Author: Paul Stukel

Acclaimed wineries, rare pours, curated wine dinners, and immersive seminars After a much-anticipated return, Wine Lovers’ Weekend is back at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more indulgent than ever. Taking place March 27–29, 2026, this year’s theme—Uncork & Unwind—invites guests to escape to the rolling hills of Galena for a luxurious, wine-forward weekend filled with exceptional tastings, engaging seminars, and culinary-driven wine dinners. Designed for both curious newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs, Wine Lovers’ Weekend delivers rare access to outstanding wines and the people behind them. This year’s event welcomes two celebrated wineries from the West…

Elgin police are investigating the shooting death of a man on Elgin’s east side Friday evening. At approximately 6:17pm, officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Villa Street for a report of a shooting victim where they located an adult male with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and, despite life-saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. Detectives from the Major Investigations Division are actively investigating the incident and the preliminary investigation has revealed that this appears to be an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy will be conducted by the…

Two drivers were hospitalized after a two-car collision on North Randall Road in Batavia Tuesday evening. According to the Batavia Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 7:49pm Tuesday at the intersection of North Randall Road and Mill Street. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 54-year-old woman was heading southbound on North Randall Road when it collided with a Chrysler Sebring driven by a 65-year-old man attempting to turn westbound from northbound North Randall onto Mill Street. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to an area hospital after the crash. The driver of the Hyundai…

[Editor’s Note: As a matter of policy, Fox Valley Magazine does not publish the name or likeness of suspects in criminal cases, based on the injustice of the accused, who remains innocent until convicted, being publicly smeared before being able to provide a proper defense. In this instance, the public’s awareness of the charges and circumstances thereof, including the identity of the accused, warrant an exemption from this policy. But the reader should be aware that the suspect has only been accused at this point. He remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.] A Kane County grand…

A 53-year-old Elgin man who had been missing since late November was discovered drowned in the Fox River in South Elgin Tuesday evening. According to police, at approximately 5:42pm Tuesday the Elgin Fire Department responded to the area of the Fox River near the 100 block of North Center Street in South Elgin to assist the South Elgin Fire Department who had received information that a deceased subject was located near the dam. Detectives from the Major Investigations Division and the Kane County Coroner’s Office arrived on scene, and subsequently, the Elgin Fire Department and South Elgin Fire Department recovered…

Two shooting incidents about 3 hours apart in Aurora left two people in hospital Monday evening. Based on preliminary information, investigators have not identified any indication the incidents are related or pose an ongoing threat to the broader community. According to police, at approximately 6:06pm members of the Aurora Police Department’s Special Operations Group were patrolling in the area of Bonner Avenue and North Loucks Street when they heard gunfire. ShotSpotter technology simultaneously detected multiple rounds in the same location. Officers immediately responded and located numerous fired cartridge casings in the roadway in front of a residence in the 1100…

A shooting incident in Oswego Township Sunday morning has left an unidentified man dead and a 14-year-old girl injured, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. At approximately 12:25pm Sunday afternoon, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Chicago Police Department about a 14-year-old female having been treated and released by a Chicago-based hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. It was later determined that the juvenile had been struck by a bullet earlier that morning at a residence on Palomino Lane in Oswego Township. The shooting is believed to have occurred between 8:00am and 10:00am…

A male juvenile was hospitalized after being shot Sunday in the early morning hours on Aurora’s West Side. At approximately 2:17am, Aurora Police officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Sunset Avenue, where they found a male juvenile who had been shot in the lower body. Officers immediately rendered aid to the victim until Aurora Fire Department paramedics arrived on scene and assumed care. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and was later released. No additional injuries were reported. Based on preliminary information, the incident appears to have been…

(Photos from KCSO) Just after lunch on the 15th of February, 2019, a disgruntled former employee returned to the Henry Pratt facility at 641 Archer in Aurora and began an ordeal that ended the lives of 5 men, and permanently changed the lives of many others. Gary Montez Martin, 45, who had recently been fired from his position with the company, about two weeks earlier, opened fire on employees at the facility at around 1:24pm, killing 5 and injuring 7 in a 90-minute rampage that ended with his death at the hands of law enforcement. The Aurora Police Department commemorated…

Schools on Aurora’s Near East Side put on “secure and teach” status briefly Wednesday afternoon after Aurora police investigated a nearby gunfire incident. At approximately 3:25pm, an Aurora police officer in the area of High Street and Superior Street heard gunshots. Officers quickly secured the area and located a 23-year-old male nearby whose involvement is under active investigation. The individual was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. No one was struck by gunfire and no injuries were reported. During a search of the surrounding area, officers recovered a firearm and other items of evidentiary value. Nearby schools were advised…