The bank is collecting nonperishable food items to help families in need within the community. The drive will run until Dec. 15, 2025.

Jayden Toms would like to study either mechanical or nuclear engineering at a 4-year university like UIUC or Purdue.

The event begins each year with the OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center tree lighting, and features free photos with Santa at Santa’s Village, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, and the Dixon Municipal Band.

Sponsored by the Sterling Municipal Band, TubaChristmas will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at The Mercantile in downtown Sterling. The event is open to euphonium, baritone, tuba, and sousaphone players...only low brass to celebrate the season.

Macie Lofgren plans to attend a four-year university to study health sciences. Her goal is to build a solid foundation in healthcare, working with strong teams and embracing challenges that once seemed out of reach.

The Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at KayCee Hall, 506 W. Third St.

The Dixon School Board approved new hires and filled several coaching positions at its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.

The city of Sterling is hosting an outdoor Christmas decorating contest. Entry dates are Nov. 15 to Dec. 6, 2025.

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is expected to feed more people this holiday season than in previous years, including the pandemic era, despite government assistance like SNAP reinstated to help put food on the table.