Cooler Weather May Bring Big Crowds to Festival of the Little Hills

Annual St. Charles festival runs Aug. 17 through 19 in Main Street and Frontier Park.

Warm, but not hot weather, is expected for the 41st Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles, scheduled for Aug. 17-19. Temperatures are expected to top out at 81°F on Friday, 79°F on Saturday and 83°F on Sunday. Attendance at the annual craft festival typically ranges from 250,000 to 300,000 people over the weekend and weather often plays a role in turn out.  In 2009, the unseasonably cool weather meant attendance surged to 350,000 people. Organizers said some food vendors ran out of bread and soda products halfway through. "Looks like it's going to be one of our best weather years yet," said Event Chairman Dale Hampton, who has been involved with the festival for the past 26 years. Festival volunteers are getting set up this week in …

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New Law Makes it Unlawful to Refuse to Comply with Police

St. Charles City Council approved a new law designed to give St. Charles Police Officers more ability to handle problems on Main Street.

Failing to listen when a police officer asks you to leave an area can get you arrested in St. Charles under a new law recently approved by the city council.  St. Charles City Council on July 24 passed a city ordinance that makes interfering with law enforcement officers a misdemeanor violation. The new law (section 215:635) says: It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly hinder, obstruct, willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of, or otherwise interfere with any law enforcement officer in the discharge of the officer's official duties, or to attempt to rescue from such officer any person in the officer's custody, or to aid in the escape of, or set at liberty, any person while in the officer's custody…

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Police Reports: Woman Attacks Boyfriend With Knife

St. Charles Police Reports, July 14-17.

St. Charles Police Reports are provided by the St. Charles Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction. Assault Property Damage Driving While Intoxicated  Stealing Main Street Incidents  Burglary

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Friday Food Critic: Talayna's World Class Pizza

Each week, we nominate a new restaurant for you to review. That's right, you're the local expert.

When it comes to restaurants, St. Charles has it covered. We have some great local places that many would consider community gems; we have some restaurants that aren't exactly mom-and-pop but are unique to the area; and we certainly—for better or for worse—have plenty of chains lining our main streets. But what we don't have is a consistent food critic to tell us what's good and what's not.  That's where you come in. We could throw some money at a professional food critic, but that's not exactly what Patch is all about. We'd much rather know the opinion of the fine folks that eat there day-in and day-out. It's your community. You eat the food. You tell us if it passes the mark. That's why we are introducing The Friday Food Critic, where …

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Greg Padavan

10:40 am on Friday, August 17, 2012

I think Talanya's is very good as well. Saying that my brother Mark is my Executive Chef and Partner at Padavan's NY in New Town. When Mark was in NY he was written up MANY times for his fantastic entrees and was also known for the best Pizza in The Hampton's. We grew up in Westhampton Beach so I know what you mean about missing NY Pizza. Our pizza is the real deal. We have regular Neopolitan (NY…   more ›

9 Homes in Midtown Found to be Historically Significant

City completed Phase 2 of a survey of the Midtown neighborhood.

A survey of a portion of the Midtown neighborhood found nine homes which may be individually eligible for the recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, Main Street and Frenchtown are on the federal list. The city is in the middle of a four-part study of the Midtown and Commons neighborhoods. On Monday, City Preservation Planner Brenda Rubach presented information about phase two of the study, which focused on a portion of Midtown.  These homes listed below may be eligible to apply for inclusion on the National Register, either because they are associated with an important person, or embody the distinctive characteristics of a period or construction: See additional photos of these homes on our Facebook page.  The …

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Police Reports: Man Punches Nurse in the Face

St. Charles Police Reports April 25-28 are provided by the City of St. Charles Police Department. A charge does not indicate a conviction.

Man Punches Nurse in the Face  Man Arrested for Assaulting Officer Window Smashed Fight on Main Street Cars Damaged by Bullets, BBs Burglary Stealing  

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South Main Street Merchants Speak Out Against Banquet Centers in Historic Commercial District

Business owners say allowing banquet centers could lead to more vandalism and problems with drunk people.

Members of the St. Charles Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday considered the question: What impact would banquet and meeting centers have if they were allowed in historic St. Charles? South Main Street business owners say the banquet centers would aggrevate the problems with drunk people in the area.  In the end, the commission pushed off a decision to change the zoning laws to allow banquet centers and meeting facilities in the Historic Commercial District, an area that runs along South Main Street from Madison Street to just before Ameristar Blvd. The change is being considered because Sheri Steffens, owner of Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, would like to build a chapel and a space for events and banquets at 1106 South Main …

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Police Reports: Business Windows Shot Out With BB Gun

Fighting, stealing and property damage are all part of the St. Charles Police Department Reports for Jan. 27-31.

The following arrest information was supplied by the St. Charles Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Property Damage Stealing Burglary Fighting

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Chowdown Showdown

The Place With the Best Appetizers in St. Charles County is...

Big A's on Main Street in St. Charles wins our Chowdown Showdown this week.

We have a winner! Four St. Charles County establishments were nominated, and it was close between two local restaurants, but Big A's on Main Street in St. Charles coasted to victory with 36 percent of the votes.  Here's what a few readers had to say about their favorites:  Here's how the voting broke down.  Thanks to everyone who voted and who nominated.  Disagree with the votes? Got something to say about the winner? Let us know below.  Check back on Monday for next week's Chowdown Showdown!

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Pirate Media Group

10:17 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011

Congrats to Big A's... and you've got to try their dry-rub hot wings as well... YUMMY..!!   more ›

Chowdown Showdown

Poll: Time to Pick the Best Spot For Appetizers in St. Charles County

Vote for your favorite appetizer spot among this week's Chowdown Showdown finalists in the poll below.

On this week's edition of the Chowdown Showdown we asked everyone to pick their favorite place for appetizers in St. Charles County. Four St. Charles County establishments were nominated:  You can cast your vote for your favorite among the finalists by submitting your answer in the poll below.  Voting will continue through 5 p.m Thursday. Check back Friday morning to find out who has been chosen as this week's Chowdown Showdown Champion for having the best appetizers in the county. After you've voted, be sure to tell us in the comments' section below why your favorite is the best. And if you think we missed a great place to get appetizers in this week's Chowdown Showdown, let us know in the comments below!  

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