Spanish farmers visit U.S. to share vision of better farming
Crystal Johnson, deputy executive director of Just Food, of The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley, based in Batavia, was the tour-guide for two farmers from Spain visiting the Fox Valley December 12 and 13. The farmers Javier Fatas and Luis Perez- Portillo came to the U.S. at the
Aurora, Tri-Cities Methodists share worship Dec. 29
Aurora and Tri-Cities United Methodist churches celebrated the first Sunday after Christmas with a shared worship service Sunday, Dec. 29. The event at Batavia UMC featured leaders from Aurora Wesley UMC, Batavia UMC, Geneva UMC and Baker Memorial UMC, St. Charles. Rev. Melissa Meyers, Batavia UMC pastor, opened the service
The police state is America’s new crime boss
By John & Nisha Whitehead The American police state has become America’s new crime boss. Thirty years after then-president Bill Clinton signed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act into law, its legacy of mass incarceration, police militarization, and over-criminalization continues to haunt us. It has become the gift
A Focus on History: January 2 through January 8
January 2 Georgia votes to ratify the U.S. Constitution to become the fourth state in the modern United States, and was one of the original 13 colonies. – 1788. Albert Fall, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, resigns in response to public outrage over the Teapot Dome scandal.
Approximately 300 new Illinois laws for 2025
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Time to study up, Illinois. When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Day, 293 new state laws will take effect. Those include some of the defining bills of the 2024 legislative session and others that will change how people get IDs, evaluate job postings
State lawmakers consider Tier 2 pension changes
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Changes that would make Illinois pension systems compliant with Social Security by improving benefits for government employees hired since 2011 could be on the table when lawmakers return to Springfield in January. The General Assembly passed legislation in 2010 to create a second tier of
One year of development, Aurora casino
Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and leaders from PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino Aurora gathered to celebrate the ceremonial topping off of the new structure, December 19.
Kiwanis Ugly Christmas sweater winners
Santa is with the winners of the ugly Christmas sweater contest held Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Kiwanis Club of Aurora Christmas Party.
Robert “Bob” Hubbard, 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year
A life-long Batavian with a “long and distinguished” career as a community volunteer and community leader was named the 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year (COTY) December 18. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Robert “Bob” Hubbard Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2025: A Celebration of
Naperville Park District and KidsMatter job fair Jan. 4
The Naperville Park District and KidsMatter will be co-hosts to the 2025 Community Job Fair 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, Naperville. A variety of job seekers, ages 15 and up, have the opportunity to connect with representatives
Reader’s Voice: Biden must shut down the Dakota Pipeline
December 19, 2024Dear editor; With just one month left before Donald Trump returns to the White House, we are running out of time to lock in protections for our climate and communities. One critical action president Joe Biden can take right now is to permanently shut down the Dakota Access
Diabetes Club has record year in growth and fundraising
By Russ George The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley (DCFV) had a record year increasing membership and fundraising, to allow our club to make three major donations to fight diabetes, in addition to providing one or more diabetes awareness events, each month. DCFV held two major fundraisers in 2024. Our
President Joe Biden inducted to Department of Labor Hall of Honor
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su honored president Joe Biden by announcing his induction to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor. During an event establishing former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins’ homestead as a national monument, Acting Secretary Su lauded the nation’s leader for his tireless support of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest
Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ is holding an essay contest related to Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2025. One middle school and one high school student can each win $50 for their essays on the topic of what Martin Luther King, Jr. Day means to them. The
75th Legislative District survey open
State representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) released a 2025 Legislative Survey for constituents in the 75th Legislative District. “I encourage all constituents to complete my 2025 Legislative Survey,” said Davis. “This nine-question survey will allow constituents to make their voices heard. I am elected to represent you, the people of the
Statewide electric grid upgrades, rate increases
By Andrew AdamsCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois utilities are set to invest more than a billion dollars into upgrading the state’s electric distribution grid, resulting in higher rates for customers around the state. The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved scaled-back plans submitted by Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois, the electric
Is it 2025 yet? Trump 2.0, and pseudo-pres. Musk
Bah. Humbug. Oh, that’s right. Christmas is just barely past. But it’s déjà vu all over again. No, not the holiday season. I’m talking about the Donald Trump chaos season. He hasn’t even been sworn in yet and Congress is spinning in turmoil just like the Tasmanian Devil with more
Recipe of the Week: Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients4 1/2 cups1/2 cup butter, melted1/3 cup milk1 cup white sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract2 eggs, beaten1 cup light brown sugar1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/3 cup butter1 cup chopped pecans Directions1.Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. 2. Wash the sweet potatoes and pierce the skin with a fork
Poem: Changing Takes Free Will
The author Dickens did not have to make up Scrooge;That type had been around forever, like as not.Nor did he have to invent Cratchit as a stooge;For some example of him we can see a lot.So human nature can be seen as rubber stamps,There is not one which any author