News
Vanguard Gifted Academy Robotics Team Qualifies for Sphero World Championship for Second Consecutive Year
BATAVIA, IL — March 20, 2026 — Vanguard Gifted Academy is proud to announce that its upper elementary robotics team, Vanguard’s Happy Campers (Team 1948-06-02), has been selected to compete in the 2026 Sphero World Championship. This marks the second year in a row that students from the school’s "Band Two" cohort (3rd–5th grade) have reached the global finals of this prestigious STEM competition. The Sphero World Championship is an elite international event where top student teams demonstrate excellence
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Fly Girls of WW II’ Tells the Story of Courageous Women Pilots
BATAVIA, IL – A little-known chapter of World War II history will take center stage March 26 as historian and certified FAA pilot Rebecca Tulloch brings the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to life during a special presentation by Batavia Depot Museum, a facility of Batavia Park District. Tulloch’s program, “The Fly Girls of World War II,” will be held at the Callahan Community Center, 150 Houston St., at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and available online at bataviaparks.info/FlyGirls. More than
VANGUARD GIFTED ACADEMY STUDENTS EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE OF THE MATH KANGAROO COMPETITION
Batavia school hosts accessible daytime, evening, and online sessions to promote creative problem-solving over winning BATAVIA, IL - Students at Vanguard Gifted Academy took on a unique challenge today as they participated in the annual Math Kangaroo competition. Showcasing their dedication to learning, students tackled exams ranging from the first grade to the tenth grade math levels, with many stepping up to compete at or above their current math abilities. Because Vanguard Gifted Academy wants to
PENN Entertainment Sets June 24 as Grand Opening Date for New Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois
New Land-Based Entertainment Destination Includes Four-Star Hotel, Event Center and World-Class Dining Experiences WYOMISSING, PA and AURORA, Ill. (March 19, 2026) -- PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that it expects to open the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora to the public on Wednesday, June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. This will be the second all-new PENN property to open in the Chicagoland region following the grand opening of the
Batavia Park District Egg Hunts Kick Off the 2026 Spring Season
BATAVIA, IL – It’s egg hunting season! Get ready for laughs, prizes, and lots of eggs! The Batavia Park District is bringing back its favorite spring events, and families won’t want to miss the fun at Prairie Path Park.Glow-in-the-dark adventure for middle schoolersOn March 27 at 7:45 p.m., kids ages 9-12 can join the exciting Flashlight Egg Hunt at Prairie Path Park. This is no ordinary hunt; kids will search for eggs in the dark using flashlights and glow sticks! A few eggs are special golden eggs with
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
Batavia and Geneva Key Clubs Excel at 2026 District Convention & Leadership Conference
BATAVIA, IL - The Kiwanis Club of Batavia Geneva Area is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Batavia Key Club and Geneva Key Club at the 2026 District Convention & Leadership Conference (DCLC) held February 20-22 in Springfield, Illinois.The annual conference, hosted by the Illinois–Eastern Iowa District of Key Club International, brings together student leaders from across the region to celebrate service, leadership, and the impact Key Club members have in their communities.This year,
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
Batavia High School Students Selected for State Art Exhibition
BATAVIA, IL — Three students from Batavia High School have been selected to showcase their artwork at the 13th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition, one of the state’s premier showcases for high school artists. Amelia (Mimi) Patterson, Jane Lishamer, and Benjamin Wash were chosen to exhibit their work among approximately 1,000 student artists from more than 125 high schools across Illinois. Their selection also qualifies them for consideration for college scholarships offered through the
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City of Batavia Approves Construction of River Street Plaza
BATAVIA, Ill. (March 3, 2026) — The City of Batavia approved a construction contract for construction of the River Street Plaza, a new public gathering space designed to enhance downtown activity and create a welcoming place for residents and visitors to connect. Located on the former Tin Shop site at 106 N. River Street, the plaza will support community events, the Batavia Farmers Market, and everyday use while strengthening the River Street corridor.“The River Street Plaza is about creating a space where
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Discover Delicious Dining with the 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide!
BATAVIA, IL — What’s for dinner? Let Batavia MainStreet help you decide! The newly updated 2026 Downtown Batavia Restaurant Guide features 35 incredible local businesses across Downtown Batavia. Highlighting the best Bars & Breweries, Coffee & Treats, and Restaurants, the guide makes it easier than ever to eat local and explore our vibrant dining scene all year long.Friday night out. Brunch with friends. Family dinner. Solo lunch break. Celebration dinner. Whatever’s on your calendar, Downtown Batavia has a
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
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Continue Their Scholarship Program - Graduating High School Seniors May Apply for $2000 Assistance
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners have announced the continuation of their scholarship program. Graduating high school students who plan to pursue a career requiring an Associate or Bachelor's degree in Horticultural Science fields such as Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, and Land Management may apply. The scholarship amount is $2,000 and applicants must currently reside within the boundaries of Batavia Public School District 101. The application must be completed
Send Your Middle School Student to a STEAM Summer Camp With a Scholarship From the Batavia Woman’s Club - Now Accepting Applications from Local Students for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Experience This Summer
Do you have a middle schooler interested in having a summer camp STEAM experience—Science, Technology, Engineering, Music/Performing Arts, or Math? Let the Batavia Woman’s Club help with a scholarship. Apply by April 17, 2026, by visiting https://www.bataviawomansclub.org/scholarship The Batavia Woman’s Club is once again helping educate our local middle schoolers by providing scholarships to summer camps which offers a STEAM Curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, Music/Performing Arts, or
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
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
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
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
