New cat café moves closer to opening in downtown Batavia
If given final approval, Kitty Cocoa Café at 139 First Street would combine a coffee shop with a supervised cat lounge, giving adoptable cats visibility while partnering with local rescue groups for intake and adoptions.
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.
St. Charles will vote on a $282.5 million school referendum in November's election
St. Charles voters will decide whether to green light a $282.5M school building bond this November, after the D303 board voted on Monday to place the referendum on the ballot.
Geneva to get new crosswalk and pedestrian upgrades at Route 31 and Fargo
Geneva officials approved a Route 31 deal with IDOT for a new bus pad, sidewalk, ADA curb ramps, and a mid-block crossing near Fargo Boulevard where a section of sidewalk has been closed.
Third Annual Long Table Dinner returns to St. Charles riverfront on August 23
Project Mobility's Long Table Dinner returns to the Fox River in St. Charles on Sunday (8/23) for a community celebration and culinary experience supporting local individuals with disabilities.
New Mexican restaurant plans to open this year in downtown St. Charles
Gallo Santo, a new family-owned Mexican restaurant, is aiming to open this year in the former Rehm's Electric space in downtown St. Charles with help from a $30K city grant.
A new Tri-Cities competition will turn thousands of canned goods into art for charity
Tri-Cities Canstruction just opened team registration for its first-ever canned food sculpture competition, which will be held at Waubonsee Community College in February 2027 and result in thousands of cans donated to local food pantries.
Norris Cultural Arts Center's upcoming season celebrates Baker Community Center's 100th year
The Norris Cultural Arts Center's 2026-27 season celebrates the Baker Community Center's centennial with a lineup of 1920s-themed concerts in downtown St. Charles.
Kane County sees increase in Lyme disease cases as ticks spread north
Kane County reported 42 Lyme disease cases in 2025 (double 2024's count) and health officials say new tick species are moving in from the south, which is contributing to an unusually active tick season.
Great mid-week happy hour options in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles
Weekdays are typically when you find the best local happy hour deals — and if you know where to look, Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles have plenty of solid options waiting for you.
For art enthusiasts, the St. Charles Public Library holds much more than books
The St. Charles Public Library's art collection features a century's worth of unique pieces, including bronze sculptures, decades-old lithographs, and an outdoor mural you can help fund with a name plate.
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.
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.
July 2 Newsletter: Historic sites in the Tri-Cities
Plus Wahlburgers abruptly closes its St. Charles location, new laws just went into effect in July, and Batavia's Boo Boo Days festival is quickly approaching.
