Linda Girardi

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for the Aurora Beacon-News.

The Oswego Drag Raceway is seen in a photo from 1968. The Raceway opened in the mid-1950s and operated through the 1970s. The Oswego Village Board is looking at a proposal for a residential and commercial development at the old Raceway site. (Little White School Museum)

Development eyed for old Oswego Drag Raceway site

March 23, 2026 at 1:44 p.m.

The Raceway was well-known throughout the Chicago area for radio ads featuring announcer Jan Gabriel shouting “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!” before listing which drag racers and dragsters would appear during that...

The Oswego Village Board meets at Oswego Village Hall at 100 Parkers Mill. The Oswego Village Board recently approved a new $750 administrative fee on motorists who flee or attempt to elude police during traffic stops. (Linda Girardi/For The Beacon-News)

Oswego OKs $750 fee on drivers who flee or attempt to elude police

March 19, 2026 at 8:34 a.m.

The Oswego Village Board recently approved an ordinance changing the municipal code to institute a $750 administrative fee on motorists who flee or attempt to elude police during traffic stops.

A banner featuring St. Patrick and an Irish flag are carried during the St. Patrick's Parade in downtown St. Charles on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Linda Girardi/For The Beacon-News)

St. Charles goes green for St. Patrick’s Parade

March 15, 2026 at 11:44 a.m.

St. Charles rolled out the green carpet Saturday for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade where families, friends and neighbors came to celebrate the culture of the Emerald Isle.

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission meets at Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill in Oswego. (Linda Girardi/For The Beacon-News)

Oswego panel to examine plan for development featuring 210 houses, commercial area

March 2, 2026 at 8:24 a.m.

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night will review a concept plan for a proposed residential and commercial development on a site annexed to the village nearly two decades...

Board examines bid for work at West Aurora Learning Center

February 23, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

The West Aurora School District 129 board recently reviewed a bid for maintenance work on existing equipment at the West Aurora Learning Center/Early Childhood Academy.

West Aurora School District may keep student registration fees the same as they have been for the past six years under a proposal before the district's school board. (West Aurora School District)

West Aurora School District registration fees may stay the same for next school year

February 20, 2026 at 9:13 a.m.

West Aurora School District student registration fees would remain the same for next school year as they have for the past six years under a proposal being eyed by the...

Cars line up Monday, April 29, 2024, at a recently-opened Dutch Bros Coffee in Upland, California. A drive-thru Dutch Bros Coffee may be coming to Oswego. (John Plessel/The Sun Newspaper, SCNG)

Oswego panel in favor of project featuring drive-thru Dutch Bros Coffee

February 18, 2026 at 2:24 p.m.

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission recently recommended approval of a request to annex and rezone property for a proposed development near the intersection of Route 34 and Ogden Falls...

Drive-thru Dutch Bros Coffee may be coming to Oswego

February 3, 2026 at 10:37 a.m.

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night will review a request to annex and rezone property near Route 34 and Ogden Falls Boulevard for a project that would include...

The West Aurora School District board is looking at renovation work proposed for district schools this summer. (West Aurora School District)

Renovation projects proposed at West Aurora schools

January 28, 2026 at 11:42 a.m.

The West Aurora School District board is eyeing $1.2 million in proposed interior renovations to be done at several schools in the district this summer, including the modernization of the...

A sign for the village of Oswego. (Village of Oswego)

Oswego may impose $750 fee on drivers who flee from police

January 27, 2026 at 8:43 a.m.

Oswego trustees as a committee of the whole recently discussed instituting a $750 administrative fee on drivers who flee or attempt to elude police as a way to improve safety...

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