News
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City of Batavia Begins Historic District Exterior Building Condition Assessment
BATAVIA, Ill. – (July 27, 2026) The City of Batavia will begin an Exterior Building Condition Assessment of approximately 75 historic properties within the Batavia Historic District in late July as part of the City's ongoing commitment to preserving its historic downtown. Funded through the City's 2026 Budget, the assessment will document the exterior condition of designated historic buildings, identify visible maintenance concerns, and provide information to help guide future preservation and maintenance
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The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Kristen Winter as it's new Membership and Engagement Coordinator.
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Kristen Winter as its new Membership and Engagement Coordinator.Kristen brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service, account management, and supporting local businesses. She has a passion for building relationships and delivering exceptional service. In 2025, Kristen made the intentional decision to transition from a corporate career to pursue work that creates a meaningful impact in the local community.In her new role, Kristen will focus
Batavia Public School District 101 Board of Education Welcomes Two New Members
Batavia Public School District 101 is pleased to welcome Tara Gray and Patrick Ryan as the newest members of the Board of Education. The appointments fill two vacancies created following the resignations of former Board members in May. Tara Gray was sworn into office during the Board's regular meeting on June 23, 2026, while Patrick Ryan took the oath of office during a Special Board of Education Meeting on July 13, 2026. "We are grateful to everyone who expressed interest in serving our community
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Batavia Police Officers Receive Valor Awards
Department's Highest Honor for Heroic Actions During August 2025 Critical Incident BATAVIA, IL (July 20, 2026) — The City of Batavia and the Batavia Police Department have awarded the Department's highest honor, the Valor Award, to Sergeant Michelle Langston, Sergeant Bryan Lorden, Officer David Saad, and Officer Alexander Buhler for their extraordinary courage and lifesaving actions during a critical incident on Aug. 16, 2025. The Valor Award is presented to Batavia Police Department members who
Community Dinner Table Returns August 30
BATAVIA, IL – Batavia United Way invites the community to pull up a chair for Community Dinner Table on Sunday, August 30, an unforgettable evening where great food, local flavor, and community come together to fight food insecurity in Batavia.This year's event embraces a relaxed coastal theme, featuring a delicious Caribbean-inspired meal of Caribbean jerk chicken and shrimp (mildly seasoned), all the fixings, and dessert, prepared by local restaurant partners. Guests will also enjoy live music, raffles, a
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Girls Step up to the Plate for Fun and Life Skills
Article By Cam Clausen, Batavia Park District InternBATAVIA, IL –Community. Teamwork. Growth. Batavia Park District’s girls softball program is an opportunity for players to build strong friendships and develop self-confidence and independence while they hone their skills on the diamond.Girls softball has been a staple in Batavia for decades. The program’s 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U leagues have several teams each season, giving girls of all ages the opportunity to start or continue their softball journey, said
ARROWWOOD POINT ARCHERY COMPLEX NOW OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE IN ELBURN
GENEVA, IL — Following a successful grand opening celebration that welcomed more than 400 visitors, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s Arrowwood Point Archery Complex is now open for public use at Mill Creek Greenway Forest Preserve in Elburn. The public archery facility offers dedicated spaces for traditional archery, bow-hunter practice and crossbow shooting in a safe, designated outdoor setting. Located at 02N253 Brundige Road in Elburn, the complex provides opportunities for recreational,
Unleash the Love: ADC Technologies and Vesco Print and Promotions Partner with Anderson Humane to Connect Families with Forever Pets
MONTGOMERY, IL — This summer, two local businesses are joining forces with Anderson Humane to give dogs and cats across the Fox Valley region the chance they deserve. ADC Technologies and Vesco Print and Promotions are proud to sponsor Unleash the Love, a community pet adoption event taking place on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 1351 Aucutt Road, Montgomery, IL. The event will feature approximately 40 dogs and 20 cats available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis. Each
Open Fishing Clinics Offered at Oakhurst Forest Preserve
GENEVA, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites the public to enjoy evenings of fishing fun during upcoming Open Fishing Clinics at Lake Patterson in Oakhurst Forest Preserve. Offered in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Urban and Community Fishing Program, the free clinics will teach participants basic angling skills, including casting, knot tying and fish identification. Instructors will also demonstrate ethical angling practices. Participants may
Batavia United Way Awards $130,000 in Community Impact Grants to Strengthen Local Programs
Batavia United Way is proud to announce the awarding of $130,000 in Community Impact Grants to local nonprofit programs serving Batavia residents during the 2026–2027 funding year.The grants will support programs that advance Batavia United Way's four focus areas: Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. Through these investments, local organizations will provide essential services that help individuals and families overcome challenges, build stability, and improve
Register by June 30 for Early-Bird Rate at Kane Forest Preserve Foundation Golf Outing
GENEVA, IL — Golfers are invited to enjoy a day on the course while supporting local forest preserves at the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation’s annual Golf Outing, on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Hughes Creek Golf Course in Elburn. Teams that register by June 30, can take advantage of the early-bird rate of $450 per foursome. Beginning July 1, the team registration fee will increase to $500. The outing will begin with a light breakfast sponsored by Chick-Fil-A Elgin, followed by 18 holes of golf, lunch and a
Master Woodworker Showcases ''Wood Weaving'' Charcuterie Boards at 48th Annual Holmstad Bazaar
Annual Bazaar to Feature Handcrafted Creations Supporting Benevolent Care, Scholarships, and Resident programs Batavia, IL: Covenant Living at the Holmstad resident David Anderson has spent more than a decade shaping the community’s wood shop into a hub of craftsmanship, creativity, and camaraderie. Anderson and his wife, Merrie, moved to The Holmstad upon retirement, and he quickly became an integral part of the resident‑run wood shop by serving as its manager for the past 12 years. This year,
River Rhapsody Concerts are sure to Strike a Chord this Summer
BATAVIA – It’s time to sing and dance. Batavia Park District’s free River Rhapsody concert series returns June 17. Hosted by Batavia Park District, this popular event will showcase eight lively musical performances at the Peg Bond Center, 151 N. Island Ave.These eclectic concerts will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on selected Wednesday evenings through Aug. 5, featuring music for all ages. Bring family, friends and portable seating and blankets to enjoy the scenic view of the Depot Pond while listening to a
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Wednesday Evening Batavia Farmers’ Market Returns to Downtown Batavia June 10
Batavia MainStreet is thrilled to announce the return of the Wednesday Evening Batavia Farmers’ Market, beginning June 10, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its new location at The South Riverwalk Plaza (N. Island Ave. and Houston St.) in front of City Hall, alongside the Batavia Park District’s River Rhapsody Concert Series. Now in its third season, this curated market offers a relaxed midweek shopping experience featuring approximately 20 vendors each week- many returning favorites alongside exciting new
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New Plaques Added to Discover Historic Batavia Walk
BATAVIA, IL, June 3,2026) – If you've noticed new Discover Historic Batavia signs appearing throughout the community, there is now even more local history to explore.The Batavia Historical Society has expanded its Discover Historic Batavia program with the addition of 10 new historic plaques, bringing the total number of markers throughout the city to 20. The program highlights significant people, places, businesses, and events that have helped shape Batavia's history and identity.The original 10 plaques
SciTech Announces Adam Sparks as New Director of Programs and Education
[Batavia, Illinois] — [06.01.2026] — SciTech is proud to announce the appointment of AdamSparks as the organization’s new Director of Programs and Education. Bringing nearly two decades of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and program development, Sparks will lead the continued growth and innovation of SciTech’s STEM education initiatives and community programming. Throughout his career, Sparks has dedicated himself to creating meaningful educational experiences rooted in relationship
Tri-Cities Chambers Launch “Tri-Cities Canstruction”
A Large-Scale Design Competition Using Canned Food to Fight Hunger Open to the public, this event takes place at Waubonsee Community College’s Academic and Professional Center in Sugar Grove February 2027 BATAVIA, IL, GENEVA, IL, and ST. CHARLES, IL — The Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Chambers of Commerce are proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Tri-Cities Canstruction, a large-scale community design competition that combines creativity, engineering, architecture, and philanthropy to fight
Vanguard Gifted Academy Students Join Millions Globally for World Maths Day 2026
This week, students at Vanguard Gifted Academy joined an international community of learners to participate in World Maths Day, one of the world’s largest education events. Hosted by 3P Learning, the event challenges students to test their mathematical fluency through live, 60-second "Mathletics" rounds against peers from across the globe. While the event features a global leaderboard, the focus for Vanguard students was centered on personal growth and the mastery of "fact fluency." Rather than
Your Next Client Is in the Audience: Public Speaking as a Growth Strategy for Batavia Businesses
Public speaking converts expertise into business growth — through investor pitches, conference panels, and chamber events, every speaking slot is a concentrated opportunity to acquire clients, establish credibility, and generate content that keeps working long after the applause. For business owners in the Batavia area and across the Fox Valley corridor, that opportunity arrives regularly: the Chicago metro's dense calendar of professional events, industry meetups, and chamber programs means you're never
Standing Out on Social Media in a 9.6 Million-Person Market: A Budget Guide for Batavia Businesses
Operating in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metro — the third-largest in the United States — means your social media feed competes for attention across 9.6 million people and thousands of local businesses. But a professional social media presence isn't determined by marketing spend. According to Gitnux's 2026 Market Data Report, 91% of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees actively use social media for marketing, yet only 55% have a dedicated strategy document in place. That gap is where most
How to Turn Real-Time Customer Data Into Smarter Business Decisions
Real-time customer data refers to live information about how people interact with your website, app, store, or support channels. It includes clicks, purchases, chat transcripts, cart activity, location data, and product usage signals as they happen. Businesses that use this data well can make faster, smarter decisions about marketing, product changes, inventory, and customer service.What This Means For Your Business Real-time data enables faster decision-making during live campaigns or high-traffic
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
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
