Illegal fireworks up 170%, impacts children, elderly, those with PTSD
Mayor Richard Irvin of Aurora gives a briefing Tuesday on the impact of illegal fireworks on the community, including children, the elderly, those with PTSD, and pets.
Three Boards call for unity
These are unprecedented times. We have witnessed recent acts of violence that led to historical demonstrations and unrest. We mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others whose lives were needlessly cut short. These fellow Americans lost their lives to senseless acts of injustice against
Turmoil in the streets: Recalling 1968 turbulence
Quite a turn life has taken since my last column. Poor Mr. George Floyd was murdered by police, which set off worldwide protests, COVID-19 deaths continue to mount, and our favorite cat ran off but was fortunately found by a nice family a half-mile away the next day. But to
Hernandez Responds to Murder of George Floyd, Invites Community to Facebook Live Discussion on Racism
State representative Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, released the following statement Friday: “George Floyd was murdered by a police officer whose job was to protect lives, not take them. George Floyd’s death is not an isolated incident, but rather a result of a criminal justice system that was built on years of
Necessary changes, law enforcement reforms: Governor
By Rebecca Anzel The structural change demanded by protestors around Illinois will come from nonviolent demonstrations coupled with policy reforms, governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday. Speaking at a blended-income housing development in Chicago called KLEO Art Residences, the governor said “community activism and peaceful organizing and faith” are the keys
Protests for George Floyd, police violence in Aurora,
Sunday evening a quiet confrontation outside of Aurora City Hall between Aurora Police and protesters later turned into a riot with damage to businesses.
Responsibility to seek change
By Steve Chirico, Naperville mayor “What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis is unconscionable. What happened to Christian Cooper in New York’s Central Park is unconscionable. And what’s happened here in recent months in Naperville is unconscionable. “We cannot let these events be relegated to just another name, another page
Hurt, must do better, more
By Richard C. Irvin, Aurora mayor I am a black man. I am a father. I am a son; a brother; an uncle. I am a human being who cares for the plight of my fellow man. And I’m hurt and outraged over the senseless and brutal killing of George
Protests’ aftermath in Aurora: Change together
Just like many cities across the United States, protests in Aurora were held Sunday over the death of George Floyd. My daughter, Kyra, was one of those protestors. She said the protest was comprised of many different groups. She was part of an event planned by Indivisible Aurora. That group
Protest scheduled at Batavia City Hall Wednesday, June 3
The city government of Batavia has been made aware of a planned protest to take place at City Hall at noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. No permit for this event has been granted because it was not timely requested and such an event would violate the requirements of
Shooting in Aurora Sunday
The Aurora Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a man dead on the City’s far southeast side early Sunday morning. Just before 4 a.m., officers were dispatched to multiple reports of shots fired in the 2700 block of Village Green Drive. Officers responded to the area and began
Illinois House Republicans urge more transparency on inmate releases
By Peter Hancock Illinois House Republicans on Monday stepped up their demands that the JB Pritzker administration release more information about inmates being furloughed or granted early releases from state prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic. They requested the governor consult more with the General Assembly about granting such releases. “As
Kane County Court on hold
Kane County 16th Circuit Chief Judge Clint Hull issued an executive order Monday, March 16, that essentially halts all court operations except “essential and emergency” motions for a full month. Under the order, most criminal and civil cases will be continued to dates after April 17. “This decision was made
16-year-old arrested and charged with murder in connection to fatal shooting on Aurora’s southeast side
Aurora Police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old male teenager with murder in connection to a fatal shooting on Aurora’s southeast side in early February. Just before midnight February 8, officers were called to reports of a person shot at an apartment in the 400 block of Sherman Avenue, Aurora.
Shooting, Pursuit, and Crash update in Aurora Feb. 19
The Aurora Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances of an incident involving a vehicle wanted in a shooting Wednesday, Feb. 19 afternoon which led officers on a pursuit and eventually crashed into multiple vehicles near the Fox Valley Mall. Erik Esparza, 24, of Aurora, was believed to have
Shooting on Aurora’s East Side Tuesday, Feb. 18
The Aurora Police Department has taken multiple individuals into custody after a shooting on the city’s near East Side that left a 16-year-old suffering from life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon. Just after 4:15 p.m., Aurora Police officers responded to the 600 block of Second Avenue for reports of a person shot.
Armed robbery reported in Naperville
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at approximately 1140 hrs. Naperville Police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East Bailey Road for a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. Upon arrival, responding officers learned that the victim had arranged to meet the offender to sell a high-value
Pornification of pop culture leads to child sex trade
By John W. Whitehead What can we do to protect America’s young people from sexual predators? That’s the question I keep getting asked by those who, having read my article on the growing danger of young boys and girls, some as young as nine years old, being bought and sold
Children sold as sex slaves fastest growing organized crime
By John W. Whitehead “Children are being targeted and sold for sex in America every day.” —John Ryan, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children There could have been only one winner in this year’s Super Bowl LIV showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, but
Confession: Nearly killed an eighth grade nun, accidentally
I have a confession to make: I nearly killed my eighth grade nun. To many of you readers who grew up attending a Catholic school, this probably doesn’t sound so bad because, just like me, you’d assumed they were trying to kill us. But this was not a preemptive strike