Tri-Cities Central

08/29/2025

Here's a fun one to add to your holiday weekend agenda:

Patten House has reopened in downtown Geneva after a closure of nearly two years, once again serving its Cajun- and Creole-inspired menu inside the landmark 1857 building and on its popular patio.

08/28/2025

Just one of several exciting local events coming up this weekend:

Plus the "Great Orb Hunt" returns, e-bike education in Elburn, and local conservation milestones.

08/25/2025

Artists took over St. Charles last week, and the result was something special:

Plus Batavia officials are weighing the city's energy future and several book signing events with local authors are coming up in September.

08/19/2025

A 2025 local high school football preview — plus an otter sighting in the Fox River and Plein Air art in St. Charles:

Plus a possible river otter sighting in Kane County and the St. Charles Art Council's Plein Air event kicks off this week.

08/14/2025

You don't have to hole up inside to experience local history — try some of these ideas instead.

Plus Geneva Winery announced big expansion plans and St. Charles officials shot down a controversial energy contract:

Plus St. Charles officials shot down the IMEA power contract and Geneva Winery announces a major expansion in Elburn.

08/13/2025

Local brewery spotlight: in STC 🍺

It’s great year-round, but Riverlands has a special vibe in the summer with a dog-friendly patio, frequent food trucks, live music, and community events.

The beer’s pretty darn good too (I recommend the STC Six currently on tap).

08/12/2025

It doesn’t look like your average gym or wellness center — and that’s entirely the point.⁣
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We sat down (literally, on a mat) with Strongoo founder Joe Donar to learn how a former Army infantryman and CrossFit gym owner ended up creating what is perhaps the Tri-Cities’ most unique wellness spot in Geneva: part exercise space, part recovery studio, and part hangout hub. ⁣
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Get the full story:

Founded by a former CrossFit gym owner who discovered a better approach to whole-body health, this new Geneva-based nonprofit has created a space for wellness and recovery with a focus on movement, healing, connecting, and slowing down.

08/11/2025

We started with a bracket of 16 local pizza spots, and through four rounds of subscriber voting, we landed on the readers' choice #1 pizzeria in the Tri-Cities:

Plus more local restaurants are closing their doors, a baby deer rescue, and biking adventures in the Tri-Cities area.

08/07/2025

Mark your calendars for St. Charles Plein Air Fest, the Taste of Batavia & Block Party, and Geneva's Festival of the Vine — all coming up within the next few weeks.

Plus the historic Judge Barry House in St. Charles survives a City Council vote, Blueberry Fest weekend, and a new churro shop opens in Geneva.

08/04/2025

Some less-than-stellar local restaurant news from over the weekend:

Plus a look back at the history of the Fox River trolley and a massive development called The Grove breaks ground in Sugar Grove.

07/31/2025

Today's issue: How well do you know the Fabyan Windmill?

Plus a new grocery store will move into the former Berkeley's space in Batavia and Geneva will host Shakespeare in the Park this Saturday.

Plus a new supermarket to take over the former Berkeley's space in Batavia and Geneva prepares for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday.

07/28/2025

In today's issue, Tri-Cities Central readers shared some of their favorite memories from the beloved Mill Race Inn.

Plus: Best pizza voting, a new Batavia community center, and a Campton Hills annexation update.

Plus Geneva's school district is negotiating a cash payment as part of the proposed Campton Hills annexation & Batavia's getting a new community center.