Author: Fox Valley Magazine

A 30-year-old South Elgin man has been arrested and charged in the brutal stabbing death of his mother Sunday. Prosecutors allege that the man stabbed his mother, 53-year- old Beata Wybraniec, multiple times with a knife, causing her death. The incident began inside the South Elgin residence they shared. Beata Wybraniec attempted to flee from the defendant but he caught her outside and resumed stabbing her. The defendant has been charged with the offenses of first-degree murder (two counts), and armed violence, Class X felony. He appeared today in Kane County bond court. Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo set his bail at…

A 4-year-old Cortland boy was killed yesterday evening when the car he was a passenger in ran a stop sign and crashed into the intersection of Keslinger Road and West County Line Road in unincorporated Kaneville. According to a report from the Kane County Sheriff’s office, at approximately 5:08pm Sunday evening a red 2017 Chevy Trax driven by Jessica Ortiz, 34, of Cortland was traveling westbound on Keslinger Road and did not stop at the stop sign at West County Line Road. The Chevy struck a white 2016 Toyota Rav 4 driven by Abby Hyslop, 17, of St. Charles, that…

Geneva has been named a “Tree City USA” community for the 23rd time thanks to the City’s ongoing commitment to effective urban forest management. The Arbor Day Foundation’s honor is based on meeting four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and conducting an Arbor Day observance. Geneva also received its second Arbor Day Foundation’s Growth Award, which recognizes major milestones and annual activities that combine to build a sustainable community forestry program. This award is given to municipalities based on forestry funding/staff/training; measuring tree…

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Sigfy (Stout Is Good For You)Style: Dry Irish StoutABV: 4.0%Sigfy is an exceptionally smooth Dry Irish Stout, brewed with an assortment of flaked grains and roasted malts to provide a soft malty body and an assertively roasty finish. It is packed with flavor but low in abv, for optimal quaffability. Now available on nitro in our taproom. Brother Chimp Brewing1059 W Orchard Rd.North Aurora, IL 60542 20W-50 Oatmeal Raisin CookieWe took our delicious high-octane stout and added more flavor. With notes of dark chocolate, coffee, toffee, and…

A pleasant afternoon sipping cocktails with the lovely ladies of The Wyckwood House in Aurora. (Photos by Kevin Ketchum) First, the Boutique. Then, the bar. The Wyckwood House is located at 80 S. River Street in Aurora. (630) 234-0813wyckwoodhouse@gmail.com

Mark Rivera, 50, had held lay positions in the Anglican Church for years, much of it at the Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, where he served for nearly 2 decades. In December 2022, Rivera was convicted on 5 felony counts related to child sexual abuse. Two were class X felonies of predatory sexual assault of a victim under 13 years old, and three were class 2 felonies of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 13. On March 6, 2023, Judge John Barsanti sentenced Rivera to a total of 15 years for these 5 counts.. This week, Rivera agreed…

Most runners and cyclists in the Fox Valley are aware of The Great Western Trail. Most walkers know about the Fox River Trail. But the Taco Trail? Explore Elgin Area, the state-certified destination marketing organization (DMO) for Elgin and the surrounding region, is announcing the launch of the 2023-2024 Taco Trail. Beginning today, April 15th, 2023, and running until April 15th, 2024, this unique adventure will showcase some of the best tacos in the area – and that’s saying something. The Taco Trail will feature a variety of local restaurants that serve up delicious tacos. Participants will have the opportunity…

Minutes away from Fermilab’s particle accelerators, the lab’s iconic bison herd welcomes its newest (and most adorable) member. The first calf this spring was born on April 13; mom and baby both are doing well. The newest calf brings the herd to 40 animals, joining 24 cows, two bulls and 13 yearlings. “This year we have more than usual because we kept more calves from last year,” said Cleo Garcia, Fermilab’s bison herdsman. Normally, calves are sold in the fall after they’ve been weaned, but last year, 11 were not purchased, and two calves arrived so late in the season…

In late March 2018, then-21-year-old Aurora resident Thaddeus Jones broke into the house of a Naperville woman and sexually assaulted her. He then forced her into her car, drove to a bank and had her withdraw money, returned to her house and then stole her car to escape. Yesterday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that a jury has found Jones guilty of two counts of Home Invasion (Class X Felony), eight counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony), one count of Robbery (Class 2 Felony) and one count…