Festive chocolate treats return to The Graceful Ordinary for holiday season

The downtown St. Charles restaurant has brought back its popular Boozy Hot Chocolate Flights, offering four decadent seasonal flavors through January 31.

December 4 Newsletter: A guide to nearby holiday light shows this season

Plus a special commission for senior citizens in St. Charles, the demolition of a historic chimney in downtown Batavia, and several holiday events over the weekend.

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: December 4-7

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

Blue Envelope initiative in St. Charles to support drivers with autism

St. Charles officials introduced the Blue Envelope Program, a new resource that helps officers and autistic drivers communicate more calmly and clearly during traffic stops.

Batavia Public Library's Flyleaf Cafe preparing to close

Flyleaf Bakery Cafe will close at the end of December as its owner retires, leaving the future of the Batavia Public Library café space unclear.

St. Charles looks to formally reactivate its Senior Services Commission

St. Charles officials supported reinstating the city’s long-inactive Senior Services Commission to better support a growing senior population and improve coordination of existing programs.

Chimney demolition approved above Pal Joey's in Batavia

Batavia officials approved demolition of a deteriorating North River Street chimney after engineers deemed the 110-foot structure structurally unsafe.

Holiday lights adventures near the Tri-Cities in 2025

A roundup of the region’s biggest and most popular holiday lights displays highlights a variety of festive spots worth the short drive from the Tri-Cities this season.

The 2025 Batavia Citizen of the Year is Linda Schielke

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce has named longtime community leader Linda Schielke as the 2025 Citizen of the Year and selected the Batavia Woman’s Club as this year’s Spirit of Batavia honoree.

North Pole pop-up brings cozy holiday fun to downtown Batavia

Downtown Batavia is getting its own little slice of the North Pole this December as Zen Loft Collective transforms into a festive holiday pop-up with a mini market, twinkling lights, creative photo ops, live music, treats, and more.

December 1 Newsletter: A restaurant and lounge inspired by Mexico's coast set to open this winter

Plus the upcoming Geneva Christmas Walk and Holiday Home Tour, a historic weather weekend, and loose dogs attack dozens of chickens.

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: December 1-4

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

Tri-Cities Obituaries: December 1

Geneva moving toward Bird City Illinois certification

Geneva officials are considering a resolution to apply for Bird City Illinois certification, citing completed sustainability and habitat projects that already meet the program’s requirements.

Loose dogs kill dozens of chickens at Geneva Township farm

Two escaped dogs killed more than 30 chickens at a Geneva Township property, leading county officials to cite the owner for allowing the animals to run loose.

Alloy small-group training franchise to open a location in Geneva

Alloy Personal Training is opening a location on South Randall Road in Geneva in January 2026, offering appointment-based strength training in a supportive team environment.

November 27 Newsletter: Local nonprofits and charitable organizations you can support on Giving Tuesday

Plus St. Charles officials plan to review concept plans for a Pheasant Run redevelopment project and big local plans for Small Business Saturday.

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: November 27-30

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

Snow is coming — here's what to know about parking in the Tri-Cities

Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles have policies for residents when snow parking bans go into effect and how plowing operations work as winter weather moves in.

Your local guide to Giving Tuesday in the Tri-Cities

A local Giving Tuesday guide and Anderson Humane fundraiser, highlighting dozens of Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles organizations locals can support this holiday season.

New commercial concept plans for Pheasant Run to be reviewed

St. Charles officials will review an early concept plan to redevelop the former Pheasant Run site into a 15-lot commercial center with retail, restaurants, and service uses — and the public can attend meetings to offer input.

Tri-Cities shops line up festive events for Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday brings seasonal cheer to Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles with meet-and-greets, hot cocoa, spin-to-win discounts, and special deals at several local shops.

Community members urge Batavia school board to adopt immigration enforcement policy

Batavia school officials heard strong community pressure to adopt a local policy limiting immigration enforcement on school grounds to help students feel safer.

Kane County committee lays out tighter rules for short-term rentals

Kane County officials are discussing a new short-term rental ordinance with limits on guest counts and rental frequency, mandatory neighbor notification, and tougher enforcement for unincorporated areas.

A new “escape” is coming to St. Charles — and it’s called Playa

The Aréchiga Restaurant Group is opening Playa, a new coastal-inspired lounge and restaurant in St. Charles, designed as a flexible “escape close to home” with live entertainment, immersive design, and a creative Mexican vibe.