Newsletter | Tri-Cities Central

Issues of our twice-weekly newsletter.

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Newsletter

Oct 19, 2026

October 19 Newsletter: Hotel Baker and its spooky history

Plus the St. Charles Lou Malnati's sets an opening date, neighbors push back on a proposed housing development, and two Batavia businesses are closing.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 15, 2026

October 15 Newsletter: Townhomes proposed for downtown Geneva lot

Plus a chance to help shape the Tri-Cities Central Awards, several new business openings, and the best local scarecrow displays.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 12, 2026

October 12 Newsletter: Plans for St. Charles' former downtown PD site continue to progress

Plus a major Route 47 study, a Batavia nonprofit helping residents make ends meet, and a new corporate HQ in Geneva.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 8, 2026

October 8 Newsletter: Where to find fall colors near the Tri-Cities

Plus Flock cameras removed from Mill Creek by resident request, a 21-home development proposed for Geneva, and apple-picking destinations.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 5, 2026

October 5 Newsletter: How much do you know about Geneva's hidden village of Swedish cottages?

Plus a Shake Shack could be coming to the Geneva Commons, Scarecrow Weekend approaches, and a potential new bike and pedestrian path in St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 1, 2026

October 1 Newsletter: Vintage Shop Hop returns this weekend

Plus an 1866 home transformed into a St. Charles gathering space, upcoming bridge work, and a weekend full of fall-themed events.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 28, 2026

September 28 Newsletter: The top Tri-Cities date nights — according to locals

Plus a Netflix movie being filmed in St. Charles, Batavia officials set to discuss new limits on gaming, and a celebrity's local home hits the market.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 24, 2026

September 24 Newsletter: The redevelopment plan for the Pheasant Run site is progressing

Plus a development proposal for the historic blacksmith shop site in Geneva and a new Texas Roadhouse restaurant coming to Batavia.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 21, 2026

September 21 Newsletter: Thousands of birds are flying over the Tri-Cities each night

Plus record local tourism numbers, an upgrade to the Fox River Trail in Batavia, and autumn adventures for the 50+ crowd.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 14, 2026

September 14 Newsletter: Share your local date night ideas

Plus a "Dancing with the Local Stars" competition, a new apartment building planned for downtown St. Charles, and a local buy rescues a wild mink.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 10, 2026

September 10 Newsletter: Mahjong in the Tri-Cities

Plus two building demolitions in downtown Batavia, Festival of the Vine in Geneva, and St. Charles Jazz Weekend.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 7, 2026

September 7 Newsletter: Meet the other towns called Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles

Plus a first look at new concepts for the riverfront police station site in St. Charles, a mural unveiling in Batavia, and St. Charles Jazz Weekend.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 3, 2026

September 3 Newsletter: A locals' night out at Fox Haven Square

Plus an update on the Batavia data center project, the Arcada Theatre's 100th anniversary celebration, and the untold stories of Nelle Fabyan.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 31, 2026

August 31 Newsletter: Dolly Parton's legacy in the Fox Valley

Plus a beloved Batavia diner announced that it's closing, a well-known steakhouse opens this week, and new e-bike and scooter regulations.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 27, 2026

August 27 Newsletter: Head to these local farms for fall festivals this season

Plus a measles exposure in Kane County, new technology rules for Batavia students, and a day dedicated to cleaning up the Fox River.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 24, 2026

August 24 Newsletter: The uncertain future of St. Charles' Pheasant Run site

Plus a proposal to demolish a prominent downtown Batavia building, an update on the Geneva blacksmith shop, and a world-record holder from St. Charles has his eyes on a new feat.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 20, 2026

August 20 Newsletter: What's happening at Fox Haven Square?

Plus a large housing development proposed for North Aurora, a local version of "Dancing with the Stars," and Batavia's new flag football team.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 17, 2026

August 17 Newsletter: Outdoor painters to take over St. Charles this week

Plus a new cat cafe planned for downtown Batavia, a historic house with an uncertain future, and the Elburn Days festival.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Aug 13, 2026

August 13 Newsletter: A dam removal update

Plus the St. Charles school facilities referendum is now official, a new Mexican restaurant in the works, and a unique Tri-Cities canned food construction competition.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 30, 2026

July 30 Newsletter: Weekday happy hour deals in the Tri-Cities

Plus an update on a new Batavia police station, a potential data center moratorium in Kane County, and and an uptick in local Lyme disease cases.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 27, 2026

July 27 Newsletter: Pheasant Run's next phase

Plus a plan for riverfront public space in St. Charles, a historic home gets landmark status, and Illinois' largest blueberry festival.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 23, 2026

July 23 Newsletter: A spotlight on Elburn, the Tri-Cities' westerly neighbor

Plus a new Italian restaurant in an 1851 church, a new solar farm approved for Geneva, and National Night Out events across the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 20, 2026

July 20 Newsletter: Batavia tried to bring a university to town back in 1857

Plus the local impact of a new national housing law, a collaborative community mural, and Cocktails in the Park.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 16, 2026

July 16 Newsletter: July Dinner Club, a school facilities referendum, and Wienermobile fun

Plus a downtown St. Charles senior housing tower was acquired by a private equity firm and Brother Chimp Brewing prepares to close its North Aurora taproom.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jul 13, 2026

July 13 Newsletter: The Kane County Fair arrives in the Tri-Cities this week

Plus an overhaul of a major local intersection, a GoFundMe for the Batavia family who lost their 10-year-old daughter in a tragic boating accident, and the Barry House in St. Charles up for landmark designation.

Sam Kraft