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🇺🇸 Think a golf cart is fun? Try an LSV.

Golf carts are fine for the golf course. But if you want something faster, safer, and legal for community streets — this is a whole different experience.

Valor Carts’ electric LSVs go up to 25 mph, and they’re packed with DOT-approved safety features like headlights, mirrors, seat belts, turn signals, and more. It's not just about fun — it’s about freedom and peace of mind.

And right now, during their Fourth of July Sale, you can get major savings on every model.

📰 News to use

☑️ Watering rules: Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles all follow odd/even lawn watering schedules with limited hours to help conserve water during the summer months. Make sure you know your local regulations.

☑️ LaFox project: Campton Hills stands to gain nearly $10M in fees from an annexation and new housing development, but Geneva School District 304 — where future students would enroll — is seeking a share of that money.

☑️ Canine 2.0: Kane County is replacing its 27-year-old bomb robot with a new $350K high-tech “robot dog” (you should see this thing) that can climb stairs, open doors and safely assist in bomb and SWAT operations.

☑️ Energy opportunity: Using funds from the city bag fee, Batavia is offering up to 25 free home energy audits and grants for eco-friendly upgrades through its GREEN Program. Residents can apply until July 18.

☑️ Plan for delays: Water service replacement work will close two lanes of traffic on Route 38 in Geneva from Anderson Boulevard to McKinley Avenue on Tuesday (6/24).

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ Summer cocktails: Batavia MainStreet’s Cocktails in the Park returns to Appleton Park on July 26 with food, drinks and live music — plus a new VIP Experience Raffle you may want to check out. It’s all to raise funds for an improved downtown experience. 

☑️ Brunch breakdown: Whether you're craving pancakes, paninis or a fully loaded Bloody Mary, this roundup highlights the top brunch spots in St. Charles for a fun weekend morning (that will probably bleed into the afternoon).

🔒 Full circle: NFL safety Tyler Nubin returned to his hometown of St. Charles to host a youth football camp, helping to inspire the next generation of players on the same field where his journey began.

☑️ Win for wetlands: Kane County’s Forest Preserve District has approved a $40K+ contract to get rid of invasive hybrid cattails across local preserves this summer. The plants pose a risk to native wetland ecosystems.

☑️ Pedestrian plans: St. Charles is gathering input from residents to help with the city’s sidewalk planning strategy for its neighborhoods. You can fill out the survey through July 11.

🎸 Live music

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Man, the summer weekday lineups are getting nearly as extensive as the offseason weekend live music schedules. I love it.

Also, a shout out to Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia. The weather made for an incredible Friday night, and their cozy beer garden with Matt Keen’s band on stage was the perfect place to spend it.

☀️ Feeling the heat? Plant some relief.

It’s hot out there, isn’t it? Now’s the time to think shade.

Wasco Nursery has one of the best selections of shade trees in the area — perfect for cooling your yard (and cutting your energy bill) for years to come.

Two staff favorites? The Autumn Blaze Maple, known for fast growth and fiery fall color, and the Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree, a bold, low-maintenance beauty that thrives in nearly all conditions.

🤝 Local biz

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☑️ New arcade bar: Downtown St. Charles’s Alibi Bar and Grill will close at the end of July to make way for Rec Haus, a self-service craft beer and arcade bar aiming to open by early October. More details in this Shaw Local article (🔒).

☑️ Downtown ink: A new tattoo and piercing studio called Obsidian Ink is seeking city approval to open at 127 State Street in Batavia, which means it would take over the former Classic Tattoo location.

✳️ Artisan accolades: Did you hear that Urban Artisan Geneva was recognized as Best Gift & Card Shop and Best Art Gallery in Kane County by the voters in the 2025 Best of the Fox Awards? Check out their 3rd Street shop and you’ll understand why.

🎯 Still advertising like it’s 2010? Print is sadly disappearing. Social is saturated. Big tech doesn’t care. Partnering with a hyperlocal email newsletter (like us!) is the place where local businesses stand out. Ask about our easy advertising program.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.7M mansion with Fox River access in St. Charles. Also, a historic limestone home circa 1843 is for sale on River Lane in Geneva for $450K.

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

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

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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🎟️ Farm Bites - Farm Social | Wed 6/25, 5-8PM | Heritage Prairie Farm, Elburn | Hang outside with friends while enjoying food, drinks, live music, lawn games and more.

🎟️ RAINBOW Sip n Paint | Wed 6/25, 6:30-8:30PM | Craft Urban, Geneva | Paint, sip and celebrate whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran.

🎟️ Vineyard Wine Tours | Thurs 6/26, 11:30AM (Ongoing) | Acquaviva Winery, Maple Park | A tour and tastings aboard a golf cart, every Thursday of the season.

🎟️ Masterclass: Custom Built-Ins | Thurs 6/26, 6:30-8:30PM | A Rooted Home, Batavia | Craft your own built-in with expert help and tools provided.

🎟️ Salsa & Margaritas: Beginner Dance Night | Thurs 6/26, 7:30PM | Fred Astaire Dance Studios, STC | A beginner-friendly night of Latin rhythm, fun and flavor.

📖 Thanks for reading

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