American Legion Post 403 held its April 8 meeting at the Iron Skillet Restaurant at the Petro Truck Stop.

From Capitol News Illinois:

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois State Board of Education presented its budget request for $10.9 billion to fund public schools in the upcoming fiscal year. The request includes $300 million in new spending for schools, plus $50 million for property tax relief grants

State Rep. Brad Fritts is hosting a free Medicare 101 event from 4-6 p.m. April 20 at Mills & Petrie Memorial Library in collaboration with the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging.

Ogle County recently released the marriage licenses it issued in March 2026.

The Secretary of State's Office said the scam messages threaten that failure to pay non-existent back tolls will result in penalty fees and even suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration.

Perpetual care includes mowing, weed control, tree and monument maintenance and winter snow issues.

From Capitol News Illinois: A lack of domestic workforce participation in agriculture pushes Illinois farmers to employ foreign workers through the temporary H-2A non-immigrant visa program. Illinois’ employment of farmers through the visa program has grown rapidly

Shaw Local is taking a look at a number of potential prospects who could fit the Chicago Bears’ needs in the first round of the NFL draft later this month. Here’s how Missouri edge rusher Zion Young could be a fit with the Bears.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that could allow drivers with suspended licenses to continue driving with a speed control device in their car

Stateline Music Foundation of Freeport is offering scholarship aid for high school or homeschooled seniors graduating this spring who will enroll in a music major curriculum.

Two people charged with breaking into a Stillman Valley home and battering one of its residents were released from custody Tuesday afternoon and ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device while confined to their homes as their cases proceed through the court system.

The Rock River Center is a resource center located in Oregon.

Democratic congressional members from Illinois are questioning President Donald Trump’s fitness for office and calling his threats to destroy Iran as a country "dangerous."

Ogle County recently released zoning certificates it issued in March 2026.

From Capitol News Illinois: A bill in the legislature would eventually allow driverless vehicles to operate in Illinois counties that have more than 1 million residents, plus Sangamon and three downstate jurisdictions. They could replace rideshare and taxi drivers

The Hub Hickory Nuts 4-H club recently received a donation from Kiwanis Golden K of Rochelle.

The Polo Woman’s Garden Club will be having its annual perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 2, at the Polo Community High School ag department.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats have added a new abortion access measure to their agenda that would allow people with limited or no insurance to get financial assistance for abortion care in Illinois.

Here is a list of upcoming events at Bertolet Memorial Library in Leaf River.

Statewide teacher vacancies decreased by 24% with less than 3,000 vacancies remaining in the state as of Oct. 1, 2025, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The Chicago Bears will try to make key roster additions in the NFL draft later this month in Pittsburgh. Here is everything Bears fans need to know about the 2026 NFL draft.

"The History of Simon and Garfunkel" will be presented Thursday, April 16, at the Byron Public Library.

Professional excavators and DIY homeowners alike are encourged to call 811 to safely mark utility lines before starting a digging project.

Rain totals varied Friday and Saturday across northern Illinois.

A rural residence in Oregon that sold for $500,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County in the past week.

From Capitol News Illinois: Elected officials and advocates for both domestic violence survivors and immigrant rights are warning of an uptick in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence around Cook County’s Domestic Violence Courthouse, in violation of both an order fro

From Capitol News Illinois: Nearly seven years after Illinois lawmakers approved recreational cannabis legalization, applicants who lost out on coveted business licenses are still battling the state in court, alleging the law’s rollout undermined its purported equity goals.

A light breakfast will celebrate military women, first responders and the individuals who have supported loved ones in the military.

A single-family home in Mount Morris that sold for $110,000 tops the list of the best real estate deals in Ogle County in the past week.

According to USDA, the national average price for conventional hard-shell eggs in mid-March was $1.43 a dozen.

Since the Illinois State Police began providing services on ​ April 1, 1922, 73 state police officers have died in the line of duty, according to the agency.

Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club members have started preparation for the fair by participating in talks and demonstrations on different projects.

With more thunderstorms in the forecast, most of northern Illinois is under a flood watch from through Saturday morning.

Prospective homebuyers considering the real estate market had a range of options in various neighborhoods throughout the region over the past week. We outline recent property sales in Ogle County, all of which featured properties at the price point of $200,000 or under.

Encore! Mt. Morris, a non-profit organization working to make Mt. Morris a destination for the visual, performing and culinary arts, has been preparing for the spring and summer 2026 season.

From Capitol News Illinois: While the state program that created them is still relatively new, Illinois' clean energy workforce hubs are struggling to convert training into employment.

From Capitol News Illinois: Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield went on strike Friday after contract negotiations failed to produce satisfactory wage increases and address other concerns.

From Capitol News Illinois: Frustrated Peoples Gas customers and utility watchdog advocates gathered in Daley Plaza on Wednesday to protest rising heat bills, chanting “Rate hike? No! Record profits? No!”

Illinois Wesleyan University’s dean’s list for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year consisted of 885 students from 31 states and 23 countries.

The Chicago Bears won’t receive compensatory picks for the hiring of former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham. The NFL announced the final decision Friday.

CHS Rochelle recently donated $6,250 to the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District to assist in the purchase of new battery-operated rescue tools.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson sat down with Shaw Local at the NFL’s annual meetings in Phoenix this week. In this exclusive 1-on-1 interview, he touched on various topics, including his first year, quarterback Caleb Williams, and more

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker is urging Congress to authorize year-round E15 gasoline sales, arguing it would stabilize fuel markets and support rural economies

The Flagg Township Museum will host Penny Day activities from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 12.

The Illinois Elementary School Association recently announced its upcoming celebration of excellence, where outstanding individuals from member schools will be honored.

From Capitol News Illinois: The blame game comes after Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a report that found property taxes in the state’s largest county have grown faster than inflation and wage growth over the past 30 years

Tom Wadsworth of Dixon will premiere his new historical presentation on the rivalry between John Dixon and John Phelps. These two pioneer leaders often clashed as they battled for the prominence of Dixon and Oregon, the towns they created.

Performance dates are April 17-19 and April 24-26 at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Community Theatre.

The Bears say they want a new stadium open by 2030, with a final decision expected in the coming months. Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, remain in play as lawmakers negotiate key incentives