Batavia

When she first found out she had leukemia, Ioanna Lo Destro’s heart dropped. Instead of her own mortality, her hopes and fears turned to her dreams of motherhood, her first IVF treatment was cruelly scheduled the very next day.

Batavia family's Holiday light display will compete for a shot at $50,000 on the season premiere of The Great Christmas Light Fight on Dec. 5.

With winter coming, Batavia will soon be home to an indoor pickleball facility.

Several holiday-related events are coming up in Kane County, including photo opportunities with Santa, a Winter Wonder Lights Celebration and more.

The Batavia Community Band performed and the city's Christmas tree was lit on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 during the Celebration of Lights at the Batavia Riverwalk.

Batavia City Council members are finalizing their 2025 budget and 2024 property tax levy, and are debating whether to raise taxes or cover projected deficits with reserve funds.

The Fox Valley Ballet presents the 10th-anniversary production of "The Fox Valley Nutcracker," featuring over 160 cast members, special guest artists and new aerial effects.

Batavia High School bands will host 150 students from Inagakuen Sogo High School in Tokyo, Japan, for a Unity Concert at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre Dec. 18.

The Foy family decorates their home for Christmas every year with different light displays that sync with music on an FM radio channel. This year they will be featured on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight for their display on 969 Ekman Drive in Batavia.

The Aurora Navy League Council 247 and Rotary Club of Aurora United will host their annual Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon, featuring a buffet, awards ceremony, keynote address and more.

Going to the theatre to see 'The Nutcracker' ballet is a special holiday tradition for many families.

Small Business Saturday might seem like Black Friday’s baby brother and Cyber Monday’s second cousin twice removed. But to local small businesses, it’s a chance to shine for a more personal audience.

Batavia runners can start their Thanksgiving morning with a 4-mile race at the 28th annual The Fox and The Turkey races downtown.

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly will host a Thanksgiving celebration for isolated older adults, featuring a turkey dinner, live music and volunteer support.

The Salvation Army Tri-City Corps will host two Kettle Match Days in December, with donations matched by Colonial Café and the Shodeen Family Foundation.

This free event celebrates the magic of the season with festive and fun holiday activities, song and ceremony, culminating in Santa’s arrival and a welcome by Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, followed by the ceremonial tree lighting.

The beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast.

Visit these award-winning coffee shops on National Espresso Day Saturday, Nov. 23.

Festivals happening in St. Charles, Woodstock, Elburn, Aurora and many more communities around northern Illinois.

Volunteers from local Rotary clubs sorted through hundreds of children’s winter coats to be donated to the Salvation Army, Lazarus House and area schools.

Parkside Skincare, celebrated its one-year anniversary with the Batavia Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in downtown Batavia on Nov. 15.

Batavia City Council members are finalizing their 2025 budget and 2024 property tax levy, and are debating on wether to raise taxes or cover deficits with reserve funds.

Batavia drivers need to steer clear of Kirk Road this weekend.

So far, Batavia has more open City Council seats than candidates for the April election.

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the remodeling of Fruitful Yield, a health food store offering a wide range of natural products, including vitamins, organic produce and clean skincare.

A 29-year-old homeless man is charged with armed violence after he allegedly stabbed a woman in the 100 block of South Batavia Avenue in Batavia on Nov. 8, according to a news release from the Batavia Police Department.

After spending 10 years on active duty in the Marines, Jon Woods has dedicated himself to making sure other veterans get the recognition they deserve whether through the local VFW branch or Batavia football's Military Appreciation Night.

The Batavia Lions Club will host its eighth annual Underwear Party to collect donations of new socks and underwear for the Batavia United Way's Adopt-A-Family holiday program.

Here's a list of the best bakeries in Kane, Kendall, McHenry and DeKalb counties, as well as the Illinois Valley, as voted on by Shaw Media audiences.

Jeff Schielke has been mayor of Batavia since 1981, and he's not done yet.

Batavia police are investigating a suspicious incident near Louise White School, 800 N. Prairie St., where a man was calling to children that he had candy.

Stores around downtown Batavia will be open from 5-8 p.m. to give shoppers a sneak peek of what they will have for the holiday season.

Batavia’s Smarty Pants Cafe has been awarded a $2,5000 grant to launch a teen science cafe. The science-themed coffee shop, at 817 N. Randall Road, Batavia, provides an engaging environment for learners of all ages to pique their curiosities with the world of science.

Batavia City Council members are reviewing plans to convert a vacant storefront at 301 N. Randall Rd. into an indoor pickleball facility.

A portion of Wilson Street in Batavia between Van Nortwick and Western Avenues will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 and 3.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Kane County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation combines Irish charm with sensational talents for an unforgettable evening of entertainment on Monday, Nov. 4.

The Batavia Indoor Farmers’ Market season is kicking off Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Grainology BrewStillery, 131 Flinn Street, Suit

Batavia City Council members will review plans for an indoor pickleball facility to occupy a vacant shopping center on Randall Road at their Oct. 29 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The first Indoor Market of the season is Saturday, Nov. 2 at Grainology Brewstillery.

Many Halloween themed games were available for kids to participate in at Batavia Bat Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

A Batavia middle school was placed on hold Tuesday after an empty shell casing from a gun was found on the floor of a classroom.

Esther Ann Granger Peck died in Indiana in 1866, but she was laid to rest in Batavia in August.

Modern technology and advanced DNA analysis have identified Jane Doe, whose skull was found behind a wall in Batavia during a remodeling in the 1970s.

Batavia police are investigating an incident of a gun being discharged  in the 300 block of North Randall Road shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.

Several road closures will take place throughout downtown Batavia as a result of Bat Fest.

Mayor Jeff Schielke will lead his annual presentation as part of Batavia's Books Between Bites series, where he will discuss Batavia-related literature.

A full lineup of family-friendly events includes a parade, reptile show, costume contest and much more!

Batavia MainStreet's annual BatFest will feature a costume parade, face painting and more Halloween fun.

From judging handmade scarecrows to cheering on dogs dressed in Halloween costumes, check out these fun fall happenings this month.