Bears dropped a tough one to the Packers last week from 28 to 21 and this comes after a five-game win streak. The Bears are now in a tough position to make the playoffs but here is the truth about this team. A year ago, the tires fell off the wagon, and we fired the head coach midway through the year and lost 10 games in a row. This year under a new head coach in Ben Johnson the Bears are 9 and 4 and have find ways to win games. So, what is the difference from last year to this year well its simple Ben Johnson has a game plan in how to reposition this team to win and more importantly focus on getting better each week. The Coaching staff is here to help guide the players and focus on developing their talent. Just some of these minor changes have already made the Bears an emerging team that is on the cusp of being ready to contend and go to the playoffs. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Caleb Williams needs to continue grow into a better Quarterback and focus on his development. He has played well and improved his game management but in only his second year there is still room for improvement. With the upgrade on the Offensive Line, we are seeing the Bears return to being able to run the football that opens the passing game with the Wide Receivers and Tight ends. The Bears Tight ends have been solid on blocking and getting open to help the passing game. Wide receiver DJ Moore and Rome Odunze have been team players catching the Ball and DJ Moore being a professional in also taking upon himself to Block down field on the Runs. Here is a Pro Bowl Wide Receiver who cares about his team and does whatever it takes to make things happen on the field.

Temporary Warming Center Opens Tonight At 7 P.M.Beginning tonight, the City of Aurora will be opening its Temporary Overnight Warming Center at the Financial Empowerment Center, located at 712 S. River Street. The entrance is through the main door and guests will be buzzed in through the security door.

Use the form below to send us pictures of your festively decorated home. We'll choose the top 3 best decorated homes here in Aurora!

Temporary Warming Center Opens Tonight At 7 P.M.Beginning tonight, the City of Aurora will be opening its Temporary Overnight Warming Center at the Financial Empowerment Center, located at 712 S. River Street. The entrance is through the main door and guests will be buzzed in through the security door.

Oswego Panthers made it to the State Championship and faced the number one team in the Midwest, the Mt Carmel Caravan that boasted seven players who are heading to Division One Football next season. Panthers played toe to toe with the Caravan, and the defense held the high-flying offense to only 20 points. Oswego came into the game as an underdog and came out of this gaining respect for the Panthers football program. Realizing in the past thirty years Oswego Panthers Football has been a quiet powerhouse. Starting in the 1990 season the panthers have run off Three State Championship appearances, two state titles, five semifinal appearances, ten quarterfinal appearances, and thirty-two playoff appearances in four different football classes, 4A, 5A, 7A, and 8A. This is going along with only having Three Football Coaches that come from the Ken Pickerill coaching tree, the founder of Oswego Panther Football. Throughout the years, event thou our school District has grown, we have added Oswego East who is also building a regional power football. The Oswego Panther tradition has not changed. Many of the current players have ties to the tradition of Panther Pride, and many of the Coaches as well.

Montgomery’s Annual Tree Lighting & Santa Visit Grows “Merry & Bright” with New Surprises This YearThe Village of Montgomery invites residents and visitors to embrace the holiday spirit at the annual Tree Lighting & Santa Visit, a centerpiece of the Village’s Merry & Bright Holiday Events series. This year’s celebration is bigger, brighter, and filled with festive surprises the whole family will love.

Christmas Walk RemindersChristmas WalkOswego’s annual Christmas Walk returns tomorrow Dec. 5, and the downtown area will come alive with festivities from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

With the Holiday Season upon us we at the Aurora Valley Times would like to thank you for all your continued support. We are dedicated to helping our shared communities and would like to share with you our partners in the community who have worked with us to help support the community through such notable causes as Kendall County Casa , The Oswego Legion, Diabetes, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry , and so many wonderful civic organizations that have helped to make a difference in our community. With the Holiday season upon us we would like to extend our invitation to local business to send us their business card so we can add you as a supporter and we also invite the public to please stop by and support these family-owned business. Please join us in supporting.

I wanted to reach out to everyone and thank them for all the continued support you have shown in supporting our local community magazine. It has been a great experience, and I have met so many wonderful people who have become dear friends over the years. I am proud to announce that my Nephew Jack Flowers will be taking over the Aurora Valley Times and ushering in a new chapter in our history. I will continue to help out around with some articles, but it is a great pleasure to be working with the next generation of Flowers, and we look forward to continuing to serve you please continue to support us, and we look forward to continuing serving our shared communities.

Temporary Warming Center Opens Tonight At 7 P.M.Beginning tonight, the City of Aurora will be opening its Temporary Overnight Warming Center at the Financial Empowerment Center, located at 712 S. River Street. The entrance is through the main door and guests will be buzzed in through the security door.

Panther Pride started with Commander Karl Hoinkes in 1990 with the win over Marion Catholic that was the launch of the Oswego Panthers with a coaching staff of Ken Pickerill, Dave Keeley, Chopper Babick all notable. The Focus was Karl on offense and Dave Kelley on defense and Coach Pickeral supporting all aspects of the program. With the Foundation in place the Pather Dynasty would go on to 30 years of promise. After 2 State Championships, 10 quarterfinals, and five Semi Finals appearances under three Coaches in that time frame. The Three Coaches of Karl Hoinkes, Dave Keeley, and Brian Conney have helped to build this local Dynasty. Current Coach Brian Cooney was the starting Coach was the starting linebacker on the first State Championship team. With Semi Final Appearances in 1991, 1992, 1999,2003 and State Titles in 1992 and 2003 the Panthers have positioned themselves as one of the best football programs in the State.

Oswego Panthers will travel to play Maine South on Saturday game will be on local Radio WSPY. This is the first time the Panthers have been to the Quarterfinals in ten years and this has been a magical season for Coach Brian Cooney. Panther Pride is being seen all over the School District and if the Panther can continue their magical season they will face the winner of the Bolingbrook vs Fremd Matchup. Good Luck to the Panthers.