News
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BPS101 Board of Education Announces New Director of Operations and Facilities
Batavia, IL - The BPS101 Board of Education is pleased to announce that Jon Mickle has been selected as the District’s next Director of Operations and Facilities, effective July 1, 2026. Jon’s appointment comes as part of a thoughtful leadership transition within the District. Following the retirement of David Andrews, longtime Athletic Director at Batavia High School, current Director of Operations and Facilities Mark Anderson will assume the Athletic Director role at the end of this school year,
LWV of Central Kane County Announces Recommendation that Mail-In Ballots for the March 17 General Primary be Mailed by March 10th or Dropped Off in Person
BATAVIA, IL – The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County (lwvckcil.com) held a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in front of the Batavia Post Office on Randall Road in Batavia to announce new guidance recommending that mail-in ballots be mailed by March 10th or dropped off in person at official drop-off locations.According to Illinois election law, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and must arrive at the election authority no later than 2 weeks following Election Day. Patti
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Bocaditos Cafe Awarded $10,000 National Grant Through Main Street America Program
Join Batavia MainStreet in congratulating Bocaditos Cafe on being selected as a 2025 recipient of the Backing Small Business Grant from Main Street America and American Express. This nationwide initiative awarded 400 grants of $10,000 to locally significant small businesses across the country, helping them fuel growth and continue making a meaningful impact in their communities. Only 12 businesses in Illinois were selected for the 2025 program, with Bocaditos proudly representing downtown Batavia among
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT ANNOUNCES SPRING BIRDING PROGRAMS
GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has announced its lineup of spring birding programs, scheduled March through May at forest preserves throughout Kane County. The seasonal “Bird Appreciation” series offers residents opportunities to observe migratory birds, build bird-identification skills and hear from regional experts. Most programs are free and many are open to all ages, and include guided walks and family-friendly educational activities. Other birding programs are part of our
Batavia Students Join Global Scientists for Great Backyard Bird Count
BATAVIA, IL — While many students were looking forward to the weekend, students at Vanguard Gifted Academy were busy contributing to global science. Armed with tablets and binoculars, students spent Friday, Feb. 13, participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a real-world community science initiative that helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track bird populations worldwide. “At Vanguard, we believe that education should be authentic,” says Amy Trujillo, Head of School. “Participating
Shop Announcement for the 2026 Season of The Batavia Boardwalk Shops
Batavia, IL - Batavia MainStreet is excited to announce that the 2026 season of the Batavia Boardwalk Shops kicks off on Friday, May 8, marking the seventh season of this beloved downtown program. This one-of-a-kind shopping experience brings together 10 unique retail shops in a single, vibrant location, offering everything from handcrafted goods and specialty foods to books, fashion, home décor, and more.Nestled in the heart of downtown Batavia, these charming micro-shops serve as a hub of creativity,
Vanguard Gifted Academy Launches Spring STEM Enrichment Series for Gifted and 2e Learners in Batavia
BATAVIA, IL – Vanguard Gifted Academy is launching a major community outreach initiative this spring to ensure high-level STEAM enrichment is accessible to all students in the Fox Valley. By hosting free after-hours events and partnering with local organizations for summer scholarships, the school is working to remove barriers for curious learners in the Batavia area. “We want to make sure that every student who wants this level of challenge gets it,” says Amy Trujillo, Head of School. “Our after-hours
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Batavia is Named a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community
Batavia, Ill.) — The City of Batavia has been recognized as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists, honoring the City’s ongoing efforts to create safer, more accessible conditions for people who bike.Batavia is among more than 400 communities nationwide to earn the Bicycle Friendly Community designation, which recognizes local commitment to improving bicycling through planning, education, policies, programs, and infrastructure that serve residents of all ages and
Safeguarding Your Business in the Digital Age: Transaction Security Essentials
In today’s connected economy, online transactions drive most modern business operations — from small-scale e-commerce to global B2B platforms. Yet every digital interaction carries a question of trust: is this transaction safe? Establishing security across digital touchpoints protects not only customer data but also brand reputation, regulatory compliance, and long-term business continuity.Key Takeaways for Safeguarding Online Transactions Adopt layered encryption and multi-factor authentication to
LWV of Central Kane County to Host Upcoming Candidate Forums for Contested Kane County Races and for IL Senate District 33 and Congressional District 11
BATAVIA, IL – The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County (lwvckcil.com) has announced plans for two upcoming candidate forums, which will feature candidates in contested races who are on the ballot for the upcoming March 17th Illinois General Primary Election.The first forum takes place at 6:30pm on February 5th, which also happens to be the first day of Early Voting in Illinois. The forum will include candidates for Kane County Sheriff and Kane County Board Districts 2, 11, and 13.The second forum
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City of Batavia Opens New Level 3 EV Fast Charging Stations at the Batavia Public Library
BATAVIA – (Jan. 20, 2026) The City of Batavia and the Batavia Public Library have opened four new Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers at the Batavia Public Library, now available for public use.The project was funded in part by a $320,000 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Driving a Cleaner Illinois Grant, administered under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The funding, secured by the City of Batavia Electric Utility, supports the installation and maintenance of publicly available EV
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Tickets On Sale Now for Downtown Batavia's Inaugural Step into Spring: Wine Walk
Tickets are officially on sale for Step into Spring: Wine Walk, Batavia MainStreet's newest springtime event, happening Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 5 PM. This highly anticipated inaugural event invites guests to sip, shop, and stroll through 14 participating downtown businesses, each offering 1-ounce wine tastings with both red and white options at every stop.Tickets are $39 and available now at www.downtownbatavia.com. With limited availability and strong early interest, organizers anticipate a
Water Street Studios Hosts All in for Art Benefit on Feb 28
DOWNTOWN BATAVIA – Water Street Studios will host All in for Art, an annual benefit at their studios on Saturday, February 28 at 7 p.m. The event will include heavy appetizers, an open bar, a performance by local jazz band, The Joel Ream Trio, a caricature artist, art sale, wine pull, and your chance to play with “funny money” at our Casino games. No additional funds are needed to play- chips will be provided and winners will receive prizes.To sponsor this event or purchase tickets, please visit
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Prom Dress Collection and Giveaway is Back for 2026
BATAVIA — CHIP IN Batavia and the Batavia Public Library are back with their popular Prom Dress Giveaway from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 and 12:30-3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. CHIP IN’s mission is to assist low income and homeless Batavia families; however, this event is open to any student from any school district, regardless of need. The goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of income status, enjoy this rite of passage and don’t miss prom due to the typically great
Linda Schielke Named 2025 Batavia Citizen of the Year
Batavia Woman’s Club is this year’s Spirit of Batavia honoree. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Linda Schielke as the 2025 Citizen of the Year (COTY), honoring her decades of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Batavia community. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Linda on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2026: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event. Additionally, the Batavia Woman’s Club is the Spirit of Batavia
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FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT INTRODUCES NEW NATURE PROGRAM FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS
GENEVA, IL – Building on the popularity of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s, “Little Saplings” preschool series, the District is excited to introduce, “Twigs to Trees,” a new nature program designed specifically for school-age children in kindergarten through second grade. Each session of “Twigs to Trees” invites young explorers to investigate a seasonal nature theme through hands-on discovery, guided exploration and nature-based play. Led by District naturalists, participants will spend
Turn Customers Into Champions: Smart Referral Strategies for Small Businesses
You’ve just delivered great service. Your customer is happy — maybe even thrilled. But what happens next? Too often, small business owners focus all their energy on customer acquisition while underutilizing their most powerful growth engine: existing satisfied customers. A well-executed referral strategy doesn't just bring in leads — it builds community trust and amplifies your reputation in ways paid ads never could.Why Referrals Matter — Especially Now Referrals consistently rank among the most
Your Brand Is What It Appears to Be
Every small business is selling two things: the actual product or service, and the way people feel about it. Trust doesn’t bloom in a vacuum—it grows out of consistency, personality, and attention to visual cues. Whether it’s a logo, color scheme, font choice, or even the texture of packaging, visual branding has a way of speaking long before words ever do. For small business owners, getting this right isn’t about copying the look of larger brands—it’s about creating something that feels like it could
Dressing the Digital Window: How Local Boutiques Can Win with Stunning Visuals Online
In the battle for attention online, local boutiques often feel like they're shouting into a canyon while big-box retailers and algorithm-trained influencers echo louder with every scroll. Yet the digital space doesn’t only reward the loudest—it rewards the best visuals. For small, independent boutiques, elevating their aesthetic presence online isn’t just about keeping up appearances; it’s about building identity, trust, and emotional resonance with the customer who’s looking for something that feels
Real Estate Success Begins with Smarter Client Engagement
Success in real estate hinges on skillfully managing both operations and client relationships. Complex documentation and shifting client expectations are constant demands in this field. Yet, these challenges can open doors for growth and efficiency when approached strategically. With a focus on optimizing operations, there’s potential to streamline processes and deepen client trust. Embracing effective strategies helps create lasting connections that drive ongoing success.Revolutionizing Real Estate
Empower Your LLC with the Right Business Banking Choices
Starting an LLC is a defining step that carries a lot of energy and promise. A crucial decision early on is opening a business bank account tailored to your needs. This decision extends beyond separating personal and business funds—it can unlock several opportunities that drive your LLC forward. Access to modern banking tools and services plays a vital role in navigating the complexities of managing business finances. Thoughtful banking choices provide the foundation for long-term growth and financial
Boss Moves: How Adobe Acrobat Helps Women Entrepreneurs Get It Done
Being an entrepreneur is all about juggling, innovating, and growing—but what if you had a secret weapon to make it easier? Enter Adobe Acrobat, a powerful ally that streamlines your day-to-day, helping you work smarter while leaving more room for what truly drives your business forward. This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the ways Adobe Acrobat is empowering women entrepreneurs to elevate their hustle, simplify workflows, and realize bigger dreams. Acrobat AI Assistant: Check out
Create a Future-Ready Business by Switching to a Paperless Workflow
Imagine a world where your desk isn’t cluttered with towering stacks of paper, where finding a document takes seconds instead of hours, and where your business operations flow smoothly without manual errors and inefficiencies. Transitioning your business to a paperless workflow can make this a reality. This digital transformation not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainable practices, reducing your carbon footprint. By leveraging modern technology, you can secure your data and
