Beauty Collective & Co. in Rochelle held a grand opening Jan. 18.

Jonathon Gounaris, 33, is charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of possessing a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card.

Imagine, it’s Saturday, July 4, 2076. The 300th anniversary of America’s independence. Fifty years before, residents, organizations and schools wrote letters and messages to the “future people” of Ogle County.

The Lessons for Living is a free online series of one-hour sessions designed to empower adults of all ages with practical, easy-to-understand guidance for living an inspiring, healthy and fulfilling life. All sessions require registration.

Oregon High School has recently introduced an off-campus lunch option for seniors who are eligible.

Chuck and Lydia Roberts of Rochelle, who have been married for 53 years, have been ski instructors together for all of those years and just recently started their 50th year of ski instruction at Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin.

A Rochelle woman died Sunday as a result of injuries suffered in a Jan. 26 shooting, Rochelle Police Chief Pete Pavia said Wednesday.

Focus House has tentative plans in place for the construction of a new residence hall at its 3279 Illinois Route 251 location in the coming years, Executive Director Brenda Mason said Feb. 3.

Ogle County recently released the list of marriage licenses issued in January.

Last December marked the 10th anniversary of my monthly column in the Ogle County Life. Thanks to those who have read it, and to the Ogle County Life for faithfully publishing it during that time.

The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show will begin with an opening reception Saturday, Feb. 14. Several artists will be on hand to welcome visitors.

Artists within a 35-mile radius of Dixon or who are permanent residents of Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, Carroll, Stevenson or Jo Daviess counties and who are at least 16 years of age are eligible to enter.

In northern Illinois’s largest cities to its smallest towns, counterfeit pills, whose effects are boosted by fentanyl, kill users and devastate the families they leave behind.

The Chana Family Clothes Closet will be open Feb. 7, 18 and 21 with a wide variety of clothing from infant to plus adult.

With the calendar turning to February, it’s crunch time for basketball and wrestling. The wrestlers will be in the midst of it Friday, Feb. 13, at Byron for the individual sectional, always one of the top sporting events of the school year.

Join The Serenity Shed on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to create a 12-inch custom sign for $15. All supplies are provided. Spots are limited.

Larson: I feel shame, I feel a sense of guilt concerning this animus being visited by one American upon another.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the spring 2026 semester. The foundation awarded 335 scholarships totaling $267,526.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Jan. 26-30, 2026.

Emi Bail, a student at Byron High School, has been selected for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Here's a list of upcoming events planned for February at the Polo library.

Stillman Valley High School students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation recently announced the opening of its 2026 Community Needs Grant Cycle.

The Village of Progress Foundation will offer two scholarships in 2026.

Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “A Murder is Announced”.

The Let Freedom Ring Festival Committee of Mt. Morris is holding its annual dessert auction/spaghetti dinner Saturday, Feb. 28.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Jan. 19-23, 2026.

As January’s chill has had a tight grip throughout the month, I reflect on the city’s recent efforts and activities, and share some of the highlights within this monthly update.

The University of Dubuque recently congratulated Ogle County students on being appointed to the fall 2025 Dean’s List.

Since two heavy snowstorms hit the area early this winter, Ogle County farmers have been hoping for more moisture to no avail, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said Thursday.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists recently announced that scholarship applications are now being accepted for their annual Northern Rehab Health & Wellness Scholarship.

Brown’s Tax Service in Rochelle will host a client appreciation day on Wednesday, April 29.

Roberts: There seems to be a big fuss lately about fraud in state governments, as evidenced by the misuse of federal funds in Minnesota.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation recently announced the student scholarship recipients for the spring 2026 semester. The foundation awarded 335 scholarships totaling $267,526.

Rochelle Township High School recently announced Zachery Smith, a junior at RTHS, as the January Rochelle Rotary Club Student of the Month.

Duane “DC” Meyer, 43, was found guilty Thursday night of the 2016 murders of Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, 31, and their 3-year-old son Amos

Angie Martin-Bakener was recently promoted to executive director of the Village of Progress after the retirement of previous Executive Director Brion Brooks.

More than 1,200 students received their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Northern Illinois University in December.

Duane “DC” Meyer, 43, of Stillman Valley was found guilty of killing Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, 31, and their 3-year-old son, Amos, on Oct. 19, 2016.

Duane “DC” Meyer, 43, of Stillman Valley is accused of killing his ex-wife, Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, 31, and then setting her Byron home on fire with their 3-year-old son, Amos, asleep in his upstairs bedroom Oct. 19, 2016.

Two Ogle County students were recently named to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire fall 2025 dean’s list.

This year the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center is celebrating its 50-year anniversary of providing services, engagement and education to Mt. Morris senior citizens.

Grand Detour Township recently released its 2026 meeting schedule.

The Rochelle city council voted unanimously Monday to sell 2.5 acres of property it owns on Technology Parkway for $218,000 to a developer with plans for a hotel on the land. 

Duane “DC” Meyer, 43, of Stillman Valley is accused of killing his ex-wife, Maggie (Rosko) Meyer, 31, and then setting her Byron home on fire with their 3-year-old son, Amos, asleep in his upstairs bedroom on Oct. 19, 2016.

On this episode of Talk Line, Charlene Bielema from Shaw Local drops in the booth to share the latest news on her court coverage, several local fires, and how the Dixon Police Department handles missing persons alerts.

Tri-County Opportunities Council will award at least 10 scholarships to income-eligible students residing in the agency’s service area.

Local residents will have an opportunity to learn more about one of Illinois’ most fascinating native animals during Wild Neighbors: Beavers – Nature’s Engineers, a free program offered by University of Illinois Extension. The presentation will be Wednesday, Feb. 11.

A total of 251 full-time and part-time Sauk Valley Community College students have been named to the president’s list for high academic achievement during the fall semester. Another 155 students made the dean's list.

The Byron Community Room is open every Thursday for everyone who plays 500 Cards.