Northern Kane and southern McHenry counties were anything but quiet this year. From the couple found murdered in Cary, to the kidnapping of eight people that unfolded in Carpentersville, there were plenty of troubling stories out of the Fox Valley in 2006. But there were bright spots.

By Lisa Smith Daily Herald Staff Writer Lily Lake and East Dundee will get matching Kane County grants to establish downtown redevelopment plans. In its annual Small Cities grant appropriation, the Kane County Board on Tuesday earmarked $23,500 for Lily Lake and $25,000 for East Dundee.