Author: John Lepley

Matthew White, an orchestra teacher at Scullen Middle School, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. White, who was selected from nearly 600 statewide nominees, was chosen for his exceptional ability to inspire and educate his students. The Golden Apple Award is one of Illinois’ most prestigious recognitions for teachers, honoring those who demonstrate outstanding leadership, commitment, and dedication to student success. The winners will be revealed soon, and White’s achievement has been celebrated by the Naperville community, highlighting the importance of quality educators in shaping the future. Charles Cush, the president…

The Rotary Club of Naperville has announced the cancellation of the 2026 Holiday Parade of Lights due to rising production costs and logistical challenges. The event, a beloved tradition in downtown Naperville for more than 20 years, had become increasingly difficult to organize, requiring 200-250 volunteers each year and extensive coordination. The parade traditionally marks the start of the holiday season, featuring floats, illuminated vehicles, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, but as participation declines, the club has faced difficulties securing the necessary volunteers and sponsors. Mike Calabrese, president of the Rotary Club, explained that the event was no…

Nestled in Naperville, VAI’s Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar has quickly become a favorite dining destination, offering a creative take on Italian cuisine. Opened just six months ago, this family-owned restaurant combines traditional Italian flavors with modern influences, particularly from Southern American cuisine. The result is a menu that offers flexibility, with both classic comfort dishes and unique creations far from traditional. The ambiance at VAI’s is warm and inviting, providing a perfect setting for any occasion. The restaurant’s lively bar area is especially popular during game days, adding to the fun and festive atmosphere. With a variety of house-made…

Two men from Naperville and Glendale Heights have been arrested and charged after allegedly orchestrating a fake jewelry robbery that was initially reported to be worth over $1 million. Mahmood Bashang, 30, of Naperville, and Pezhman Gilani Yahyavi, 46, of Glendale Heights, are accused of fabricating an elaborate story about being victims of a violent robbery and filing a false police report with Elmhurst authorities on February 22. The pair told police that they had just left a jewelry show in Rosemont and were heading home when three armed individuals forced them off the road, stealing between $1.5 million and…

The Rotary Club of Naperville is now accepting applications for its highly anticipated 2026 scholarship program, designed to support local high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to serving their communities. This initiative continues the Rotary Club’s long-standing tradition of fostering the next generation of leaders by providing financial assistance to deserving students pursuing higher education. The scholarships are open to high school seniors residing in Naperville’s School Districts 203 and 204, including students attending both public and private schools within the district boundaries. This expanded eligibility ensures that a wide range of…

In a disappointing turn of events, the Naperville Holiday Parade of Lights, a cherished tradition that has illuminated the city’s streets for decades, will not take place in 2026. The Rotary Club of Naperville, the event’s organizer since 2021, made the difficult decision to cancel the parade, citing escalating production costs and diminishing returns. The decision was confirmed by local news outlets, including Naperville Community Television (NCTV17). The Holiday Parade of Lights, which first began in 2003 under the leadership of Little Friends, Inc., has long been a festive highlight for the community, featuring a stunning array of illuminated floats,…

In a highly contentious meeting, the Naperville City Council voted overwhelmingly against a proposed data center to be developed along the I-88 corridor. The vote, which ended with a 6-1 decision and two abstentions, rejected both the original plan for two data centers and a scaled-back version proposing a single facility. The decision followed months of public hearings and debate over the project’s potential impact on the local community and environment. The data center, proposed by Karis Critical, was expected to span over 130,000 square feet and consume substantial resources, including water and energy. However, opposition to the plan, particularly…

Two men from the western suburbs of Chicago are facing felony charges after allegedly staging a fake jewelry heist worth over $1 million, leading to a significant waste of law enforcement resources. Mahmood Bashang, 30, of Naperville, and Pezhman Gilani Yahyavi, 46, from Glendale Heights, are accused of conspiring to fabricate a robbery story to steal valuable jewelry, causing authorities to respond to what appeared to be a high-stakes crime. On February 22, at approximately 6:30 p.m., the duo contacted Elmhurst police, claiming they were jewelry vendors on their way home from a trade show in Rosemont when they were…

Naperville, located in DuPage and Will Counties, lies 28 miles west of downtown Chicago along the DuPage River. The city’s foundation dates back to 1831, when Joseph Naper, a New York native, settled along the river and founded Naperville. Naper played a pivotal role in its early development, becoming the town’s first landowner and eventually leading its incorporation. In 1842, Naper drew the town’s first plat, and by 1857, Naperville was officially incorporated as a village, with Naper elected as the first president of its board. The town’s early settlers came primarily from the Northeast. Over time, the population expanded…

Naperville, IL – Melissa Kelley Black, a member of the Naperville District 203 School Board, has been formally censured for the second time in just 10 months due to allegations that she shared confidential information about contract negotiations through her public social media channels. This recent censure follows a series of posts by Kelley Black that, according to the school board, negatively impacted ongoing negotiations between the Naperville Board of Education and the Naperville Unit Education Association (NUEA). The censure, passed by a 6-1 vote, addressed social media posts from March and August 2025 in which Kelley Black allegedly disclosed…