Aurora Beacon-News Opinion

David Heatley of Montgomery holds a gift box of his three Chef Heatley's Hot Pepper Farm sauces that won major awards at a national hot sauce expo. (Denise Crosby/The Beacon-News)

Column: Fox Valley chef’s career kicks into high gear as hot sauce champ

By Denise Crosby

May 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

David Heatley recently returned from the NYC Hot Sauce Expo, where his creations won four...

From left, Aurora GreenFest founder Mavis Bates and Jazmine Garcia, sustainability coordinator for the city of Aurora, stand in the city's former downtown post office, where GreenFest will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Mavis Bates)

Column: Old Post Office generating new energy for Aurora GreenFest

By Denise Crosby

May 1, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

After sitting unused for five years, the nearly 100-year-old former Aurora Post Office in the...

Kane County Treasurer Chris Lauzen, left, and Aurora Mayor John Laesch, who are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, are both throwing their support behind Lauzen's project, "Love Letters to America." (City of Aurora)

Column: Kane County invited to submit ‘Love Letters to America’ for nation’s 250th anniversary

By Denise Crosby

April 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Love Letters to America is a community storytelling project celebrating America’s 250th birthday with voices...

Retired Aurora Central Catholic Coach Mike Curry, right, with his son Joe at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. Mike Curry was an assistant football coach there after retiring as a high school coach. Joe Curry is currently the head football coach at the university. (Curry family)

Column: Former Aurora Central Catholic football coach Mike Curry looks back on his years of success: ‘I loved the kids’

By Tom Strong

February 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

His many accomplishments include membership in two halls of fame.

In 2024, Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross, now retired, talks to mourners during an event marking the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in Aurora in 2019. The city of Aurora will hold a ceremony marking the seventh anniversary of the tragedy at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Aurora City Hall. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Remembering Henry Pratt shooting and the weight of the badge today

By Denise Crosby

February 15, 2026 at 8:07 a.m.

The Aurora Police Department plans to be part of the city’s wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday...

Column: New Black empowerment group in Aurora calling for action over reaction

By Denise Crosby

February 10, 2026 at 2:57 p.m.

Organizers said the Black Empowerment Coalition's mission is to serve as an umbrella organization for...

Column: Fox Valley parishes responding to archbishop’s call to prayer in wake of immigration enforcement violence

By Denise Crosby

February 8, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently called for an “Hour of Prayer for...

Kane County Board member Mavis Bates, who is being presented with the Thomas Weisner Memorial Award by the Conservation Foundation for her environmental efforts as an elected official, stands by a ceremonial switch during an event in 2023 unveiling an eight-acre solar field behind the old Kane County Sheriff’s Office that is projected to save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next two decades. (Jodie Wollnik)

Column: Kane County Board member from Aurora receives Conservation Foundation award

By Denise Crosby

February 5, 2026 at 3:39 p.m.

Mavis Bates honored for her work as a longtime environmental advocate.

The city of Aurora holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October of 2023 when Shirley Payne took over as owner of the now James-Payne Funeral Service on Hill Avenue in the city. The Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board recently named Payne its 2026 Leader of the Year. (Clayton Muhammad)

Column: Aurora African American Heritage Board names ‘beautiful spirit’ its Leader of the Year

By Denise Crosby

February 4, 2026 at 2:23 p.m.

Shirley Payne, owner of James-Payne Funeral Service in Aurora, earns honor for her hard work,...

The biography of 97-year-old Wilbert Walters, left, the legendary founder of the Aurora Sundowners track and field club, was written by Maureen McKane, right, and explores not only the impact he made on hundreds of marginalized youth but the racism he faced while carving out his remarkable career as a coach and educator.(Maureen McKane)

Column: New book about iconic founder of Aurora Sundowners track club soon to be released

By Denise Crosby

February 1, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

In the book, author Maureen McKane explores life of local trailblazer Wilbert Walters.

Volunteer Curtis Wilson removes snow from the driveway of a home in 2022, not long after the city of Aurora's Operation Senior Shovel began. The program is currently serving around 240 residents but is looking for more volunteers to address the need. (Katrina Boatright)

Column: Aurora’s senior snow shovel program looking for more volunteers to ‘be great’

By Denise Crosby

January 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

With a waiting list for the program, more volunteers are needed to help shovel snow...

From left, Aurora City Council members Keith Larson and Will White stand last month with Annie Fish, executive director of the Aurora Winter Warming Center, inside the building at 712 S. River St. in Aurora. (Patrick Fish)

Column: Aurora shelter’s needs rise as temperatures remain low

By Denise Crosby

January 28, 2026 at 1:02 p.m.

Aurora Winter Warming Center is asking for more volunteers, men's clothing and other supplies.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch, right, attends the Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, ribbon-cutting event for First Presbyterian Church’s Gospel Justice Center in Aurora, which is being led by Linda Dudley, left, and a team of church volunteers. (John Ross)

Column: More Fox Valley churches opening legal aid clinics to address justice issues

By Denise Crosby

January 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A couple dozen of the Gospel Justice Centers are open in the Aurora area.