By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, As I started to write this article, I read that Wyckwood House in downtown Aurora, is closing after seven years. The Asian Fusion restaurant has closed, but may reopen in the near future. Sadly, I wonder how many more of the 30 new restaurants in
Musings: •The sins of Donald J. Trump (chapter 11). He has: Removed three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission in order to gain control of the agency; Weakened the guidelines of the National Environmental Protection Act, ignoring climate change and environmental justice, and slashed public participation; Ordered NASA
On a summer evening nearly one century ago, the sound of a mandolin floated across the Mexican boxcar camp in West Eola. Played by young Julia Pérez Padilla, the music carried through rows of families who had come from Mexico to work for the railroads in Aurora. Fast forward to
We all need connection. Whether we are self-proclaimed introverts or extroverts, we all need to connect with other humans. Even if we profess to love pets or animals more than our counterparts. Social connection is the key to living a longer, happier life. With that in mind, it seems like
Aurora celebrated National POW/MIA Recognition Day with a third annual ceremony at Veterans Island Park Friday.
Aurora firefighters lay a wreath Thursday, Sept. 11 at Aurora’s annual 9-11 memorial ceremony at the Aurora Central fire station.
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council listened to many public comments, both in support of and against the decision of Aurora mayor John Laesch to raise municipal flags Friday, Sept. 12, after the flags were lowered in remembrance of lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. President Donald
Celebrate Octoberfest at Aurora’s Phillips Park Pavilion at Phillips Park Zoo, 1000 Ray Moses Drive, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. There will be drink, food, music, and dancing at the family-friendly event. Admission is $5 and children under five are free of charge. Event will happen
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, I’m thankful to former Aurora mayor David Pierce for his input last week about the Hollywood Casino in Aurora, which opened in 1993. The former mayor wrote that the City gave the casino the land, where the casino was built and a small parking lot,
Thursday, Sept. 11 the City of Aurora government joined communities across the Nation in lowering municipal flags to half-staff in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Friday, Sept. 12, Aurora’s flags were returned to full staff. While the president of the United States, Donald
State representative Jed Davis expressed deep concern over Aurora’s mayor raising flags to full staff before the conclusion of governor JB Pritzker’s official half-staff order, which remained in effect through sunset Sunday, Sept. 14. “The Governor’s half-staff directive was clear and carries the force of state law under the Illinois
Festive dancers perform during the Fiestas Patrias parade Sunday, Sept. 7 in downtown Aurora.
By Jason Crane After a lengthy discussion, the Aurora City Council approved, by a vote of 7 – 5 a Resolution to appoint Michele Niermann as assistant corporation counsel III to assist the City’s corporation counsel Yordana Wysocki. Niermann was approved to be hired to help part time with employment
September 9, 2025Dear editor; A recent columnist in The Voice got it wrong about incentives given to Hollywood Casino when it came to Aurora in the early 1990s. The writer stated that “Aurora invested a load of money (a gamble) to bring the casino to Aurora.” In fact, the Hollywood
The City of Aurora will host its Fall Food Truck Festival, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Many trucks will line up on Benton Street between River Street and Broadway (IL Route 25) in the heart of downtown Aurora, to serve a diverse array of culinary delight.
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. This week, I’m writing about old buildings in Aurora’s downtown. Let’s start with the tallest building in Aurora, and at one time, the second tallest building in Illinois, behind the Sears Tower, in Chicago, the “The
Santori Aurora Public Library celebrated Grandparents’ Day Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7. Grandparents, grand-friends, and their families were invited. Participants had the chance to make crafts, play bingo, listen to a storytime, sample refreshments and have free family portrait photos taken. A highlight was Groove and Giggles, a half hour of
The Aurora Fire Department will be out in force this weekend as firefighters hit the streets for the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). From September 5 – 7, firefighters will be stationed at various high-traffic locations across the city collecting donations in
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
