Kane County

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.

The preliminary hearing of an elderly Montgomery man charged with 90 counts of sexual assault and sexual abuse of minors was postponed today – because a grand jury had just indicted him on 127 counts.

The Geneva City Council on Monday unanimously approved extending water service to a house on Western Avenue, a house that is not in the city and is not being annexed.

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.

This weekend explore a French market, listen to the swinging sounds of the Big Band Era, and more.

After nearly an hour of debate Monday, the Geneva City Council voted unanimously to keep its ordinance to allow a liquor license holder to be elected.

The public is invited to participate in the Safe Kane County Drive-Thru Pickup event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the parking lot of the Circuit Clerk's Office, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Registration is still open for the 57th annual Charlemagne Award ceremony on Friday, May 2, hosted by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce at the Royal Fox Country Club.

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.

Recreational camping opens for the season at the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s campgrounds on May 1.

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.

Catholic church leaders in Joliet and Rockford dioceses react to the passing of Pope Francis, who died early Monday morning.

Local designers in Kane County see the rewarding result of their hard work in design.

Don't miss titles from a genre that continues to dominate in fiction.

Use local resources to enrich your teen's mental health.

Take in a quintessential spring experience with Primrose Farm in St. Charles.

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 history of turning rails into trails and other recreational opportunities with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

Tributes to Pope Francis were shared Monday by McHenry County churches, schools and Catholic faithful, many of whom awoke to the news of the pontiff’s death after having observed Easter the day before.

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 Geneva Bike & Pedestrian Committee will host a Bike Rodeo from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at the Wheeler Park north parking lot, 822 N. First St., Geneva.

The artwork of participants in Kane County's four specialty courts filled the jury lounge at the Judicial Center in St. Charles, many pieces telling their lives' journeys.

The STC Underground Teen Center will host its annual Community Garage Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 2 and 3.

The fire caused an estimated $15,000 to the house and left it uninhabitable, according to a news release from the St. Charles Fire Department. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The St. Charles Public Library’s Sunday Concert Series will continue with a special performance by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra String Quartet on Sunday, April 27.

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.

Misfits Jiujitsu, a martial arts gym with an emphasis on safety and mental health, has a new bigger and better location.

A Hands Off Rally was held along Randall Road on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in South Elgin.

The St. Charles community is invited to a fundraising event at Alter Brewing Company on April 23 to support programs and projects along the Fox River.

St. Charles elementary school orchestra teacher Christopher Pettit was awarded the 2025 Bob Haisman Early Career Teacher of the Year Award by the Illinois Education Association.

A Wauconda developer has pulled plans to build an eight-building storage unit facility in Sleepy Hollow following a no vote from the village’s planning and zoning commission.

The Geneva Public Works Department postponed water main improvements scheduled this week on Anderson Boulevard near State Street/Illinois Route 38.

While organizers of the Hands Off! protest of President Trump and Elon Musk on April 5 in Geneva say it was a peaceful rally with no injuries or arrests, but two counter protesters objected, saying it was not peaceful for them.

In response to a dramatic increase in children entering foster care, CASA Kane County formed a Cross-County Advisory Council – a collaboration among community leaders and organizations committed to strengthening support for children and families in Kane County and beyond.

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

The St. Charles Fire Department quickly extinguished a kitchen fire at River Glen senior living community Wednesday afternoon.

Scattered thunderstorms forecasted for Friday evening could bring large hail, damaging winds and perhaps a tornado, the National Weather Service warned.

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

Schmidt will get credit for 827 days already served – both while on electronic home monitoring and physically in jail.

Incumbents are returning to the Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees.

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.

The Harvest Point subdivision would have 59 detached single-family houses in an area east of Raddant Road, between Sonoma Lane and Moorehead Drive.

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.

Schmidt pleaded guilty in February to reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving.

An even split of newcomers and incumbents were elected to the St. Charles District 303 School Board.

Participants in Kane County's four specialty courts – Adult Drug Court, DUI Court, Treatment Alternative Court and Veterans Court - have their artwork on public display during an art show on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.

Besides the mayor, final tallies show only one newcomer will join the St. Charles City Council next month, pending final canvassing until April 22.

After 13 years as a freshman coach and assistant varsity coach at St. Charles North, Grant Oler, a North Stars alum, was named as the next head coach for the North Stars on Monday.