Happy New Year at annual Family New Year’s Eve Bash
A crowd gathers for a noon balloon drop during an annual Family New Year’s Eve Bash December 31 at the Fox Valley Park District’s Vaughn Center in Aurora.
West Aurora High School stages classic drama ‘The Crucible’
West Aurora High School’s winter play will feature Arthur Miller’s classic drama “The Crucible.” Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 15-17, in the school auditorium, 1201 W. New York St. in Aurora. Director Sherry Becker said the two-act production with an intermission showcases a cast of 25
Meaningful lyrics: ‘America Needs You, Harry Truman’
Remember the song by the band Chicago from 1975, America Needs You, Harry Truman? (It was only 50 years ago. Why wouldn’t you?) Harry was a guy who told it like it is (or was), had a sign stating, “The Buck Stops Here” on his desk, ended WWII, created NATO,
Reader’s Commentary: Mass immigration issues, Minnesota a warning
By Bela “Bill” Suhayda Presidents, until recently, understood why immigration needed to be controlled. The reasons are easy to understand. Assimilation will not take place when immigration is done in mass. And when immigrants of a culture live together in one area of a city or state, they will continue
Pet of the Week: Bandit: Scared pup, needs kindness
Bandit is a male cattle dog mix who is two years old. Bandit is good with other dogs, kids, cats, and both men and women. He is house-broken and crate-trained. Bandit is going to need a family who can be patient with him. He is not aggressive, just scared of
The government stopped pretending it cared about freedom
By John & Nisha Whitehead Some years chip away at freedom. Others tear the mask off. In the year 2025 the government stopped pretending it was constrained by the Constitution—when executive power expanded openly and unapologetically, surveillance became ambient, dissent became dangerous, and the machinery of militarized government embedded itself
A Focus on History: January 8 through January 14
January 8 Crazy Horse and his warriors, outnumbered, low on ammunition, and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves, fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana. – 1877. The AFL Iron and Steel Organizing Committee ends the “Great Steel Strike.” Some 350,000 to 400,000 steelworkers
New laws: Grocery tax to end, aquifer protections, squatters
By Ben Szalinski, Brenden Moore, & Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois’ statewide 1% grocery tax will go away January 1, though many people will continue to pay it at the local level. Data compiled by the Illinois Municipal League shows that 656 municipalities — a little more than half of
Aurora Kwanzaa celebration marks 25 years
The Aurora Kwanzaa celebration marked its 25th anniversary December 27 evening. More than 100 people attended the gathering at the Prisco Community Center in Aurora. It was held on the second day of the seven-day holiday that celebrates African American culture, family and community. Features were a free dinner, African
Wesley United Methodist Church Christmas Eve worship
Luli Smith, foreground and Inti Smith, background, light candles to conclude Christmas Eve worship at Wesley United Methodist Church.
DOJ sues Illinois over limiting federal immigration actions
By Brenden MooreCapitol News Illinoisbmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com In an expected move, the Donald Trump administration filed a lawsuit last week seeking to nullify a new state law that allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents who arrest them in or near courthouses or if they believe their constitutional rights were violated.
2026 New Years resolutions, keep the fire burning
By Dr. Glenn Mollette Time flies by! Since time goes by so quickly the first New Years resolution we all might consider making is to savor the moment. Every day is a gift and a celebration. Savor your work, family, friends, entertainment, hobbies, church, meals, nature, and every aspect of
Aurora Resident celebrates 101st birthday
Aurora mayor John Laesch visited the home of longtime Aurora resident Jessie Rangel Bourge, who celebrated her 101st birthday December 25. Bourge was born and raised in Aurora, before getting married at the age of 21 and moving to Mexico. Following a 20-year stint in Mexico, Bourge moved back to
Reader’s Voice: Kifowit reflects on year, enjoying holiday
December 25, 2025Dear editor; I hope that you are all relaxing and enjoying the holidays. As the year comes to an end, Team Kifowit and I are taking the time to reflect on all the places we have visited. I have gone across Illinois and met wonderful people along the
DCFV members raise awareness, provide aid, education and research to find a cure for diabetes; Diabetes Club of Fox Valley has another successful year
By Russ George The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley (DCFV) had another successful year, increasing membership and fundraising, allowing our club to make three major donations during 2025, in our fight against diabetes. In addition to providing one or more diabetes awareness events each month, including co-hosting a first ever
Our neighbors need us more than ever
We are facing an unprecedented situation due to the current national climate. Some families are not responding to appeals of help from Fox Valley United Way out of fear. Others are less willing to provide specific information about their needs because of uncertainty. What we do know is that the
White Christmas at Paramount
Nostalgia, pageantry and spectacle will come to life in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, part of Paramount’s 14th Broadway Series, playing now through January 11 in the heart of downtown Aurora. Based on the classic 1954 film starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, this two-time Tony Award-nominated musical
Student art display in downtown Aurora
“Winter Garden of Youth,” an annual art show by area K-12 students, will be held through January 17 at Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, Aurora. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. Center hours are Wednesdays-Fridays noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.
Recounting memorable JFK visit to Aurora’s downtown
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, Happy New Year! This week, I’m going to recall a memorable event that happened in Downtown Aurora. October 25, 1960, John F. Kennedy (JFK) visited Aurora, during his presidential campaign. He spoke to a large crowd outside of the original City Hall about economic growth,