R. Christian Smith – Page 38

An area around the building at 1 E. Benton St. in downtown Aurora was closed off for a portion of Monday afternoon after a staff member opened a letter sent to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez's office in the building and became ill. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Postal officials investigating letter sent to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez’s Aurora office after staffer who opened it gets sick

December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating a piece of mail sent to state Rep. Barbara Hernandez's office in downtown Aurora after one of the office's staff members, who opened...

Police tape can be seen blocking the roads and sidewalks around the intersection of Benton Street and Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora just before 4 p.m. Monday. Police said the area was reopened to traffic around 6 p.m. Monday. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

East Benton Street in downtown Aurora reopened to traffic

December 9, 2024 at 7:43 p.m.

Normal traffic was once again allowed on East Benton Street from River Street to Broadway in downtown Aurora early Monday evening after that part of the road was closed by...

New and returning Kane County Board members are sworn in Monday during a ceremony at the Kane County Branch Court in St. Charles. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

New, returning Kane County Board members sworn in at ceremony

December 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Kane County Board Chair Corinne Pierog was also sworn in after winning reelection.

Indian Prairie School District 204 seeing rapid growth in students who need language help, officials say

December 7, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

In the last 10 years, the number of students who qualify for language services has increased by over 3,000 despite the district's total student population falling by around the same...

This refrigerated truck was donated on Wednesday by Factor to the city of Aurora. Similar trucks will be donated to local food pantries over the course of 2025, company officials pledged. (Factor)

Factor celebrates one million meals donated to Aurora community, commits to donating vans

December 4, 2024 at 3:33 p.m.

The company also pledged to donate 10 refrigerated vans to food pantries in the community.

The Indian Prairie School District 204 board has approved a contract with the district's architect, Wight and Company, to begin pre-designing improvements to Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, as well as to Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville and Neuqua's Birkett Freshman Center. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Indian Prairie School District 204 board approves early work for renovations at Waubonsie, Neuqua

December 3, 2024 at 4:07 p.m.

Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora and Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville are both set to get comprehensive improvements.

Matt Verde, owner of Neat Kitchen + Bar at 1031 Station Drive in Oswego, in addition to another location of the restaurant in Westmont, died on Sunday after he was hit by a car days earlier in Oswego. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Beloved restaurant owner dies after being struck by vehicle in Oswego

November 26, 2024 at 3:36 p.m.

Matt Verde owned Neat Kitchen + Bar, which has locations in both Oswego and Westmont.

Rosary High School, a Catholic, college-prep high school for young women, is located at 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora. (Rosary High School)

Officials say Rosary in Aurora to explore options after Marmion co-ed announcement, but that school is ‘not closing’

November 23, 2024 at 11:48 a.m.

Rosary High School in Aurora, in a letter to parents, said its governing body will begin to explore “different opportunities and options” for the school’s future after Marmion Academy announced...

The coffee shop at Society 57 was comfortably full with patrons lounging, chatting, eating and drinking at Thursday evening's five-year anniversary celebration. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Downtown Aurora coffee shop, event space Society 57 celebrates five-year anniversary

November 22, 2024 at 6:17 p.m.

The downtown Aurora coffee shop and event space is a diverse hub that reflects the city, its founder said.

Indian Prairie School District 204 considering $15 million property tax levy increase for operations

November 20, 2024 at 4:50 p.m.

Indian Prairie School District 204 is considering a $15.1 million property tax levy increase to support its operations, officials announced Monday.

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