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Local events

Apr 8, 2026

Announcing Tri-Cities Dinner Club

Join your neighbors for simple, fun way to connect with other locals. No algorithm required — just some good food, easy conversation, and the same upbeat energy you get from Tri-Cities Central.

Sam Kraft

St. Charles committee recommends $295.6 million school facilities referendum

Local news

Apr 14, 2026

St. Charles committee recommends $295.6 million school facilities referendum

A St. Charles D303 committee recommended a $295 million facilities referendum to address needed building repairs, accessibility problems, and classroom capacity gaps across district schools after years of deferred maintenance.

Sam Kraft

Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles

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Newsletter

Apr 16, 2026

April 16 Newsletter: Four community garage sales are coming up soon

Plus the Swedish Days parade is back on, what's next after Geneva's failed public safety referendum, and a potential school facilities referendum in St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Apr 15, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: April 16-19

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

Sam Kraft

Live music

Apr 12, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: April 13-16

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

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local news

The Geneva Swedish Days parade is back on

Apr 13, 2026

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3 min read

The Geneva Swedish Days parade is back on

A group of downtown Geneva merchants led by State Street Jewelers has stepped in to rescue the Swedish Days parade, just one week after the Chamber announced it was pausing the popular local tradition for 2026.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles approves supportive housing program in partnership with Lazarus House

Apr 16, 2026

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2 min read

St. Charles approves supportive housing program in partnership with Lazarus House

The City Council approved a 10-year, $224,515 grant from its Housing Trust Fund to partner with Lazarus House on a permanent supportive housing program for chronically homeless and disabled residents.

Sam Kraft

Local events

Geneva High School stages "Chicago" this month with a special twist

Apr 16, 2026

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1 min read

Geneva High School stages "Chicago" this month with a special twist

Geneva High School students will perform "Chicago" April 23–25 with evening and matinee performances, plus a sesquicentennial open house and pasta dinner on Saturday to celebrate 150 years.

Sam Kraft

Local business

Batavia Hardwoods marks two years with a spring open house

Apr 15, 2026

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1 min read

Batavia Hardwoods marks two years with a spring open house

Batavia Hardwoods is celebrating two years on McKee Street with a May 2 open house featuring woodworking demos, food, and storewide discounts.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Early St. Charles benefactor 'Bet-a-Million' Gates finally gets his due

Apr 15, 2026

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4 min read

Early St. Charles benefactor 'Bet-a-Million' Gates finally gets his due

St. Charles will dedicate a bronze bust of John Warne "Bet-a-Million" Gates at the History Museum on May 17, honoring an early industrialist who local author Archie Bentz says helped bankroll much of the early Baker and Norris philanthropy that built the city.

Sam Kraft

Local news

"Free little art gallery" makes its St. Charles debut

Apr 14, 2026

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2 min read

"Free little art gallery" makes its St. Charles debut

The St. Charles Arts Council has opened the city's first Free Little Art Gallery outside the ARC Gallery downtown — a year-round, self-service container where neighbors can view, take, or leave original artwork.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Mayor says Geneva is regrouping after failed public safety referendum

Apr 13, 2026

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2 min read

Mayor says Geneva is regrouping after failed public safety referendum

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns says the city is meeting internally with council members and community leaders to understand why last month's public safety referendum failed and determine how to best refine their approach moving forward.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Arcada Theatre to celebrate 100 years with downtown parade

Apr 11, 2026

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2 min read

Arcada Theatre to celebrate 100 years with downtown parade

The Arcada Theatre will mark its 100th anniversary with a downtown St. Charles parade on Sunday, September 6 — exactly 100 years to the day after the historic venue first opened its doors in 1926.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles' big Fox Haven Square development is almost ready for action

Apr 10, 2026

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4 min read

St. Charles' big Fox Haven Square development is almost ready for action

Fox Haven Square in St. Charles will see establishments begin to open the first week of May, with fire + wine and Simple EJ's leading a tenant lineup that includes a variety of dining, recreation, and shopping concepts.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Apr 13, 2026

April 13 Newsletter: Restaurants to open soon at Fox Haven Square in St. Charles

Plus a Geneva author is launching a new book, a possible historic building redevelopment project, and a parade for the Arcada Theatre's 100th year.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Apr 9, 2026

April 9 Newsletter: Swedish Days Parade hits the pause button

Plus a steep water/sewer rate hike in St. Charles, a potential new residential development in Geneva, and a soon-to-open tea and pottery shop.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Apr 6, 2026

April 6 Newsletter: Tulip festivals near the Tri-Cities area

Plus Tri-Cities is in the midst of an e-bike boom, a very rare gown goes on display in Geneva, and two local institutions celebrating major milestones.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Apr 2, 2026

April 2 Newsletter: Introducing the Tri-Cities Dinner Club

Plus a housing debate in Batavia, a historic building to be revived in downtown St. Charles, and native plant sales coming up.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 30, 2026

March 30 Newsletter: A spring planting and gardening guide for the Tri-Cities

Plus the Batavia community rallies behind a local family after tragedy, a major housing project proposed in St. Charles, and a day dedicated to all things Geneva.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 23, 2026

March 23 Newsletter: Flea markets near the Tri-Cities

Plus St. Charles residents make their voices heard about the future of a downtown riverfront property and Batavia hosts its first-ever "Wine Walk."

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 19, 2026

March 19 Newsletter: Local election and referendum results

Plus a potential water and sewer rate hike in St. Charles, new e-bike and e-moto regulations in Batavia, and a smorgasbord of Easter events coming up across the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Mar 16, 2026

March 16 Newsletter: Readers voice concerns about affordability in the Tri-Cities

Plus a LaFox of Campton Hills TIF update, a deep dive into Batavia's windmill history, and several wine-focused events for the week ahead.

Sam Kraft