Batavia

Just shy of 50 pounds, 11 months old, with a Fox Red coat, River, a purebred Labrador retriever, sat in attention before Mayor Jeff Schielke with her paw raised to take the oath of office as Batavia Police Department's first-ever comfort dog.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners established a $2,000 tuition scholarship for a graduating high school senior.

Two fresh faces were sworn-in as Batavia School District 101 board members, in a special session also involving electing the board president, vice president, and secretary.

A new three-year collective bargaining agreement has been reached between the Batavia School District 101 and the Batavia Educational Support Professional Association (BESPA), including wage increases and expanded training.

With all ballots counted, Jeff Schielke is set to be elected to his 12th term in office as mayor of Batavia against his challenger Tom Connelly. The updated voting totals include late-arriving mail-in and provisional ballots.

Pastors and members of Batavia, Geneva and Aurora United Methodist churches celebrated Good Friday with a joint Tenebrae service at United Methodist Church of Geneva.

River, the Batavia Police Department’s new 11-month-old comfort dog, with the help of her handler, Officer Liz Webb, was sworn in to service on Monday, April 21, 2025 during a Batavia City Council meeting.

With all ballots counted, the Batavia School District 101 is set to swear-in two new board members while welcoming back two familiar faces. The updated voting totals include all mail-in ballots.

The sixth season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops kicks off Friday, May 9, with ten artisanal spots offering everything from globally inspired goods to handcrafted home décor.

The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners' annual plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10 in the gymnasium at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives picked up a Batavia man Tuesday on felony weapons charges, the result of an ongoing investigation.

Highlights include tributes to Cher, hip-hop music, classic country singers and performers from 'America's Got Talent.'

With all ballots counted, the Batavia City Council is set to welcome some new faces beginning next term.

Voters in Kane County this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Batavia City Council members had varying opinions on whether a $20,000 feasibility study was a good idea, with the major concern being uncertainty surrounding federal funding availability.

Batavia City Council membere continue planning to replace the city-owned dam from the Fox River, and will review plans for a feasibility study this summer at their April 15 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The Batavia Park District hosted the annual Egg Hunt at the newly renovated Clark Island Recreation Area on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Batavia. The recreation area now includes a new fitness court and skate park and was funded in part by an open space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant, BlueCross BlueShield and the National Fitness Campaign.

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops open for the 2025 season Friday, May 9.

The four deputies with the Kane County Sheriff’s department were investigated for their role in a car chase on Randall Road that ended in the fatal shooting of an Aurora man in May 2023.

It’s been nearly 25 years since Tri City Health Partnership began providing quality medical care to resident of central Kane County. TCHP receives no state or federal funding. Grants, donations and fundraising events like this one provide the means for qualified volunteer special

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest honor awarded in the Boy Scouts of America. Only 0.5% of all youth in the U.S. younger than 18 are recipients, according to the release.

Make gifting a snap for showers, housewarming parties and more with this Batavia business.

Check out new comics or try your hand at making people laugh at a local open mic night.

Band manager Linda Schielke said the art of rediscovering a passion for music opens something beautiful within each of the band’s musicians.

Artist Glenn Bodish, who is an art professor at Sauk Valley Community College, will be featured in the Dempsey Family Gallery at Water Street Studios.

To mark the anniversary, the museum is hosting an exhibit about itself. “The Museum a Community Built: Batavia Depot Museum Celebrates 50 Years” is scheduled to run through July 20.

The Batavia City Council will likely be welcoming some new faces beginning next term, according to unofficial results.

Two incumbents look poised to retain their seats on the Batavia District 101 board while welcoming two new faces.

Batavia mayor Jeff Schielke looks headed for a twelfth term in office.

Celebrate the grand opening of the new and improved amenities at a ribbon cutting and community party from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12.

This spring, Kane County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

K. Hollis Jewelers, Boutique & Wine Bar is celebrating 20 years of serving Batavia and the surrounding communities with a special anniversary event this Saturday, April 5.

Batavia is adding 55 new cameras to public areas downtown and key city-owned facilities, bringing the total to 112 cameras. 

Nationally-known comedians Jay Mohr, Kevin Farley, Brooks Wheelan, Dana Gould and more will be at The Comedy Vault in Batavia in April.

The services Beyond Physio provides include physical therapy, recovery, performance, wellness services, and specialized pregnancy and postpartum rehab.

A Batavia man is facing felony charges after allegedly attempting to break into a home while armed with a box cutter early Tuesday morning, March 24, according to police.

The City of Batavia will begin flushing fire hydrants throughout the city next month.

Read the transcript from our Batavia Mayoral candidate forum podcast: Thomas Connelly and Jeffery Schielke on what they want to see in Batavia in the future

Thomas Connelly and Jeffery Schielke, candidates for Batavia Mayor, talk about the main issues facing Batavia with Shaw Local reporter Joey Weslo ahead of the April 1 election

The Batavia Woman's Club is offering scholarships for middle schoolers to attend summer camp for STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Music or Performing Arts, or Math.

Batavia Riverwalk pedestrians and cyclists will have an easier time accessing the Peace Bridge next year, with a new ramp to be built this summer.

Batavia High School’s AP Computer Science Principles is earning a diversity award for achieving a high female participation rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million jobs in the computer science industry.

Five years ago this week, we were all sent home for "two weeks" as Americans tried to get a handle on the novel coronavirus sweeping its way through the country. Shaw Media set out to document the humanity among the ruins. The pandemic brought about school closures, virus testing, toilet paper shortages and full hospitals with essential workers. It also brought socially distanced parades just to see a friend or loved one's face and an endless supply of grace and kindness felt by all.

The city of Batavia is beginning the next phase of electric system improvements this month, installing underground power cables along Norcross Drive, Raddant Road, Hart Road and Bond Drive. This project replaces aging overhead lines along the Illinois Prairie Path to improve serv

Dumping prohibited materials into the Batavia’s sewer system could cost offenders up to 100 times what it would have before March 11, with the newly updated city code boasting much heftier penalties.

Batavia City Council recently approved the demolition of the 135-year-old Tin Shop building downtown, and the city is now accepting proposals from anyone interested in removing or relocating the structure.

Mohr has appeared on "Saturday Night Live," as well is in the films "Jerry Maguire" and "Picture Perfect."

Batavia gamers could soon have a place to grab a bite or have a drink while challenging their friends to games of wit and strategy if Bold Boards and Bites receives city approval to open on River Street downtown.

CASA Kane County recently celebrated the 31st Annual Children’s Champion Celebration Gala—Be Their Voice, with presenting sponsor: Fox Valley Auto Group. The gala exceeded the goal in support CASA Kane County’s mission to advocate for children in foster care. CASA/GAL volunteers change lives every day and serve 670 children annually.

Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners will host a hands-on winter sowing workshop where participants can learn how to create mini-greenhouses for starting seeds outdoors in winter.