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LEAD STORY
Narrowing down the options for St. Charles riverfront site
📸 Credit: Fox Valley Drones
Could downtown St. Charles be getting a pavilion and a winter ice skating path?
Those are two of the ideas on the table for the former riverfront police station site, which has been empty since 2019.
On Monday, City Council will get its first look at three early park designs from the St. Charles Park District. Each one includes a bandshell, a covered market pavilion, and a plaza with seating, but they differ in how much of the old building should remain standing (and several other factors).
Read on for more details on each option — and which ideas didn’t make the cut.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Why Geneva's Uncharted is about to be your new favorite store
The holiday season is rapidly approaching. Have you started thinking about gifts yet?
Fortunately, Uncharted in Geneva's Randall Square can handle all of them in one stop. It's stocked with top brands like NeeDoh, Touchland, Kendra Scott, Bogg Bag, Vineyard Vines — not to mention Strawflower, Uncharted's own accessories line you won't find anywhere else.
Stop in for gifts, jewelry, fashion, home décor, and beauty under one roof. The lineup changes constantly, so every visit turns up something new.
Fair warning: you'll probably leave with something for yourself, too.
☑️ Route 47 possibilities: Kane County's Executive Committee advanced a nearly $4M study on the future of Route 47 that would explore possible bypasses around Elburn and Lily Lake and upgrades to trail and pedestrian crossings.
☑️ Stay weird, Batavia: A driver in Batavia captured footage of a sloth hanging upside down in the backseat of a minivan on Kirk Road this week, and her TikTok video of the encounter has since gone viral.
☑️ House race: The Chicago Tribune analyzed the race for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which covers parts of the Tri-Cities, where former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean (D) faces first-time Republican candidate Jennifer Davis. Read about the candidates.
☑️ Lead paint cleanup: After being cited by the IEPA in May, Union Pacific is cleaning up peeling lead paint from its railroad bridge near Route 31 in St. Charles, with a full repainting of the bridge expected next spring.
☑️ Garbage referendum: Voters in unincorporated St. Charles Township will decide Nov. 3 whether the township can sign a contract for residents’ garbage, recycling, and composting pickup.
☑️ Trail notes: The Fox River Trail (from Laurelwood Park north to just south of Fabyan Pkwy) in Batavia will be closed Monday-Friday and reopen during the weekends for a resurfacing project that will take about two weeks.
SPONSORED CONTENT
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St. Charles artist Danielle Piloto
☑️ Local artist spotlight: St. Charles painter Danielle Piloto blends classical technique with modern storytelling, creating portraits that tackle motherhood, liberty, justice, and how young women see themselves. Read the full profile.
☑️ Investing in support: According to a new report from Batavia United Way, about a third of Batavia households are working yet struggle to make ends meet — here's how the local nonprofit is helping through grant funding and community programs.
☑️ The stars align: CASA Kane County’s first Dancing with the Local Stars sold out the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and raised more than $65K for local kids who’ve experienced abuse or neglect. Get a recap and see photos.
☑️ Calling local creatives: The St. Charles Arts Council is looking for local artists and makers to participate in its second annual Holiday Pop-Up, a gallery sale of handmade gifts running Nov. 11 through Dec. 20. Applications are due Oct. 19.
✳️ 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.
PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION
Who doesn’t love a good hootenanny? Just saying “hootenanny” is fun. And there just so happens to be a Hootenanny Acoustic Jam happening at Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia this week. Hootenanny.
SPONSORED CONTENT
8 things many homeowners don't know about fall furnace maintenance
Most of us don't give the furnace a second thought until that first cold snap hits.
Before that moment arrives, a few things are worth knowing. Batavia-based State Automatic Heating & Cooling shared eight fall maintenance tips that most homeowners never hear about, including:
Why some furnace warranties require proof of professional maintenance
How a clogged filter can cause your furnace to overheat
The one safety check a tune-up should never skip
Winter is coming. You should give this a quick read before then.
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☑️ New Tri-Cities HQ: Rosati’s Pizza has moved its national headquarters to Geneva as the family-owned Chicago-area pizza chain is on track for its biggest growth year in history.
☑️ Still on the Fox: St. Charles gym Fitness on the Fox is preparing to move into the downtown Geneva space that previously housed the Strongoo wellness center. The new, larger location will offer more parking and new amenities.
✳️ 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 Campton Hills home with a home theater, retro pub room, and pool.
☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.
✳️ 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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🎟️ Batavia Warehouse 55 Holiday Market Preview | Thu 10/15, 5PM-9PM | Warehouse 55, Batavia | VIP shopping night with vintage holiday gifts and treats.
🎟️ Spooky Sip and Paint | Thu 10/15, 6PM-8PM | Filling Station, STC | Enjoy a Halloween-themed painting class with drinks, snacks, and step-by-step instruction.
🎟️ Castle & Key Spirit Event | Thu 10/15, 6PM-8PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Explore Castle & Key spirits, tasting notes, distillery history, and curated charcuterie pairings.
🎟️ Speed Dating (Ages 21-45) | Thu 10/15, 6PM-9PM | Geneva Winery, Batavia | A relaxed evening of wine, conversation, and meeting new people.
🎟️ Fall Syrup Crafting Class | Fri 10/16, 6PM-7:30PM | Maple Leaf Coffee House, STC | A barista guides you step by step through crafting natural syrups.
💀 A Tri-Cities Murder Mystery | Wed 10/28, 6PM | 25N Coworking, Geneva | Don’t miss Tri-Cities Central’s Wild West-themed interactive whodunit event (including beer/seltzers and light bites).
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