Local

Elburn apartment building evacuated for stove fire
ELBURN – A three-story apartment building for seniors was evacuated Sunday in Elburn after a kitchen fire activated an automatic fire alarm, ...
Local
UPDATED: April 20, 2014 - 3:54 pm
Batavia Easter celebration: 5 photos
Highlights from Batavia's Easter celebration ...
Photos
April 19, 2014 - 8:32 pm

Man drowns after kayak falls from Geneva dam
A 26-year-old man died on Saturday after getting caught in the boil at the Geneva dam, Geneva Fire Lt. Todd Loomis said. The man was in a ...
Local
April 20, 2014 - 10:14 am

Geneva resident with Down syndrome honored for volunteer efforts
GENEVA – Despite the challenges that having Down syndrome poses, 25-year-old Evan Clark of Geneva loves volunteering.He recently was present ...
Local
April 18, 2014 - 11:46 pm

Good Natured: Eastern phoebes, birds that say their name
Throughout these many months of cold we have endured, I’ve tried to help my winter-weary friends stay positive. After every new dump of snow ...
Columns
April 18, 2014 - 11:18 pm
Week in Pictures: 15 photos
The Week in Pictures for the Kane County Chronicle for April 11-18 ...
Photos
April 19, 2014 - 8:35 am

St. Charles North baseball makes Bartlett pay in late rally
ST CHARLES – The St. Charles North baseball team scraped together two runs in the bottom of the sixth in ugly fashion Friday to defeat Bartl ...
Baseball
April 18, 2014 - 11:06 pm
Boy’s wish comes true in Belize
ST. CHARLES – A 12-year-old St. Charles boy saw Mayan ruins up close in Belize this year, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.C ...
Local
April 18, 2014 - 11:37 pm

North Aurora resident giving back through volunteer efforts
GENEVA – For 23-year-old North Aurora resident Michelle Meifert, giving back is second nature.Since August, Meifert has been volunteering at ...
Local
April 18, 2014 - 11:47 pm

Kane County Board candidates faced primary with family, supporters
BILL LENERT Bill Lenert was greeting supporters in the doorway of Orchards Restaurant at Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora when I arrived ...
Local Election
March 24, 2014 - 3:07 pm

Pet of the Week: Daisy
Adorable and kind four year old Daisy is desperately seeking a family to love and dote on her. This sweet little gal was found as a stray by ...
Photos
April 14, 2014 - 1:07 pm
Crime mugs for April 2014
The charges against the individuals listed are not a proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in wh ...
Photos
April 7, 2014 - 12:05 pm

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Letter carriers aim to Stamp Out Hunger
Letter carriers aren't asking people to do much on May 10 – only to help Stamp Out Hunger. Since 19 ...
NEW: April 20, 2014 - 3:51 pm
Elburn apartment building evacuated for stove fire
ELBURN – A three-story apartment building for seniors was evacuated Sunday in Elburn after a kitchen fire activated an automatic fire alarm, an offici ...
UPDATED: April 20, 2014 - 3:54 pm
Geneva woman dies in Plato Township motorcycle crash
PLATO TOWNSHIP – A 54-year-old Geneva woman died Saturday when the motorcycle she was driving went off the road and struck a guardrail on eastbound Ro ...
April 19, 2014 - 8:18 pm
Man drowns after kayak falls from Geneva dam
A 26-year-old man died on Saturday after getting caught in the boil at the Geneva dam, Geneva Fire Lt. Todd Loomis said.
April 20, 2014 - 10:14 am
Face Time with Linda Ivnik
Darien resident Linda Ivnik, 57, was on her way in to Geneva’s 60 Men Who Cook fundraiser in St. Charles when she answered nine questions for the Kane ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:23 pm
North Aurora resident giving back through volunteer efforts
GENEVA – For 23-year-old North Aurora resident Michelle Meifert, giving back is second nature.Since ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:47 pm
Geneva resident with Down syndrome honored for volunteer efforts
GENEVA – Despite the challenges that having Down syndrome poses, 25-year-old Evan Clark of Geneva loves volunteering.
April 18, 2014 - 11:46 pm
Former alderman gets warning in crash
GENEVA – Former 3rd Ward Alderman Ray Pawlak received a written warning notice for failure to yield in an intersection after a crash, police reports s ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:30 pm
Man gets jail time, probation for St. Charles struggle
A Zion man who wielded a knife during a February struggle between two St. Charles sisters must go to jail, according to Kane County court records.
April 19, 2014 - 8:34 am
Batavia man pleads guilty to theft, gets prison time
A Batavia man who pleaded guilty to theft this month must serve 30 months in the Department of Corrections, according to Kane County court records.
April 18, 2014 - 11:29 pm

Saturday's Prep Roundup: St. Charles East girls soccer edges Batavia
BATAVIA – The St. Charles East girls soccer team rallied from an early deficit to defeat Batavia on Saturday, 2-1, in Upstate Eight Conference River a ...
April 19, 2014 - 9:32 pm
Marmion boys tennis runners-up at Geneva Invitational
GENEVA – The Geneva Boys Tennis Invitational came down to the last doubles match of the day Saturday, featuring Marmion and Lincoln-Way East.
April 19, 2014 - 8:39 pm
Overturned call factors into Kaneland baseball's extra-innings win over Geneva
MAPLE PARK – Credit Joe Laudont’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth for Kaneland’s 7-6 win over Geneva Saturday afternoon.
April 19, 2014 - 8:31 pm
Morrow's no-hitter, Keith's walk-off home run highlight thrilling Kaneland-Geneva doubleheader split
GENEVA – After the Kaneland softball team won Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader via an Angie Morrow no-hitter, Geneva was going to be hard-pressed to ...
April 19, 2014 - 8:13 pm
Weekend Chit-chat with St. Charles East boys tennis’ George Spoerl
St. Charles East senior George Spoerl says he’s been playing tennis “ever since I could walk.” His younger sister, Jaci, a member of the Saints girls ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:08 pm
Prep Roundup: Green slings no-hitter for Batavia baseball
BATAVIA – Batavia senior Colby Green fired a no-hitter Friday as the Batavia baseball team shut down South Elgin, 6-0.
April 18, 2014 - 11:09 pm
Schwab: Burlington Central closing in on move
Burlington Central is widely believed to be headed to the new Kishwaukee River Conference, although it likely will be next month before the school sol ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:09 pm
Geneva grad marks marathon memory overseas
One year and thousands of miles removed from her jarring experience at the 2013 Boston Marathon, Geneva graduate Rachel Zacchea channeled her emotions ...
April 18, 2014 - 10:59 pm
St. Charles North baseball makes Bartlett pay in late rally
ST CHARLES – The St. Charles North baseball team scraped together two runs in the bottom of the sixth in ugly fashion Friday to defeat Bartlett, 3-2.
April 18, 2014 - 11:06 pm
Prep track insider: Dogs' days, indeed
Host teams naturally cast bigger shadows at invitationals given the abundance of lower-level athletes and volunteers wearing school garb.
April 17, 2014 - 10:25 pm

Salsa Verde in St. Charles celebrates opening
Carmen and Clemente Arechiga (center), along with their family, are joined by St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and City of St. Charles officials to cut ...
April 15, 2014 - 11:19 pm
Franky's Red Hots cuts ribbon at St. Charles location
St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and City of St. Charles officials gather to cut the ribbon for Franky's Red Hots in St. Charles. Franky's is at 2526 E ...
April 14, 2014 - 10:34 pm
‘A lot of people to thank’: K. Hollis celebrating
BATAVIA – It’s hard for K. Hollis Jewelers owner Rob Hollis to forget the anniversary of the opening of the store, which he owns with his wife, Karen ...
April 11, 2014 - 11:38 pm
Coldwater Creek files for bankruptcy; stores to close
GENEVA – Coldwater Creek, a women’s clothing retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday and announced it would close all of its stores by this s ...
April 11, 2014 - 11:41 pm
Tailor, Needle & Thread cuts ribbon at St. Charles location
St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and City of St. Charles officials gather to cut the ribbon for Tailor, Needle & Thread at 2000 W Main St., in St. Char ...
April 11, 2014 - 11:41 pm
Family’s tailoring business expands to St. Charles
ST. CHARLES – A tailoring business with more than 35 years of experience has set up shop in St. Charles.
April 10, 2014 - 7:41 am
Drive kicks off to help mothers in shelters
A program aimed to help homeless and abused mothers is underway in Kane County. The Movers for Moms ...
April 10, 2014 - 8:17 am
Harner’s to be closed today for co-owner’s funeral
NORTH AURORA – Harner’s Bakery and Restaurant will close its locations in North Aurora and Aurora today so family, friends and co-workers can attend f ...
April 10, 2014 - 7:38 am
Elburn ministry’s resale shop Beautiful U opens
Bill and Liz Hough perform the celebratory ribbon-cutting Saturday at the grand opening of Beautiful U resale shop at 112 N. Main St., Elburn. The Hou ...
April 9, 2014 - 12:01 am
Waubonsee to host Spring Job Fair this Friday in SG
SUGAR GROVE – Job seekers are invited to Waubonsee Community College’s Spring Job and Internship Fair on Friday.
April 8, 2014 - 11:59 pm

Middle-school students receive writing awards
Eighteen students from Tri City middle schools received medals and certificates of honor for original fiction, non-fiction and poetry from the America ...
April 17, 2014 - 5:23 pm
Batavia High School students learn complications of money, budgeting
BATAVIA – More than 120 students from Batavia High School learned the complications of household budgets during a recent “Mad City Money” program faci ...
April 17, 2014 - 5:20 pm
Sixty Men Who Cook contestant Matthew Hart takes Best of Show award for second year
Local community celebrity chefs volunteered their time and talent to the 60 Men Who Cook competition ...
April 17, 2014 - 5:17 pm
Joan Knows: Use Arbor Day as excuse to play outdoors
First there was Florence, a real local character with a sarcastic viewpoint and no hesitation about expressing her opinions.
April 10, 2014 - 5:10 pm
Rotary Club inducts three new members
ST. CHARLES – The Rotary Club of St. Charles recently inducted three of its newest Rotary members: The Rev. David Peck of St. John Neumann Catholic Ch ...
April 10, 2014 - 5:06 pm
Geneva teacher one of 30 in nation to receive grant
GENEVA – Chris Pawlak, a teacher at Geneva High School, recently won a $2,500 grant through Farmers Insurance's "Thank a Million Teachers" program – a ...
April 10, 2014 - 5:04 pm
Waubonsee aims to send more students abroad
SUGAR GROVE – In coming years, Waubonsee Community College intends to send more students overseas as part of study-abroad programs.
April 3, 2014 - 6:33 pm
Flashlight Egg Hunt Party to illuminate Blackberry Farm
AURORA – Children in fifth through eighth grades will be able to light up the night on Thursday, April 17, during Blackberry Farm’s first Flashlight E ...
April 3, 2014 - 6:27 pm
Local students celebrate at Eagle Court of Honor event
Ryan Valesh and Mike Jacobson of St. Charles Troop 80 had their Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on March 16 at the Congregational United Church in St. C ...
April 3, 2014 - 6:27 pm
Wasco Nursery and Garden Center to open season with artist exhibition
ST. CHARLES – Wasco Nursery and Garden Center will open for its 2014 season April 1 with an artist exhibition called “A Gallery of Nature.”
March 27, 2014 - 5:22 pm

Letter: What changed?
To the Editor:How in the world can the indoor shooting range built for the Kane Country Sheriff’s Of ...
April 18, 2014 - 2:00 pm
Letter: Understand the facts
To the Editor:Township government provides essential services across Illinois and does so more cost ...
April 17, 2014 - 10:36 pm
Letter: 'They did not make demands'
To the Editor:A Guest View by Sylvia Acosta in the April 1 edition of the Kane County Chronicle caug ...
April 15, 2014 - 11:02 pm
Letter: Get the facts
To the Editor:Thank you to all of you who voted for me March 18 to be a candidate for state represen ...
April 15, 2014 - 1:55 pm
Sound Off: Barking dogs and backyard chickens
The following is what our readers sounded off about this week: Big, barking dogs This is in regard ...
April 14, 2014 - 7:40 am
Letter: Not the effect you hope for
To the Editor:I have a question for the businesses putting up red slash no gun signs. What is your i ...
April 15, 2014 - 1:56 pm
Letter: Buying elections
To the Editor:The conservative Roberts’ court has eviscerated what remained of the campaign finance ...
April 15, 2014 - 1:57 pm
Letter: Creating opportunities
To the Editor:We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Kaneland Performing Arts ...
April 15, 2014 - 1:58 pm
Letter: Saving lives
To the Editor:The Children’s Organ Transplant Association – or COTA – was founded in 1986 when resid ...
April 15, 2014 - 2:02 pm
Sound Off: Thanks to the road warriors
The following is what our readers sounded off about this week: Thanks to the road warriors Thank yo ...
April 14, 2014 - 7:48 am

Tales from the Motherhood: Easter Bunny wises up with organic treats
I have it on good authority that the Easter Bunny has seen the light. Found Jesus, if you will. She’s had it with sub-par sweets and is turning over a ...
April 18, 2014 - 4:45 pm
Learning to Grow: How to make seed tape
It appears winter is hanging on a bit longer as I look at snow covering my crocuses and tulips. Since I am anxious to do anything gardening, and I’m u ...
April 18, 2014 - 4:45 pm
Music groups join forces for Operatic Treasures concert
AURORA – The Fox Valley Orchestra, Fox Valley Chorus and the Aurora University Chorale will join forces for Operatic Treasures on Sunday, April 27, in ...
April 18, 2014 - 4:25 pm
Music runs deep in Costner family
For the Costner family, performing music is a family affair. Lily Costner will perform with her fam ...
April 17, 2014 - 10:58 am
Sugar Ray, Blues Traveler, more to rock RiverEdge Park in July
AURORA – This summer, RiverEdge Park in Aurora will set the stage with a popular American pop-rock group from the ’90s.
April 17, 2014 - 11:00 am
Former Miss America runner-up to represent Geneva in state competition
Many a crown has graced the head of beauty pageant veteran and Geneva resident Nicole Elizabeth Cook.
April 17, 2014 - 10:59 am
Taste of the Town: Muscle Maker Grill offers up healthier fare
In a sea of fast food options, Muscle Maker Grill aims to serve up healthier fare. Since January, M ...
April 16, 2014 - 4:55 pm
Elgin Community College Theatre to present ‘Romeo and Juliet’
ELGIN – Elgin Community College Theatre’s spring production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” will run through Sunday, May 4.
April 13, 2014 - 5:02 pm
Learning to Grow: Refresh houseplants in April
April seems to be the month that stirs gardeners from their long winter hiatus – blue skies, melting snow, seed packets, emerging buds and sunny days. ...
April 11, 2014 - 4:55 pm
Tales from the Motherhood: Pets catch case of spring fever
Seems my wannabe wild thing, Posey (our aging Maine Coon kitty), has caught spring fever. Which is awesome, because what I really relish doing at 9:30 ...
April 11, 2014 - 4:39 pm

Council to vote on firm’s 1st floor presence
ST. CHARLES – The St. Charles City Council on Monday will consider a resolution denying a business a first-floor space downtown.
April 18, 2014 - 11:25 pm
Roof project highlights need for county facilities plan
GENEVA – Kane County leaders need to better determine what they want to do regarding facility improvements.
April 17, 2014 - 10:35 pm
Hartwell, Hunt part of new GOP leadership
The Kane County Republicans on Wednesday elected a new leadership team whose members say their party is mending past internal conflict.
April 17, 2014 - 10:35 pm
McConnaughay opposes making income tax hike permanent
State Sen. Karen McConnaughay is voicing her opposition to a proposal by Gov. Pat Quinn to make permanent an income tax increase that expires at year’ ...
April 17, 2014 - 10:33 pm
Suburban GOP senators call for Dems to ‘look in the mirror’ over spending, taxes
Several Republican suburban senators gave some insight into the conversation they will be bringing to Springfield and the 2014 election cycle when the ...
April 18, 2014 - 7:14 am
Keeping the lighting low in Campton Hills
CAMPTON HILLS – When Mark Christensen first moved to his St. Charles home 30 years ago, he could see the Milky Way – albeit faintly – from his backyar ...
April 17, 2014 - 6:38 am
Geneva residents raise concerns about city’s electric costs
GENEVA – City residents are concerned about the cost of electricity in Geneva, and what the future holds for possible rate increases.
April 17, 2014 - 6:53 am
Developer withdraws proposal for Batavia’s Thomle building
BATAVIA – St. Charles-based Corcoran Commercial Real Estate has withdrawn its proposal to acquire the Thomle building to develop restaurant space on t ...
April 17, 2014 - 6:56 am
Fortner: State legislators will face key budget talks
GENEVA – Budget talks will be a big issue when state legislators return from Easter recess April 29, State Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, told tho ...
April 16, 2014 - 8:29 pm
Kane County works on concealed carry policy
GENEVA – Kane County’s attempt to draft a concealed-carry policy has turned into a balancing act between liability issues and employees’ constitutiona ...
April 16, 2014 - 8:32 pm

Geneva blotter police reports
• Two garages and two fences were reportedly tagged by spray paint Monday, April 14: two in the 600 block of Anderson Boulevard, and two in the 700 bl ...
April 18, 2014 - 11:11 pm
Kane County Sheriff’s Office police reports
• A hit-and-run accident was reported Monday, April 14, at Randall and Crane roads in St. Charles Township. A 2012 Toyota Prius was reportedly rear-en ...
April 17, 2014 - 10:40 pm
St. Charles police reports
• Joshua Alec Love, 20, of the 100 block of Walnut Drive, St. Charles, was arrested Monday, April 14, on a St. Charles warrant for failing to appear i ...
April 17, 2014 - 10:40 pm
Elburn police reports
• The fire department reportedly found ashes on an entrance mat to the Elburn Community Center, 525 N. Main St., on Sunday, March 30, after a citizen ...
April 15, 2014 - 11:52 pm
Sugar Grove police reports
• Andrew D. Olsen, 24, of the 100 block of Elmwood Drive, Aurora, was charged Thursday, April 10, with speeding, driving with a suspended license and ...
April 15, 2014 - 11:52 pm
St. Charles police reports
• Wade Edward Carpenter, 23, of the 1800 block of Wessel Court, St. Charles, was charged Thursday, April 10, with assault and disorderly conduct.
April 15, 2014 - 11:51 pm
Kane County Sheriff’s Office police reports
• Police on Wednesday, April 9, received a report that someone had apparently trespassed on a property in the 7N300 block of Windsor Drive in St. Char ...
April 15, 2014 - 11:48 pm
Kane County Sheriff’s Office police reports
• A resident of the 42W500 block of Hidden Springs Drive, St. Charles, reported Thursday, April 3, she filed her taxes in early March, and on March 19 ...
April 14, 2014 - 10:46 pm
Geneva police reports
• John R. Calderaro, 39, of the 1100 block of Geneva Road, St. Charles, was charged Monday, April 7, with driving under the influence, driving with a ...
April 14, 2014 - 10:46 pm
Batavia police reports
• Antwan D. Hoskin, 25, of the 1000 block of Lorlyn Circle, Batavia, was charged Thursday, April 10, with two counts of domestic battery.
April 14, 2014 - 10:46 pm

Roundabout with Micah: Poetry comes to life through Wordplay
My name is Micah Andersen. I am a poet, a writer and a senior looking to make my mark on the world. I am an intern here at the Kane County Chronicle a ...
April 9, 2014 - 8:08 pm
Life at East: Gotta call my doctor
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This week I officially began my last quarter of high school. It’s hard to believe how fast this year – a ...
April 9, 2014 - 7:08 pm
Good Natured: The undeniable signs of spring
How good are you at reading signs? I think most of us would agree that red octagons mean stop, yellow diamonds mean caution, and orange signs signal t ...
March 28, 2014 - 2:37 pm
Editor’s Notebook: Get out and vote in the primary
Informed about the candidates? Knowledgeable about local referendum efforts? Know where your precinct is located?
March 16, 2014 - 9:06 am
Tales from the Motherhood: Signs of spring slowly loosen winter’s grip
Spring, is that you? Ever so slowly, it seems you’re emerging. I just know it, as my son seems to ...
March 28, 2014 - 2:37 pm
In Your Court: The cost of a first-time DUI
I hope everyone has a happy, safe and responsible St. Patrick’s Day. If you intend to drink, please set aside cash in your wallet or purse for cab far ...
March 14, 2014 - 11:41 pm
In Focus: Reading Across America
Last week, as part of Read Across America and a celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, I read a story to my 7-year-old nephew and his classmates at Mantu ...
March 13, 2014 - 10:27 pm
River Town Chronicles: Can you say ‘global climate change’?
Sometimes people say something so farfetched you just chuckle and shake your head. A Donald Trump, a Rush.
March 13, 2014 - 10:47 pm
Joan Knows: Taking a moment for a sentimental salute
Among the often repeated messages circulating this week: 100 years for Wrigley Field and 25 years for the World Wide Web.
March 13, 2014 - 4:26 pm
Mystery Diner: McNally’s breakfast pays homage to Emerald Isle
The time hovering around St. Patrick’s Day is when the Irish diaspora come together to honor their heritage. ...
April 9, 2014 - 12:57 pm