Tri-Cities Central

Batavia kicks off early stage of long-term electric plan development

Local news

Oct 22, 2025

Batavia kicks off early stage of long-term electric plan development

Batavia officials reviewed a draft of a long-term electric plan outlining how the city can balance reliability, costs, and sustainability, with public hearings planned for later this year.

Sam Kraft

Oct 21, 2025

Kane County discusses community solar plan for former jail site

Officials are considering a proposal to lease part of the former jail site on Fabyan Parkway for a community solar project that could generate millions in lease revenue but has sparked debate over other potential uses.

Sam Kraft

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Newsletter

Oct 23, 2025

October 23 Newsletter: A community vibe check for the Tri-Cities

Plus updates on a long-term power plan for Batavia, outrageous haunted homes, several new local business openings, and BatFest weekend.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Oct 26, 2025

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: October 27-30

Performances in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles from Monday to Thursday.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Oct 21, 2025

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: October 23-26

Performances in Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles on Thursday through Sunday.

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local news

Comedian David Koechner sighted enjoying Batavia

Oct 19, 2025

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2 min read

Comedian David Koechner sighted enjoying Batavia

Actor and comedian David Koechner (of "The Office" fame) spent the weekend performing in Batavia and exploring the community, from coffee stops at the Boardwalk Shops and local chats to a return visit to the Fox River.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Tri-Cities residents invited to safely dispose of unused medications Saturday

Oct 20, 2025

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2 min read

Tri-Cities residents invited to safely dispose of unused medications Saturday

Batavia and Geneva police, along with Northwestern Medicine in St. Charles, will host free, anonymous collection events this Saturday for residents to safely dispose of old or unused prescription medications as part of the DEA’s National Take Back Day.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles parents call for action amid safety concerns at elementary school

Oct 17, 2025

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2 min read

St. Charles parents call for action amid safety concerns at elementary school

Parents attending the latest District 303 School Board meeting demanded stronger safety measures after a string of reported behavioral incidents at Fox Ridge Elementary impacted students and staff.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles high schools seeing early success with new phone policy

Oct 17, 2025

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2 min read

St. Charles high schools seeing early success with new phone policy

Schools are reporting steep declines in phone misuse and more engaged classrooms following the district’s new cell-phone restriction policy.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia seeks redevelopment partner for east side River Street property

Oct 16, 2025

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2 min read

Batavia seeks redevelopment partner for east side River Street property

Batavia is accepting redevelopment proposals through December 22 for the Larson Becker East site on North River Street, aiming for a mixed-use project that enhances downtown and builds on the city’s riverfront growth plans.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles signs off on bar and restaurant plan at the Motorcycle Museum

Oct 15, 2025

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2 min read

St. Charles signs off on bar and restaurant plan at the Motorcycle Museum

City officials advanced a special-use amendment letting the St. Charles Motorcycle Museum and Art Gallery add a bar, restaurant, and limited food-truck and entertainment options while requiring certain upgrades.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Brother Chimp Brewing opens new St. Charles taproom this weekend

Oct 14, 2025

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4 min read

Brother Chimp Brewing opens new St. Charles taproom this weekend

Brother Chimp Brewing will officially open its new St. Charles taproom on Friday, October 17, with a weekend of live music, food trucks, and small-batch beer releases at the former D and G Brewing space on 4th Street.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Fall leaf pickup: what to know in St. Charles, Batavia, and Geneva

Oct 14, 2025

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2 min read

Fall leaf pickup: what to know in St. Charles, Batavia, and Geneva

Tri-Cities communities have launched their annual curbside leaf pickup programs, each offering three collection rounds through late November or early December.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles explores riverfront redevelopment options for former police station site

Oct 11, 2025

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5 min read

St. Charles explores riverfront redevelopment options for former police station site

Officials will review a feasibility study outlining several redevelopment options for the former police station site along the Fox River, kicking off a public process to decide how the key downtown riverfront property should evolve.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Oct 20, 2025

October 20 Newsletter: A famous comedian was hanging out in Batavia between performances at the Comedy Vault

Plus safety concerns at a St. Charles elementary school, a weekend rally on Randall Road, and thousands of daffodils planted at a local park.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 16, 2025

October 16 Newsletter: Welcome to St. Charles, Brother Chimp Brewing

Plus restaurant news in Geneva and St. Charles, rare bird sightings on the Fox River, and leaf pickup schedules across the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 13, 2025

October 13 Newsletter: Riverfront transformation ideas for St. Charles

Plus Batavia officials will consider a proposal to demolish the former Ethan Allen building and a pair of St. Charles North seniors are doing big things.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 9, 2025

October 9 Newsletter: What you need to know as fall colors approach

Plus new e-bike and scooter rules adopted in St. Charles, an update on the Duke & Lee's property in Geneva, and Thriller on 38 is this Saturday.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 6, 2025

October 6 Newsletter: Treasure hunting in the Tri-Cities

Plus flowers and gardens that are beautifying St. Charles and a major transition for a popular Geneva coffee and sweets shop.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Oct 2, 2025

October 2 Newsletter: A historic Tri-Cities hotel and its ghostly legend

Plus a brazen jewelry store robbery in Batavia, a vintage shop hop, and a new nature refuge in St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 29, 2025

September 29 Newsletter: Millions of birds are flying over Kane County these days

Plus a beloved local Mexican restaurant closes, jail populations on the rise, and community art events planned for October.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Sep 25, 2025

September 25 Newsletter: Get out and enjoy nature this fall at these local trails

Plus a developer has proposed a new solar farm in Geneva, two local homecoming parades on Friday, and an in-depth look at the Batavia Popcorn Depot.

Sam Kraft