Latest reporting from the Community desk.
Community
Naperville's water main replacement along Ogden Avenue and Washington Street is on track to finish Phase 1 by Nov. 13, ending more than a year of lane closures, while Phase 2 has been delayed to 2027 due to IDOT permitting issues and other factors.
Community
Naperville's Oct. 16–18 weekend brings a candlelit scavenger hunt, the launch of Halloween trolley tours, a VFW car show, the half marathon and the final days of the Taste of Naperville and the LOTUS art installation.
Community
Metea Valley High School music educator Jordan Yi built a 40-plus-member Mariachi Ensemble, giving District 204 students a student-led alternative to traditional Western music programs alongside Korean Percussion and Steel Band offerings.
Community
Alec Danner (2:23:13) and Maria Widmann (3:08:47) posted the fastest Naperville times as more than 300 local runners finished the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11.
Community
Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres hosts a drop-in Chat with the Chief at Sweet Toast Café on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 1:30 p.m., where residents can ask questions about public safety.
Community
The Naperville Art League is accepting free submissions of original artwork honoring veterans, active military and first responders for a "Heroes" exhibition running Nov. 3–13 at the Naperville Fine Art Center, with an Oct. 31 deadline.
Community
The Actual Naperville Running Club, founded a year ago by two Benet Academy grads in their 20s, hosts a free "Young People Retention Program" event Saturday at Springbrook Prairie with Mayor Wehrli attending.
Community
Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres will hold a free, drop-in "Chat with the Chief" meet-and-greet at Sweet Toast Café on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Community
Former Naperville North football standout Danny Puknaitis and fellow Naperville firefighter Mike Jost co-invented the Poseidon Nozzle, a device that slides under electric vehicles to extinguish battery fires, now used by fire departments worldwide and demonstrated to U.S. military branches.
Community
Naper Settlement's interactive "We the People: Naperville and the American Story" exhibit features local artifacts, hands-on games and Naperville history through December 2026, included in regular museum admission.
Community
The Veteran Business Project's third annual Valor to Venture gala on Oct. 29 at Hotel Arista will honor John P. Calamos Sr. with the organization's first entrepreneurial leadership award and raise money for a new PTSD mental health initiative.
Community
Naper Pride founder Margie Wolf says the organization is stepping back from its annual Pride Fest to focus on year-round programs including a 95-member community chorus, senior meal deliveries and recreational activities across Naperville.
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