By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This week, I’ll continue with Aurora’s churches and influential persons, with Sacred Heart Parish on Fulton Street, on the East Side. Sacred Heart of Jesus was the very first Catholic Church in Aurora, dedicated in 1848. The Parish began with German, Irish, and French immigrant
By Al Benson “Aurora’s police department is not going out of business.” Deputy Chief Steven Stemmet made the comment as guest speaker at the January 13 Citizen Police Academy Alumni of Aurora monthly membership meeting at APD headquarters. Stemmet filled in for Police chief Matt Thomas who was unable to
Celebrating MLK Day, Aurora held a 41st annual MLK ceremony Monday, Jan. 19, at East Aurora High School auditorium. “Beyond the Dream” was the theme. Keynote speaker was Stacy Davis Gates, president of both Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers. The leading national voice in the fight for
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is set to approve a Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,000.00 from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office as part of the 2026 Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Grant Program. The grant would be used to help the Aurora
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This week, I’m writing about some of the mentors I’ve had in life. I have always had an ear for the old timers (older guys), when I grew up. Through these mentors I learned about the history of Aurora, running functions, and just getting involved
By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, and the City Council, honored an Aurora high school marching band that represented the City on the international stage, performing in Rome, Italy’s New Year’s Day Parade. The Waubonsie Valley High School Marching Warriors embarked on a Rome New Year’s Tour from
The City of Aurora’s Water Production Division has discovered elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes. Between July 2025 and December 2025, the City of Aurora’s Water Production Division collected 100 samples of water and analyzed them for lead. More than 10% of the samples collected exceeded
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution authorizing an advance of $80,000 to OnLight Aurora for operational support. City officials aren’t sure at this time if the money will be a loan or a grant. City government of Aurora documents show OnLight Aurora plays a critical
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, Hopefully everyone enjoyed the holidays with family while staying warm. In my last article about John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) visit to Aurora in 1960, I wanted to add something of importance. A fellow The Voice subscriber and lifelong friend of mine, Jim “Coach” Reiland, a
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
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
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,
Aurora residents were invited to snap a photo of their festively decorated homes for a chance to win an the Aurora Deck the Halls Contest award and gift cards to local restaurants. This year’s winners are:1st Place: 1847 Kenilworth Pl.2nd Place: 1293 Yellowpine Dr.3rd Place: 703 S Spencer St. Each
Reverend Brandon Perrine, third from left, senior minister at New England Congregational Church, Aurora, leads hikers December 21 from Wesley United Methodist in a first community “Steeple Walk.”
The City of Aurora was named the second-best city in America to move to, according to new data from MRI Software’s Move-In-Magnet Index. By analyzing job opportunities, cost of living, and safety data, the report crowns Aurora second in the country due to the City’s job availability, cost of living,
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, Seeing as this is Christmas week, I will just focus on one downtown building. This week, we’re down on Benton Street, at the historic Holbrook Mill, at 121 and / or 101 W. Benton Street. The Street that it faces, (W. Benton Street), was originally
The Jewel Middle School Cheer Team took first place this year, earning a three-peat, and has finished in first place five out of the last six years the competition was held. (first place 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, third place in 2022, no competition due to COVID in 2020.) That
As the year winds down, it can be reinvigorating to start planning the year ahead. A new year full of hope with new possibilities and lots of fun. Along with a blank calendar and longer days to fill up. In 2026, I hope you’ll join me at some of these
Illinois’ oldest outdoor free Christmas display opened Sunday, Dec. 14, in Aurora. The 74th annual Lehnertz Avenue drive-thru event featured a 6 p.m. blessing of the nativity crib by Fr. Godwin Asuquo, pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Aurora. After he returned to give the blessing, Lehnertz Avenue Association
Join Ward 3 alderman Ted Mesiacos and State representative Barbara Hernandez will host the annual Ward 3 Posada Navideña Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Third Ward Social Club, 612 5th Ave, Aurora.The event will feature food, piñatas, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The event is for Ward 3
