Summer temps notwithstanding, we’ve reached October. Which means it’s spooky season — prime time for ghost tours, haunted houses, and swapping sinister stories.

One such tale: Local legend has it that on the sixth floor of a historic local hotel, you’ll find more than just guest rooms. Visitor reports over the years include unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, and sudden cold drafts, particularly near the Rainbow Room’s storied dance floor.

But more on that in a minute.

Perched along the Fox River since 1928, Hotel Baker is closing in on a century as a downtown St. Charles mainstay. Built by Colonel Edward J. Baker — who poured his Texaco-fortune inheritance into his hometown — the hotel was originally conceived as a “masterpiece” for all to enjoy.

But after his death in 1959, the hotel’s fortunes shifted.

His niece Dellora Norris inherited what she called “that white elephant of a hotel,” eventually donating it to Lutheran Social Services, which converted it into a retirement home. By the late 1900s, the property had fallen into disrepair and faced a very real threat of demolition to make way for condos or possibly a casino.

A rescue mission materialized in 1996, when Craig Frank and Neil Johnson led a $9 million restoration, reopening the hotel in 1997 to reestablish the building as an operational St. Charles landmark.

As you’ve heard, history may not be the only thing lingering in Hotel Baker’s halls.

Staff and guests have whispered for years about a chambermaid who drowned nearby in the Fox River decades ago. Back in the day, the employee quarters were on the sixth floor — which is where she’s said to cause her mischief today, even sneaking into the sixth-floor penthouse to mess with people’s bedding.

In fact, Haunts.com ranks the hotel as the third most haunted place in Illinois.

Whether you believe in this spiritual stuff or not, it’s a fittingly eerie local legend for Halloween season.

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QUESTION: Which trusted, full-service eye care practice has been serving the Tri-Cities community from a charming nook in Campton Hills for decades?

ANSWER: It's Fox Valley Ophthalmology, located at 40W330 LaFox Rd (right by Portofino and Balmoral!). With more than 100 years of combined experience, their friendly doctors are proficient in everything from retina care and cataract surgery to cosmetics, LASIK, and kids' eye care.

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☑️ Tech boost: Batavia officials recommended a five-year, $765K contract for police camera upgrades that adds AI transcription, translation, and tracking tools to modernize the department’s technology and improve efficiency.

☑️ Infestation alert: Spotted lanternfly sightings are rapidly increasing across the Chicagoland area this fall, prompting officials to urge residents to report and squash the invasive bugs to help slow their spread.

🔒 Brazen robbery: Bold thieves used a distraction tactic to steal nearly $16K in gold jewelry from K. Hollis Jewelers in Batavia, leaving fake money and costume pieces behind before getting away.

☑️ Project pushback: A Kane County resident has filed a lawsuit challenging Sugar Grove’s TIF district for the massive proposed “Grove” development, arguing the land doesn’t meet the legal standards for blight or safety risks.

☑️ Suspicious incident: Batavia police are investigating after two adults in a white Jeep SUV reportedly offered candy to children near E. Wilson Street and Kirk Road on Saturday before driving away.

☑️ Two-month project: A major water main replacement project on Division Street in Geneva kicked off this week, bringing lane closures and a special detour route through St. Charles. Get the details.

☑️ Hidden gem: A major restoration project quietly transformed the 7th Ave. Creek area in St. Charles into a scenic, nature-filled refuge, replacing a flood-prone stretch with a thriving prairie landscape and new walking paths. See what it looks like now.

☑️ Centenarian stories: The Little Traveler in Geneva turned 103 years old last month. Check out this interesting video from the Geneva History Museum detailing stories of the iconic shop’s owners over the past century.

☑️ Curbside creepiness: Batavia Park District is inviting residents to enter its Halloween House Decorating Contest for a chance to win prizes and community bragging rights. Submissions are due October 12.

☑️ Metra merriment: Metra is testing a new Café Car this fall, offering free snacks and drinks to riders in a special car replaces the usual second level with stools, booths, and tables. It’s scheduled to hit the local Union Pacific West line on November 17.

☑️ Academic honors: Five students from St. Charles East High School and another from St. Charles North were named as semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship program for academically talented high school seniors.

☑️ Giveback opportunity: Local advocacy groups have organized a donation drive on October 11 to collect pantry staples, toiletries, and household essentials at several Tri-Cities area drop-off locations for local folks facing challenges.

Another music-filled weekend will be highlighted by Geneva FoxFest, a collaborative event at EvenFlow and FoxFire that will feature six performances across the evening from various talented local musicians.

Also: It’s the final weekend for the beer garden at Sidecar Supper Club.

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For the last two weeks, every one of my mornings has started the same way: with a steaming mug of Dragon Fire Coffee (the Breakfast Blend, to be specific).

I’ll tell you what — it’s been a huge upgrade over the generic store-bought stuff. And Joe, who owns the Warrenville roaster business with his daughter, delivered it himself…which was pretty cool.

If you want to give it a try, they’ve got everything from bold dark blends to smooth single origins — plus free local delivery in the Tri-Cities.

☑️ A festival of vintage: The semi-annual Vintage Shop Hop returns October 3–4, with vintage and antique shops across the Tri-Cities joining a two-day road-trip shopping event. See which shops are participating.

☑️ Flex office space: Enclave Chicago — a coworking facility for suburban professionals originally launched in Glen Ellyn — is opening a location at 10 W. State Street in Geneva with a ribbon cutting party planned for Friday (10/3).

☑️ One last hurrah: Hawaii Fluid Art in downtown Geneva announced that it is closing after a year and half. Their grand closing sale this weekend will feature a variety of items including neon signs, shelving units, canvas, and more.

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☑️ Autumn Fest Geneva | Fri 10/3, 4-8PM | Downtown Geneva | 80+ local businesses will have creative Jack-o'-Lantern displays, plus other surprises.

☑️ Showgirl Lantern Walk | Fri 10/3, 5-8PM | Downtown Batavia | A magical walk with activities where Batavia shops will be celebrating the T-Swift album release.

☑️ High-End Moving Sale | Sat 10/4, 7AM-12:30PM | St. Charles | Peruse a big selection of housewares, decor, accessories, furniture, and more.

☑️ Wasco Nursery Fall Fest | Sat 10/4 - Sun 10/5 | Wasco Nursery, STC | Family activities galore, plus fall colors, food, cider donuts, and more.

☑️ Autumn Market | Sat 10/4, 10AM-2PM | Pottawatomie Park, STC | Browse home good and decor on the scenic riverfront while raising money for a good cause.

☑️ “City of Good Energy” Mural Unveiling | Sat 10/4, 11AM-1PM | Downtown Batavia | Celebrate the new mural with music, pop-ups, and more.

☑️ Oktoberfest | Sat 10/4, 12-10PM | Riverfront Park, N. Aurora | The village’s first Oktoberfest event is full of food, beer, music, activities, and so much more.

☑️ Community Day | Sat 10/4, 2-4PM | Water Street Studios, Batavia | Experience writing and art in a unique, creative way.

☑️ Light Up The Sky | Sat 10/4, 5:30-8:30PM | James O. Breen Park, STC | Experience a professional glow-in-the-dark kite show.

🎟️ Wine & Food Pairing | Sun 10/5, 12-2PM | Up North Wine Tasting, Geneva | A special event with Aurora Cellars and the chefs of Le Truff Noir.

🎟️ Franks n’ Steins | Wed 10/8 | Alter Brewing, STC | A monster mashup dinner with tasty sausages, a complimentary stein, and refreshing local beer.

🎟️ Cemetery Walk | Sat 10/25, 1:30-2:30PM | West Side Cemetery, Batavia | Hear stories from museum staff during a respectful walk around the graveyard.

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