Vacant downtown St. Charles lot gets recommendation for new 12-unit apartment building
St. Charles officials recommended approval of a redevelopment agreement for a 12-unit apartment building to go up on a prominent downtown lot that's been sitting empty for 20 years.
Tourism officials say local visitor spending hit record high in 2025
Geneva and Elburn are now part of a regional tourism push that officials say helped drive a record $288.85 million in visitor spending across the Aurora area last year.
Sam Kraft
Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles
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Saved by Campton Hills boy, orphaned mink returned to the wild
After a Campton Hills boy found an orphaned mink kit on his driveway, his family got the animal to Anderson Human, where it was successfully rehabbed and ultimately released into a local wetland last week.
This roundup covers community events happening during the week of September 14-20, 2026 — plus some exciting happenings to look forward to later in the fall.
The Tri-Cities remember 9/11 with ceremonies and tributes
Fire and police departments across the Tri-Cities held ceremonies on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, including remarks from leaders and special tributes.
At new "Dancing with the Local Stars" event, local kids are the true winners
A group of Fox Valley community leaders will trade their day jobs for the dance floor on Oct. 7 at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, competing in a special fundraiser for CASA Kane County.
Batavia school district about halfway through facility improvement projects
Batavia schools recently finished nearly $27 million in safety and building upgrades, but the district says another $30 million-plus in repairs and improvements are still needed in the years ahead.
Batavia Chamber to honor longtime volunteer Ellen Huxtable this month
The Batavia Chamber will present this year's top volunteer honor to ambassador Ellen Huxtable at the annual "Chamber Cheers" fall celebration on Sept. 28.
Two downtown Batavia buildings cleared for demolition
Batavia officials approved the demolition of two downtown buildings this week — the old Hubbard's furniture store on N. Batavia Ave. and a structure on Webster St. that the city originally bought for a food pantry that fell through.
Up North Wine Tasting Room is planning to move up State Street
Geneva's Up North Wine Tasting Room is planning to move into the State Street space previously occupied by Firewater BBQ in January and rebrand as Up North Wine & Whiskey Lounge.
For this Geneva artist, creative pottery and giving back go hand in hand
Retired engineer John Lo turned a lifelong passion for art into a thriving ceramics practice, and now the self-described “world traveler” gives half of his sales from shows and fairs to nonprofits.
From a downtown game shop to community clubs and ongoing programs at local libraries, there are plenty of ways to find a mahjong game in the Tri-Cities regardless of your skill level.
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.
