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A new childcare center is being planned for Prairie Centre in St. Charles

Local news

Feb 14, 2026

A new childcare center is being planned for Prairie Centre in St. Charles

St. Charles officials are expected to approve plans for The Gardner School, a new 12K-square-foot childcare facility proposed along Route 38 in the Prairie Centre development.

Sam Kraft

St. Charles North turns a radio rivalry into a feel-good school visit

Local news

Feb 14, 2026

St. Charles North turns a radio rivalry into a feel-good school visit

St. Charles North High School welcomed US 99.5 Chicago radio personalities for a spirited visit after a producer jokingly reignited a long-running rivalry tied to a 2008 soccer championship loss.

Sam Kraft

Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles

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Newsletter

Feb 12, 2026

February 12 Newsletter: Local museums to visit this winter

Plus a weekend of local arts events, an update on historic buildings in St. Charles, and a new exhibit celebration the nation's 250th anniversary.

Sam Kraft

Live music

Feb 11, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: February 12-15

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

Sam Kraft

Live music

Feb 7, 2026

Tri-Cities Live Music Events: February 9-12

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

Sam Kraft

Featured

Local news

What we learned from recent Kane County candidate forums

Feb 14, 2026

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5 min read

What we learned from recent Kane County candidate forums

During a recent League of Women Voters forum in Batavia, Kane County candidates for sheriff and county board shared how they would approach staffing, budgets, public trust, mental health services, and the county’s long-term priorities if elected.

Sam Kraft

Local events

Kane County Forest Preserve District announces spring birding programs

Feb 13, 2026

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2 min read

Kane County Forest Preserve District announces spring birding programs

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County announced a slate of spring birding programs running March through May at forest preserves across the county.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Penrose Brewing teams up with Illinois PGA Foundation in new partnership

Feb 13, 2026

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2 min read

Penrose Brewing teams up with Illinois PGA Foundation in new partnership

Geneva's Penrose Brewing and the Illinois PGA Foundation launched a three-year partnership that will rebrand three Penrose drinks and donate a portion of sales to support the Foundation’s programs.

Sam Kraft

Local events

Batavia Art League is hosting its first-ever exhibit

Feb 11, 2026

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2 min read

Batavia Art League is hosting its first-ever exhibit

Batavia’s Art League is celebrating its first-ever exhibition with a public opening reception on Friday, March 6, at Gallery 200 in West Chicago.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles’ Barry House gets a second chance — and a new owner

Feb 9, 2026

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2 min read

St. Charles’ Barry House gets a second chance — and a new owner

After months of discussion, St. Charles officials approved a deal that will transfer ownership of the historic Barry House downtown to a developer for restoration instead of demolition.

Sam Kraft

Local news

A long-vacant downtown Batavia building may be getting new life

Feb 7, 2026

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2 min read

A long-vacant downtown Batavia building may be getting new life

Batavia officials are reviewing property improvements for 101 South Batavia Avenue, a downtown building that was recently purchased with plans to become a dry-cleaning business after sitting vacant for several years.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Historic bakery building on east side of St. Charles gets landmark status

Feb 9, 2026

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2 min read

Historic bakery building on east side of St. Charles gets landmark status

St. Charles officials granted landmark status to the former John Gartner’s East Side Bakery at 115 Cedar Avenue, giving the largely intact 1910 building new protections while highlighting its deep community roots.

Sam Kraft

Local news

Batavia eyes updates to the Route 31 "road diet" downtown lane reduction to slow traffic, improve crossings

Feb 6, 2026

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2 min read

Batavia eyes updates to the Route 31 "road diet" downtown lane reduction to slow traffic, improve crossings

Batavia officials are seeking IDOT approval for a new set of downtown Route 31 lane, parking, and pedestrian crossing changes aimed at slowing traffic and improving safety.

Sam Kraft

Local news

St. Charles is bringing back its Senior Services Commission

Feb 5, 2026

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3 min read

St. Charles is bringing back its Senior Services Commission

St. Charles officials have reactivated the city’s Senior Services Commission — inactive since 2007 — and are now accepting applications for nine volunteer members to help advise and strengthen local support for older residents.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter Archive

Newsletter

Feb 9, 2026

February 9 Newsletter: A voter guide for local elections

Plus another new cafe opens in Geneva, proposed "road diet" changes in Batavia, and St. Charles reactivates its Senior Services Commission.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 5, 2026

February 5 Newsletter: Local rescue organization launches GoFundMe following van crash

Plus a "Complete Streets" policy for Geneva and a new home repair grant program for residents of St. Charles.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Feb 2, 2026

February 2 Newsletter: Things to do for Valentine's and Galentine's Day

Plus updates on proposed housing projects in Batavia, a funding shortfall for Geneva's annual festivals, and the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame's 2026 class.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 29, 2026

January 29 Newsletter: St. Charles Restaurant Week approaches

Plus a community solar development proposed in St. Charles Township, big changes for popular local businesses, and free help on your taxes.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 26, 2026

January 26 Newsletter: The Tri-Cities emerge from a very cold weekend

Plus a proclamation from St. Charles officials on federal immigration enforcement activity and national recognition for a local Underground Railroad site.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 22, 2026

January 22 Newsletter: How Riverbank Laboratories in Geneva played a key role in our nation's history

Plus a long-term plan for Batavia's South River Street Corridor, how bison were brought back to a Kane County preserve, and ice skating options in the Tri-Cities.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 19, 2026

January 19 Newsletter: New cigar lounge, raw bar, and jazz venue in the works for St. Charles

Plus an update on the new upscale restaurant planned for downtown Batavia and new regulations for short-term rental properties in Kane County.

Sam Kraft

Newsletter

Jan 15, 2026

January 15 Newsletter: Geneva Restaurant Week returns this weekend

Plus a narrow vote saves the historic Geneva blacksmith shop (for now), a preservation plan emerges for the Barry House in St. Charles, and a new pedestrian bridge across the Fox River.

Sam Kraft