senior Haley Burgdorf was named the 2025–26 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year after a standout season on the court, strong academics, and local community service.

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.

Tri-Cities Obituaries: January 19

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: January 19-22

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

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.

Geneva may join regional group to monitor a proposed railroad merger

Geneva is considering joining a regional alliance to monitor a proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern railroad merger that could affect communities along the UP-West rail line.

New Mexican restaurant eyes spring opening in downtown St. Charles

A new Mexican restaurant called Gallo Santo is hoping to open this spring in downtown St. Charles after officials review a liquor license request for the Main Street location.

Batavia officials back new upscale restaurant with $150K downtown grant

Batavia's Committee of the Whole advanced a $150,000 redevelopment grant to help transform the former Thorabella’s space on East Wilson Street downtown into a new upscale restaurant.

Tickets are on sale for Batavia’s first Step into Spring wine walk

Batavia MainStreet has opened ticket sales for its inaugural Step into Spring: Wine Walk, set for March 21 in downtown Batavia with wine tastings at 14 local businesses.

Anderson Humane invites the community to share stories as it marks 60 years of compassion

Anderson Humane is marking its 60th anniversary by launching a “60 Stories in 60 Days” campaign that invites community members to share personal stories about the people and animals whose lives the organization has touched.

Celebrate Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday with a Batavia extravaganza

Batavia United Way is hosting a series of Dolly Parton–themed events through Saturday (1/24) to celebrate her 80th birthday while raising money for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

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.

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: January 15-18

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

St. Charles parents renew calls for action amid safety concerns at local school

Parents of students at Fox Ridge Elementary pressed the St. Charles School Board over ongoing safety and communication concerns, describing serious incidents and urging faster, clearer action from district leadership.

Barry House preservation plan advances in St. Charles

St. Charles officials signaled support for a city-backed agreement to restore the historic Barry House on Cedar Avenue, add new downtown parking, and bring the long-vacant property back into productive use.

Geneva council vote leaves historic blacksmith shop standing

Geneva officials fell one vote short of overturning the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of a demolition request, leaving the 1840s blacksmith shop protected and blocking a teardown for at least another year.

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.

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: January 12-15

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

Tri-Cities Obituaries: January 12

"Life-changing" scholarship deadline approaches for Fox Valley students

Local students have until January 20 to apply for Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley scholarships, which awarded a record $3.4 million to students last year across Kane, Kendall, and Aurora.

A different future proposed for Geneva’s historic blacksmith shop

Geneva officials will decide January 12 whether to allow demolition of the city’s 1845 blacksmith shop after preservationists recently presented a detailed plan to restore it as a Tri-Cities visitor center.

St. Charles senior housing concept pitched for Dean Street site

St. Charles officials reviewed an early concept for a 151-unit senior housing community on Dean Street that would require annexation and future zoning approvals.

League of Women Voters to host a voter registration event in St. Charles on January 25

The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County will host a walk-in voter registration event with certified registrars at the St. Charles Public Library on Sunday, January 25, helping eligible residents register or update their registration ahead of the March 17 primary.

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.

Campton Hills adds several Harley Road properties through annexation

Campton Hills officials approved annexation agreements adding four properties along Harley Road to the village, extending its boundaries and taking control of the roadway while keeping the land zoned for farming.