R. Christian Smith

Christian Smith reports on Aurora city government for The Beacon-News. He grew up in Charleston, S.C., and graduated from Winthrop University in 2022. Previously, he has reported for The Citizen Times in Asheville, N.C., and The Morning News in Florence, S.C.

A falcon named Vixen began nesting in a crevice on the second floor of the exterior of Aurora City Hall in early April, city officials said. She laid four eggs, which hatched recently. Residents can now vote on names for the four baby falcons. (City of Aurora)

Aurora invites residents to vote on names for baby falcons hatched outside City Hall

May 13, 2026 at 12:23 p.m.

Voters have the option to choose between Vern, Aurora, Hope, George, Amor, Fox, Galena, Wayne, Sky and Ringo.

A view of downtown Aurora from along the Fox River. Two proposed agreements between the city and the new Aurora Downtown District organization are set to go before the Aurora City Council at its meeting on Tuesday. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora looks to formalize relationship with downtown organization it helped launch

May 11, 2026 at 4:01 p.m.

Two proposed agreements between the city and the new Aurora Downtown District are set to go before the Aurora City Council at its meeting on Tuesday.

The Santori Public Library at 101 S. River St. in downtown Aurora will be the site of the city's first job fair on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in connection with the upcoming special census in the city. (Jon Langham/For The Beacon-News)

Aurora to hold job fairs ahead of upcoming special census

May 11, 2026 at 3:03 p.m.

The city of Aurora is planning to hold job fairs ahead of its upcoming special census, with the first set to take place on Thursday.

More than $1 million secured from federal government to help replace lead pipes in Aurora

May 7, 2026 at 3:55 p.m.

The recent federal funding, which totals nearly $1.1 million, will be used to replace around 120 lead service lines in Aurora, city officials said.

A two-story building at 2880 Vision Court in Aurora, as seen on May 6, 2026. PROVA, a French flavoring company, is looking to make the property its first manufacturing presence in North America. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

French flavoring company looking to open facility in Aurora

May 6, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

A company from France specializing in "sweet brown" extracts and flavors is looking at opening a facility in Aurora.

A DJ, 1031MotionXo, performs on April 25, 2026, at East Wind music venue and social club in Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Founder says music venue, social club in Aurora a ‘love letter’ to immigrant communities

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

East Wind, located in the basement under La Villita bar and liquor store on Aurora's East Side, is a social club and venue looking to highlight local, Latino, Black American...

The Aurora City Council meets at Aurora City Hall at 44 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council approves $4.4 million to repave roads

May 1, 2026 at 9:01 a.m.

The Aurora City Council has approved around $4.4 million to resurface almost 22 lane miles of road on the city's East Side.

The building at 55 S. Lake St. in Aurora, the former location of Warehouse 55, which soon will hold Superjumbo Records and Arcade. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora City Council gives green light to expanded arcade downtown

May 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Yetee Station, which is currently at 11 N. Broadway, and Superjumbo Records, which is currently at 102 E. Galena Blvd., are both moving and joining together to be Superjumbo Records...

Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora, as seen on April 22, 2026. The street is currently one-way only, but the city is planning to convert it to two-way. (R. Christian Smith/The Beacon-News)

Aurora OKs contract extension for major downtown street project

April 29, 2026 at 12:48 p.m.

The long-planned project has two parts: one that would beautify the streetscape along Broadway from Benton Street to New York Street, and another that would convert the downtown stretches of...

Aurora Mayor John Laesch in no rush to choose next fire chief

April 29, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Since David McCabe retired in late November as Aurora fire chief, Deputy Chief Kevin Nickel has served as interim chief of the department.

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