Fox Valley - admin

He's got Mojo's working as a friendly neighborhood bar

When economic times are tough, people often head for their local bar. After shuttering his longtime business, Joe Wuich did just that. But he actually bought the place, too. ... Full story

GOP slams ad questioning Kirk's sexual orientation

Illinois GOP officials are denouncing a radio ad by Republican Senate candidate Andy Martin that raised questions about U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's sexual orientation. ... Full story

Glen Ellyn woman close to completing cross-country run

Katie Visco has taken her sport of choice a bit more literally than most. The former Glenbard West High School cross-country runner is about to do just that: finish a run across the country. ... Full story

Falato gets Yorkville push for award

The last time Rick Falato appeared at a Yorkville City Council meeting, he was thrown into the hot seat by a few aldermen who questioned his band's not-for-profit status. ... Full story

Longtime volunteers selected as Batavia's Citizens of the Year

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce has chosen longtime community supporters, W.C. "Buzz" Miller and his wife, Alderman Linnea Miller, to be the 2009 Citizens of the Year. ... Full story

Napolitano backtracks, concedes system failed in terror attack

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano conceded Monday that the aviation security system failed when a young man on a watchlist with a U.S. visa in his pocket and a powerful explosive hidden on his body was allowed to board a fight from Amsterdam to Detroit. ... Full story

Al-Qaida claims responsibility for Christmas airline attack

Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the attempted attack on a U.S. airliner on Christmas day, saying it was retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen. ... Full story

Democrats, Republicans seeking governor post differ on how best to fix finances

Candidates propose variations on tax hikes, spending cuts in pitches for reforming budget. ... Full story

Navy Junior ROTC program: East Aurora High School has nation's largest unit

One cadet joined after older brother was killed in Iraq: 'I became a better person' ... Full story

Minnesota AG: Keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes

Minnesota's attorney general is backing the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, saying they threaten her state's commercial and recreational fishing industries. ... Full story

Geneva set for new FOIA law

When the clock points straight up on New Year's Eve, Geneva, like all other local governments throughout the state, will have a new Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act to deal with. ... Full story

Car dealer, father, witness to history

"I'm just poppin' my buttons" with pride, John Fenzel Jr. said last week as he prepared for his son to be promoted to full colonel in the U.S. Army. ... Full story

New teen center up next at Gail Borden Public Library

A 100-seat auditorium, a new conference room and additional study rooms are now completed on the second floor of Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin. ... Full story

Sycamore eyes cuts, tax hike

City council members recently discussed various ways of dealing with the projected operating budget shortfall of $978,358 in 2010, from cutting personnel to imposing new taxes. ... Full story

Feds assess terror watchlists after airline attack

Federal authorities met Monday to reassess the nation's system of terror watchlists to determine how to avoid the type of lapse that allowed a man with explosives to board a flight to the U.S. even though he was flagged as a possible terrorist. ... Full story

Alcohol analyzers installed in 6,100 Illinois vehicles

Advocates say a year-old Illinois DUI law is saving countless lives statewide. As of last Jan. 1, Illinois law requires first-time DUI offenders to install a Breathalyzer in their vehicles in order to keep driving. ... Full story

Return to glory

Steve Arwady has heard all the naysayers. Downtown Aurora's never coming back to life, they said. It's not worth trying to make anything new happen downtown, they told him. You're just going to be wasting your money, they warned. ... Full story

Investigation at Kane coroner’s office

Since at least August, the Kane County Coroner's Office has been under investigation by police and prosecutors, Sun-Times Media has learned. ... Full story

In Hoc Anno Domini

So the light came into the world. ... Full story

Faith-community nurses support those in need

About 100 parish nurses attend to the needs of congregants and lending a sympathetic ear ... Full story

Batavia residents pitch in to help needy children

More than 700 less fortunate children in Batavia and Batavia Township this week will receive a Merry Christmas. ... Full story

Home sales surge in Kane for second straight month, double last year's numbers

After many months of retreat, the local housing market might have begun to gain some traction, as home sales in Kane County sharply increased for the second straight month. ... Full story

Red Gate bridge project sees renewed opposition

A mounting group of residents in unincorporated St. Charles and Wayne gathered at a clubhouse Tuesday night in hopes of creating opposition strong enough to transform St. Charles' plan to create a new Fox River crossing into the bridge that goes nowhere. ... Full story

Elgin teacher who saved life of fellow instructor gets prestigious award

Mike Gannon has never sought the limelight for his heroic actions that saved fellow Elgin High School teacher Carolyn Gilbert from a near fatal knife attack by a student. ... Full story

Weather alert eases, but rain, sleet and snow still expected for holiday

A winter storm warning in Cook County was canceled by the National Weather Service Wednesday morning, but a mess of snow, rain and sleet is still expected to blanket the area until the day after Christmas. ... Full story

Aurora's final cut

Aurora aldermen control fewer dollars in 2010 Aurora budget ... Full story

Geneva kids collect $1,201 for History Center

When Heartland Elementary School students donated their spare coins in a fundraising effort for the Geneva History Center over the last few weeks, the amount they ended up raising was no chump change. ... Full story

Geneva unanimously approves King holiday

What a difference a week made. ... Full story

'Restaurant Row' gets council's OK

All kidding references to the legendary "Cheezborger" skit on "Saturday Night Live" aside, the City Council backed the so-called "Restaurant Row" project for New York Street that will bring the Billy Goat Tavern to town. ... Full story

Seniors decry loss of religious decor

Loretta J. Kalous wants the Constitution House retirement home where she lives to bring back the baby Jesus. ... Full story

Batavia city employees accept fewer hours, less pay; take early retirements

The City Council this week approved early retirement agreements with two veteran police officers and a public works employee, as well as salary ordinances for several city employee groups. ... Full story

Nominations sought for home energy makeover

For the third year, Tom Wangler and his staff at Confident Aire Inc. in Batavia plan to radiate some positive energy to a local deserving family in the form of a new energy-efficient furnace, along with the necessary home improvements to accompany it. ... Full story

Kane revising policy on forest preserve housing

The Kane County Forest Preserve District is revising its housing program to allow staff members to live in district-owned property, but they would have to pay maintenance and utility fees. ... Full story

Winter storm watch issued, icy conditions expected

Holiday travelers should be prepared for delays after a winter storm watch was issued Tuesday night because freezing rain and sleet is expected to cover the Chicago area in ice Wednesday and Thursday. ... Full story

Health Care bill clears key Senate test

Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama passed its sternest Senate test in the pre-dawn hours early Monday, overcoming Republican delaying tactics on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas. ... Full story

Naperville family gathers coupons for overseas military families

Neuqua Valley senior Jacob Korell spent his summer vacation gathering more than $120,000 worth of coupons to send to military families in Okinawa, Japan. ... Full story

Illinois U.S. Senate race: Democratic candidates torn over President Barack Obama's Afghanistan strategy

GOP hopefuls for Sen. Roland Burris' seat say president failed to go far enough ... Full story

Winners announced in St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership, organizers of the St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade, revealed this week that this year's parade had a record turnout, with approximately 15,000 people estimated to be in attendance. ... Full story

Dundee-Crown identified as 'Illinois Priority School'

It's seen an increase in students meeting state standards and a decrease in behavioral referrals, but it's not enough. ... Full story

ECC’s year to remember

From individuals and businesses to local governments, the economic recession has hit the country, and the Fox Valley, hard. ... Full story

Economy forces taxpayer-owned rec sites to trim

It's been a stressful year. Some area residents took to the links to unwind. Others took up the bottle. ... Full story

Hampshire Twp. Park District seeks tax hike

Residents of Hampshire Township Park District will vote Feb. 2 on whether to raise their taxes to pay for several projects, the biggest of which are the expansion and rearrangement of Bruce Ream Park and the final development of the park in Tuscany Woods subdivision. ... Full story

Geneva teen takes second place in Love Bug Internet contest

DePaul University communications major Madison Hanna saw her freedom and transportation to school taken away last summer after a family car was totaled in an accident. ... Full story

Batavia offering more retirement agreements to city employees

The Batavia City Council on Monday is set to vote on retirement agreements with several city employees as the city continues to search for ways to save money in the face of declining revenues during the sluggish economy. ... Full story

Hospital do their best to make sure children have happy holidays

Spending the holidays in the hospital wasn't exactly what Faith Robinson had in mind. ... Full story

Illinois emerges as one of the country's leaders in wind energy

In the spring of 2002, Gamesa, a global wind energy giant, approached landowners in rural Lee County about building the first commercial-scale wind farm in Illinois. ... Full story

Route 59 riders don't see easier rush-hour

You promised us less traffic, but here on Route 59 we sit. ... Full story

Pastor Mark Smith finding his way anew in Aurora

Mark Smith gives his life a solid B at the end of 2009. ... Full story

Kids compete in Lego 'sport of the mind'

Robotics contest uses building toy for research. ... Full story

Bad business

4,000 layoffs reported in Kane region so far in 2009. ... Full story

Chef's Corner: Luis Ayllon, Cab's Bistro

Our regular profile of one of the Fox Valley's outstanding chefs...including recipe! ... Full story

Holdout Sen. Nelson rejects abortion compromise

A moderate Democrat whose vote could be crucial said Thursday an attempted Senate compromise on abortion is unsatisfactory, raising doubts about whether the chamber can pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul by Christmas. ... Full story

Barack Obama's speech disappoints and fuels frustration at Copenhagen

US president offers no further commitment on reducing emissions or on finance to poor countries ... Full story

Jesse White endorses Gov. Pat Quinn over Dan Hynes in governor's race

Secretary of state says Illinois needs a stabilizing force after Blagojevich scandal. ... Full story

Illinois tollway extends contract of troubled customer-service firm

The company that has handled complaints about toll violations from Illinois tollway drivers for the last three years received a contract extension Thursday, despite a public outcry over delayed fine notices and busy customer phone lines. ... Full story

U46 seeks state waivers to pare expenses

To reduce its $53.5 million deficit, the District U46 school board this week approved measures aimed at increasing its bilingual classroom sizes and dropping its driver's education program. ... Full story

Campton Hills rejects video gambling

Legalized video gambling has gone bust again in western Kane County. ... Full story

Kaneland to get early start on budget cuts

The Kaneland School Board will vote on a budget reduction plan next spring to eliminate an estimated $2.6 million deficit in the 2010-2011 budget. ... Full story

Recent Norris Center upgrade pays for itself

In less than three months, the $7,000 kicked in by St. Charles-based Community Unit School District 303 for lighting upgrades at the Norris Recreation Center was paid back through saving on its electric bill. ... Full story

Kane tap water taste panel picks Geneva's

Geneva's tap water topped a field of seven samples vying Thursday for the area's best-tasting designation at the Kane County Water Association's December meeting. ... Full story

Blue Moon wants to see you more than once

Hound's Blue Moon owner Horatio Vazquez has a sensible and realistic approach to the restaurant business. ... Full story

From coffee to cops, finding ways to save

Suburbs try to keep services coming while cutting budgets, but it's getting harder to keep the trims 'behind the scenes' ... Full story

Geneva School Board requests higher levy

Although the School Board approved a request for a 2.65 percent tax levy increase for 2009 this week, officials are certain the amount they are granted by Kane County will be much less. ... Full story

Cash-tight Carpentersville cuts fireworks

The village board has made the first painful cut from its 2010-11 budget. ... Full story

Elgin OKs budget; new Walmart plan eyed

The city council unanimously approved Elgin's $277.2 million 2010 budget Wednesday night and took another step toward a Walmart finally coming to the intersection of Randall and Bowes roads. ... Full story

Sorting giveaway's toys is a big endeavor, too

Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, volunteers at Elgin's annual community holiday toy giveaway will have made sure about 2,700 area children have a toy to open for Christmas. ... Full story

Local foreclosure activity spikes in November

While home mortgage foreclosure activity eased throughout much of the country, the number of homes being foreclosed upon in the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities spiked again last month. ... Full story

Batavia planners approve Aldi expansion

Aldi Inc. on Wednesday moved closer to building a six-story addition to its corporate headquarters on Kirk Road after Batavia plan commissioners recommended approval of the plans. ... Full story

What will happen if U-46 waivers to state rules are approved

A recent document provided to Elgin Teachers Association members sheds light on what changes Elgin Area School District U-46 plans to implement next fall if waivers from education mandates are granted by the state. ... Full story

Aurora Public Library buying itself a $3.2 million present

Rarely does a holiday gift wish list remain unchanged for more than a decade. ... Full story

Alderman could benefit from restaurant plan

Despite financial interest, Lawrence won't sit out project vote. ... Full story

Bus buy-back proves a good deal

Even though the current school year is not quite half over, Geneva School Board members are already looking at the next two school years when it comes to transportation. ... Full story

Smoke-free police station plan may burn out

A plan to make the new police station on Indian Trail tobacco-free has hit some resistance from aldermen. ... Full story

Still in the running

Despite removal from ballot, Aurora man continues Senate bid. ... Full story

Kane seeks new approach to obtaining funds

A shakeup in Kane County's development department has it shifting gears to focus on bringing in grant money in the face of the slump in residential growth. ... Full story

Report hits state's emergency preparedness following H1N1 mess

Illinois ranks among the bottom 20 states in health emergency response, concludes a new report that says this year's H1N1 outbreak exposed "serious underlying gaps" in the nation's preparedness. ... Full story

Patients begin rolling over to new Sherman Hospital

It was a day of firsts at the new Sherman Hospital in Elgin. ... Full story

Yorkville to close City Hall for the holidays

Take the recession, add it to a cash-strapped city budget and mix it in with the slowest days of the year. The result is furlough days, and it's happening over the holidays for Yorkville city workers. ... Full story

Kaneland offers early retirement incentives

The Kaneland School Board is offering an early-retirement incentive for teachers to help reduce an estimated $2.6 million deficit projected in the 2011 fiscal year budget. ... Full story

Police seek help in locating missing teen

Aurora Police are asking the public for assistance in locating a missing 16-year old girl, who is described as a frequent runaway. ... Full story

Red Cross’ Fox River and Chicago chapters merge

The poor economy is affecting everyone, including organizations many people in need turn to in difficult times. ... Full story

Geneva inks 10-year deal with Comcast

City officials here are ready to sign a 10-year franchise agreement with Comcast Cable Inc. ... Full story

Secret document exposes Iran’s nuclear trigger

Confidential intelligence documents obtained by The Times show that Iran is working on testing a key final component of a nuclear bomb. ... Full story

GOP's soul becomes a target in Illinois Senate primary fight

U.S. Senate contender Patrick Hughes said Monday his conservative candidacy represents "a battle for the soul of the Republican Party," but front-running U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk said the Feb. 2 GOP primary is a battle for who would best represent Illinois in Washington. ... Full story

Illinois to take Gitmo detainees

U.S. to buy state prison in Thomson, source says. ... Full story

D300 approves tax levy, predicts drop in tax rate

The Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education approved a total tax levy of $203.9 million at its meeting Monday night. ... Full story

D300 targets budget reductions – but no referendum

Read his lips: No new referendums. That was Community Unit School District 300 Superintendent Kenneth Arndt's promise at Monday night's Board of Education meeting, despite rumblings from "some bloggers," he said. ... Full story

Elgin Fire Department cuts looming

The city council is set to approve Elgin's 2010 budget Wednesday night, but how $1.5 million will be cut from the fire department's spending plan remains in question. ... Full story

Provena gets $30,000 for critical care

Provena Health has been awarded a $30,000 educational grant that it will use for helping educate members of its critical-care teams systemwide, including that of Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin. ... Full story

U46's transportation cost cuts pass up perks

District officials briefly considered cutting back transportation costs by extending the distance that students can walk to and from school. ... Full story

GOP gubernatorial candidates square off in debate

The Republican candidates for governor differed during a debate Monday over whether they'd borrow to pay state bills, invest in high-speed rail service and cast out hundreds of state employees hired by ethically tainted previous administrations. ... Full story

Plan to bring Gitmo detainees to Illinois in action

President Barack Obama is set to move forward today with plans to buy a maximum-security prison in western Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. ... Full story

I-88 work done between North Aurora, Elmhurst

After five years of construction, the rebuilding of Interstate 88 between Orchard Road in North Aurora and York Road in Elmhurst has been completed. ... Full story

Yule wishes: Boys will be boys, girls will be girls

What kids want: Dolls, video games and an anti-gravity car ... Full story

Hearing tonight on proposal for Red Gate bridge

A public hearing is scheduled for tonight on the construction of the proposed Red Gate Road bridge. ... Full story

Lieberman resists Medicare buy-in plan

Senate Democrats who thought they had found a workable compromise on health care reform learned otherwise from independent Sen. Joe Lieberman over the weekend. ... Full story

Blagojevich's lawyers seek FBI interview with Obama

COURT FILING | Defense wants early look at 'notes, transcripts' ... Full story

Developing countries boycott UN climate talks

China, India and other developing nations boycotted U.N. climate talks on Monday, bringing negotiations to a halt with their demand that rich countries discuss much deeper cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions. ... Full story

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk have big leads in Senate primary, poll says

But 35 percent of Democrats, 46 percent of Republicans are undecided in race to replace Sen. Roland Burris ... Full story

Elgin feline flap shines light on feral cat problem in area

Reports last week of a police officer allegedly releasing an abandoned cat that was brought to the station by a family illustrate the kind of problem Donna Leetz said has grown since she moved to Elgin in 2003. ... Full story

More need for Lions holiday baskets for needy in South Elgin

The prolonged economic recession appears to have impacted the annual Christmas basket distribution program spearheaded by the South Elgin Lions Club. ... Full story

So happy together? It may be time for one Dundee

Up and down the Fox River - from the city of McHenry in the north to Aurora in the south - municipalities straddle both sides of the waterway. ... Full story

Batavia tax rate lower than 1962

The city's tax rate is lower than it was 47 years ago, city officials said. "The tax rate back in 1962 was 60 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. We are projecting for next year it will be 55 cents -- the rate is actually lower than it was in 1962," city Finance Director Peggy Colby told aldermen last week. ... Full story

Lehnertz Ave. lights up reason for season

In a faux fur coat and red knit hat, three year-old Adriana looked on with wide-eyes while nestled in her great, great aunt's arms for the blessing of the crib on Aurora's Northeast Side. ... Full story

Faith in a fading habit

Many Catholics welcome chance to review roles of vanishing sisters. ... Full story

Funding for downtown Geneva services in flux

It appears the Geneva City Council has saved downtown services, at least for a year. ... Full story

Geneva tax levy up slightly

The city's 2010-11 city tax levy is almost the same as this year's. ... Full story

New North Aurora parade may hit heart of town

The Village Board has agreed that the village's first-ever community parade next spring should march on major streets rather than residential streets, despite concerns about safety and getting permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to close parts of state Routes 31 and 56. ... Full story

Batavians to pay for brush pickup

Residents will see a $3 leaf and brush pickup fee on their utility bills starting early next year. ... Full story

Meeting planned on Batavia's future

The city of Batavia will host a communitywide meeting next spring to contemplate Batavia's future. ... Full story

Your mission, if you choose to accept it ...

Anglers and boaters are being asked to do their part to help reduce the Asian carp population by catching and eating them. Their meat is considered a delicacy in Asia. ... Full story

Physics Group Splinters Over Global Warming Review

As the science scandal known as ClimateGate grows, the largest U.S. physicists' association is finding itself roiled by internal dissent and allegations of conflict of interest over a forthcoming review of its position statement on man-made global warming. ... Full story

Democratic candidates for Senate nomination tout ethics

No, seriously. Four seeking seat occupied by Roland Burris make their cases. ... Full story

South Elgin to use former YWCA camp

Space for future village parks and recreation programs got a needed boost this week. ... Full story

Some western Kane roads went unplowed

Parts of three roads along the borders between the city of Elgin, the village of Campton Hills and unincorporated Plato Township ended up with nobody plowing them for awhile during Wednesday's snowstorm. The delay apparently resulted from confusion about whether an agreement between those three governments had gone into effect yet. ... Full story

Elgin weighs options for news police radio system

Digital switch eyed, but city must figure how to fund it ... Full story

Community unites for Hanukkah

For some Fox Valley residents, this holiday season won’t revolve around reindeer and Santa Claus. ... Full story

Plan commission recommends approval of Wal-Mart expansion

The St. Charles Plan Commission moved to approve expanding Wal-Mart into a super store by a unanimous 7-0 vote. ... Full story

Kane County narrowly bans video gambling

While the vote was narrow, the decision was final. The Kane County Board voted Tuesday morning to ban video gambling in unincorporated areas of the county by a 12-to-11 vote, despite some board members’ concerns that they were acting prematurely on the issue. ... Full story

Faith-based education seeks home on Crane Road

A Catholic K-8 school and Lutheran high school are planned to be built within half a mile of each other on Crane Road. ... Full story

ECC trustees approve security camera purchases, renovations

The Elgin Community College Board of Trustees approved several recommendations during a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8. ... Full story

Aurora aldermen weigh ward fund options

The City Council is scheduled to approve the 2010 budget in 11 days. But there is still one knot left to untangle: what to do about ward funds. ... Full story

Clear path for Hurlbut on Kane County Board

In 24 hours, Republican Cathy Hurlbut went from having two challengers to her long run on the Kane County Board to none. ... Full story

Kane sheriff, non-union staff: Were furloughs legal?

The Kane County sheriff and non-union staff have asked the Attorney General's office to review the County Board's decision last month to furlough 26 sheriff's employees. ... Full story

Prairie Parkway up for debate

The Batavia City Council will weigh in on the Prairie Parkway issue. ... Full story

Illinois: H1N1 vaccine to be available for all

Starting Tuesday, officials say there's enough for any who want it ... Full story

14th District comes down to two-man GOP race

With two more candidates dropping out this week, the primary for the Republican nomination in the 14th Congressional District is down to a two-man race. ... Full story

Copper Fox Cafe has homemade faves

Lisa and Dimitri Lolis are not new to St. Charles. And they are not new to the restaurant business. So when they chose to open the Copper Fox Café in downtown St. Charles recently, it was an investment in their future and that of their hometown. ... Full story

Copenhagen climate summit: 1,200 limos, 140 private planes and caviar wedges

Copenhagen is preparing for the climate change summit that will produce as much carbon dioxide as a town the size of Middlesbrough. ... Full story

Job creation, economy a priority for contenders of vacant U.S. Senate seat

Both Republicans and Democrats also support special election in choosing seat vacancies ... Full story

Geneva panel recommends public art policy

The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission has recommended a policy to the City Council for public art in the city. ... Full story

Kane Co. taking close look at deer population

Nearly one-quarter of all vehicle crashes involving a deer happen within 500 feet of Kane County Forest Preserve District property. ... Full story

Despite improvements at year-round schools, U46 says costs count more

Even though School District U46's year-round schools have made significant academic gains after leaving behind a traditional school calendar a decade ago, the district says it can't afford to keep them that way. ... Full story

Red Gate Bridge project gaining momentum

The $30 million Red Gate Bridge project finally has legs now that the proper agencies have approved the environmental assessment, Mayor Donald DeWitte said. ... Full story

Fermilab aims to explore new frontiers

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory no longer has the world's largest atom smasher. But the lab still has frontiers to explore. ... Full story

Monday's snow only the beginning; major storm forecast for Tuesday night

Weather forecasts suggest Kane County will wake up to a significant snowfall Monday morning. But that's only a small taste of what's to come. ... Full story

Surprise motorcade welcomes Naperville Marine home

Austin Smith got into his share of trouble as a teenager. ... Full story

Environmental group dumping Kirk over pollution tax reversal

Environmental groups used to like Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk. ... Full story

West High students cook up 'Breakfast with Santa'

Dozens of West Aurora High School students have been preparing for Santa since September. ... Full story

Kane Co. taking close look at deer population

Nearly one-quarter of all vehicle crashes involving a deer happen within 500 feet of Kane County Forest Preserve District property. ... Full story

Kane County government's 6-figure club

Why are 12 Kane County directors getting paid $100,000 or more and who are they? ... Full story

Provena kicks off Caroling and Caring

Provena Saint Joseph Hospital staff and hundreds of members of the Elgin community participated in Caroling and Caring on Tuesday at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital. ... Full story

Lazarus House offers community Christmas Brunch

Lazarus House will provide food and company for the entire community on Christmas, as it hosts its annual Christmas Brunch on Christmas Day at the Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles. ... Full story

Nature program for preschoolers set

Each month, naturalists from the Kane County Forest Preserve District will help children ages four and five explore nature through activities in the “Little Acorns” program. ... Full story

Batavia toy drive sees increase in demand

With the economy still in a slump, organizers of the annual Christmas Toy Store are seeing an increased demand this year for donations. ... Full story

St. Charles offers tool to calculate energy costs

Ever wonder how much energy it takes you to watch TV and how much it will cost you over a year? ... Full story

Red-light cameras going up this month in Geneva, St. Charles

After years of being talked about, red-light cameras soon will begin snapping pictures – and prompting traffic citations – for motorists caught in the wrong place at the wrong time at some of the Tri-Cities' busiest intersections. ... Full story

Richmond Elementary looks hard at classroom instruction

Teachers at Richmond Elementary School are taking a critical look at their performance in the classroom this year with hopes of increasing academic performance. ... Full story

Purcell pulls out of 14th race; takes parting shot at Hastert

Batavia businessman Jim Purcell announced Wednesday that he is pulling out of the primary race for the Republican nomination to the 14th Congressional District. ... Full story

Rauschenberger a Democrat? Primary ballot could thwart comeback

Republican veteran Steve Rauschenberger's attempt to take back his Elgin-based state Senate seat is under threat because he may not be Republican enough. ... Full story

Aurora union agrees to concessions

Another city union has agreed to concessions to avoid layoffs, city officials announced Thursday. ... Full story

Search in full swing for Yorkville superintendent

The search has officially begun for a new Yorkville school superintendent. ... Full story

Weird weather delays area corn harvest

When worshippers packed into church pews last weekend, many sang a Thanksgiving hymn written in 1844: ... Full story

Auditor says all Kane departments under budgets

After months of wrangling over cuts, it appears all Kane County departments likely will be under budget for the year. ... Full story

Sheriff's Department honored

Sixteen Kane County Sheriff's Department sergeants and detectives were honored by the Chicago Crime Commission Wednesday for their part in leading to the prosecution of an expansive drug trafficking organization that reached from California to rural Kane County. ... Full story

Softer water hikes planned for Elgin

Water and sewer rates for 2010 and beyond won't go up as much as officials initially planned. ... Full story

Illinois obesity rate expected to jump 12 percent by 2018

Susan Eichensehr can’t believe what some people eat, not only during the holidays, but year-round. ... Full story

District 303 annual survey to be released next week

The 2009 St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Parent Satisfaction Survey will take place from Dec. 8 to 13. ... Full story

Credit card machines becoming a payment option for Red Kettle Campaign

Caught without cash at the Salvation Army's red kettles this year? That's OK — at least in some cities. Salvation Army chapters in 120 cities, including Chicago, have equipped more than 300 kettles with credit and debit card machines marked with the organization's red shield logo, according to the organization. ... Full story

Brundige business park plan nears approval

A Geneva developer expects to begin work early next year on the region's newest business park. ... Full story

Annual Christmas bird count seeks volunteers

Be they a murder of crows, a gaggle of geese or a scold of blue jays, the Kane County Audubon aims to count them. ... Full story

Coats for the needy

Eric Armstrong manages a dry cleaning business that handles about 1,500 pounds of clothes on any given day. But he still was blown away when 505 donated coats were dropped off all at once at Greenacre Cleaners in DeKalb. ... Full story

Cities urging residents to shop locally

Carrie Day of Geneva was scanning the shelves at Cocoon in downtown Geneva the other day looking to buy Christmas presents for her parents and in-laws. ... Full story

'Bailout burger' wins ECC-Grand Victoria burger contest

Three top culinary arts students walked away with scholarships Wednesday in the Elgin Community College-Grand Victoria Casino Prime Burger scholarship competition. ... Full story

St. Charles' Red Gate Bridge project gets county blessing

A St. Charles plan to build an additional crossing over the Fox River received the endorsement of the Kane County Board Executive Committee Wednesday, perhaps boosting the city's chances of gaining more state and federal funds for the project. ... Full story

St. Charles mainstay Regole's Harvest Shoppe abruptly closes

A St. Charles business that has been around since 1963 has closed with no fanfare. ... Full story

Naperville may limit how much trash you can toss, what you can toss it in

Traditional garbage cans could become a thing of the past in Naperville. ... Full story

Budgets up for Election Commission, library

The City Council Finance Committee continued its march through the 2010 budget Wednesday, on its way to approving a final spending plan by Dec. 22. ... Full story

Oswego not ready to gamble on video poker

Oswego leaders don't anticipate a village vote on the state's video gaming act anytime soon. ... Full story

Area congressmen support Obama's national address

Congressmen in The Beacon-News area were predictable this week in their support of President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, which he announced during a national address Tuesday night. ... Full story

Can Kane handle more DUI arrests?

While local law enforcement agencies are happy to receive grant money to pay for increased patrols this time of year, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office says a resulting increase in DUI cases could put a strain on the system. ... Full story

Kane County set to decide issue of video gaming

Two planned votes on whether video gaming should be allowed to continue in Kane County could mean either a premature end or nothing at all. ... Full story

Barack Obama's war: the final push in Afghanistan

New troops to be in Afghanistan within six months. ... Full story

U. of I. drops Washington-based arts program

Panel cites cost as reason to cut Herman project. ... Full story

Cville votes to 'freeze' tax levy - almost

The village board voted Tuesday to freeze its tax levy at the same number as last year, hesitantly adding only the amount required by law to cover the village's debt service. ... Full story

STC neighborhood to get park

The St. Charles Park District on Monday purchased 2.76 acres of land north of Dean Street and west of Ninth Street with the intent of developing it into a neighborhood park, Director Jim Breen said. ... Full story

D304 gets energy grant for lighting work

District 304 received a $36,500 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation as reimbursement for lighting projects at Harrison Street and Western Avenue elementary schools. ... Full story

Aldermen continue to review plans for former First Baptist Church property

Batavia 5th Ward Alderman Forrest Nelson said he could see the former First Baptist Church property someday housing town houses, condominiums, offices and stores. ... Full story

Aurora attorney joins Democratic race for Kane judge

An Aurora attorney announced Tuesday that he'll seek the Kane County resident judge position in the Feb. 2, 2010, Democratic Primary. ... Full story

'My hard work is going to give them a Christmas'

Charlie Rohr, 17, Brandon Jeralds, 18, and Eric Schiffner, 18, began building a 16-foot wooden canoe last spring not for themselves but as a way to buy toys for children less fortunate than them. ... Full story

U-46 eliminates year-round calendar to cut costs

Jamie Cisco usually feels she's up to date with what's going on at Channing Elementary. ... Full story

Aurora may need more volunteers as it readies budget

Aurora volunteers have already stepped in to ensure the economy didn't prevent Santa from making his annual trip to Phillips Park and as they unveiled the city's 2010 budget proposal, city officials warned it won't be the last time volunteers are called up on in the coming year. ... Full story

McHenry County bans video gambling in tight vote

Just barely joining their city and suburban counterparts aboard an anti-gambling bandwagon, the McHenry County Board narrowly enacted a ban Tuesday on video gaming in businesses located outside municipal borders. ... Full story

Area home sales jump in October

Will County home sales shot up in October. Home sales totaled 661 in October, up 57.4 percent from a year ago. In Grundy County, the pattern was the same. Home sales totaled 46, up 31.4 percent from a year ago. In Kendall County, home sales totaled 154, up 51 percent from a year ago. ... Full story