Kane County Welcomes Search and Rescue Volunteers, Hispanic Heritage Month, Halloween Fun Around Kane County, Social Security Increase

A twice a week (Tuesday/Thursday) newsletter for residents of Kane County.

Thursday Oct. 15, 2026

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Kane County Adds New Search and Rescue Volunteers

to Emergency Response Team

The Kane County Office of Emergency Management held its 2026 graduation ceremony swearing in 12 new volunteers trained for ground search and rescue response. READ MORE

Kane County Judicial Center Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Judges and employees at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles recently gathered to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The event was hosted by five Hispanic/Latino judges serving in the 16th Judicial Circuit, who emphasized the importance of cultural understanding in the courtroom and the judicial system. READ MORE

Halloween Fun Around Kane County 2026

From trick-or-treat events and costume contests to haunted happenings and family-friendly festivities, there’s plenty of Halloween fun across Kane County. Check out Kane County Connects’ roundup of local events. READ MORE

CASA Kane County’s First Dancing with the Local Stars Raises $65,000+

CASA Kane County’s inaugural Dancing with the Local Stars drew a crowd of 650 guests to the Arcada Theatre. The evening raised more than $65,000 to support CASA’s mission of advocating for children impacted by abuse and neglect. READ MORE

EVENTS / COMMUNITIES

Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl Returns to Downtown Geneva

The 2026 Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl is set for Nov. 7 in downtown Geneva. Visit nearly 30 participating businesses for chocolate treats and featured drinks, all included with a $27 ticket. Tickets are available at genevachamber.com.

Gilberts Hosts Annual Fall Bonfire

The Village of Gilberts will host its annual Fall Bonfire at Memorial Park on Oct. 17. The free family-friendly event will feature apple cider, treats, pumpkin painting, a hayride and, of course, a bonfire.

Get Spooky With Special FX Makeup

Learn the tricks of Special FX Makeup at the Ella Johnson Memorial Library on Oct. 20. Teens and tweens ages 11–18 can learn to create spooky effects using makeup, fake blood and scar wax. Registration is required by Oct. 19.

Veterans Day Event in Big Rock

The Big Rock Public Library and Big Rock Park District will host a Veterans Day event on Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Big Rock Park District building on Madison Avenue. The event will honor veterans with music, special recognition and goodie bags for veterans.

Fall Used Book Sale

Friends of St. Charles Public Library will hold their annual Fall Used Book Sale, Oct. 16–18. Find bargain-priced books, CDs, DVDs, games and more for all ages. Proceeds benefit the St. Charles Public Library.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KDOT Schedules Randall Road Bridge Inspection Oct. 20

The Kane County Division of Transportation will conduct a bridge inspection on Randall Road at Keslinger Road over the Union Pacific Railroad on Oct. 20. Crews are expected to be on site from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lane closures are not anticipated, but motorists are encouraged to use caution and watch for inspection crews in the area.

Public Meeting Scheduled for Tyrrell Road Improvements in Gilberts

The Kane County Division of Transportation will host a public information meeting on proposed improvements to Tyrrell Road between Mason Road and Raymond Road in Gilberts from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 29, at the Gilberts Eagles Club. Plans include roadway reconstruction, roundabouts at Mason Road and Raymond Road/Kildare Street, drainage improvements and new bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Library Pickup Comes to Vaughan Athletic Center in Aurora

A trip to the Vaughan Athletic Center can now include a stop at the library, without making an extra trip. A new partnership between the Fox Valley Park District and Aurora Public Library District gives library cardholders the ability to pick up and return materials at the Vaughan Center using a new library pickup locker.

Elgin History Museum Wins Image Award

The Elgin History Museum’s Nuestras Historias, a bilingual documentary and exhibit celebrating Elgin’s Hispanic community, has won a 2026 Elgin Image Award in the Game Changer Project category. The exhibit, featuring local Latino artists, is on display at the Gail Borden Public Library through Nov. 4. Learn more at museum@elginhistory.org.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

The Village of North Aurora’s Code Enforcement team has put together a fall home maintenance checklist to help homeowners prepare for colder weather and avoid problems down the road. While cleaning gutters and winterizing sprinkler systems are common fall chores, the checklist highlights other often-overlooked tasks that can help protect your home and property.

BUSINESS

Red Hive Market to Close After Seven Years in Batavia

After seven years in business, Red Hive Market in Batavia will close Dec. 31 as the owners retire from retail. The shop has provided a home for local artisans and a place for community connections. The store will remain open through the end of the year, giving shoppers an opportunity to visit and support the business before it closes.