On April 6, Illinois voters are electing new mayors, school board members, township supervisors, city council members and more, and are weighing in on referendums. What do you think about raising chickens in your back yard? How about your neighbors? The decisions we make in local elections have a big impact on our day to day lives, maybe more than national or state elections do. The people we elect on Tuesday will make decisions about our roads, parks, trash and recycling collection, our schools

On April 6, Illinois voters are electing new mayors, school board members, township supervisors, city council members and more, and are weighing in on referendums. What do you think about raising chickens in your back yard? How about your neighbors?

America celebrates National Library Week April 4th through 10th with the theme “Welcome to Your Library.” As a retired school librarian and a current trustee of the Batavia Public Library, I believe this theme is especially appropriate. It reminds us that everyone is welcome at the library and encourages us to discover what is new. Our pre-pandemic experiences may have been of a librarian handing us a book based on a special interest, attending an in-person author event, or learning a new

America celebrates National Library Week April 4th through 10th with the theme “Welcome to Your Library.” As a retired school librarian and a current trustee of the Batavia Public Library, I believe this theme is especially appropriate. It reminds us that everyone is welcome at the library and encourages us to discover what is new.

"This ménage à trois is not working," I informed my husband over the breakfast table.

"This ménage à trois is not working," I informed my husband over the breakfast table. Of course, the current state of affairs is his fault, because he brought Mimi into the house. Moody, difficult to please and argumentative, she lets her frustrations out on him. Mornings are the worst because she complains loudly, is impatient for breakfast and resentful when her needs are not met. Naturally, he was smitten by her youth and good looks, so he fell for her damsel in distress act. What a contrast

As a white male in his 60s, I have many things I may need to apologize for. All my discarded plastic or all my contribution to climate change.

As a white male in his 60s, I have many things I may need to apologize for. All my discarded plastic or all my contribution to climate change. And then, there is my white privilege, which came with my birth. Yes, I was born a poor white male; however, I have earned more in my lifetime than many of my male African American peers, most who have worked much harder than me. I am sorry for the system. Although I did not create it, I have silently benefitted from it. And my apology for it will not

March 29th is Vietnam War Veteran Day and while I was not deployed in Country because no female soldiers were allowed to qualify with a weapon or serve as combat soldiers, I did serve.

March 29th is Vietnam War Veteran Day and while I was not deployed in Country because no female soldiers were allowed to qualify with a weapon or serve as combat soldiers, I did serve. Graduating basic took something, not every recruit made it through -- I never thought I would. Upon graduating, I proudly wore my uniform to the airport. Holding my head high, I walked to my gate. “Hey, Baby Killer,” someone shouted. Stunned, I kept walking. I wish I could tell you it ended there. For the