The letter came in mid-September. Signed by Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas and starting with "Dear School Administrator," the message was short but succinct — the police department was cutting all funding to DARE and GREAT programs at all Aurora schools.

With the national economy continuing to struggle, foreclosures have been on the rise as people find it more difficult to pay their monthly mortgage bills. It's an epidemic that has even affected Aurora city government's top attorney, Alayne Weingartz.

Police are looking for a man who stole the purse of a person in a Walgreens parking lot Wednesday in Montgomery.

Phillips Park will shine brightly this week as the Aurora Festival of Lights turns the power switch on for the month-long outdoor holiday light display. Volunteers will welcome carloads of spectators to the display of Santas, reindeers, candy canes, Old Man Winter, lighted trees and more from Friday until Dec. 27.

Mary Todd Lincoln's stay in Bellevue Place in 1875 was for three months and 3½ weeks. "She would walk around here quite freely during her time in Batavia," Mayor Jeff Schielke said.

Just months after its grand opening, the Sugar Grove Public Library is set to make its television debut.

The Fox Valley United Way has a special wish this season: To brighten the holidays for local families hit hard by the faltering economy.

A new projector for the West High School auditorium is "priming the pump" for a new initiative that will let people contribute online directly to West Aurora school projects at all levels.

The national DARE program proudly touts "New DARE," a revision to the program after all the negative studies of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Working at a newspaper is a trade-off. On one hand, you deal with late hours, low pay and the fact that everyone you meet will tell you at great length why newspapers are having economic troubles and how it’s all your fault. On the other hand, you end up with some really great anecdotes.

Wasco farmer Chris Collins has been busy bringing in his crops, just like he does every season. This time, it's a much more meaningful harvest.

Waubonsee Community College's Ceramics Club will host a pottery sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5, in the Ceramics Building on the south side of the college's Sugar Grove campus, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive.