A brief history of Swedish Days, the Geneva festival that keeps reinventing itself
Geneva's always evolving Swedish Days festival started in 1949 as a retail promotion, survived a brief detour as "Butter Days," and arrives at its 76th year this June with a community-rescued parade and a few new twists.
Batavia officials weighing plans to address Depot Pond's water quality issues
As the Batavia Park District considers options to fix Depot Pond's worsening algae and sediment problems, consultants are recommending a surface aerator over a decorative fountain.
Sam Kraft
Local news for Batavia, Geneva, & St. Charles
Sign up for the free Tri-Cities Central newsletter
8 outdoor getaways worth the drive from the Tri-Cities this summer
We've rounded up eight worthwhile outdoor getaways within three hours of the Tri-Cities, with travel tips from Valor Carts for making the most of nearby camping, lake house, and state park destinations.
New counseling practice opens its doors in downtown Batavia
A new therapy practice called Clever Fox Counseling has opened in downtown Batavia, offering mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families.
St. Charles officials recommend $800K in arts and mental health funding
St. Charles officials are recommending $103,500 for local arts groups (flat for a third year) and $700,000 for mental health agencies (up about $20,000), with funding shifting noticeably between individual organizations.
Swank Coffee & Wine Lounge is coming to Fox Haven Square
Swank Coffee & Wine Lounge is preparing to open at Fox Haven Square in St. Charles, with a fireplace lounge vibe and a menu that shifts from pastries and coffee in the morning to sandwiches and wine in the afternoon.
New "Sidewalk Sessions" live music series coming to downtown Geneva this summer
A new weekly live music series will add to the downtown Geneva ambiance starting July 5, bringing acoustic acts to various locations along Third and State every Sunday through September.
Chianti's in Geneva is launching a food truck and hoping to add a dining room
Not only is long-time Geneva establishment Chianti's launching a food truck with a grand opening party on Saturday (6/20), but they've filed with Geneva to add on-site dining to the current Stevens Street carryout location.
Campton Hills puts a temporary hold on large accessory structures on farm properties
Campton Hills has put a 120-day moratorium on building permits for large accessory structures in farm zones as officials look into whether current rules are doing enough to prevent non-agricultural commercial uses on farm properties.
Officials advance plans for a new "America 250" mural at Batavia City Hall
Batavia officials advanced plans for a six-panel public mural on City Hall celebrating the city's overlooked contributions to American history with a community reveal in planning for later this summer.
Years ahead of schedule, Batavia has replaced nearly all of its lead water lines
Batavia has replaced nearly 1,000 lead water service lines since 2020 (at no direct cost to homeowners) and expects to finish the remaining 200 by 2027, when many other Illinois communities will just be getting started.
June 8 Newsletter: Summer getaway ideas along Lake Michigan
Plus the Little Owl building in Geneva is ready for lease, Batavia's Wednesday Evening Farmers Market starts this week, and a circus is coming to St. Charles.
June 4 Newsletter: What's your favorite local breakfast spot?
Plus an update on Batavia's riverfront affordable housing project, a St. Charles bar shut down by the city, and the Big Boy locomotive barrels through Geneva.
May 28 Newsletter: See where the Tri-Cities land on a ranking of all 205 Chicagoland towns
Plus a New York-style Italian deli is now open in Geneva, a senior home facility project advances in St. Charles, and officials discuss rising energy bills.
May 25 Newsletter: The next phase for an iconic Geneva shop
Plus a project that would bring a restaurant, retail, and apartments to downtown Geneva — and a teenage girl set fire to the Kane County Cougars' team bus in Canada.
May 21 Newsletter: Memorial Day happenings in Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles
Plus St. Charles takes an official position on the Fox River dam, pools open this weekend across the Tri-Cities, and a local writer reflects on five decades of creative pursuits.
