Santa Claus, the North Pole superstar, was on hand to take requests and pictures along with his nemesis the Grinch, who sat nearby and growled at passing kids.

Gary C. Freeman, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of residential arson and one count of concealment of a homicide in connection with the death of Devin K. Gibbons, 28, of Rochelle.

Live trees will be collected in some cities

Rita Crundwell, the former Dixon city comptroller convicted of embezzling $53.7 million from the city – pegged as the largest municipal theft in U.S. history – is among one of roughly 1,500 people granted clemency by President Joe Biden just weeks before he leaves office.

Wallace Head Start's “Breakfast with Heroes” event invited members from both Rock Falls and Sterling’s police and fire departments to share a bagel breakfast with students to help foster positive connections with them.

Sterling boys swimming opened the season with a win over L-P, Fulton boys basketball won, Oregon girls beat Forreston, Oregon boys bowling set season highs and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

City of Dixon outraged after Crundwell’s prison sentence commuted by President Biden.

Duane Meyer is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated arson and one count of concealment of a homicidal death in connection with an Oct. 19, 2016, Byron house fire in which Meyer’s ex-wife, Margaret “Maggie” (Rosko) Meyer, 31, was found dead.

The business incubator houses 24, 1,500-square-foot units for small business owners to grow their operations in a low-rate lease space with access to workplace amenities, equipment and two loading docks.