Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Day 11 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features Pianist Jeffrey LaDeur. LaDeur, a St. Charles native now living in San Francisco, returns home to participate in this year’s festival with a performance of the “December” movement of Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons.” Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry and the Center’s…

A Naperville man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the attempted stabbing death of his wife. In a press release, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced yesterday that Patrick O’Brien, 63, of Naperville, was sentenced by Circuit Judge John Connor to 10 years in prison in the attempted first degree murder of his wife. O’Brien was found guilty August 29, 2023, of Attempt First Degree Murder (a Class X felony) and Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class 2 felony) following a bench trial. On December 21, 2019, O’Brien, who was separated from his wife, returned to his…

In an office on the first floor of the Kane County Government Center, a woman’s voice can be heard expressing thanks for a holiday donation that will benefit her and her children.  Another voice responds, offering sincere gratitude for her service to the country.  The woman is among 30 Kane County Veterans and their families to receive a financial gift through the Kane County Sheriff, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), holiday program. Since 2015, FOP Lodge #14 has been working with the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission to identify Veterans in need of financial help over the holidays. This…

Day 10 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features the EYSO Earl Clemens Wind Quintet The Earl Clemens Wind Quintet, one of the EYSO’s Honors Chamber Ensembles, plays a medley of holiday favorites. Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry and the Center’s Director Mark Smith about this year’s presentation. (Stick…

Aurora native Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Michael is a long way from home. Michael is currently serving aboard the USS Arleigh Burke in the United States Navy Sixth Fleet. The guided-missile destroyer departed Naval Station Rota, Spain on November 22, 2023 to begin its 4th patrol in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, which includes Europe and Africa.   “For me, the holidays mean being with family, the feast at dinner, the laughs and special church service,” said Michael. “It’s the ability to spend an annual holiday with the ones you hold dear to you.” Michael wants family…

Day 9 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features Dan Buck and One of the Boyzz. St. Charles’ own Dan Buck and his popular band, One of the Boyzz, bring a rockin’ vibe to the festival with an “Encore” performance from a previous festival. Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently spoke with Sherry…

A St. Charles man is in custody for allegedly possessing and disseminating multiple child pornography videos and images. Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced yesterday that the 44-year-old suspect is charged with the offenses of Child pornography – dissemination, Class X felony (4 counts); and Child pornography – possess moving depiction, Class 2 felony (16 counts). Judge Mark Pheanis granted prosecution’s request that the suspect be detained in the Kane County jail while his criminal case is pending. The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 28, 2023, at 9am in Courtroom 319 at the Kane County Judicial…

Day 8 of the Norris Cultural Arts Fourth Annual Baker’s Dozen Holiday Festival features Julia Danielle with Jeremy Kahn. Award-winning jazz vocalist Julia Danielle is joined by pianist Jeremy Kahn in an engaging rendition of “Silver and Gold,” a song featured in the long-ago animated film of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Each day leading up to Christmas, Norris will post a different artist perfoming a Christmas-related piece leading up to “The Essential Christmas Carol,” a unique retelling of Dickens’ holiday classic by Norris’ Michael Sherry. Episodes are posted daily at 7pm at https://norrisculturalarts.com/bakers-dozen-festival. The Justa Coupla Guys podcast recently…

In light of the recent spike in retail theft accross the nation, much of it the result of lax enforcement, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and local police departments are sending a pretty clear message this Christmas season: Shoplifting won’t be tolerated in DuPage County. Berlin’s office announced Monday that five individuals have been charged with Burglary/Retail Theft from DuPage county businesses in just the past four days. Allegations in one case even include the use of an occupied baby stroller to conceal stolen merchandise. All defendants are charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one…

Two Joliet women were arrested Monday on burglary and retail theft charges for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Naperville retailer. The two were detained by a Naperville police officer following-up on an unrelated case in the store. At approximately 8:50pm Monday, Naperville Police were alerted to a retail theft in progress by an employee of Dick’s Sporting Goods, located in the 2700 block of West 75th Street. The employee reportedly witnessed the suspects concealing merchandise and notified a Naperville officer who happened to be at the store following-up on an unrelated case. The suspects exited the store, activating the store’s…