R. Christian Smith – Page 46

A former employee who controlled the finances of the Elise Flagg Academy of Dance at 9 N. Fourth St. in Geneva has been charged with stealing over $100,000 from the business through direct payments and personal purchases using company funds, officials said. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Former employee of Geneva dance studio charged with stealing over $100,000 from business

July 31, 2024 at 12:16 p.m.

Desiree Cortez, 47, of Geneva, is accused of stealing somewhere between $146,000 and $160,000 from the Elise Flagg Academy of Dance at 9 N. Fourth St. between June 2022 and...

Aurora considers using grant funds to install more license plate readers, replace aging traffic cameras

July 26, 2024 at 10:25 p.m.

Aurora is considering using funds from a previously accepted grant to upgrade cameras in the Aurora Police Department headquarters, replace aging traffic cameras, install new license plate readers and get...

Aurora City Council approves forced annexation of land planned for solar farm

July 24, 2024 at 2:39 p.m.

City staff members have said the proposed solar farm does not match plans for the area, which call for estate-style housing.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a loan to help open El Paso Mas Grande on the far West Side of Aurora. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council approves $325,000 loan for planned West Side grocery store

July 24, 2024 at 12:36 p.m.

The loan will help to open a new El Paso Grande Super Mercado location at 2134 W. Galena Blvd.

After Parla caught fire on Monday morning, those connected to the shop and members of the Geneva business community came together to salvage what they could from the store, which city officials said has "extensive" fire and smoke damage on the inside. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Geneva business community unites to support fire-damaged shop

July 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Parla, a home decor and consignment shop at 122 Hamilton St. in Geneva, caught fire on Monday morning.

Kane County law enforcement officials have announced new details on plans to ramp up security at political events in the county. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Kane County law enforcement officials offer details on expanded security for political events

July 23, 2024 at 9:55 a.m.

County law enforcement will have increased patrols, security checkpoints and deputies at political events like rallies and polling locations leading up to the November election.

Steve Mays, head custodian at Granger Middle School, told the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education at its meeting on July 15 that many custodians are working 12 to 16 hours a day and still unable to make ends meet. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

Union workers ask Indian Prairie School Board to help in contract negotiations

July 22, 2024 at 11:10 a.m.

Contract negotiations have stalled between SEIU Local 1 members and Aramark, the national food and facilities services provider contracted by Indian Prairie School District, union members said.

Law enforcement officials from numerous agencies, including the Yorkville Police Department and the Illinois State Police, helped to uncover bones in May from a site in Yorkville. The remains have now been identified as a woman who was "a pioneer of Kendall County." (Lisa Wolancevich)

Skeletal remains found in Yorkville identified as ‘a pioneer of Kendall County’ who died in mid-1800s

July 19, 2024 at 5:48 p.m.

The remains were identified as Lucy Crater, called "a pioneer of Kendall County," who died in 1848 at the age of 20, officials said.

At the corner of Fuller and Douglas streets in Oswego, Monday night's storm took the tops off of trees and knocked the limbs off of others. In all, five tornadoes hit the Aurora area last Sunday and Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. (R. Christian Smith / The Beacon-News)

National Weather Service confirms recent storms spawned at least five tornadoes in Aurora area

July 19, 2024 at 5:44 p.m.

At least five tornadoes hit the Aurora area during last Sunday and Monday night storms, but no injuries or deaths have been reported from them.

A rendering shows what the town center planned at The Grove development might look like. (Norris Design)

Formal applications submitted for massive mixed-use development near Sugar Grove

July 18, 2024 at 1:08 p.m.

The proposal by Crown Community Development would bring 760 acres of residential, commercial and industrial uses to the I-88 and Route 47 interchange.

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