🌪️ Wild weather wrap-up

Tuesday was pretty crazy, eh?

I took advantage of the warm temps (73 on our weather station) by sneaking in an afternoon bike ride on the Fox River Trail. Everywhere you looked, people were out strolling, jogging, walking dogs, playing Frisbee — many in shorts and T-shirts.

According to experts, the recent extreme warmth is likely due to the combined effect of global warming and the El Niño climate pattern we’re experiencing this year.

To put the phenomenon in perspective:

• The New York Times ran a story on Tuesday with the headline “In Chicago, It’s Summer in February.”

• As of yesterday, February 2024 was on track to become the warmest February ever recorded for the Chicago and Rockford areas.

• Rockford set a record high of 78 degrees on Tuesday.

• Chicago set a record high of 71 degrees on Monday.

Anyway, back to Tuesday. Once evening rolled around, conditions quickly turned from surreally idyllic to downright alarming.

Tornado scare

The tornado sirens started in Batavia before cascading to Geneva and St. Charles as residents took shelter, huddled in basements and documented/tracked the storm’s progress on social media.

A tornado was confirmed in Batavia and near North Aurora, causing damage/power outages and blowing over a trailer on the northwest corner of Main Street and Randall Road.

In Geneva, WGN reporters spoke to residents and surveyed the aftermath of the storm, which included downed trees and damaged homes. Yesterday, the city began assessing damage to the Pepper Valley subdivision; in addition to at least eight homes damaged, it’s estimated that 30-40 trees were damaged or uprooted.

In total, the National Weather Service investigation revealed that 11 tornadoes may have touched down in the region. This includes the tornado that traversed Batavia and Geneva and another that may have touched down just south of St. Charles.

Did the storm impact you or your property? Did you manage to capture any compelling photos?

Feel free to share your photos and/or stories by replying to this email (or via social media) to potentially be featured in an upcoming edition of the newsletter.

📰 News to use

The 🔒 icon indicates a potential paywall. The *️⃣ icon indicates that an account/login may be needed. 

☑️ Arrest in Batavia: On Feb. 22, a Batavia man was arrested and charged with grooming, child luring and sexual exploitation of a child under 13. The case is still under investigation.

☑️ Investigation update: A man was charged with multiple violations after crashing into a Kane County detective’s car on Route 47 in October, seriously injuring the officer.

☑️ Another warehouse project: A public hearing will be held at Geneva City Hall on March 11 regarding the proposed annexation of the Fabyan Industrial Parkway Development.

☑️ Voting resources: The Kane County Clerk's Office created a step-by-step instructional video showing how to use the new voting machines before the March 19 primary election.

🔒 Protecting forests: Recognizing the key role oak trees play in local ecology, a USDA grant program aims to help landowners restore oak ecosystems in Kane County and other Chicagoland communities.

🔒 Overcoming opioids: St. Charles Police will begin giving out free Narcan to anyone who needs it and allow for needle/syringe disposal at the department.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Community cultivators: Did you know local folks can rent garden plots at James O. Breen Community Park and Primrose Farm Park in St. Charles? The application process for 2024 has begun.

🔒 Educator award: Allison Thomas, a second-grade teacher in St. Charles, received the “Award of Meritorious Service” from the state board of education for the impact she’s made on her students.

☑️ Spring break special: The Batavia Civic Center will host indoor doubles pickleball tournaments for beginners and advanced players on March 25 — and even pair you up with someone if you register solo.

☑️ The cicadas are coming: During a special April 16 event in St. Charles, a horticulture expert will teach you all you need to know about the historic cicada emergence set to take place.

🔒 Addressing a need: Northwestern Medicine — and many of its employees — made impactful contributions to the Northern Illinois Food Bank through financial donations and volunteer efforts.

☑️ Renewal by fire: The Kane County Forest Preserve is inviting locals to experience prescribed burns first-hand through narrated demonstrations at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. You can register here; program dates/times will be released 24-48 hours in advance.

🎸 Live music 

Of the 45+ live music performances lined up for this weekend, six are scheduled for Sunday (that might be a Sunday record). Some other weekend highlights:

• Live music returns to McNally’s on Saturday

• Several shows start earlier than normal (4PM-ish) on Saturday afternoon. In my humble opinion, we need more of this!

• Two performances at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles

🏬 Local biz

🔒 Spring refresh: Batavia’s Gammon Coach House surprisingly announced its closure on Monday, but they plan to reopen in late spring with a new name and concept under the same ownership.

☑️ End of the road: Old Towne Pub in Geneva has closed after more than 20 years in its prime downtown location. FoxFire Restaurant has offered to accept OTP gift cards for a percentage off your tab.

☑️ Self-care center: Med & Beauty Spa By Eve — a newly opened salon in St. Charles — is throwing a grand opening party this weekend.

🗓️ Events + things to do

☑️ Batavia Beer Walk 2024 | Saturday, 1:30-10:30PM | An all-day pub crawl featuring stops at WindMille Grille, Pal Joey’s, Bar Evolution, Wilson St. Tavern, Bulldogs Cellar and JT’s Tavern.

☑️ Maple Sugaring Days| Saturday & Sunday, 12-3PM | LeRoy Oakes, STC | Learn how to source pure maple syrup directly from the tree before enjoying treats and even taking some home.

☑️ Kane County Flea Market | Saturday & Sunday | Kane County Fairgrounds | The secondhand showcase loved by locals returns this weekend after a brief winter hiatus.

🎟️ Fairytales on Ice | Monday, 7PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | See award-winning skaters bring memorable characters to life at this exhilarating family-friendly event.

🗞️ From the archives: 1940

Feast your eyes on this Blue Goose ad from the Leap Day issue of the St. Charles Chronicle from February 1940 — exactly 84 years ago today.

I don’t know about you, but I won’t eat eggs unless they’re “strictly fresh.” Good lookin’ out, Goose.

🌖 Weather snapshot

☀️ Today: High 47F | Low 29F | Calm after the storm

🌤️ Friday: High 50F | Low 35F | Temps climb

🌤️ Saturday: High 65F | Low 45F | More climbing

🌤️ Sunday: High 70F | Low 53F | Winter-summer returns

📖 Thanks for reading

Not signed up yet? Subscribe here. 

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with:

• Questions, feedback, tips or suggestions

• Story, press release or event submissions

• Ad, sponsorship or partnership inquiries

I respond to all replies — let’s work together.

If you enjoy Tri-Cities Central, please SPREAD THE WORD and/or leave a review! We grow primarily through word of mouth.

📱 Follow TCC

We’re also on Facebook and Instagram. Follow us for updates about what’s happening in the area throughout the week.

About: You can learn more about TCC here.