Kiwanis Club of Aurora helps with Toys for Tots
Kiwanis Club of Aurora members prepare to move Kane County Toys for Tots holiday gifts to outdoor storage.
High School basketball: West Aurora vs Larkin
West Aurora High School’s Antonio Higgins (4) shoots over Larkin’s Lawrence Sallis December 11.
Helpers make sandwiches for Aurora’s Community Fridge Project
Sarah Swanson of Aurora, right, hands reverend Tammy Scott sandwiches for Aurora’s Community Fridge Project.
Montgomery honors Oswego Library’s Skilton with sign
At the December 8 Village Board Meeting, Montgomery honored Sarah Skilton for her remarkable career as executive director of the Oswego Public Library District, recognizing her dedication to literacy, community enrichment, and public service. In celebration of her retirement and years of leadership, the Village Board presented Skilton with a
Tom Voigt wins Lions Club Distinguished Service Award
By Al Benson Tom Voigt of Aurora is the Aurora Lions Club’s Distinguished Service Award winner for 2025. Voigt was surprised with the award at the club’s yule party Friday, Dec. 12, at Monarch Landing in Naperville. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan. Aurora Lion Michele Morey made the
St. Charles resident celebrates 100 years
St. Charles mayor Clint Hull, right, had the pleasure of visiting Irene Helen Schneider Koch to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Three churches to partner in ‘Steeple Walk’ in Aurora
Three Aurora churches will collaborate in a first Steeple Walk Sunday, Dec. 21. Reverend Tammy Scott, Wesley United Methodist lead pastor, said participating churches are Wesley, Our Savior Lutheran and New England Congregational, all with steeples. The event will open at 2 p.m. at Wesley, 14 N. May St. in
29th annual Cookie Walk at Plano Methodist Church
Shoppers select from the variety of cookies at the 29th annual Cookie Walk at the Plano Methodist Church December 13.
American Legion Riders Post #181 from Sandwich, and Open Roads ABATE deliver cards to Deer Run Apartments and Countryside Villages
Members from Plano Rockin’ Christmas, American Legion Riders Post #181 from Sandwich, and Open Roads ABATE supported Plano Rockin’ Christmas by distributing gift cards to residents at Deer Run Apartments and Countryside Villages in Plano December 13.
Government unchained: The Constitution lost its guardrails
By John & Nisha Whitehead We now live in a Nation where constitutional rights exist in theory, not in practice. Yet what good are rights on paper when every branch of government is allowed to ignore, circumvent, chip away at or hollow them out in practice? Two-hundred and thirty-four years
A Focus on History: December 18 through December 24
December 18 The British ship Mayflower docks at modern-day Plymouth, Mass., and its passengers prepare to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony. – 1620. Japanese troops land in British crown colony Hong Kong, China. The Japanese troops are given the order “Take no prisoners” and a slaughter ensues. -1941. The
The Nutcracker Revamped for Community, City Lights on December 21
A Sugar Plum Fairy will be dancing on stage in a new, jazz-infused rendition of the beloved holiday performance of The Nutcracker at Batavia Fine Arts Centre Sunday, Dec. 21. Monarch Academy of Dance will perform The Nutcracker: City Lights featuring the classic story with big city flair full of
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch secures $360,000 donation of PPE for nonprofits
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, secured a $360,000 donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Aurora-based packaging company Teinnovations to help shield residents of the City’s temporary overnight warming center and local nonprofits from the spread of disease this Winter. Laesch partnered with Teinnovations Founder Daniel Tein to obtain the
Pritzker signs bill for immigrant protections in courthouses
By Brenden MooreCapitol News Illinoisbmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com Christening it as part of a “nation-leading” response to aggressive federal immigration raids, governor JB Pritzker signed legislation December 9 allowing Illinois residents to sue immigration agents who arrest them in or near courthouses or if they believe their constitutional rights were violated. The new
Celebrating Christmas Norwegian Style
With food, music and gifts, suburban Norwegian-Americans celebrated Christmas Nordic style December 7. Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge 5-472 held its annual Juletrefest, a Norwegian Christmas party, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Montgomery. Activities opened at 1 p.m. with trimming of a yule tree. After a potluck luncheon
Aurora University students win Cans Across the Conference contest
Aurora University athletes won the 2025 Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference “Cans Across the Conference” contest. During a 20th annual drive from October-November, Spartan athletes collected a record 6,670 items. Included were canned foods and nonperishable items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant which were donated to the Aurora Area
Navy League Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon
Al Centofante, 100, USS Barnwell (APA 132), of St. Charles, fights back tears while he discusses his WWII experiences at the annual Aurora Navy League Council 247 Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon held December 8 at Batavia’s Lincoln Inn Banquets.
Honors for Aurora athlete who won State Championship
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honored Addison Miller, an Aurora resident and Oswego East High School student, at the Tuesday, Dec. 9 City Council meeting. Miller proudly represented the City at the state level, winning the Athletes with Disabilities 100-Yard Breaststroke State Championship. Miller captured the title Saturday, Nov. 15,
Question: How many more Christmases will you have?
By Dr. Glenn Mollette How many more Christmases will you have? Will you have 50 more? Will you have a dozen more? Maybe you will have just one more, maybe. There are no guarantees of a certain number of more Christmases. My grandpa Hinkle suffered with heart issues. I remember
State rep. Kifowit stands with Aurora Firefighters
State representative Stephanie Kifowit is voicing strong support for Aurora Firefighters Local 99 and raising serious concerns about staffing reductions proposed in the 2026 Aurora city government budget. City officials have claimed that eliminating 18 firefighters, three Battalion Chiefs, one Training Officer, and two frontline fire trucks will not compromise