Good morning!

Congratulations are in order for the St. Charles North flag football team, which took home the state title on Saturday after defeating previously unbeaten Prospect 32-13. The North Stars finished the season an undefeated 26-0.

How about this for a season stat line: St. Charles QB Kaelie Tomalak passed for 4,292 yards and 60 touchdowns and also ran for 1,460 yards and 14 touchdowns. Impressive stuff.

Also: Chicken Salad Chick is planning to open a St. Charles location. No other details are available at the moment; we’ll keep you posted.

📮 Need to contact me with questions, tips or suggestions? Get in touch here.

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It’s officially Halloween season, which means ghost tours, haunted houses, and swapping a few sinister local stories.

One of the most notorious belongs to Hotel Baker, the local landmark that’s loomed over the downtown St. Charles riverfront since 1928. Over the years, it’s said that guests and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, flickering lights, and sudden cold drafts. The “Haunts” website even ranks it among the most haunted places in Illinois.

Keep reading for more on the hotel’s history and the ghost story that’s surrounded it for decades.

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New to Mahjong?

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Not sure how to play yet? Join one of our beginner lessons and we'll have you calling "Mahjong!" in no time. Click below to reserve your seat.

Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.

☑️ Scarecrow stars: The St. Charles Business Alliance announced the winners of its 41st annual Scarecrow Contest, including first-place finishes for Twisted Gypsy, Munhall PTO, and Luna the Chi. See full results and photos.

☑️ District 11 decision: Voters in parts of Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles will choose between Democrat Julie Forbes and Republican William Collins for Kane County Board District 11 in the Nov. 3 election. Here’s where each candidate stands.

☑️ Staying power: Batavia officials are working on a 10-year, $1.25 million incentive package for Suncast, the city’s largest industrial employer, that would keep the company in town, support its growth, and help keep electric rates stable for residents.

☑️ Project pushback: The 105-home Seventh Street Commons development plan heads to St. Charles aldermen on Monday (10/19) as neighbors circulate a petition to stop it over tree loss, traffic, housing costs, and other objections.

☑️ Disturbing discovery: A 25-year-old Geneva man faces several counts of possessing child sexual abuse material after Kane County officials found images and videos on his phone while investigating a string of vandalized license plate readers.

☑️ Dam decision input: The state recommended removing the Fox River dam in North Aurora with a roughly $3M plan that keeps water flowing through the village’s mill race. Residents can weigh in through Oct. 29.

☑️ Grocery store fire: Firefighters quickly contained a fire at the Jewel-Osco on North Kirk Road in St. Charles late last week — two employees were treated at the scene and the incident remains under investigation.

☑️ Lot closure: The downtown St. Charles parking lot behind Pollyanna Brewing and Flagship on the Fox will close for resurfacing at 7AM Monday (10/19) and is expected to reopen by the end of the day Friday (10/23).

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☑️ Deep dish debut: Lou Malnati’s will open its 70th restaurant on Oct. 27 at Fox Haven Square in St. Charles, complete with a full bar, private dining room, and local décor sourced from the St. Charles History Museum.

☑️ Fifth Ward farewell: Longtime St. Charles Alderman Ed Bessner won’t run for reelection after 20 years representing the Fifth Ward, a tenure highlighted by the recent First Street Plaza project and several community initiatives.

☑️ Farm funding: Kane County landed a $70K federal grant to expand a program that helps small and midsize farms with business strategy and growth support — and local farms are encouraged to reach out about services.

☑️ Fall fairways: Pottawatomie Golf Course in St. Charles is offering reduced $18 rates through December (plus Senior Golf Days on Mondays), along with new amenities following its recent renovation.

☑️ New head judge: Kane County’s circuit judges elected Judge Elizabeth Flood as the next chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit, making her the third woman to hold the role when she takes over in December.

✳️ Life after divorce: Divorce rarely ends at the courthouse — and the grief, money stress, and co-parenting challenges that follow often hit hardest later. That’s why MDW Cares is offering guidance for locals navigating divorce, including three free workshops this fall.

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From live blues to acoustic jams, you’ve got plenty of entertainment to choose from this week. Have fun out there.

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After a spring and summer full of wild storms, your roof can start telling a story — and it’s not always a good one.

If you’ve noticed missing shingles, faded color, or signs of storm damage, 212° Construction Group is your trusted, local go-to for roof replacements and proactive maintenance.

Want visual evidence? Check out these before/after photos from a recent roofing project.

Call Brian at (630) 777-0688 for a free estimate or visit their website to learn more.

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✳️ Local office, sweet backstory: The local roots run deep for Olech Farmers Insurance in St. Charles, an agency that has served the Fox Valley for more than half a century and operates out of the old Colonial Dairies building. Get the full scoop.

☑️ Last hurrah: Red Hive Market, the eclectic Batavia boutique that often features local artisans, announced that it will close Dec. 31 after seven years in business as the owners retire from retail. See their message to the community.

☑️ Another closing: Beardsgaard Barbers, the self-described nerdy barbershop by the river in Batavia, will close at the end of the year after 12 years. See their message to the community.

✳️ Spooky season finds: Urban Artisan in downtown Geneva has a frightfully fun Halloween selection full of hand-painted wood signs (some under $10), ceramic coffee mugs, eerie decor, and much more. Check it out online or visit in person!

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☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $1M home on Ray Street in Geneva with a spacious sunroom.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

☑️ City meetings:

✳️ Need a local Realtor? Get in touch with the Tri-Cities’ trustworthy expert Chris Wallace at [email protected] or sign up for his newsletter.

☑️ Police reports: View police reports and arrest logs for Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Campton Hills.

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🎟️ M.Chapoutier Wine Dinner | Wed 10/21, 6PM | Le Cochon Bistro, Geneva | Ten-course haute cuisine dinner pairing Hermitage and Languedoc Roussillon wines. 

🎟️ Beer, Brats, Bourbon | Wed 10/21, 6PM-8PM | 93 Octane Brewery, STC | Second annual event with a pint, a brat, and 20+ bourbon samples. 

🎟️ Boards & Brushes | Thu 10/22, 6PM-8PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Paint a wooden charcuterie board while enjoying a spread and wine. 

🎟️ Speed Dating at Geneva Winery | Thu 10/22, 6PM-9PM | Geneva Winery, Batavia | Singles ages 45-ish and up enjoy five-minute speed dates plus a glass of wine or beer.

☑️ Tarot in the Front Lounge | Thu 10/22, 6PM-9PM | Preservation, Geneva | Agape House's Tina offers free one-card readings, cozy vibes, patio music, food, drinks.

💀 A Tri-Cities Murder Mystery | Wed 10/28, 6PM | 25N Coworking, Geneva | A Wild West-themed interactive mystery event with complimentary drinks and bites — hosted by TCC in partnership with Murder Mystery Mingle.

🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work

😐 Mediocre, could take it or leave it

🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back

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