💀 From cold case to mysterious conclusion

A startling discovery in 1978 became a decades-long cold case — until a Batavia Depot Museum audit brought it back to life in 2021.

Now it’s national news.

After more than 45 years of mystery and dead ends, a skull found within the walls of a Batavia home was recently identified as that of Esther Ann Granger, a 17-year-old who died in 1866.

The Kane County Coroner’s Office spearheaded the case, bringing in a forensic lab to create a DNA profile linking the remains to Granger’s descendants in Indiana. It’s not clear how the skull ended up in Batavia, but Coroner Rob Russell suggested that it may have been a grave robbery for the purpose of studying human anatomy.

More on the skull mystery:

• Video coverage from ABC 7 Chicago

• Shaw Local provided a timeline and in-depth story

Another local cold case: About a week ago, North Aurora police identified the person behind the 1979 murder of Kathy Halle (also using modern DNA technology) as suspected suburban serial killer Bruce Lindahl.

The body of 19-year-old Halle was found in the Fox River near I-88 about a month after she disappeared in March of 1979.

Halle’s family is grateful to finally have closure. Here’s video coverage of the story from ABC 7 Chicago.

And if you’re unfamiliar with the horrifying history of Bruce Lindahl, here’s some background on that.

📰 News to use

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☑️ Budding business: Local officials are considering a dispensary’s petition to open a storefront at the Fifth Third Bank site on Main Street in Elburn. A traffic study and other assessments will factor in to the decision.

🔒 Congressional race: Though GOP hopeful Jerry Evans has gotten financial support in his bid to unseat Bill Foster in Illinois’ 11th District, the incumbent Democrat remains far ahead in fundraising.

☑️ Threat simulation: The McHenry County SWAT team will conduct an emergency response training at a home on Fargo in Geneva on Friday. Expect a bunch of police vehicles but minimal disruptions.

☑️ Not so appetizing: Here’s a helpful breakdown of the foodborne illnesses and product recalls that have been all over the news recently.

🔒 Let’s just get along? Political sign vandalism has surged across Kane County ahead of the election, causing concern among local leaders about a level of contentiousness that hasn't been seen for generations.

☑️ Traffic updates:

• Several downtown Geneva streets will be closed beginning at 4AM on Sunday morning (11/3) for the Ooh La La Chocolate races.

• Kautz Road has reopened to two-way traffic as construction continues.

• In Batavia, Wilson Street will be closed between Van Nortwick Avenue and Western Avenue on Saturday (11/2) and Sunday (11/3).

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Worthy recognition: Officer Jennifer Larsen of the St. Charles Police Department was named the first WGN Spotlight First Responder of the Month. Watch her TV interview.

☑️ Moving inside: If nothing screams summer like Batavia’s outdoor farmers market, then nothing ushers in cozy season quite like its winter counterpart — the Indoor Market. The weekly event kicks off this Saturday (11/2) at Grainology.

☑️ Artsy early birds: Locals artists and creators can now apply to be part of the 2025 St. Charles Fine Art Show. The popular annual event will take place on the riverfront in May.

☑️ Playoff matchups: The high school football playoffs start this weekend. In the 7A bracket on Friday (11/1), Batavia hosts Collinsville at 5PM while St. Charles North hosts Rolling Meadows at 6PM). Geneva hosts Amundsen at 2PM in the 6A bracket on Saturday (11/2).

☑️ Community input: The City of Geneva will host four meetings in November to gather public feedback as it works to determine the future of its aging local municipal facilities. Get the dates and details.

☑️ Check the mail: As part of the state’s "Enhanced Money Match" initiative, 140K Illinoisans have been sent an “unclaimed money” check that’s waiting to be cashed. Here’s how the program works.

🎸 Live music

After a relatively uneventful Halloween week of music, things will heat up this weekend.

Plus, if you’re a fan of Jake Mack’s live music, you can pull off the trifecta — catch his performances at Brother Chimp on Friday, Preservation on Saturday and Grainology on Sunday.

^{LOCAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT}

🧸 Your home base for holiday prep

It’s never too early to get into the holiday season spirit with new festive decor, Belgian Chocolate Fondue or Aspen Mulling Spice — the perfect addition to your favorite apple juice or cider. Get it all at The Little Traveler.

💥 Tip: Bring your leftover Halloween candy to donate to the Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops program!

🛍️ Local biz

☑️ Throwback styles: A 90s vintage clothing store called Neighborsgrid will celebrate its opening weekend in downtown Geneva starting on Friday (11/1).

☑️ Amusement park: Slick City North Aurora — Illinois’ first indoor slide park — just celebrated its grand opening. See photos from the event.

☑️ Festive season: The annual Geneva Christmas Walk and Holiday House Tour events will return in early December — but this year features new surprises.

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

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☑️ Jingle While You Mingle | Fri 11/1 - Sun 11/3 | trend + relic, STC | Live music, hot cocoa, holiday treats and more.

☑️ Geneva First Friday | Fri 11/1, All Day | Downtown Geneva | Enjoy events, discounts, raffles and more at local businesses.

☑️ Bethany Craft Fair | Sat 11/2, 9AM-3PM | Bethany Lutheran Church, Batavia | Handmade crafts, baked goods, raffle items and lunch.

☑️ Cookies & Cocoa Celebration | Sat 11/2, 10AM-5PM | Red Hive Market, Batavia | Get into the spirit with cookies, hot cocoa, Santa & Mrs. Claus and giveaways.

☑️ Dia de Los Muertos | Sat 11/2, 11AM-2AM | Flagship on the Fox, STC | A Halloween costume contest plus terrifyingly good food/drink specials.

🎟️ Ooh La La Chocolate Races | Sun 11/3, 7AM | Downtown Geneva | A festive run through historic downtown Geneva.

🎟️ Chazz Palminteri: One-Man Show | Sun 11/3, 5PM | Arcada Theatre, STC | A riveting, autobiographical coming-of-age performance.

🎟️ Femaffinity Conference | Sat 11/16 - Sun 11/17 | Q Center, STC | Connect with likeminded women through workshops and healing spaces. Learn more via this Good Morning Aurora interview.

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌦️ Today: High 65F | Low 34F | Morning showers

☀️ Friday: High 54F | Low 37F | Glorious son

🌤️ Saturday: High 60F | Low 46F | Beautiful Saturday

🌧️ Sunday: High 59F | Low 54F | Clouds + drizzle

📖 Thanks for reading

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