R. Christian Smith – Page 30

Aurora City Council approves loan for new soul food restaurant at Fox Valley Mall

April 9, 2025 at 1:13 p.m.

The $75,000 loan will help The Soul Spot, which is owned by Delicia Bowling of Mandy’s Soul Food Kitchen, open in Fox Valley Mall.

The Venue in downtown Aurora participated in last week's First Fridays event with a free show by The Dirty Dead, a Midwestern Grateful Dead tribute band. (Abbey Smith)

New organizers take charge of First Fridays in downtown Aurora

April 7, 2025 at 4:29 p.m.

First Fridays are events held on the first Friday of nearly every month to encourage foot traffic downtown through specials at multiple local businesses.

John Laesch makes a celebratory speech at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora on election night on April 1, 2025. Now the mayor-elect in Aurora, Laesch is outlining the vision he has for the city's future. (Audrey Richardson / baiduhai)

Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch says City of Lights Center project ‘pretty much dead’

April 6, 2025 at 11:37 a.m.

On election night and in an interview with The Beacon-News on Thursday, Laesch laid out plans for his incoming administration, including the future of projects such as the City of...

Aurora City Council considers loan to soul food restaurant proposed for Fox Valley Mall

April 4, 2025 at 12:32 p.m.

The Soul Spot would be located in the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and run by the former owner of the now-closed Mandy's Soul Food Kitchen in Bolingbrook.

A QuikTrip gas station may be built on this site at the southeast corner of Eola Road and Diehl Road in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council to consider proposal for QuikTrip gas station

April 3, 2025 at 4:09 p.m.

The gas station would be located on the southeast corner of Eola Road and Diehl Road, which is across the street from the CyrusOne data center and a short ways...

In Tuesday election, Aurora City Council incumbents appear to stay, except alderman at-large

April 2, 2025 at 1:01 a.m.

In Tuesday’s consolidated election, Aurora voters appear to have mostly kept incumbent candidates on City Council — except in the alderman at-large race.

Mayoral challenger John Laesch, center, cheers as results roll in during a watch party at Two Brothers Roundhouse on April 1, 2025, in Aurora. (Audrey Richardson/baiduhai)

Richard Irvin concedes defeat to John Laesch in Aurora mayoral race

April 2, 2025 at 1:54 p.m.

Incumbent Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has admitted defeat to his challenger, Ald. John Laesch, in the Aurora mayoral election.

Aurora mayoral challenger John Laesch, left, and incumbent Richard Irvin shake hands after a mayoral forum at the Santori Public Library in Aurora, March 10, 2025. (Mark Black/for the Beacon-News)

Irvin, Laesch receive notable endorsements ahead of Aurora mayoral election

March 30, 2025 at 11:46 a.m.

Aurora mayoral incumbent Richard Irvin and challenger John Laesch have both received notable endorsements ahead of the April 1 consolidated election.

Megan Kane of Aurora votes at Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora in 2021. Fox Valley voters will head to the polls again on April 1. (Mike Mantucca / For The Beacon-News)

Three candidates run for 7th Ward seat on Aurora City Council

March 27, 2025 at 4:42 p.m.

Brandon Tolliver and Javier Banuelos will be on the ballot, while Saul Fultz is running as a write-in.

Aurora resident Corliss Puckett votes last November at the IBEW Local 461 in Aurora. Residents will head to the polls again on April 1 to vote in many local races, including the contest for 4th Ward alderman on the Aurora City Council. (Troy Stolt / For The Beacon-News)

Nunez, Hansford run for 4th Ward seat on Aurora City Council

March 27, 2025 at 1:51 p.m.

The current 4th Ward alderman, Bill Donnell, is not running for reelection after 12 years on the Aurora City Council.

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