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
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This week we’re focusing on Galena Boulevard, the street formerly known as Main Street in Aurora, stretched across what is now part of the downtown area, until the 1960s. East Main Street started east of Stolp Avenue (Island Avenue), heading east, until it turned into
Aurora residents are invited to snap a photo of their festively decorated homes and submit it at https://www.aurora.il.us/Recreation-and-Amenities/Deck-The-Halls-Contest. Contest submissions ends Friday, Dec. 19. All submitted photos will be showcased on the city’s website and social media channels starting December 22, so the whole community can celebrate the magic of
A tackler brings down a ball carrier in the off-duty Aurora firefighters’ 25th annual Turkey Bowl flag football game Thanksgiving morning at West Aurora High School.
At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honored two West Aurora High School students who represented Aurora on the national stage, performing at last week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Asher and Emily Lesniak were selected to perform as part of
The “Giving Machines” will be back December 17 through January 1, 2026 at Aurora’s Fox Valley Mall. Wednesday, Dec. 17 there will be live entertainment and photo opportunities. All of the proceeds go to the charities, which include Loaves and Fishes and Ronald McDonald House. Look for the big red
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This week, I’ll finish the meaningful lyrics of Old Days by the band Chicago: “Funny faces, Full of love and laughter. Funny places, Summer nights and streetcars. “Take me back, To a world gone by. Boyhood memories, Seem like yesterday. “Old days, in my mind
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council approved an increase to the number of video gaming terminals permitted in Aurora at the Tuesday, Nov. 25 City Council meeting. City government of Aurora documents show the purpose is to amend the City Code to align with state law and the revision
The Aurora Winter Lights Festival parade delighted many onlookers in downtown Aurora November 21.
Celebrating the Thanksgiving season, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other faith groups gathered at an annual interfaith worship service Sunday, Nov. 23. Our Savior Lutheran Church hosted the afternoon “Thanksgiving Celebration of Music and Friendship.” InterFaith Aurora, an ecumenical group, sponsored the event that featured messages and songs from diverse area
By Ricky Rieckert This week, I would like to share some lyrics from a song, written by James Pankow and song by Peter Cetera, the lead singer of the band Chicago, off their 1975 Album, titled Chicago VIII. The song easily could be titled Aurora. For you Baby Boomers, and
November 22, just around 9:10 p.m., Aurora Police Dispatch received multiple 911 calls for shots fired at 205 N. Broadway (Two Brothers Roundhouse). When officers arrived, they located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Patrol officers began life-saving measures before Aurora Fire Paramedics transported two of the victims to area
At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor of Aurora John Laesch honored two East Aurora School District 131 students who were named Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars. The distinction, earned by Yahir Ferreira of Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy and Taleen Kandakji of Cowherd Middle School, is a selective
Below is a joint statement from Aurora mayor John Laesch, Police chief Matt Thomas, and Fire chief Dave McCabe, on Public Safety Funding in the 2026 Budget: Throughout this year’s budget process, there have been claims that the City of Aurora has chosen to enact significant cuts to public safety.
By Ricky Rieckert Thanks to everyone who braved the cold inclement weather to attend the Veterans Day parade in Aurora! A big thank- you to all of the veterans who fought to protect our country and our freedoms. And thank you Aurora Lions Club president, Randy Brown; his wife Lisa;
Aurora Mayor John Laesch, left, addresses “Think AI – Tech Town Hall” November 13.
The City of Aurora and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA) have reached an agreement on operating support of $2 million in 2026, ensuring ACCA can continue running its four live performance spaces throughout downtown Aurora, as well as the Paramount School of the Arts. The agreement, brokered in partnership
At a special meeting on Wednesday night, the Aurora City Council unanimously approved a City Ordinance that prohibits the use of City property for civil immigration enforcement activities. The Ordinance is specifically tailored to prohibit the use of any City-owned and controlled property, including parking lots, buildings, or parks, as a
U.S. flags are handed out to parade watchers during Aurora’s Veterans Day parade Tuesday, Nov. 11.
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council met from 5 p.m. to nearly 11 p.m. to listen to dozens of speakers after allowing extra time for comments at the Tuesday, Nov. 4 Committee of the Whole and City Council meetings. The Council agreed to work on the language of an
