The St. Charles Sun :: News ::

South Elgin lays plans for infested ash trees

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Since the first emerald ash borer was found in South Elgin in July, a total of 14 trees have been discovered harboring the small, metallic green beetle, village officials said this week. The village board got its first look at a proposed ordinance to address the removal of infested trees.

Pain in Kane: Cut budgets, freeze hiring, reject raises

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

GENEVA -- Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay called for cuts last week in the 2009 county budget and an immediate hiring freeze to try to offset large decreases in revenue.

County struggles with EJ&E purchase

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

GENEVA -- Kane County is walking a line on the proposed purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Elgin Railroad right-of-way by Canadian National Railroad.

Health officials: Worst of West Nile season ahead

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Summer may be winding down, but the big season for West Nile disease is starting up.

Missing St. Charles musician remembered

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

On Thursday morning, Maple Park Fire Chief Kevin Peterson stood in front of a crowd, struggling to find his words, then turning away and wiping his eyes.

in brief

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Raffle highlights area blood drive

Police Blotter

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

Wednesday, Aug. 20

Kane County acts to increase emergency warnings

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

GENEVA -- When an emergency happens in Kane County, the county's 911 service can notify 60,000 phone lines in an hour with an informational message.

Wilson St. Bridge dedication highlights festival in Batavia

By Erika Wurst ewurst@scn1.com — Mon, 1 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

On Sunday, 14-year-old Lauren Bartow did something no one else will do for the next century. As she stood on the recently finished Wilson Street Bridge in Batavia, surrounded by other proud residents, Bartow took a pair of scissors and held them against the yellow, caution-tape ribbon city officials had strung from one side of the street to the other.

Folk Festival thrives with better weather

BY DENiSE LINKE Special to the Beacon News — Mon, 1 Sep 2008 04:00 CST

The Fox Valley Folk Festival bounced back from being flooded out last year without missing a note. "This is pretty much what it would have been like last year if this place hadn't been under four feet of water," said festival organizer Juel Ulven as he stood watching a large crowd intent on the main stage on Island Park in Geneva.

Driver in ID mix-up crash out of prison

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

WESTVILLE, Ind. -- A truck driver was released from prison Friday after serving two years for the traffic deaths of four Taylor University students -- including a young woman from St. Charles -- and a university staff member.

County cautions worst of West Nile season still ahead

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Summer may be winding down, but the big season for West Nile disease is starting up.

Drivers: Be aware of school bus laws

BY CIGI ROSS Staff Writer — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Schools throughout the Fox Valley are back in session, and drivers should keep in mind that the big yellow buses are back on the road.

Kane transfers inmates into new jail

By ELISABETH KILPATRICK ekilpatrick@scn1.com — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:00 CST

Out with the old, in with the new. While most of the county slept Friday night, hundreds of Kane County Jail inmates made their move to the county�s brand-new jail,37W777 Illinois 38, next to the Judicial Center west of Geneva.

Rabid bat marks 7th case in Kane

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The seventh case of a rabid bat being found in Kane County was reported by county health officials Friday.

A chance to remember, a chance to hope again

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Firemen don't cry. They put out fires and save babies and respond to car accidents, but firefighters -- especially the fire chief -- don't break down. But on Thursday morning, Maple Park Fire Chief Kevin Peterson stood in front of the crowd, struggling to find his words, then turning away and wiping his eyes. It's been 17 months since Maple Park resident Bradley Olsen disappeared, and the wounds still cut deep in this small town on the Kane-DeKalb County border.

Cetera named Beacon managing editor

BY BEACON NEWS STAFF — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

New: A veteran Beacon News writer and editor has been named to the newspaper�s top position. On Wednesday, Mike Cetera was promoted to managing editor of The Beacon News.

St. Charles man convicted of scamming seniors

sun Staff — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A St. Charles man has been convicted of multiple felonies for collecting more than $540,000 from five elderly couples for investments he never made.

South Elgin OKs capital improvements review

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

SOUTH ELGIN -- The village is going to look at how much life is left in its public buildings.

Former jail mey become residential site

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

GENEVA -- The site of the old Kane County Jail and sheriff's office could end up a residential development, a commercial hub or even a sprawling park.

in brief

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Mill Creek School hosts annual run

History, caucuses and, oh yeah --nominating a presidential candidate

By Dan Campana dcampana@scn1.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Sylvia Leonberger couldn't have imagined this two years ago when voters elected her to the Kane County Board.

Home green home

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

ST. CHARLES -- As houses go, the one unveiled Aug. 16 in the Red Oaks subdivision off Silver Glen Road is more than impressive.

St. Charles man convicted of scamming seniors

sun Staff — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A St. Charles man has been convicted of multiple felonies for collecting more than $540,000 from five elderly couples for investments he never made.

Residents driving less may cost counties more

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Riding your bicycle to work instead of driving probably is doing wonders for your health and your bank account, but you might be keeping highway officials up at night.

Valley delegates head to denver

By Dan Campana dcampana @scn1.com — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Sylvia Leonberger couldn't have imagined this two years ago when voters elected her to the Kane County Board.

St. Charles man convicted in senior scam

Beacon News Staff — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A St. Charles man has been convicted of multiple felonies for collecting more than $540,000 from five elderly couples for investments he never made.

Man who killed couple not guilty by reason of insanity

STNG Wire — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A West Chicago man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of the 2006 murder of an elderly couple outside his apartment complex. DuPage County Judge George Bakalis announced the verdict Friday against David Martinez Villareal.

St. Charles man convicted in home invasion

BY SUN STAFF — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

After a six-day trial, a St. Charles man was convicted Aug. 12 of entering a St. Charles home and injuring the residents three years ago. The Kane County state's attorney's office said James C. Szczesny, 25, of the 1200 block of South 10th Street, was convicted of one felony count of home invasion.

South Elgin's Painted Lady might be funeral home again

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

SOUTH ELGIN -- A plan to tear down the 121-year-old Painted Lady mansion at Gilbert and Middle streets and replace it with 12 to 15 row houses has been dropped, and it now looks like the historic site again will become a funeral home.

Board OKs capital improvement review

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

SOUTH ELGIN -- The village is going to look at how much life is left in its public buildings.

Old Kane jail site still valuable

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The site of the old Kane County Jail and sheriff's office, on a 26-acre site on Fabyan Parkway in Geneva, could end up a residential development, a commercial hub or even a sprawling park. But one thing is clear: It almost certainly will not be used again to house Kane County's or anyone else's inmates.

Drive for change

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Traffic congestion can make David Kayser's life flash before his eyes.

Downtown group planning citywide block party

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership has lined up the Chicago-based band Hello Dave to perform at All Decked Out, the organization's citywide block party to celebrate the opening of the new parking deck in downtown St. Charles.

Business sought for downtown event

BY SUN STAFF — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership is looking for businesses to participate in the All Decked Out event that takes place at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 along Walnut Street. The Chicago-based band Hello Dave will perform at the event, which will celebrate the new parking deck in downtown St. Charles. Businesses can participate in the event for free and will receive a tent, tables and chairs. Proceeds from sales during the event will also benefit the businesses. Call (630) 513-5386.

Kids show off talent at Elburn Days

BY LINDA GIRARDI Special to Sun-Times News Group — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Several youngsters were given a chance to showcase their talent in Sunday's first-ever talent contest hosted during the 79th annual Elburn Days celebration, sponsored by the Elburn Lions Club.

Home, green home

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

As houses go, the one unveiled Saturday in the Red Oaks subdivision off Silver Glen Road is more than impressive. To call it a house would be an understatement. At 15,000 square feet, mansion would be a better moniker. "This house would use the same energy as one a third smaller also built to Energy Star standards," said Jim Cavallo, a member of the Illinois Association of Energy Raters.

Congestion costing region billions

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Traffic congestion can make David Kayser's life flash before his eyes. It already has. It was during a congested mess of expressway construction that Kayser narrowly averted an accident that could have hurt him and his pregnant wife, leaving him angry and scared about his roughly two-hour daily commute between their Aurora home and Rosemont.
� Online: Moving at the Speed of Congestion

St. Charles residents worried about Kane campus

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

GENEVA -- The Kane County Board is trying to assure St. Charles residents and city officials that a concept is just a concept.

Abusers to pay for Kane agency for kids

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Because grant funding can change with the weather, Kane County Child Advocacy Center officials are happy they should be getting a fairly steady stream of income, according to a resolution approved Tuesday by the Kane County Board. The nearly unanimous board adopted a resolution allowing the circuit court clerk to assess a $30 fee for all convictions, guilty pleas and orders for court supervision to fund the center.

Former rail right-of-way becomes magical path

By Mark Brown Chicago Sun-Times Columnist — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Last Monday, a national organization called the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy sent out a press release announcing it was inducting the Illinois Prairie Path into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, the news value of which may be questionable, but gives Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown a nice excuse to write about a wonderful place to take a bike ride.

Repairs begin on storm-damaged North High

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The violent line of storms that passed through the Fox Valley Monday evening, Aug. 4 caused major damage to St. Charles North High School.

in brief

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Drama Club to hold car wash

Norris scholarship will help SC students at ECC

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

ELGIN -- The Elgin Community College Foundation is aiming scholarship dollars at needy students from St. Charles.

Cost of Chicago area gridlock: $7.3 billion

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

CHICAGO -- Gridlock on area highways costs the Chicago region an estimated $7.3 billion a year, according to a report just released by the Metropolitan Planning Council.

Coming-out party

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

Candace Parker stood in the row, as if she could simply blend in with the best women's basketball team on Earth. She has passed that point now, but this was just good manners Thursday, as someone had to be the gracious speaker for the U.S. Team. And Lisa Leslie has handled that job perfectly for years.

St. Charles man convicted in home invasion

Sun-Times News Group — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

A jury deliberated for about seven hours before finding a man guilty Tuesday of unlawfully entering a home and injuring a resident in 2005.

Police warn about string of St. Charles burglaries

By Beacon News Staff — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 04:00 CST

The Kane County Sheriff�s Office said Thursday it is investigating several burglaries from motor vehicles that have occurred in the Valley View area of St. Charles.