R. Christian Smith – Page 18

A building in downtown Aurora at 43 W. Galena Blvd., as seen on Sept. 24, 2025, where an office of OnLight Aurora used to be located. The organization's leases were recently canceled as a cost-saving measure. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Trips, bars and adult entertainment clubs: How officials say Aurora fiber network got $1 million in debt

September 29, 2025 at 6:24 a.m.

Trips and visits to bars and adult entertainment clubs are just some of the reasons Aurora Mayor John Laesch has given to describe how OnLight Aurora is nearly $1 million...

A temporary wall was built around generators to mitigate noise at the CyrusOne data center campus in Aurora, as seen from the nearby Prairie Path last month. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora temporarily pauses data center and warehouse development approvals

September 30, 2025 at 3:47 p.m.

Aurora has temporarily paused the approval of data center and warehouse proposals to give staff the chance to create new guidelines around these types of developments.

A worker can be seen taking down shelving at the Aurora Public Library District’s Eola Road branch on Sept. 24, when renovations there were moving between the first and second phases. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Eola Road branch of Aurora library temporarily downsizes for renovation work

September 26, 2025 at 1:15 p.m.

Aurora Public Library District’s Eola Road branch is temporarily downsizing into what officials are calling "Eola Express" during ongoing renovations.

Aurora City Council calls special meeting Thursday on data centers, warehouses

September 24, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.

The Aurora City Council is set to discuss both a temporary moratorium on new data centers and warehouses as well as a voluntary reduction in force plan at a specially-called...

Aurora City Hall is at 44 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. Aurora Mayor John Laesch has named three people to new city roles, including a new interim head of Human Resources. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora mayor names new interim head of HR, among other positions

September 23, 2025 at 3:46 p.m.

The city of Aurora has named a new interim head of Human Resources.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch speaks at a ceremony honoring National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Veterans Island Park in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora recognizes POW/MIA Recognition Day with ceremony

September 21, 2025 at 11:51 a.m.

The city of Aurora honored National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday with a ceremony at Veterans Island Park.

Owner Shannon Gutierrez, center, chats with friends at Wyckwood House in downtown Aurora in 2022. (Steve Lord/The Beacon-News)

After seven years, Wyckwood House in downtown Aurora set to close

September 19, 2025 at 8:45 p.m.

Wyckwood House, a boutique and cocktail bar in downtown Aurora, is set to close its doors after seven years in operation.

The city of Aurora is in the process of submitting for a partial census recount, Mayor John Laesch said on Tuesday. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora seeking partial census recount, mayor says

September 17, 2025 at 3:42 p.m.

The city of Aurora is in the process of submitting for a partial census recount that would look just at new construction, Mayor John Laesch said.

Flags fly at half-staff on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Aurora’s development services building in downtown to honor former Gov. Jim Edgar, who died on Sept. 14. Aurora Mayor John Laesch faced pushback for his decision to fly flags at full-staff over the weekend after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora Mayor John Laesch faces pushback for flying flags at full-staff over the weekend

September 16, 2025 at 4:44 p.m.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch faced pushback, including from within city staff, for his decision to fly flags at full-staff over the weekend after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Aurora considers various road resurfacing projects with help from federal funds

September 15, 2025 at 2:42 p.m.

Aurora is considering resurfacing a number of roads around the city with help from federal funds.

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