Some details of the project are currently confidential while the land deal is being finalized, including the new facility’s location and the landowner’s name, but construction is expected to begin 2 to 3 years after the acquisition, with an additional 2 years for completion.

Derek Swanlund, 44, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Cameron Pasley, 25, also of Mt. Morris.

Matthew Herpstreith is accused of running over 18-year-old Jackson Kradle on state Route 78 in July 2024 and then trying to cover up any involvement he had in causing the death.

One person is dead and another charged with first-degree murder in what police are calling a “domestic incident” that happened late Monday afternoon.

Whiteside County Judge James Heuerman then went one step further by ordering 22-year-old LeAndrew Adams to serve the 15 years consecutively to a 3-year sentence he was given for throwing toilet water at officers in November 2023 while being held in jail for the sex assault case.

A Sterling woman has been fined a combined $3,400 in two separate animal neglect cases in which she was charged with hoarding and neglecting cats.

Derrick Flynn, 42, pleaded guilty Monday, April 14, 2025, in Lee County Circuit Court to aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in connection with an August 2023 fight in which he lacerated a woman's face and chipped and dislodged her teeth.

Brett A. Holcomb, 35, was arrested by Sterling police shortly after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, in the 1500 block of West Fourth Street and taken to the Whiteside County Jail, where he remained jailed Thursday.

The exposure marks the eighth incident of staff hospitalization from drug exposure at the Thomson facility in the past 15 months