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Nine Big Stories the Mainstream Media Missed in 2009
From radical advisers in the Obama White House to hacked e-mails showing questionable work by climate scientists, 2009 has seen its share of scandals. But if you only followed the mainstream media, you might have missed some of the biggest stories of the year. Here's a list of the top nine stories the mainstream media ignored in the past year.
New Year's 2010!
As we ring in the New Year here in the Fox Valley, check out these three venues for a wild New Years Eve! Happy New Year!...
He's got Mojo's working as a friendly neighborhood bar
When economic times are tough, people often head for their local bar. After shuttering his longtime business, Joe Wuich did just that. But he actually bought the place, too. ...
GOP slams ad questioning Kirk's sexual orientation
Illinois GOP officials are denouncing a radio ad by Republican Senate candidate Andy Martin that raised questions about U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's sexual orientation....Glen Ellyn woman close to completing cross-country run
Katie Visco has taken her sport of choice a bit more literally than most. The former Glenbard West High School cross-country runner is about to do just that: finish a run across the country. ...
Falato gets Yorkville push for award
The last time Rick Falato appeared at a Yorkville City Council meeting, he was thrown into the hot seat by a few aldermen who questioned his band's not-for-profit status. ...
Longtime volunteers selected as Batavia's Citizens of the Year
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce has chosen longtime community supporters, W.C. "Buzz" Miller and his wife, Alderman Linnea Miller, to be the 2009 Citizens of the Year. ...Napolitano backtracks, concedes system failed in terror attack
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano conceded Monday that the aviation security system failed when a young man on a watchlist with a U.S. visa in his pocket and a powerful explosive hidden on his body was allowed to board a fight from Amsterdam to Detroit. ...Al-Qaida claims responsibility for Christmas airline attack
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has claimed responsibility for the attempted attack on a U.S. airliner on Christmas day, saying it was retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen. ...
Trib: A lesson from Detroit
Sunday's chilling terror news wasn't the removal of a Nigerian man from the same Northwest Airlines route targeted by a would-be bomber two days earlier. Sunday's disruptive passenger just wasn't feeling well. No, the chilling news came from James Carafano, a defense and homeland security expert at the Heritage Foundation: The foiled Christmas Day plot, he says, is the 28th unsuccessful attempt to bring terror attacks to America since Sept. 11, 2001. ...
Democrats, Republicans seeking governor post differ on how best to fix finances
Candidates propose variations on tax hikes, spending cuts in pitches for reforming budget....
Navy Junior ROTC program: East Aurora High School has nation's largest unit
One cadet joined after older brother was killed in Iraq: 'I became a better person'...
Minnesota AG: Keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes
Minnesota's attorney general is backing the effort to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, saying they threaten her state's commercial and recreational fishing industries....Geneva set for new FOIA law
When the clock points straight up on New Year's Eve, Geneva, like all other local governments throughout the state, will have a new Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act to deal with. ...
Car dealer, father, witness to history
"I'm just poppin' my buttons" with pride, John Fenzel Jr. said last week as he prepared for his son to be promoted to full colonel in the U.S. Army. ...New teen center up next at Gail Borden Public Library
A 100-seat auditorium, a new conference room and additional study rooms are now completed on the second floor of Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin. ...Sycamore eyes cuts, tax hike
City council members recently discussed various ways of dealing with the projected operating budget shortfall of $978,358 in 2010, from cutting personnel to imposing new taxes. ...
Feds assess terror watchlists after airline attack
Federal authorities met Monday to reassess the nation's system of terror watchlists to determine how to avoid the type of lapse that allowed a man with explosives to board a flight to the U.S. even though he was flagged as a possible terrorist. ...Alcohol analyzers installed in 6,100 Illinois vehicles
Advocates say a year-old Illinois DUI law is saving countless lives statewide. As of last Jan. 1, Illinois law requires first-time DUI offenders to install a Breathalyzer in their vehicles in order to keep driving. ...
Return to glory
Steve Arwady has heard all the naysayers. Downtown Aurora's never coming back to life, they said. It's not worth trying to make anything new happen downtown, they told him. You're just going to be wasting your money, they warned. ...Investigation at Kane coroner’s office
Since at least August, the Kane County Coroner's Office has been under investigation by police and prosecutors, Sun-Times Media has learned....
Faith-community nurses support those in need
About 100 parish nurses attend to the needs of congregants and lending a sympathetic ear...Batavia residents pitch in to help needy children
More than 700 less fortunate children in Batavia and Batavia Township this week will receive a Merry Christmas. ...Home sales surge in Kane for second straight month, double last year's numbers
After many months of retreat, the local housing market might have begun to gain some traction, as home sales in Kane County sharply increased for the second straight month. ...Red Gate bridge project sees renewed opposition
A mounting group of residents in unincorporated St. Charles and Wayne gathered at a clubhouse Tuesday night in hopes of creating opposition strong enough to transform St. Charles' plan to create a new Fox River crossing into the bridge that goes nowhere....
Elgin teacher who saved life of fellow instructor gets prestigious award
Mike Gannon has never sought the limelight for his heroic actions that saved fellow Elgin High School teacher Carolyn Gilbert from a near fatal knife attack by a student. ...
Weather alert eases, but rain, sleet and snow still expected for holiday
A winter storm warning in Cook County was canceled by the National Weather Service Wednesday morning, but a mess of snow, rain and sleet is still expected to blanket the area until the day after Christmas. ...Geneva kids collect $1,201 for History Center
When Heartland Elementary School students donated their spare coins in a fundraising effort for the Geneva History Center over the last few weeks, the amount they ended up raising was no chump change. ...'Restaurant Row' gets council's OK
All kidding references to the legendary "Cheezborger" skit on "Saturday Night Live" aside, the City Council backed the so-called "Restaurant Row" project for New York Street that will bring the Billy Goat Tavern to town. ...Seniors decry loss of religious decor
Loretta J. Kalous wants the Constitution House retirement home where she lives to bring back the baby Jesus. ...Batavia city employees accept fewer hours, less pay; take early retirements
The City Council this week approved early retirement agreements with two veteran police officers and a public works employee, as well as salary ordinances for several city employee groups. ...Nominations sought for home energy makeover
For the third year, Tom Wangler and his staff at Confident Aire Inc. in Batavia plan to radiate some positive energy to a local deserving family in the form of a new energy-efficient furnace, along with the necessary home improvements to accompany it. ...Kane revising policy on forest preserve housing
The Kane County Forest Preserve District is revising its housing program to allow staff members to live in district-owned property, but they would have to pay maintenance and utility fees. ...Winter storm watch issued, icy conditions expected
Holiday travelers should be prepared for delays after a winter storm watch was issued Tuesday night because freezing rain and sleet is expected to cover the Chicago area in ice Wednesday and Thursday. ...Health Care bill clears key Senate test
Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama passed its sternest Senate test in the pre-dawn hours early Monday, overcoming Republican delaying tactics on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas. ...Naperville family gathers coupons for overseas military families
Neuqua Valley senior Jacob Korell spent his summer vacation gathering more than $120,000 worth of coupons to send to military families in Okinawa, Japan. ...Illinois U.S. Senate race: Democratic candidates torn over President Barack Obama's Afghanistan strategy
GOP hopefuls for Sen. Roland Burris' seat say president failed to go far enough...Winners announced in St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership, organizers of the St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade, revealed this week that this year's parade had a record turnout, with approximately 15,000 people estimated to be in attendance. ...Dundee-Crown identified as 'Illinois Priority School'
It's seen an increase in students meeting state standards and a decrease in behavioral referrals, but it's not enough....ECC’s year to remember
From individuals and businesses to local governments, the economic recession has hit the country, and the Fox Valley, hard. ...Economy forces taxpayer-owned rec sites to trim
It's been a stressful year. Some area residents took to the links to unwind. Others took up the bottle. ...Hampshire Twp. Park District seeks tax hike
Residents of Hampshire Township Park District will vote Feb. 2 on whether to raise their taxes to pay for several projects, the biggest of which are the expansion and rearrangement of Bruce Ream Park and the final development of the park in Tuscany Woods subdivision. ...Geneva teen takes second place in Love Bug Internet contest
DePaul University communications major Madison Hanna saw her freedom and transportation to school taken away last summer after a family car was totaled in an accident. ...Batavia offering more retirement agreements to city employees
The Batavia City Council on Monday is set to vote on retirement agreements with several city employees as the city continues to search for ways to save money in the face of declining revenues during the sluggish economy. ...Hospital do their best to make sure children have happy holidays
Spending the holidays in the hospital wasn't exactly what Faith Robinson had in mind....Illinois emerges as one of the country's leaders in wind energy
In the spring of 2002, Gamesa, a global wind energy giant, approached landowners in rural Lee County about building the first commercial-scale wind farm in Illinois. ...Route 59 riders don't see easier rush-hour
You promised us less traffic, but here on Route 59 we sit....
Pastor Mark Smith finding his way anew in Aurora
Mark Smith gives his life a solid B at the end of 2009. ...
Steel Beam Theatre presents final performances of A Christmas Carol
Last chance to see this unique production of a Christmas classic....
Singing, Orchestra, Christmas… A Unique Holiday Experience
Elgin Choral Union Collaborates with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra....
Chef's Corner: Luis Ayllon, Cab's Bistro
Our regular profile of one of the Fox Valley's outstanding chefs...including recipe!...Holdout Sen. Nelson rejects abortion compromise
A moderate Democrat whose vote could be crucial said Thursday an attempted Senate compromise on abortion is unsatisfactory, raising doubts about whether the chamber can pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul by Christmas. ...Barack Obama's speech disappoints and fuels frustration at Copenhagen
US president offers no further commitment on reducing emissions or on finance to poor countries...Jesse White endorses Gov. Pat Quinn over Dan Hynes in governor's race
Secretary of state says Illinois needs a stabilizing force after Blagojevich scandal....Illinois tollway extends contract of troubled customer-service firm
The company that has handled complaints about toll violations from Illinois tollway drivers for the last three years received a contract extension Thursday, despite a public outcry over delayed fine notices and busy customer phone lines. ...U46 seeks state waivers to pare expenses
To reduce its $53.5 million deficit, the District U46 school board this week approved measures aimed at increasing its bilingual classroom sizes and dropping its driver's education program....KCC: Candidates' words lack substance
Tis the season for politicians seeking public office to talk a lot but say nothing. ...Campton Hills rejects video gambling
Legalized video gambling has gone bust again in western Kane County. ...Kaneland to get early start on budget cuts
The Kaneland School Board will vote on a budget reduction plan next spring to eliminate an estimated $2.6 million deficit in the 2010-2011 budget. ...
Recent Norris Center upgrade pays for itself
In less than three months, the $7,000 kicked in by St. Charles-based Community Unit School District 303 for lighting upgrades at the Norris Recreation Center was paid back through saving on its electric bill. ...How to ring in a new year - and a decade
It's time to ring in the new year — and there are plenty of entertainment options in the area, from celebrating with the kids to adults-only soirees. ...
Kane tap water taste panel picks Geneva's
Geneva's tap water topped a field of seven samples vying Thursday for the area's best-tasting designation at the Kane County Water Association's December meeting. ...Blue Moon wants to see you more than once
Hound's Blue Moon owner Horatio Vazquez has a sensible and realistic approach to the restaurant business. ...Trib: Health care ballast
One by one, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has pitched overboard the fondest government-run health care ideas of many Democrats. ...
From coffee to cops, finding ways to save
Suburbs try to keep services coming while cutting budgets, but it's getting harder to keep the trims 'behind the scenes'...Geneva School Board requests higher levy
Although the School Board approved a request for a 2.65 percent tax levy increase for 2009 this week, officials are certain the amount they are granted by Kane County will be much less. ...Cash-tight Carpentersville cuts fireworks
The village board has made the first painful cut from its 2010-11 budget. ...Elgin OKs budget; new Walmart plan eyed
The city council unanimously approved Elgin's $277.2 million 2010 budget Wednesday night and took another step toward a Walmart finally coming to the intersection of Randall and Bowes roads. ...Sorting giveaway's toys is a big endeavor, too
Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, volunteers at Elgin's annual community holiday toy giveaway will have made sure about 2,700 area children have a toy to open for Christmas. ...Local foreclosure activity spikes in November
While home mortgage foreclosure activity eased throughout much of the country, the number of homes being foreclosed upon in the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities spiked again last month. ...Batavia planners approve Aldi expansion
Aldi Inc. on Wednesday moved closer to building a six-story addition to its corporate headquarters on Kirk Road after Batavia plan commissioners recommended approval of the plans. ...What will happen if U-46 waivers to state rules are approved
A recent document provided to Elgin Teachers Association members sheds light on what changes Elgin Area School District U-46 plans to implement next fall if waivers from education mandates are granted by the state. ...
Aurora Public Library buying itself a $3.2 million present
Rarely does a holiday gift wish list remain unchanged for more than a decade....Alderman could benefit from restaurant plan
Despite financial interest, Lawrence won't sit out project vote....Bus buy-back proves a good deal
Even though the current school year is not quite half over, Geneva School Board members are already looking at the next two school years when it comes to transportation. ...Smoke-free police station plan may burn out
A plan to make the new police station on Indian Trail tobacco-free has hit some resistance from aldermen. ...Kane seeks new approach to obtaining funds
A shakeup in Kane County's development department has it shifting gears to focus on bringing in grant money in the face of the slump in residential growth. ...Trib: Take a deep breath
Politicians hoping to capitalize on a plan to move prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to sleepy Thomson, Ill., spin it one of two ways: Jobs, jobs, jobs! Or danger, danger, danger!...Report hits state's emergency preparedness following H1N1 mess
Illinois ranks among the bottom 20 states in health emergency response, concludes a new report that says this year's H1N1 outbreak exposed "serious underlying gaps" in the nation's preparedness. ...Patients begin rolling over to new Sherman Hospital
It was a day of firsts at the new Sherman Hospital in Elgin....
Yorkville to close City Hall for the holidays
Take the recession, add it to a cash-strapped city budget and mix it in with the slowest days of the year. The result is furlough days, and it's happening over the holidays for Yorkville city workers. ...Kaneland offers early retirement incentives
The Kaneland School Board is offering an early-retirement incentive for teachers to help reduce an estimated $2.6 million deficit projected in the 2011 fiscal year budget. ...Police seek help in locating missing teen
Aurora Police are asking the public for assistance in locating a missing 16-year old girl, who is described as a frequent runaway. ...Red Cross’ Fox River and Chicago chapters merge
The poor economy is affecting everyone, including organizations many people in need turn to in difficult times. ...Geneva inks 10-year deal with Comcast
City officials here are ready to sign a 10-year franchise agreement with Comcast Cable Inc. ...Secret document exposes Iran’s nuclear trigger
Confidential intelligence documents obtained by The Times show that Iran is working on testing a key final component of a nuclear bomb. ...Trib: Berating bankers
It's no secret what caused the financial crisis of 2008, which helped turned a mild recession into the worst downturn in decades. Banks and other financial institutions, expecting real estate values to rise forever, had gone on a mortgage lending spree, shoveling out credit to people who couldn't have qualified in the past. When the housing bubble burst, many people couldn't make their payments -- or chose not to repay mortgages that suddenly exceeded the value of the homes. Gruesome repercussions followed. ...GOP's soul becomes a target in Illinois Senate primary fight
U.S. Senate contender Patrick Hughes said Monday his conservative candidacy represents "a battle for the soul of the Republican Party," but front-running U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk said the Feb. 2 GOP primary is a battle for who would best represent Illinois in Washington....D300 approves tax levy, predicts drop in tax rate
The Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education approved a total tax levy of $203.9 million at its meeting Monday night. ...D300 targets budget reductions – but no referendum
Read his lips: No new referendums. That was Community Unit School District 300 Superintendent Kenneth Arndt's promise at Monday night's Board of Education meeting, despite rumblings from "some bloggers," he said. ...Elgin Fire Department cuts looming
The city council is set to approve Elgin's 2010 budget Wednesday night, but how $1.5 million will be cut from the fire department's spending plan remains in question. ...Provena gets $30,000 for critical care
Provena Health has been awarded a $30,000 educational grant that it will use for helping educate members of its critical-care teams systemwide, including that of Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin....
U46's transportation cost cuts pass up perks
District officials briefly considered cutting back transportation costs by extending the distance that students can walk to and from school. ...GOP gubernatorial candidates square off in debate
The Republican candidates for governor differed during a debate Monday over whether they'd borrow to pay state bills, invest in high-speed rail service and cast out hundreds of state employees hired by ethically tainted previous administrations. ...Plan to bring Gitmo detainees to Illinois in action
President Barack Obama is set to move forward today with plans to buy a maximum-security prison in western Illinois to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. ...Swine flu's lesson: We're not ready for anything virulent
The H1N1 pandemic should have come with an announcement: this is a test of the public health emergency system. ...I-88 work done between North Aurora, Elmhurst
After five years of construction, the rebuilding of Interstate 88 between Orchard Road in North Aurora and York Road in Elmhurst has been completed....Yule wishes: Boys will be boys, girls will be girls
What kids want: Dolls, video games and an anti-gravity car...Hearing tonight on proposal for Red Gate bridge
A public hearing is scheduled for tonight on the construction of the proposed Red Gate Road bridge. ...Lieberman resists Medicare buy-in plan
Senate Democrats who thought they had found a workable compromise on health care reform learned otherwise from independent Sen. Joe Lieberman over the weekend. ...Blagojevich's lawyers seek FBI interview with Obama
COURT FILING | Defense wants early look at 'notes, transcripts' ...Developing countries boycott UN climate talks
China, India and other developing nations boycotted U.N. climate talks on Monday, bringing negotiations to a halt with their demand that rich countries discuss much deeper cuts in their greenhouse gas emissions. ...Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk have big leads in Senate primary, poll says
But 35 percent of Democrats, 46 percent of Republicans are undecided in race to replace Sen. Roland Burris...Elgin feline flap shines light on feral cat problem in area
Reports last week of a police officer allegedly releasing an abandoned cat that was brought to the station by a family illustrate the kind of problem Donna Leetz said has grown since she moved to Elgin in 2003. ...More need for Lions holiday baskets for needy in South Elgin
The prolonged economic recession appears to have impacted the annual Christmas basket distribution program spearheaded by the South Elgin Lions Club. ...So happy together? It may be time for one Dundee
Up and down the Fox River - from the city of McHenry in the north to Aurora in the south - municipalities straddle both sides of the waterway. ...Batavia tax rate lower than 1962
The city's tax rate is lower than it was 47 years ago, city officials said. "The tax rate back in 1962 was 60 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. We are projecting for next year it will be 55 cents -- the rate is actually lower than it was in 1962," city Finance Director Peggy Colby told aldermen last week. ...
Lehnertz Ave. lights up reason for season
In a faux fur coat and red knit hat, three year-old Adriana looked on with wide-eyes while nestled in her great, great aunt's arms for the blessing of the crib on Aurora's Northeast Side. ...Faith in a fading habit
Many Catholics welcome chance to review roles of vanishing sisters....Funding for downtown Geneva services in flux
It appears the Geneva City Council has saved downtown services, at least for a year. ...Geneva tax levy up slightly
The city's 2010-11 city tax levy is almost the same as this year's. ...New North Aurora parade may hit heart of town
The Village Board has agreed that the village's first-ever community parade next spring should march on major streets rather than residential streets, despite concerns about safety and getting permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to close parts of state Routes 31 and 56. ...Batavians to pay for brush pickup
Residents will see a $3 leaf and brush pickup fee on their utility bills starting early next year. ...Meeting planned on Batavia's future
The city of Batavia will host a communitywide meeting next spring to contemplate Batavia's future. ...Your mission, if you choose to accept it ...
Anglers and boaters are being asked to do their part to help reduce the Asian carp population by catching and eating them. Their meat is considered a delicacy in Asia....
Physics Group Splinters Over Global Warming Review
As the science scandal known as ClimateGate grows, the largest U.S. physicists' association is finding itself roiled by internal dissent and allegations of conflict of interest over a forthcoming review of its position statement on man-made global warming. ...Francis: The real inconvenient truth
Believe it or not, Diane Francis, writing in Canada's prestigious National Post, advocates for a world-wide embrace of China's "one-child" policy as a method to fight "climate change"...
Democratic candidates for Senate nomination tout ethics
No, seriously. Four seeking seat occupied by Roland Burris make their cases....South Elgin to use former YWCA camp
Space for future village parks and recreation programs got a needed boost this week. ...
Some western Kane roads went unplowed
Parts of three roads along the borders between the city of Elgin, the village of Campton Hills and unincorporated Plato Township ended up with nobody plowing them for awhile during Wednesday's snowstorm. The delay apparently resulted from confusion about whether an agreement between those three governments had gone into effect yet. ...
Elgin weighs options for news police radio system
Digital switch eyed, but city must figure how to fund it ...
Community unites for Hanukkah
For some Fox Valley residents, this holiday season won’t revolve around reindeer and Santa Claus. ...Plan commission recommends approval of Wal-Mart expansion
The St. Charles Plan Commission moved to approve expanding Wal-Mart into a super store by a unanimous 7-0 vote. ...
Kane County narrowly bans video gambling
While the vote was narrow, the decision was final. The Kane County Board voted Tuesday morning to ban video gambling in unincorporated areas of the county by a 12-to-11 vote, despite some board members’ concerns that they were acting prematurely on the issue. ...St. Chas Republican: D-303 may have to look at salary cuts
Like many others in the state, St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 is feeling more than a pinch in its budget. ...Faith-based education seeks home on Crane Road
A Catholic K-8 school and Lutheran high school are planned to be built within half a mile of each other on Crane Road. ...ECC trustees approve security camera purchases, renovations
The Elgin Community College Board of Trustees approved several recommendations during a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 8. ...Aurora aldermen weigh ward fund options
The City Council is scheduled to approve the 2010 budget in 11 days. But there is still one knot left to untangle: what to do about ward funds. ...Clear path for Hurlbut on Kane County Board
In 24 hours, Republican Cathy Hurlbut went from having two challengers to her long run on the Kane County Board to none....Kane sheriff, non-union staff: Were furloughs legal?
The Kane County sheriff and non-union staff have asked the Attorney General's office to review the County Board's decision last month to furlough 26 sheriff's employees. ...Prairie Parkway up for debate
The Batavia City Council will weigh in on the Prairie Parkway issue. ...Illinois: H1N1 vaccine to be available for all
Starting Tuesday, officials say there's enough for any who want it...14th District comes down to two-man GOP race
With two more candidates dropping out this week, the primary for the Republican nomination in the 14th Congressional District is down to a two-man race. ...Copper Fox Cafe has homemade faves
Lisa and Dimitri Lolis are not new to St. Charles. And they are not new to the restaurant business. So when they chose to open the Copper Fox Café in downtown St. Charles recently, it was an investment in their future and that of their hometown. ...
Copenhagen climate summit: 1,200 limos, 140 private planes and caviar wedges
Copenhagen is preparing for the climate change summit that will produce as much carbon dioxide as a town the size of Middlesbrough. ...Job creation, economy a priority for contenders of vacant U.S. Senate seat
Both Republicans and Democrats also support special election in choosing seat vacancies...Geneva panel recommends public art policy
The Geneva Cultural Arts Commission has recommended a policy to the City Council for public art in the city. ...
Kane Co. taking close look at deer population
Nearly one-quarter of all vehicle crashes involving a deer happen within 500 feet of Kane County Forest Preserve District property. ...Despite improvements at year-round schools, U46 says costs count more
Even though School District U46's year-round schools have made significant academic gains after leaving behind a traditional school calendar a decade ago, the district says it can't afford to keep them that way. ...
Public gets first glimpse of new Sherman
Comfy beds, a pull-out couch for an overnight guest, and views overlooking a lake and wildlife preserve almost make a person want to find a reason to spend the night in one of Sherman Hospital’s new patient rooms. ...Red Gate Bridge project gaining momentum
The $30 million Red Gate Bridge project finally has legs now that the proper agencies have approved the environmental assessment, Mayor Donald DeWitte said. ...Fermilab aims to explore new frontiers
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory no longer has the world's largest atom smasher. But the lab still has frontiers to explore. ...Monday's snow only the beginning; major storm forecast for Tuesday night
Weather forecasts suggest Kane County will wake up to a significant snowfall Monday morning. But that's only a small taste of what's to come....Surprise motorcade welcomes Naperville Marine home
Austin Smith got into his share of trouble as a teenager. ...Environmental group dumping Kirk over pollution tax reversal
Environmental groups used to like Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk. ...West High students cook up 'Breakfast with Santa'
Dozens of West Aurora High School students have been preparing for Santa since September. ...Kane Co. taking close look at deer population
Nearly one-quarter of all vehicle crashes involving a deer happen within 500 feet of Kane County Forest Preserve District property. ...Kane County government's 6-figure club
Why are 12 Kane County directors getting paid $100,000 or more and who are they?...
Children's theatre opens Sing-Along with Santa
Last weekend marked the opening performances of Steel Beam Children's Theatre's Sing-Along with Santa, an interactive musical performance at the St. Charles community theater....
Provena kicks off Caroling and Caring
Provena Saint Joseph Hospital staff and hundreds of members of the Elgin community participated in Caroling and Caring on Tuesday at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital. ...Lazarus House offers community Christmas Brunch
Lazarus House will provide food and company for the entire community on Christmas, as it hosts its annual Christmas Brunch on Christmas Day at the Free Methodist Church, 214 Walnut St., St. Charles. ...Nature program for preschoolers set
Each month, naturalists from the Kane County Forest Preserve District will help children ages four and five explore nature through activities in the “Little Acorns” program. ...Batavia toy drive sees increase in demand
With the economy still in a slump, organizers of the annual Christmas Toy Store are seeing an increased demand this year for donations. ...St. Charles offers tool to calculate energy costs
Ever wonder how much energy it takes you to watch TV and how much it will cost you over a year? ...Red-light cameras going up this month in Geneva, St. Charles
After years of being talked about, red-light cameras soon will begin snapping pictures – and prompting traffic citations – for motorists caught in the wrong place at the wrong time at some of the Tri-Cities' busiest intersections. ...Richmond Elementary looks hard at classroom instruction
Teachers at Richmond Elementary School are taking a critical look at their performance in the classroom this year with hopes of increasing academic performance. ...Purcell pulls out of 14th race; takes parting shot at Hastert
Batavia businessman Jim Purcell announced Wednesday that he is pulling out of the primary race for the Republican nomination to the 14th Congressional District. ...KCC: Our view: National figure could bring interest
Newt Gingrich is coming to the 14th District to support Ethan Hastert's bid to win his father's former Congressional seat....
Rauschenberger a Democrat? Primary ballot could thwart comeback
Republican veteran Steve Rauschenberger's attempt to take back his Elgin-based state Senate seat is under threat because he may not be Republican enough....Aurora union agrees to concessions
Another city union has agreed to concessions to avoid layoffs, city officials announced Thursday. ...Search in full swing for Yorkville superintendent
The search has officially begun for a new Yorkville school superintendent. ...
Weird weather delays area corn harvest
When worshippers packed into church pews last weekend, many sang a Thanksgiving hymn written in 1844: ...Auditor says all Kane departments under budgets
After months of wrangling over cuts, it appears all Kane County departments likely will be under budget for the year. ...Kane may tear down Campbell House
Once known as one of Kane County's finest art galleries, the Campbell House more than likely will be torn down....Sheriff's Department honored
Sixteen Kane County Sheriff's Department sergeants and detectives were honored by the Chicago Crime Commission Wednesday for their part in leading to the prosecution of an expansive drug trafficking organization that reached from California to rural Kane County....Henninger: Science is on the Credibility Bubble
Surely there must have been serious men and women in the hard sciences who at some point worried that their colleagues in the global warming movement were putting at risk the credibility of everyone in science. ...Trib: Climate of suspicion
The first rule of solid science is: Show your data. The second: Admit what you don't know. Third: Be willing to entertain other theories, because you could be wrong. ...Trib: Did President Obama really say that?
Don't you just hate it when your own words come back to bite you? ...Softer water hikes planned for Elgin
Water and sewer rates for 2010 and beyond won't go up as much as officials initially planned. ...
Illinois obesity rate expected to jump 12 percent by 2018
Susan Eichensehr can’t believe what some people eat, not only during the holidays, but year-round. ...District 303 annual survey to be released next week
The 2009 St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Parent Satisfaction Survey will take place from Dec. 8 to 13. ...Credit card machines becoming a payment option for Red Kettle Campaign
Caught without cash at the Salvation Army's red kettles this year? That's OK — at least in some cities. Salvation Army chapters in 120 cities, including Chicago, have equipped more than 300 kettles with credit and debit card machines marked with the organization's red shield logo, according to the organization. ...Brundige business park plan nears approval
A Geneva developer expects to begin work early next year on the region's newest business park. ...Annual Christmas bird count seeks volunteers
Be they a murder of crows, a gaggle of geese or a scold of blue jays, the Kane County Audubon aims to count them. ...
Coats for the needy
Eric Armstrong manages a dry cleaning business that handles about 1,500 pounds of clothes on any given day. But he still was blown away when 505 donated coats were dropped off all at once at Greenacre Cleaners in DeKalb. ...
Cities urging residents to shop locally
Carrie Day of Geneva was scanning the shelves at Cocoon in downtown Geneva the other day looking to buy Christmas presents for her parents and in-laws. ...'Bailout burger' wins ECC-Grand Victoria burger contest
Three top culinary arts students walked away with scholarships Wednesday in the Elgin Community College-Grand Victoria Casino Prime Burger scholarship competition. ...St. Charles' Red Gate Bridge project gets county blessing
A St. Charles plan to build an additional crossing over the Fox River received the endorsement of the Kane County Board Executive Committee Wednesday, perhaps boosting the city's chances of gaining more state and federal funds for the project. ...
St. Charles mainstay Regole's Harvest Shoppe abruptly closes
A St. Charles business that has been around since 1963 has closed with no fanfare. ...Naperville may limit how much trash you can toss, what you can toss it in
Traditional garbage cans could become a thing of the past in Naperville. ...Budgets up for Election Commission, library
The City Council Finance Committee continued its march through the 2010 budget Wednesday, on its way to approving a final spending plan by Dec. 22. ...Oswego not ready to gamble on video poker
Oswego leaders don't anticipate a village vote on the state's video gaming act anytime soon....Area congressmen support Obama's national address
Congressmen in The Beacon-News area were predictable this week in their support of President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, which he announced during a national address Tuesday night....Can Kane handle more DUI arrests?
While local law enforcement agencies are happy to receive grant money to pay for increased patrols this time of year, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office says a resulting increase in DUI cases could put a strain on the system. ...Kane County set to decide issue of video gaming
Two planned votes on whether video gaming should be allowed to continue in Kane County could mean either a premature end or nothing at all....Barack Obama's war: the final push in Afghanistan
New troops to be in Afghanistan within six months....Sun-Times: Obama must tell us what exactly we're fighting for
President Obama pushed the United States further into the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday, announcing he will send in an additonal 30,000 American troops....Trib: A show of resolve
President Barack Obama asked his citizenry Tuesday night to give fresh support -- and 30,000 fresh troops -- to a war in Afghanistan that many Americans don't understand. He made a compelling case on five key matters:...U. of I. drops Washington-based arts program
Panel cites cost as reason to cut Herman project....Cville votes to 'freeze' tax levy - almost
The village board voted Tuesday to freeze its tax levy at the same number as last year, hesitantly adding only the amount required by law to cover the village's debt service. ...STC neighborhood to get park
The St. Charles Park District on Monday purchased 2.76 acres of land north of Dean Street and west of Ninth Street with the intent of developing it into a neighborhood park, Director Jim Breen said. ...D304 gets energy grant for lighting work
District 304 received a $36,500 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation as reimbursement for lighting projects at Harrison Street and Western Avenue elementary schools. ...Aldermen continue to review plans for former First Baptist Church property
Batavia 5th Ward Alderman Forrest Nelson said he could see the former First Baptist Church property someday housing town houses, condominiums, offices and stores. ...Author info
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