A planned Illinois Department of Transportation reconstruction and widening of Illinois Route 251 on the north side of Rochelle could start by the end of 2028, Rochelle Interim City Manager and City Engineer Sam Tesreau said Wednesday.

Rochelle officials reacted Wednesday to its receipt of a $237,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the state of Illinois for the construction of six new pickleball courts at Fairways Golf Course.

Darren Bailey and running mate Aaron Del Mar stopped in Sterling this week as part of their “Take Back Illinois” bus tour through suburban Chicago and northern Illinois.

With several days of dangerously cold weather settling in across the Sauk Valley, warming centers will be open for those who need them. Please call the facility to make sure it is open before traveling in the cold.

Second Street is on track to reopen to traffic Friday from Fourth Avenue to First Avenue, the Sterling city manager told the Sterling City Council.

“Can a Republican win for governor? Can a downstate farmer win for governor?” Those were the questions that former state senator and former and current GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey had for a crowd of around 30 supporters in Sterling on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

The plan outlines long-term goals for the city of Dixon in five major areas: increasing available housing, improving transportation, growing the city’s economy through commercial and industrial developments and investing in community services and public infrastructure.

Dixon police give an inside look into how they searched, and successfully found, a man who was reported missing Saturday, Jan. 17. “When someone needs help in our community, people step up,” Dixon Police Chief Ryan Bivins said

Rock Falls Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Sommers was promoted to chief and Fire Capt. Nathan Hartman to deputy chief Tuesday, Jan. 20. The internal promotions follow the retirement of former chief, Ken Wolf III, which went into effect Jan. 16.