Author: Fox Valley Magazine

(Arlis, in high school, far left; wrestling at U of I. Photos courtesy of Scott Bayer) Clint Arlis, a Batavia wrestling star and 2005 graduate of Batavia High School, has passed away. The death was announced on Twitter by Batavia wrestling coach Scott Bayer. “It is with a heavy heart and a sense of profound loss that we announce the death of one of the Batavia Wrestling Program’s All-Time greats, 2005 graduate, Clint Arlis.” No cause of death was given. According to the announcement, Arlis is currently 2nd in Batavia Wrestling Career victories (147) and #1 in Career Takedowns (437).…

The Aurora Police Department issued the following statement late Wednesday evening: It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the death of Officer Brian Shields. Officer Shields passed away Tuesday morning, at the age of 51. He died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving the Aurora community. Our condolences and prayers go out to Brian’s family, his friends, and to all those he served with during his more than 16 years as an officer with the Aurora Police Department. Our police department family will do everything possible to provide support and comfort to Brian’s…

American consumers are experiencing price increases not seen since the early part of the Reagan administration’s first term. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the annual inflation rate rose to a staggering 7% in November, the largest 12-month increase in prices since June 1982. Excluding food and energy, inflation ran at 5.5%, the highest since February 1991. Energy prices have skyrocketed 29.3% over the past 12 months, will food prices have increased 6.3%. Many economists attribute the stunning numbers to a combination of an expected post-lockdown bump as the economy rapidly returns to pre-pandemic growth rates and…

Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order late Tuesday afternoon outlining what actions K-12 schools must take whenever a student, staff or faculty member tests positive for COVID-19. The EO is in response to new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently. Under the order, schools are now required to investigate the occurrence of cases and suspect cases in schools and to identify close contacts to determine whether students or school personnel must be excluded from the premises. In cases of confirmed or probable infection, schools must exclude students and employees for a minimum of five…

Early this morning, a prisoner was found unresponsive in his cell at the Kane County Corrections Facility in unincorporated St. Charles. He later died in Delnor Hospital apparently without ever regaining consciousness. Luiz A Gonzalez, 66, was found unresponsive at approximately 4:56 AM by Kane County Sheriff’s Corrections Officers during their routine rounds of a cell block. A corrections officer immediately called for assistance and began CPR. Other officers responded to assist and also brought an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the scene. The AED was used by officers, but did not resuscitate the jail resident. Officers continued CPR until…

The Elgin Police Department today issued the following statement regarding potential scammers involving COVID-19: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to COVID-19. Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits. These scams involve offering COVID-19 tests, grants, and Medicare prescription cards in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, these services are unapproved and illegitimate. The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft. Please review the following tips and…

A Montgomery man was charged with 2 counts of First-degree murder in the shooting death of 30 year-old Aurora resident Christopher B. McMorris last May. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser has charged 23-year-old Ladarius A. Parker with the offenses of: First-degree murder, 2 countsAggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonyUnlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon, Class 3 felony It is alleged that early May 2, 2021, the suspect was attending a party at a residence in the 1700 block of Stonegate Drive, Montgomery, when he shot and killed 30-year-old Christopher B. McMorris of Aurora…

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID has caused another change in schedule. Elgin Community College announced yesterday that it was postponing the return to classes to January 24. Classes were previously set to being on the 18th. “In light of the rising COVID-19 infection rates and the state of Illinois’ guidance that infections are expected to peak state-wide on Jan. 18, ECC will delay the start of classes until Monday, Jan. 24,” the school stated in a post on its Facebook page. “The January 24 start date is in effect for online, in-person, and hybrid classes. ECC’s…

One Elgin resident died and one is hospitalized as a result of an apparent carbon monoxide leak from their heating system. On Sunday just after 9am, members of the Elgin Fire Department responded to the 200 block of South Channing St. for a report of two occupants with flu symptoms.Upon arrival, EFD personnel found two occupants on the second floor of the residence, one of which was dead. The other was found with elevated CO levels in their bloodstream. Fire crews transported the surviving resident to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin. The home was ventilated to clear carbon monoxide levels which…