Dixon and the Dixon Petunia Festival will continue a longstanding community partnership with ComEd that will once again allow the annual Petunia Festival fireworks display to take place along the Rock River near downtown Dixon in July.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for May 3-9 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Eight Sauk Valley students have qualified for the Youth Equestrian Development Association National Championships, which will be held the first week of June in Lexington, Virginia.

The Dixon Historic Theatre will host a gala in June for its Encore Capital Campaign to help the theater replace and repair some of its oldest infrastructure, including the main floor seats, the terrazzo floors and the marquee on the west side of the building.

The Lee County Board has approved a zoning change that marks the completion of a step needed for a Chicago developer to turn the former Magnuson Hotel near Dixon into apartments.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for April 27 to May 1, 2026.

As the warmth of summer approaches, Sauk Valley Community College and University of Illinois Extension are proud to announce a unique educational initiative designed to cultivate healthier lifestyles through the Homegrown Healthy program series.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, formally announced Friday $2 million in federal funds secured for the creation of retention ponds to the west of Dixon’s major economic development near Interstate 88.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark sits down with Sauk Valley Community College’s Jim Grot to talk about the college’s upcoming excursions and programs, including the Lake Michigan Lunch Cruise, Industrial Maintenance Bootcamp, EMT Basic Program and more.

Dixon city officials have postponed the approval of a project after a labor union raised concerns about the proposed contractor’s safety and wage compliance record.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark sits down with Spencer Aurand and Tori Highley of The Dixon: Historic Theatre to discuss the theater’s Encore Campaign, upcoming events, and a warning for patrons about scam websites selling fake tickets to shows at The Dixon.

The $18,500 scholarship is the largest Dixon High School scholarship presented by a Dixon-area organization.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we look back at four front pages from May 7. These archives serve as a time capsule, capturing the monumental shift from the tragedy of the Hindenburg to the triumphant end of World War II in Europe

Letter carriers across Dixon will collect non-perishable food donations on Saturday, May 9, as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an annual effort to combat food insecurity in communities nationwide.

Summer events include Dixon City Market, Music at the Square and Fitness Fridays.

May brings live theater, tribute bands and movies to the stage at The Dixon Historic Theatre.

The renovation of the new cafeteria, which will open Monday, May 11, marks the final phase of CGH Medical Center’s extensive hospital lobby renovation project that began in 2023.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark sits down with Gabbi McKanna from Sauk Valley Pride to discuss the organization and its upcoming Dixon Pride Festival this June.

The annual award seeks to recognize outstanding educators who go above and beyond for their students.

Teachers are asking the same questions on technology: What is changing, and how do we keep up? A Dixon educator is helping them find answers, even as the technology keeps shifting beneath him.

After 11 years leading Sauk Valley Community College, David Hellmich steps away, and leaves behind a legacy shaped far beyond its Dixon campus.

Dixon Stage Left will present “The Big Bang” from May 8 to 10 and May 16 and 17 at the Sauk Valley Community College Theatre, Dixon.

Real estate news: The 4,510-square-foot Dixon house, built in 1998, was sold for $525,000, or $116 per square foot.

United Way of Lee County is inviting community members to take part in a drive-thru community pasta drive on Friday, May 8, to help support local children through its upcoming Summer Eats meal program.

The meal will be served from 5 to 7 p.m.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for April 26-May 2 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

A single-family home in Dixon that sold for $405,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Lee County / Whiteside in the past week

This screening is part of a broader initiative led by SVVOR and ROE No. 47 to explore the potential development of a recovery high school in the Sauk Valley region, with a proposed location in Rock Falls.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle property transfers for April 20-24, 2026.

Since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, gas prices have risen by well over $1 nationwide, and in March, they jumped up by nearly 21% compared to the previous month, the Associated Press reported. Just this past week, prices rose an average of 56 cents per gallon in Illinois.

Sauk Valley Community College has announced two promotions to fill the vice president of academics and vice president of student services positions.

Dixon is inviting residents and community members to take part in a unique opportunity to help shape local history by submitting name suggestions for the city’s new pedestrian bridge, currently under construction as part of Project ROCK.

The drive will take place from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Dixon Township Building.

On May 4, 1873 – 153 years ago this weekend – a large crowd gathered on Dixon’s Truesdell Bridge to watch a baptism. Among them was 3 1/2-year-old Gertie. She would be the littlest survivor of that terrible day.

Sauk Valley Community College’s board approved a new strategic plan Monday that positions the college as a regional workforce hub while doubling down on student-centered support and community engagement through 2030.

The Legion will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with tacos and chicken enchilada meals available from 5-7 p.m. May 5.

Authorities have confirmed that a Dixon man who jumped into the Rock River in mid-April has been found dead in the Rock River near Sterling

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for April 20-24, 2026.

The fourth annual Dement Town Music Fest will take place May 30 along Dixon's Depot Avenue, bringing a full day of live music, food, art and community to help kick off the summer season.

A Dixon woman died after she was ejected from a vehicle that overturned April 24 on state Route 38 west of Rochelle, ending a high-speed pursuit across Ogle County fields and through a waterway.

Almost 300 Lee County fifth-grade students swarmed the Lee County 4-H Fairgrounds in Amboy on Friday during the Lee County Ag Expo.

The Sauk Valley College Foundation has announced a $50,000 gift from longtime supporter Linda Giesen to benefit the college’s Impact Program, an initiative expanding access to higher education while strengthening the region’s future workforce.

Meals will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. May 1.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for April 19-25 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from April 25

Heath A. Knipple, 46, was charged July 2, 2025, with six counts of Class X felony dissemination of images of child sex abuse, with each count listing the victim as younger than 13. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison if he is convicted.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle County property transfers for April 13-17, 2026.

Dixon is preparing for the next wave of businesses headed to the Gateway Project, its major economic development site along South Galena Avenue near Interstate 88.

A “Hands Around The City” event to observe Child Abuse Awareness Month was held April 17 at Rochelle City Hall.

Actor Tony Danza and his band will be at The Dixon Historic Theatre April 25.