Author: Fox Valley Magazine

A Kane County jury has found 38-year-old Jesus Lechuga guilty of the offense of first-degree murder in the 2004 shooting death of José Covarrubias of Carpentersville. Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Mark D. Stajdohar and Matthew Rodgers presented evidence during the 4-day trial that shortly after midnight March 1, 2004, Lechuga went to Covarrubias’ home on Chippewa Circle in Carpentersville and knocked on his bedroom window. When Covarrubias got to the window Lechuga shot him through the window with a single bullet from a .357-caliber revolver that struck Covarrubias in the head, killing him. Lechuga then went to his gang…

28-year old Lance C. Neal has agreed to a sentence of 12 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offenses of failure to report an accident causing death, Class 1 felony, and reckless homicide, Class 3 felony. Kane County Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo accepted the plea. The crash killed 52-year-old Sandra Sampey of Bartlett. She was riding a bicycle. A second bicyclist also was struck and suffered life-threatening injuries. At about 4 p.m. July 28. 2020, Neal was driving a car in the area of East Chicago Street and North Spring…

It’s tribute weekend at the Arcada in St. Charles. Echoes of Pompeii Friday, July 23, 8pm Tickets:  $19 – $29 Echoes of Pompeii returns to the Arcada Theater with hits like “Another Brick in the Wall”, “Hey You”, “Dark Side of the Moon”, “Money”, “Wish You Were Here”, “Welcome to the Machine”, and many others. Twin brothers, fourteen people on stage, incredible visual effects via a laser show, and some of the most amazing rock musicians ever to hit the Arcada stage. Echoes of Pompeii is an Arcada favorite and an all-age rock ‘n roll experience. Thunderstruck Saturday, July…

You’re reading that right. Believe it or not, the savannahs of Africa are right next door at Safari Lake Geneva, a remarkable drive-thru safari only 45 minutes away. We had an opportunity to visit recently and came away enthralled.  It’s awfully tough not be when you’re hanging out with guys like these. As its name indicates, Safari Lake Geneva is located just a stone’s throw from the lake, about 5 miles southeast on Litchfield Road. Consistently ranked as one of the most exciting things to do in Lake Geneva, Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned business and the brainchild of…

Blues man Shawn Holt kicks off another unique weekend at Aurora’s The Venue. Shawn Holt & The Teardrops Friday, July 23, 8pm Advance General Admission Terrace $20 (Seat provided) Advance General Admission Lawn seats $15. Bring Your Own Chair or blanket. +$5 door *This is a rain or shine outdoor concert. Shawn Holt is the son of legendary Blues Legend Magic Slim. The high energy, hard-driving sound of The Teardrops is still alive and well and if you like what Magic Slim and The Teardrops have been doing for the last 35 years, you can continue to enjoy that unique sound and energy…

Editor’s Note:  Please see full press conference below, including body cam videos of the incident. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced in a press conference this afternoon that three individuals had been indicated by a Grand Jury in relation to the June 21st attack on an Aurora police officer after a routine traffic stop. Two women, a 24 year-old and a 26-year-old, both of Chicago, were charged with attempted first degree murder, 6 counts (each) of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer resulting in injury. A 28 year-old man from DeKalb was also charged with attempted…

This past Saturday, July 17, a home in Batavia was burglarized – and the culprits were literally invited into the house by the owner. At around 7PM that evening, Batavia Police were dispatched to the 1100 Blk. of Chillem Dr. in response to a reported burglary. Officers arrived on the scene and learned that the burglary had occurred earlier that day, at approximately 3:00 PM. The victim advised officers that the two male offenders had gained access to the residence by telling the victim that there was a water problem at the residence, and they needed to check on it.…

Most northern Illinois residents know that Lake Geneva has a magic of its own, but recently Fox Valley Magazine had a chance to catch a show at the #1 Lake Geneva Attraction, according to TripAdvisor, the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre. The intimate theatre has a seating capacity of 165 seats where the magician and illusionist has created the ultimate performance space for guests to be amazed as they watch helicopters and motorcycles appear out of nowhere. Just 1.5 miles from the original Tristan Crist Magic Theatre, the venue at 100 N. Edwards Boulevard offers a modern industrial vibe with high-tech…

Barbeque and jazz junkies alike should be in seventh heaven this weekend as Duke’s Blues & BBQ presents the 2021 Duke’s Blues & BBQ Blues Festival in East Dundee. Presented by non-profit Taste The Love NFP, the festival includes two days of great barbeque and an impressive lineup of blues performers. On Friday, the lineup includes: 5:00 – Jimmy Nick 6:30 – Michael Mojo O’Brien 7:30 – Party at the Moontower 9:00 – Blues Hart Saturday’s festivities include: 12:30 – Tammy and the Lovelies 3:15 – Party at the Moontower 6:00 – Cesare Salad and the Spicy Croutons…

Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25, downtown Geneva serves as a picturesque backdrop for an eclectic outdoor art gallery drawing more than 120 artists in a host of mediums from around the country. The Geneva Art Festival, sponsored by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, has drawn acclaim as being one of the top art fairs in the region year after year. The show runs from 10am to 5pm both days in downtown Geneva.  Admission is free.