2021 Year in Review Photos Part 3
The Weisner Ice Rink cuts a pretty picture in the Aurora Festival of Lights in Phillips Park created by the Aurora Rotary Club.
Tom Banning: U.S. Air Force to full safety engineer
By John Montesano The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club Herschel Luckinbill Veteran of the Month for January is Tom Banning. Tom, born March 10, 1945, grew up in St. Clair, Mich.. He lived just a few blocks from downtown and the St. Clair River. He played high school basketball, football,
Submarines Aurora Navy League focus
You do not need to be a member of the Navy League, or have a reservation, to attend the in-person meeting. The general public is welcome. The Aurora Navy League Council 247 will hold its Tuesday, Jan. 18 dinner meeting at the private room of the Riverview Diner, IL-25 and
Stephanie Kifowit supports wellness checks
Continuing her efforts to support veterans in Illinois, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, filed legislation to urge Congress to create a national program to help check on veterans to make sure they are receiving the proper care they need. “As a veteran, I understand that one of our most sacred
State representative Kifowit announces re-election bid
State representative Stephanie Kifowit announced her re-election campaign for the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday, Jan. 11. Kifowit will run in the new 84th Illinois House District. “I have been honored to serve in the Illinois House representing the people of the great State of Illinois. I grew up in
Booster vaccines in Batavia, ages 12-15
The Kane County Health Department (KCHD) announces Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccination appointments for youths ages 12 to 15 at the Kane Vax Hub in Batavia. January 3, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and expanded it to include a single booster
Danger points pose threats to our collective freedoms
By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead Despotism has become our new normal. Digital tyranny, surveillance. Intolerance, cancel culture, censorship. Lockdowns, mandates, government overreach. Supply chain shortages, inflation. Police brutality, home invasions, martial law. The loss of bodily integrity, privacy, autonomy. These acts of tyranny by an authoritarian government long
A Focus on History: January 13 through January 19
January 13 Pope Honorius II grants a papal sanction to the military order known as the Knights Templar, declaring it to be an army of God. – 1128. January 14 The theologian, musician, philosopher, and Nobel Prize-winning physician Albert Schweitzer is born on this day in 1875 in Upper-Alsace, Germany,
Groundhog Day: The Musical to open at Paramount Theatre
Imagine being stuck in a time loop, waking up, and realizing you’re living the same day over and over and over and over again. Set your alarm to see Groundhog Day: The Musical, based on the classic Bill Murray film comedy, because the forecast calls for Paramount artistic director Jim
Aurora to Reopen 24-Hour Warming Center
With another round of sub-zero temperatures blanketing the area, Aurora’s 24-hour Warming Center has been reopened around-the-clock through the morning on Tuesday, January 11, for those in need of warm shelter.The warming center is located at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway. All guests must take a Covid-19 health
A Call to Shoulders a benefit for military veterans
By Frank Patterson Greg Zilioli of Aurora has come up with an innovative way to thank military veterans for their service. With his program, A Call to Shoulders, Zilioli welcomes veterans into his woodworking shop on Stolp Island in Aurora, where he teaches them a skill set they can use
First snow, kids sledding fun
These youthful participants take advantage of available snow to go sledding Tuesday, Jan. 4 at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora.
Hospitalizations in State reach levels of last Winter
By Grace Kinnicutt As omicron surges across the State, governor JB Pritzker warned Monday that hospitalizations are about as high as they were last Winter before vaccines were widely available. About 85% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 across the State are unvaccinated. “It is frustrating and tragic that two years
Food pantries receive grants
Holy Angels Food Pantry in Aurora is among 18 pantries selected to receive grants from Northern Illinois Food Bank to help provide better access to food for neighbors in need. The Geneva-based nonprofit awarded about $454,000 in grants to programs in seven Illinois counties for infrastructure improvements, such as new
Three views: Late Betty White, Capitol, trafficking
We are blessed in this space to have the flexibility to write on a wide range of topics. We are not confined to a narrow perspective. For example, we received a call earlier this week to ask if we had plans to write on the life and recent death of
Newly-appointed Mike Nelson announces full year of parades in Aurora
By Jason Crane At the Aurora city government Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting Tuesday, consent was given to a resolution approving the appointment of Michael Nelson to manager of the Events Division within the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs Department. He will serve as liaison for all city of
Reader’s Voice: Representative’s goals remain: Better State
January 3, 2022Dear editor; As we enter the new year, many of us are making resolutions. We may be resolving to exercise more often, take up a journaling practice, or choose more vegetables over sweets. This year begins my final year in the Illinois House representing the 97th District and
Aurora church to install minister Jan. 9
Reverend Dr. Brandon Perrine will be installed as senior minister of New England Congregational Church in Aurora during the 10 a.m. worship service Sunday, Jan. 9. Members and friends are invited. Parking is free. The church is at 406 W. Galena Boulevard in Aurora. The Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff, acting
Historic bees belong to the ages and to our future
“Bake your honey cake, All browning and sweet. Bake it at 3 o’clock for tea, Bake it for you and for me.” —Jo Fredell Higgins Welcome to the New Year 2022. May it be one of joy and plenty. Kings and priests regarded the sanctity of the bees and found