Author: Fox Valley Magazine

After months of hints and backtracks by Board members regarding additional taxes for the coming fiscal year, and against the explicit support for such tax hikes by Board CFO Kathy Hopkinson, the Kane County Board has approved a budget of $394 million for Fiscal Year 2024 without raising property taxes. “With deliberation, the Kane County Board voted to use its reserve fund to balance this year’s budget, marking the 14th year of a restrained property tax levy,” said Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog. “The budget would not have been possible if not for the talents of our county staff,…

On Friday, December 1, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will present the Greater Elgin Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Blizzard Theatre at Elgin Community College. Elgin resident Mally Miceli came up with the idea for a locally produced Sing-Along Messiah after traveling to Chicago’s Do-It-Yourself Messiah for years. A supporter of the Elgin arts community, Mally realized that the Northwest suburbs have a wealth of musical and vocal talent that could be showcased through a community sing-along. The evening begins at 6:30 pm with the singing of familiar holiday carols, including a special carol performance by the…

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Anthony Coco granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for two Naperville men accused of beating a man outside a Naperville apartment complex and then breaking into an apartment at the complex. Police allege that in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving, two Naperville men travelled from Maywood to an apartment complex located in the 1500 block of West Jefferson Avenue to confront an individual with whom they had been communicating. Upon their arrival, the men encountered an individual outside the complex…

On Wednesday morning, a suspect in the murder of 47-year-old Martin K. Pegues of Aurora eluded Aurora police after an attempted trafiic stop, only to be arrest later in DeKalb. At approximately 9:30am Wednesday, Aurora Detectives located a homicide suspect inside of a vehicle near the 1400 block of North Farnsworth Avenue in Aurora. Officers in the area attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle fled officers leading them in a pursuit. The pursuit was later terminated, but the driver was located in Dekalb through other investigative means and was taken into custody by…

The more, the merrier. Montgomery Merry & Bright lights up the night starting Sunday, December 3. Festivities begin with the Tree Lighting and visit with Santa at 5:00P on Sunday, December 3, in front of Village Hall (200 North River Street). The event will feature Santa, giveaways, musical performances, and the opening of the Festival of Trees, which will run through December 28 at Village Hall and along River Street. Together with the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (GMACC), the Village of Montgomery has hosted this event for twenty-seven years. The annual Tree Lighting & Visit with Santa event…

Tradition and surprise. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them, and Geneva’s Christmas Walk and House Tour offer both.  The Christmas Walk begins at 6 pm Friday evening, December 1, with Bob’s Candy Cane Parade and Graham’s Chocolates first candy cane of the season being presented with great fanfare followed by the arrival of Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, who will offer Swedish cookies to merry-makers.  The Christmas Tree is lit and the Courthouse lawn becomes aglow.  The young and young at heart will wait with anticipation as Santa Claus arrives. Santa will open his home for visits…

The St. Charles History Museum will hold its Holiday Gala on Friday, December 8 at 6 PM at the St. Charles Country Club. The 2023 Holiday Gala Fundraiser celebrates the theme “It’s A Wonderful Life In St. Charles In 1933” with a nod to the Jazz Era and includes a cocktail reception, cash bar, three-course meal, and a live auction with numerous wonderful auction items. Festive or Swanky attire is requested. Complimentary valet service and coat check will be provided. After dinner, Chicagoland’s own professional jazz big band, Shout! Section Big Band will help set the mood by performing classic…

By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachery Duerdoth, a native of Geneva, Illinois, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to Naval Air Station Meridian, where naval aviators learn the skills they need to fly missions around the world. Duerdoth, a 2014 graduate of Geneva Community High School, joined the Navy seven years ago. “I joined the Navy primarily to work in naval aviation and to travel the world, but also to help myself become a better person,” said Duerdoth. “I’ve always been interested in military service. My grandfather served in the Air Force…

The annual Celebration of Lights Festival will light up the Batavia Riverwalk the evening of Nov. 26 as the community gathers to kick off the holiday season and welcome Santa. This free event will celebrate the magic of the season with festive and fun holiday activities, song and ceremony, culminating in Santa’s arrival and a welcome by Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, followed by the ceremonial tree lighting. “The Riverwalk magically comes to life this time of year with the holiday lit trees, the little ones’ sheer excitement for spending quality time with Santa and the good old fashioned community sing-along,”…

A 20-year-old Algonquin man has been charged with first degree murder in the killing of a man near the Metra tracks in Elgin earlier this month. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Metra Acting Chief of Police Patrick Gengler today announced that the accused is charged with the offenses of First-degree murder, Class X felony (4 counts); Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, Class 2 felony; and Possession of a firearm by a street gang member, Class 2 felony. Prosecutors allege that on the evening of November 11, the accused and the victim, 26-year-old Juan C. Ambriz of…