Ashton

Investigating deputies have determined that a 2013 GMC Acadia was traveling east on Route 2 at a high rate of speed when it struck an eastbound 2014 Ford Fusion. The Acadia then crossed the median and collided with a westbound 2012 Dodge Charger.

Donna Smith earned her art degree from Northern Illinois University, where she worked for 32 years as a catalog editor and curriculum coordinator.

Voters this week in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Total voter turnout was 16.77% of the 22,248 registered voters in Lee County and 18.01% of 37,881 in Whiteside.

Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Several fire departments responded to a house fire at 8423 East Illinois Route 38 on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A portion of the state highway, between Chana Road and Brooklyn Road, was closed to allow crews to bring in tankers to help extinguish the blaze.

A structure fire along state Route 38 near Ashton resulted in “a total loss” as crews battled against strong winds Wednesday afternoon, Ashton Fire Chief Bernard Richter said.

See when State Sen. Li Arellano Jr.'s mobile constituent services will be visiting your town.

An Ashton teen pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder, admitting he used a belt to strangle his girlfriend to death four months ago in the apartment they shared.

About 30 people gathered on First Avenue bridge between Sterling and Rock Falls on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, to protest immigration policies enacted by the Trump administration.

No injuries reported in mid-day blaze.

Firefighters from eight departments battled a garage fire between Oregon and Ashton in frigid temperatures on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

The university awarded over 1,150 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in December.

Several students from Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls and Rochelle have been named to the dean's list.

Mitchell McPheron recently was named to the list.

Shaw Local has been covering numerous court cases this year as they move through the courts in Lee and Whiteside counties. Here are a few of the high-profile cases we have covered in the past year.

The money comes from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the state of Illinois. The splash pad project will be located on the AFC school grounds in Ashton, along Highway 38.

The Ashton teen charged with the murdering his 16-year-old girlfriend will be move from a juvenile detention center to an adult facility on Dec. 18 when he turns 18-years-old, a Lee County judge ruled Monday.

Jaedyn Hill was found dead Oct. 15 in an Ashton apartment.

Jaedyn Hill was found dead in her apartment in Ashton.

A firefighter was injured Sunday afternoon by farm equipment while responding to a 2.5-acre field fire about 3 miles south of Interstate 88 in rural Lee County.

Here's a list of trick-or-treat hours, parades and trunk or treats on tap to celebrate the spooky season.

David J. Sosa, 17. of Ashton is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the strangulation death of his girlfriend, Jaedyn A. Hill, who turned 16 earlier this month.

Court documents: David Sosa walked 11 miles from his Ashton apartment to Rochelle to turn himself in to police, admitted he strangled 16-year-old Jaedyn Hill to death at their shared residence.

Rochelle police were first to learn of the death Tuesday morning when a 17-year-old boy walked into that police department and said he was involved in a murder, according to a news release issued by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday, the eve of his birthday, Willard Simpson took flight with pilot Keith Stranberg of Oregon, who was at the controls of his Buckeye Powered Parachute Ultralight.

Students from Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon named to list.

A total of 257 full- and part-time Sauk Valley Community College students have been named to the president’s list for the spring semester. Another 137 students made the dean’s list.

Property transfers filed in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties from May 24-31, 2024.

Here is a list of property transfers for Whiteside, Lee and Ogle counties filed May 10-17.

The tour begins with traveling office hours in Ashton on June 7.

Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees, according to the National Weather Service

Taxes are payable in two installments due on June 28 and Sept. 6, 2024.

Rochelle Fire Department was dispatched at 6:32 p.m. Sunday in response to smoke coming from a basement unit on the southeast corner of the building.

At 6:37 p.m. Tuesday, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rainfall continuing across portions of southeastern Lee and southern DeKalb counties, with rainfall rates up to 1-2 inches per hour.

A private investment group has bought Crest Foods in Ashton, but no major changes are in store for now, President Jeff Meiners said.

Lost Nation Golf Club has an enthusiastic new owner, who lives just a stone’s throw away from the scenic Ogle County course.

The 33-year-old woman whose body was found Sunday in the 1600 block of South Galena Avenue was from Rochelle, and formerly of Ashton, police and SVM archives show.

A semi from Mexico hauling a load of Hamburger Helper it picked up at Crest Foods in Ashton got hung up on the icy tracks at a crossing east of Franklin Grove and was struck by a Union Pacific train, sending boxes of “America’s favorite one-pan meal” spilling in the snow.

Should you find yourself in the middle of a heat emergency, there are several locations around the Sauk Valley – libraries, senior centers, government offices, even cop shops and hospitals – that serve as warming centers.

Several Sauk Valley-area students have been named to Northern Illinois University's 2023 dean’s list.

Local students also named to Southern New Hampshire University's president’s list.

Local musicians Scott Webb and Jason Stephens are giving away free guitars, amps, pedals and other accessories, as well as other kinds of instruments, through their Music Gear for Kids project.

State Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, chose Kozmic Salon for his October 2023 local business highlight.

Law enforcement in Lee and Whiteside counties are looking for whomever tried to break into teller machines at two banks in the early morning hours on Sunday.

Common football injuries may include shoulder sprains, concussions, ankle/foot injuries, knee injuries or broken bones.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Sunday through at least Wednesday for most of northern Illinois, including Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties, although relief appears to be a least a week away.

Central Bank Illinois is building a branch in the Northland Mall parking lot at 2900 E. Lincolnway in Sterling.

Tour consists of traveling office hours and coffee & conversation events

An Aston man is in Lee County jail, accused of using a 9mm handgun to force a a girl younger than 18 to allow him to fondle her, and to shoot at a woman.