Author: Fox Valley Magazine

The official Christmas Season is ushered in all weekend around the Fox Valley! Here’s a rundown of highlights! Festival of Lights At Cosley Zoo Begins November 24 A winter visit to Cosley Zoo is a Christmas family tradition . The zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, hot chocolate and an unique assortment of holiday gifts in the Wild Side Gift Shop. Stroll through the brilliantly-lit property featuring 20,000+ twinkling lights and a herd of whimsical lighted animal figures. Warm up with some hot chocolate while…

No injuries were reported after firefighters from six nearby communities worked to extinghuish a fire at a townhome in Geneva Sunday evening. The Geneva Fire Department was dispatched at 9:15pm Sunday to a four-unit townhome in the 300 block of Larsdotter Lane in the Fisher Farms neighborhood. A townhome resident called 911 after discovering a fire in the garage. The first arriving Geneva fire company found a large fire in the attached garage that had spread to the townhome’s second floor. A working fire response was requested to bring additional resources to the scene. An aggressive exterior and interior attack…

By HANNAH MEISEL& JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois As winter quickly approaches, Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced plans for the state to spend an additional $160 million to aid and house a sustained influx of migrants sent to Chicago from the nation’s southern border. The administration sold the plan as a three-phase approach: “welcome, shelter, independence” – aimed at meeting the needs of migrants based on how long they’ve been in Chicago and whether they’re planning to stay. The state will spend $65 million to create a winterized “soft shelter site” to address severe shortages in the city’s shelter system,…

The famous Christkindlmarket opened this weekend in Aurora, and Fox Valley Magazine’s Kevin Ketchum was there for it. Some sights and sounds from a festive day (and evening). For more on the Christkindlmarket, click here. (Photo and video credit Kevin Ketchum)

The holidays are a magical time in the city, especially with little ones in tow. There are so many fun things to do with kids in Chicago, and each one is an opportunity to make a lasting holiday memory. The whole family will be awed by the city’s massive Christmas tree, historic zoo covered in millions of lights, and whimsical holiday parade starring both Santa and Mickey Mouse. Here’s Part III of your bucket list of the best kid-friendly holiday activities and events in Chicago. (For Part I, click here. For Part II, click here.) Every winter, Macy’s on State Street transforms…

The Village of Oswego Christmas Walk kicks off the holiday season in downtown Oswego from 4:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday, December 1.   This free event features performances by local choirs, visits with Santa’s reindeer, ice sculpting, an inflatable sled hill, the Village’s annual tree lighting performance and an emergency vehicle light parade. People of all ages can enjoy games, crafts and giveaways. Downtown stores will open their doors to showcase holiday décor and gifts for all ages. “Christmas Walk is a wonderful holiday tradition for families in downtown Oswego,” Village President Ryan Kauffman said. “Let’s come together as a…

According to a report from NBC Chicago, a mysterious pneumonia-like respiratory illness has spread across the country, sickening dogs and leaving some dead. The illness has popped up 10 states around the country, including Illinois and Indiana, spread across all regions. According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), the illness appears to be viral in nature, although normal testing regimes come up negative. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. The illness starts as a cough and gradually worsens, with the illness also being resistant to antibiotics. Dog owners who observe any of the above symptoms are…

A man suspected of vandalizing a number of public and private buildings in both St. Charles and Geneva Thursday is in custody and receiving “medical assistance,” according to the City of Geneva. Geneva police were notified at 6:50am Thursday morning that yellow paint had been sprayed on the windows of State Street Diner at 630 West State Street in Geneva. Throughout the morning, four additional buildings were discovered to have been defaced in the same manner, including:  Similar vandalism was also found in St. Charles Thursday. St. Charles Police were able to develop a suspect, who is known to law…

As the City of Aurora’s official kick-off to the holiday season, the annual Winter Lights parade will be held Friday, November 17, beginning at 6pm at Downer Place, from Water Street to River Street, in downtown Aurora. This free family-friendly event will be filled with merry-making moments and a sleigh full of fun for the entire family. Be sure to arrive early, as streets will begin to close at 6:00pm. The tree lighting and fireworks display are best viewed from the East end of the Downer Place bridge. With the parade stepping off at 6:30pm, Santa and Mrs. Claus will…

The holidays are a magical time in the city, especially with little ones in tow. There are so many fun things to do with kids in Chicago, and each one is an opportunity to make a lasting holiday memory. The whole family will be awed by the city’s massive Christmas tree, historic zoo covered in millions of lights, and whimsical holiday parade starring both Santa and Mickey Mouse. Here’s Part II of your bucket list of the best kid-friendly holiday activities and events in Chicago. (For Part I, click here.) Kick off the holidays with the 110th annual lighting of the…