The City of Aurora has been named one of the safest cities in the United States, ranking #33 overall and #17 in the category of “Home & Community Safety” in WalletHub’s 2025 Safest Cities in America study. The national study compared 182 of the country’s largest cities using 41 indicators
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honors the Aurora Police Department Crisis Negotiations Team at the Tuesday, Oct. 21 City Council meeting. The team was named the 2025 Negotiations Team of the Year by the Illinois Crisis Negotiators Association. The distinguished honor is for their teamwork during a long and complex
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council is considering a Resolution to authorize the expenditure of special service area tax funds in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000. In addition, a provision of City staff member support for the purpose of organizing an independent not-for-profit organization to render
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, This week, I’m starting with Aurora’s special bicycle lanes on S. River Street, from North Avenue, north to W. Downer Place. The lanes are a great idea for an eco-friendly city, and one that had so much money that they could still burn it in
Gosh are we lucky. This past weekend, my husband, Max, and I supported eight local businesses and took in some local art. There’s often so much to do in the Fox Valley area that we have to pick and choose as it’s impossible to do everything. This weekend was not
The Aurora (Ill.) Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a 16-year-old injured Thursday, Oct. 16 evening on the city’s far east side. Just before 5:50 p.m. on October 16th, 2025, officers responded to the 2800 block of Village Green Drive after receiving reports of a gunshot victim near
Protestors assemble outside of Aurora City Hall to show their disapproval of the actions of ICE and the treatment of immigrants and people of color October 9.
Kenny Battle, an Aurora native, college basketball standout, and the first person from the City to be drafted to the National Basketball Association (NBA), was honored at Aurora’s Tuesday night City Council meeting for his impressive basketball career and extraordinary representation of Aurora on the national stage. Mayor John Laesch
By Aurora mayor John Laesch October 9, the City of Aurora was alerted to a number of ICE sightings throughout the area, inciting panic and fear among residents. This unconstitutional deployment of Federal officers resulted in multiple snatchings of community members, targeting, specifically, our City’s strong and diverse Hispanic population.
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, Just to expand on last week’s article, the original Luigi’s at 1431 E. New York Street, was run by Mrs. Duncan in 1953, as a sandwich and soup shop. Later that same year, pizza was added to the menu, because pizza was becoming a mainstream
To mark its second year, Yellow Bird Books will host an anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 18. The independent bookstore will offer a variety of free activities from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Book lovers of all ages are invited to join the party with balloon animals and face-painting from noon
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch is set to propose a new, comprehensive ethics ordinance that will create a $500 cap on campaign donations from businesses or entities that have contracts with the City. The proposed ordinance builds off Aurora’s 2019 Ordinance, enhancing safeguards around local elected officials. Key reforms from
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, I am going to finish up last week’s story of me working at The Blue Lantern Restaurant, where I started working in the summer of 1974. My favorite waitress to work with was Pam, she was Chinese, gorgeous, friendly, and always gave me pointers. One
The peninsula that makes up the southwest shoreline of Lake Gregory provides staff at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, an annual measuring stick when varieties of maple, oak and birch trees begin their green-to-gold transformation. And cooler-weather color at Blackberry means it’s time for Pumpkin Weekends, the annual
Calling Aurora police for help? Officers may show up with a social worker. The department’s co-response initiative was outlined by APD officials during the Aurora Lions Club membership meeting at Eola Taphouse in Aurora. Bridget Damschen, APD social work coordinator and Sgt. Scott Carter, Crisis Intervention Unit coordinator, spoke on
Alpine Kiwanis Club (Rockford, Ill.) members, John Spitzer, left, and Bob Slack flew to the Aurora Municipal Airport to attend the Kiwanis Club of Aurora meeting September 24.
LUMENAURA is the City of Aurora government’s unique annual experience that transforms downtown Aurora into a glowing wonderland of immersive light and sound. Attendees can start at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downtown Place and stroll through mesmerizing art displays, interact with artistic soundscapes, and enjoy a magical, family-friendly adventure,
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, I wanted to add some humor and a hands-on life experience to last week’s article, where I talked about The Blue Lantern Restaurant. In the summer of 1974, and soon going into my sophomore year at East Aurora High School, my brother and I were
The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is inviting local artists to be part of something extraordinary: the creation of a permanent art installation that will live at the heart of the Santori Library. This project, inspired by our Community Voices initiative, is more than just an artwork— it’s a chance
The City of Aurora government’s Water Production Division is leading public education efforts on the City’s Lead Action Level Exceedance Notice, which was issued Monday, July 14, along with the City’s lead service line replacement progress. The notice detailed the discovery of an elevated level of lead in drinking water
