Welcome to Tri-Cities Central, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting local happenings in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and surrounding communities.
Get yours: subscribe here. Refer a friend: share this link.
Interested in advertising? Let’s talk.
Good morning!
Memorial Day has become synonymous with backyard barbecues and weekend getaways over the years, but that shouldn’t distract from its true purpose: celebrating and honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Did you know that each year on Memorial Day, a national moment of remembrance takes place across the country at 3PM local time? (I just discovered this). Worth keeping in mind as you go about your day.
📮 Need to contact me with questions, tips or suggestions? Get in touch here.
In its 104th year, The Little Traveler is thriving — and looking toward its next phase
A wave of social media rumors last week caused some residents to assume the 104-year-old Little Traveler is shutting its doors. It isn't.
Owner Mike Simon wants to be clear: the Geneva store is thriving, he loves running it, and he's simply begun a thoughtful search for the right next owner, whenever that person comes along.
SPONSORED CONTENT
🎙️ A St. Charles chiropractor wants to change how you think about pain
In his latest episode of “Thrive Where You Live,” Tri-Cities real estate expert Chris Wallace sits down with Dr. Kimber Renan of Function Co. in St. Charles for a conversation that might open your eyes to how easy it can be to feel good on a daily basis.
The local chiropractor discusses the biggest misconceptions about her field of care, why you don't have to be in pain to benefit from it, and daily habits that can make a real difference for most people. She also shares the story behind "Move a Little" — a mobility app she built to help people beyond her local patient base.
Check out the full video for the story behind the business.
Below are the most clicked stories from our last newsletter issue.
☑️ River ruling: St. Charles officials advanced a resolution aiming to keep the Fox River dam impoundment in place, which comes after years of public debate over the dam’s future.
☑️ New road rules: Now that Batavia has adopted new rules regulating e-bikes and other motorized devices, the city launched a summer campaign to help residents figure out where they can ride and which devices are off-limits.
☑️ State Street renovation: A proposed project that could bring a restaurant, basement speakeasy, retail, and apartments to a dormant space in downtown Geneva cleared a hurdle after the Historic Preservation Commission approved exterior changes.
☑️ Dual departure: Two members abruptly resigned from the Batavia school board last week, both saying they were repeatedly blocked from bringing community concerns before the board for meaningful consideration.
☑️ Arson abroad: The Kane County Cougars' team bus was set on fire and destroyed while the Geneva-based team was in Winnipeg, Canada. A 15-year-old girl has been charged with arson and no one was injured.
☑️ Assault charges: An Elburn man who coached volleyball at a club in Elgin has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage player he coached in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
☑️ BUILD backlash: Elburn's Village Board voted to formally oppose the Illinois BUILD Act, citing concerns that the state legislation would override local zoning authority and shift extra costs onto residents.
☑️ Traffic notes:
Now that the East State Street Reconstruction project in Geneva has entered Stage 1, traffic is now being placed on the north side of Route 38 from the Fox River to just west of Kirk Road. One lane is open in each direction.
Union Pacific is closing Kirk Road at the railroad crossing south of Main Street in St. Charles in two phases (northbound May 26–29, southbound June 1–5) — plan your route accordingly.
Fox River Trail users passing south of the Union Pacific railway bridge in Geneva should expect brief delays on May 26 and 27 while crews work on a nearby sewer replacement project.
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Leagues of Women Voters of Aurora, Elgin and Central Kane County visited the Kane County Elections department to deliver treats as a thank you for their hard work during the past primary election season.
☑️ Honoring the fallen: A St. Charles man has spent about 17 years as the “driving force” behind the city's Memorial Day events — and the reason why goes back to one of the deadliest military aviation disasters in U.S. history.
☑️ Construction coming: The United Methodist Church of Geneva is breaking ground Tuesday (5/26) on a major $1.5M renovation to modernize its 1874 limestone building at Second and Hamilton Streets. Watch a video walkthrough with the pastor.
☑️ Drilling for answers: With St. Charles running about 500K gallons short of its daily water needs even with a new well nearing completion, city officials are moving toward contracting a drilling company to keep searching for an additional source.
☑️ Weather warnings: As part of its climate resiliency strategy for the coming decades, Kane County has installed solar-powered sensors on a flood-prone road that automatically trigger flashing warning signs when water levels get dangerous.
☑️ Wellness for women: Kelly Vida, owner of Empower Her Fitness in Batavia, makes the case for slowing down — and explains why listening to your body, especially for postpartum women, is more powerful than pushing through it.
☑️ Patriotic creativity: The St. Charles Public Library is accepting original artwork submissions for a limited-edition commemorative library card celebrating the U.S. 250th anniversary. Get details and see how to submit.
PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION
If you’re in the mood for some live music on Memorial Day, you’re in luck — a couple of local spots will feature performances on the holiday itself.
SPONSORED CONTENT
🏠 Spring storms brought hail and driving rain — is your siding holding up?
I think of siding as high-quality outerwear (like Patagonia gear) for your home. It doesn't just make your house look good — it protects you from harsh Midwest winters, spring hailstorms, and the violent summer sun.
If your siding is faded, cracked, warping at the seams, or simply looking tired, you should talk to the experts at 212° Construction Group. They’re local, trusted, and use the toughest materials, including James Hardie® fiber cement (the #1 siding brand used on over 10 million homes).
Want to see what I’m talking about? Check out these before/after photos from a recent local job.
💥 Brian is offering free estimates right now — call (630) 777-0688 or visit their site to get on the schedule.
The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
☑️ New Geneva restaurant: Portofino Trattoria, already a fixture in St. Charles, opened its second location at 500 S. Third Street in Geneva earlier this month (the space previously occupied by Cotto A Legna). Learn more and see photos.
☑️ Fox Haven spa: Solaie Wellness, a full-service med spa offering IV therapy, hormone optimization, weight loss, and facial aesthetics, is under construction at Fox Haven Square and expected to open in St. Charles this summer.
✳️ Dad-worthy finds: Urban Artisan in downtown Geneva has a whole Father’s Day collection ready to go — clever cards, beer-scented candles, funny sports shirts, golf gear, and all kinds of stuff that will absolutely make his day. Browse the selection.
☑️ Business notes:
The Campton Square Farmers Market has been discontinued.
Geneva Hearing Services marked 20 years in business this week with a ribbon cutting at their West State Street location. Congrats on two decades!
Paixao Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse on Third Street in Geneva now has a patio for outdoor dining.
The ✳️ symbol indicates sponsored content.
☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for the Tri-Cities area — including this $2.2M mansion in Campton Hills with a “multi-generational suite,” a golf simulator, and an impressive outdoor living space.
☑️ Tri-Cities Dinner Club: Thanks to everyone who made it out in Geneva on Thursday! Due to a limited number of viable restaurants in Batavia, the next Dinner Club event on June 18 will be split — some groups in Batavia, some in St. Charles. If you’re interested in going out in Batavia, make sure to register soon. Get details and sign up here.
☑️ 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.
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
🎟️ Unity of Fox Valley BBQ Fundraiser Dinner | Tue 5/26, 4PM–6PM | Unity of Fox Valley, Batavia | Choose pork chop, chicken, or combo; all for a good cause.
🎟️ Borderlands: A Tex-Mex Dinner | Wed 5/27, 5:30PM–9:30PM | Niche Restaurant, Geneva | Tex-Mex inspired menu featuring tacos, enchilada, pork belly, and dessert.
🎟️ Buzz & Bloom: A Pollinator Planter Workshop | Wed 5/27, 7PM–9PM | J&R Herra Home Studio, Elburn | DIY workshop creating a pollinator-friendly container garden.
🎟️ Mah Jongg Weekly Open Play | Thu 5/28, 1:30PM–3:30PM | Chi-cuterie, Geneva | Two hours of social Mah Jongg open play for all skill levels.
🎟️ We Hold These Truths | Fri 5/29, 7PM | Playhouse 38, Geneva | Original play exploring patriotism, politics, and self-discovery by a local playwright.
Looking ahead:
🎟️ Concert in the Japanese Garden | Fri 6/5, 5PM–7:30PM | Fabyan Japanese Garden, Geneva | Chicago Koto Group performs two sets of traditional Japanese music outdoors.
What’d you think of this issue?
🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work
😐 Mediocre, could take it or leave it
🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back
Thanks for reading
Enjoy Tri-Cities Central? Support local journalism and spread the word!*
*Scroll back to the top of this newsletter for a special referral link — you can get gift cards to local restaurants for referring friends.
