OnLight Aurora, a City-connected fiber optic broadband service that provides affordable, high-speed internet to City of Aurora buildings, in addition to other public sector and private sector clients, was the subject of a comprehensive presentation by mayor John Laesch at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The presentation, which
The City of Aurora government, in partnership with the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, is set to celebrate Fiestas Patrias 2025 with an all-day extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 6 and, for the first time since 2019, a parade in downtown Aurora Sunday, Sept. 7. The Saturday event, taking place at
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, I hope you have read my last two articles on Aurora’s downtown. It’s a serious issue for all Aurorans. One letter to the editor, last week made a comment on my “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, comment. She wrote a very good editorial
In preparation for the 2026 Quality of Life (QOL), Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Affordable Housing Solution (AHS), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program Grant (HOME), and HOME American Rescue Plan Grant (HOME-ARP) funding cycle, the City of Aurora will host a pre-application virtual workshop Tuesday, Sept. 9,
The city of Aurora government will host a free electronics recycling drive-thru Saturday, Sept. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Route 59 Metra Train Station, 1090 N. IL Route 59, Aurora. All items are free to recycle, including televisions, but advance registration is required. The event is open
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council voted 7 – 5 to continue a 1% tax on grocery items at the Tuesday, Aug. 26 City Council meeting. The Illinois state grocery tax of 1% is set to be eliminated effective January 1, 2026, as per Public Act 103-0781, and provides
August 25, 2025Dear editor; I empathize with Karen Christensen and her article in The Voice August 21 on the city of Aurora government’s budget cuts to the Aurora Civic Center Authority. I felt the same emotion when the Paramount Theatre priced out the Fox Valley Symphony from using the venue.
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, The article this week is the second of two parts on how Aurora’s government has altered the downtown over many decades. I’ll start with the public park at 27 S. Broadway. The park, between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place replaced abandoned buildings. They were torn
The Nolan Gallery proudly announces the opening of The Journey Quilt: A Convergence of Art and Faith—a bold and deeply moving new exhibition to debut to the public Saturday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Nolan Gallery, 33 S. Stolp Avenue, Lower Level, in downtown Aurora.
Emmy Lou (Hampel), left, and Herb John of Aurora celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday, Aug. 24.
Members from the Diabetes Club of Fox Valley (DCFV) participate in Saturday’s, Aurora Farmers Market by handing out information on diabetes, prediabetes, and healthy eating.
My family and I recently hosted a Celebration of Life for my mom, Jill. We had a wonderful afternoon on La Quinta’s new all seasons patio. Many people filled the room. Lots of friends were there along with several of my mom’s coworkers from the flooring industry in which my
Storm debris pickup continues in Aurora following the August 16 severe weather.
August 7, 2025Dear editor; Below you will find a letter that I sent to Denise Crosby at the Aurora Beacon News, in response to her column on the Aurora Civic Center Authority. Denise, I wanted to applaud you for your column today about the BOLD series and the future of
Alley Art Festival will fill downtown Aurora with artists for its 15th year from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. The free arts festival will bring approximately 100 local artists to the area near City Hall to showcase their work. The popular, grassroots art festival will be staged on
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, The article this week on Aurora’s history continues with the focus on downtown Aurora. Readers 50 years and older might remember places I’m writing about. Not that I’m omitting the younger generations, but they didn’t have a chance to see or experience Aurora the way
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is set to approve an Ordinance authorizing a 100% principal forgiveness loan agreement for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project. The City previously applied for a 100% principal forgiveness loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to fund the upcoming “Lead Service Line
The City of Aurora’s Data and Analytics Division, in partnership with the City’s Community Development Division (CDD), has unveiled a new open data portal, designed to provide residents with an in-depth look at City assistance programs and grant funding awarded to community organizations over time. The Community Development Open Data
By Jason Crane Stacey Peterson was sworn in to serve as the City’s new chief financial officer (CFO) and City treasurer at the Tuesday, Aug. 12 City Council meeting along with Jason Bauer to serve as the City’s new director of Public Works and City engineer. Peterson, was appointed to
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This article on Aurora’s history is about the Stolp Island Historic District. Stolp Island is in the Fox River, at a site where the River drops steeply. This drop is what gave the McCarty brothers, Joseph Stolp, and Zaphna Lake, the water power source they
