The annual ceremony September 11 in Naperville at the Dan Shanower Memorial commemorates the death of the Naval Captain who died in the 9-11-2001 attacks on the Pentagon in Arlington, Va.. Standing, left, in the wreath ceremony, is Stephanie Shanower, niece of Dan Shanower. He was a Naperville Central High School graduate.Jason Crane/The VoiceAurora resident Matt Thomas receives a welcome home Wednesday, July 29 after 74 days in three hospitals. Thomas, a Vietnam Veteran, had been fighting COVID-19 since May. While in the hospital, Thomas’ 34 year-old son died from COVID-19, so this has been a difficult time for his family. Thomas was in Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora, Kindred Hospital in Sycamore, and Marianjoy Hospital in Wheaton. Thomas, 75, shared his story of the suffering and having to learn to breathe again. A video of the event can be viewed at www.facebook.com/TheVoice.us/videos/784719675396806.Jason Crane/The VoiceDemolition of the empty former Sears retail building begins in December 2020 at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora to provide space to build three three-story apartment buildings for approximately 300 apartments. The sizes would be efficiency, 570 square feet; one bedroom, 700 square feet; and two bedroom, 1,000 square feet, set to open Summer 2022.Jason Crane/The VoiceThe first three candidates to file for mayor of Aurora after 8 a.m. November 16 at the Aurora City Hall, from left, listed alphabetically, are Richard Irvin, mayor; John Laesch, former East Aurora High School Board trustee; Judd Lofchie, alderman, 10th Ward. Consolidated primary elections will be in February 23 and elections will be in April.Gray’s Mill in Montgomery is on course to receive a revival. The building was built on the west bank of the Fox River in Montgomery in 1853 and operated as a water-powered turbine-flour mill until 1916. Phil Cullen, owner and creator of Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant in Aurora and Downers Grove, and entrepreneur Mike Baum of Montgomery, plan to revive the building to include weddings, guest quarters, and a speakeasy pub. The Fox River is visible to the right of the building. Jason Crane/The VoiceArtists with written themes reflect the mindset in Aurora following looting Sunday, May 31 after a protest rally against heavy-handed police action. Downtown Aurora signs include at the First Midwest Bank. The Aurora Stronger message was repeated. There was limited damage on both the West Side and the East Side of Aurora.Dan Barreiro photo
