Batavia schools limiting tech use for youngest students, considering options for older students
BPS101 announced that it is disabling AI and limiting YouTube for its youngest students and considering changes to its tech policies for older students following public pressure from parents.
Health officials say rabies exposure cases have been rising in Kane County
Health officials say human rabies exposure cases in Kane County hit a six-year high with 126 in 2025, evenly split among bats and pets as the primary sources of exposure.
Sam Kraft
Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles
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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.
A new Batavia weekend initiative ties downtown shopping to school fundraising
Batavia MainStreet's new "Shop Local. Support Our Schools!" weekend event will connect more than 30 downtown businesses with six elementary school PTOs on Sept. 12-13, combining local shopping with school fundraising.
St. Charles river cleanup event returns for its eighth year
The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles is bringing its annual Fox River cleanup event back for its eighth year on Sept. 19, hoping to top the 100+ volunteers who helped clear litter from the waterway last year.
Salt shortage forces a scramble in North Aurora and St. Charles
A statewide road salt shortage forced North Aurora and St. Charles to seek out emergency deals, and it could cost St. Charles 53% more than its 2025 salt purchase.
Battle over Geneva 1840s blacksmith shop continues
Geneva has now fined developer Shodeen more than $500K over the plastic-wrapped historic blacksmith shop downtown, and a hearing officer just pushed the next compliance hearing to October.
Unity of Fox Valley marks 50 years with a weekend of celebration
Unity of Fox Valley, a Batavia congregation that started in a kitchen back in 1973, will celebrate 50 years with a special gala and a public concert over Labor Day weekend.
Batavia officials to consider demolition of former Hubbard's building
Batavia officials will review a request to tear down the former Hubbard's building in downtown Batavia, which has been vacant since 2019 after more than a century as a fixture of the downtown corridor.
Progress report: St. Charles’ Fox Haven Square continues to take shape
Fox Haven Square has quickly transitioned from construction site to new business openings (including a salon and fitness studio this summer), with Lou Malnati's and Rosebud Steakhouse coming soon and a massive entertainment venue still on deck.
Despite process hiccup, Batavia now has a girls flag football team
Batavia's school board approved a new girls flag football team, but acknowledged that the season had already started before officials had formally signed off on the team.
Lou Malnati's begins construction on new St. Charles restaurant
Construction has started on a new Lou Malnati's in St. Charles, which will be a full-service restaurant with seating for 200+ indoors plus more on the patio — it's expected to open near Fox Haven Square this fall.
Public forum event to address data center boom's impact on Kane County
As more local communities grapple with how to regulate data centers, a public forum in Elgin on August 31 will break down what these facilities mean for Kane County residents' electric bills, water use, and neighborhoods.
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.
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.
