Denise Crosby – Page 7

Strong pecs are de rigueur for a group of World War II Navy Seabees stationed on a tropical island in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific," playing now through June 14 at downtown Aurora's Paramount Theatre. (Boris Martin)

Column: ‘South Pacific’ shaping up to be another successful Paramount show

May 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The Aurora theater's current musical – the season finale playing through June 14 – is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic “South Pacific."

Yard signs, like this one at Larkin High School in Elgin, are being planted across Kane County as part of a campaign to bring awareness to the 988 Crisis Lifeline that will immediately connect the caller with a trained counselor from Suicide Prevention Services in Batavia. (Kane County Health Department)

Column: New 988 campaign covering Kane County in crisis line awareness

May 15, 2026 at 2:45 p.m.

Over 700 red, white and blue placards have been planted throughout the county, all touting 988, the number for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

This undated photo shows Timmothy Pitzen, an Aurora boy who disappeared at age 6 in 2011. (Associated Press)

Column: Family remains convinced Timmothy Pitzen is alive 15 years after disappearance

May 10, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

The Aurora boy who disappeared at the age of 6 in 2011 remains the center of one of the most haunting mysteries to ever come out of the Chicago area.

Five-year-old Audrey Orth stands in front of the waterfall area at Phillips Park in Aurora which, in addition to the visitors center and barn, is ablaze with blue and green lights during May to bring awareness to neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic condition she was diagnosed with at 18 months old. (Amanda Orth)

Column: Phillips Park awash in color as Aurora mom shines light on daughter’s rare medical condition

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

Aurora woman works to raise awareness of neurofibromatosis, a complex medical condition her 5-year-old daughter has that causes tumors to grow along the nerves.

From left, cousins Gemma and Jack Crosby take part in a Color Run fundraiser last weekend for John Stewart Elementary School in Elburn. (Haley Crosby)

Column: Cousins offer playground guide to political debate

May 7, 2026 at 4:31 p.m.

Kids are paying attention to the many issues that divide us. And frankly, the exchanges I see between these two give me hope for their future.

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

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

David Heatley recently returned from the NYC Hot Sauce Expo, where his creations won four big awards, including the best-in-show for his “Dead to Me” super-sizzling concoction.

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

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 city's downtown will be buzzing again on Saturday when Aurora GreenFest brings together over 90...

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

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

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

Sixth-graders in ELA classes at Kaneland School District's Kaneland Harter Middle School interviewed older relatives and compiled magazine-style biographies for each, which were presented to family members at a recent reception at the Sugar Grove school. (Kaneland School District)

Column: Kaneland teacher’s ‘swan song’ a memorable legacy

April 24, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Teacher Tina Schertzer the driving force behind a project that helped bring generations together.

Artist Dr. Charles Smith, center, is surrounded by supporters at a meet-and-greet for his welcome-home exhibition, "A Truth in Stone and Spirit,” on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Aurora Public Art gallery in downtown Aurora. (Al Nowakowski)

Column: Homecoming for Dr. Charles Smith a celebration for both the artist and Aurora

April 22, 2026 at 12:28 p.m.

On Friday, the 85-year-old sculptor, who created controversy as well as hundreds of pieces of visionary African American folk art during his many years in Aurora, was honored by the...

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