Polo, Illinois news and information from the Shaw Local News Network
4-H Camp is a five-day, four-night residential camping experience that is conducted cooperatively by University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties and the professional staff at RRCC.
Firefighters from eight departments worked to put out fire that destroyed machinery Friday, Dec. 19.
Obendorf: Polo’s Christmas celebration came off in fine style and Polo Historical Society had two full trolleys and two partial ones.
A Dixon native now serving as an elementary principal in Polo will be Dixon Public Schools' next superintendent after current Superintendent Margo Empen retires in July 2026.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Dec. 8-12, 2025.
Obendorf: The Polo Historical Museum has very old Christmas ornaments and trees that have been donated. We love the tree with bubble lights that still work and of course our Santa that spent many years in Muench Shoe Store is still dancing at the museum.
Jocelyn Bogatitus was recently named the November Student of the Month at Polo Community High School. She received a scholarship from the Polo Schools Foundation for her efforts.
Cassandre R. Mlakar has been promoted to senior vice president, FSB Wealth Group. Mlakar joined FSB Wealth Group and First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll in 2009.
Jered T. Vautsmeier, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 4 to the misdemeanor offense when he appeared in Ogle County Circuit Court - other charges were dismissed through a plea agreement.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Dec. 1-5, 2025.
First State Bank Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll recently announced the promotion of Allyson Roling to lending officer.
Obendorf: I remember the days when I would get a 25-pound turkey and wrap it in foil. Then it went into the oven at a very high temperature and came out four hours later in great shape for eating. Now they do it in a big deep fryer in half the time.
The Polo Christmas Festival offered activities for kids, shopping, refreshments and more on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
The Polo Chamber of Commerce recently announced its Home and Business Holiday Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, third and honorable mention in both home and business categories.
Dixon Rural and Dixon City firefighters and Advance EMS were dispatched at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, to a structure fire at 1706 Spring St., Nachusa, according to a news release from Dixon Rural Fire Chief Dustin Dahlstrom.
Polo Area Community Theatre will perform “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” A special ribboncutting will be held before the show on Dec. 5, 2025, to celebrate the group’s purchase of the building.
Polo Area Community Theatre will perform “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The performances will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12; at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; and at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and 13 at PACT’s theater in downtown Polo.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 24-28, 2025.
Here's a slate of Polo Public Library events set for December.
The Polo Historical Society is getting ready for its new Christmas trolley tour. The holiday tour featuring Polo's architecture will take place Dec. 6, 2025.
Come to the Polo Museum, 113 N. Franklin St., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and take an architecture tour on the Holly Trolley.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank is expected to feed more people this holiday season than in previous years, including the pandemic era, despite government assistance like SNAP reinstated to help put food on the table.
Here is a list of Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 17-21, 2025.
Volunteers from the Polo Lifeline Food Pantry helped distribute food items from the Northern Illinois Food Bank's mobile food pantry truck Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.
Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for its next production, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson.
Some Ogle County food pantries have seen client increases of up to 30%.
There were no injuries after a shed fire Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in rural Polo, Polo Fire Protection District Chief Jim Ports said.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 10-14, 2025.
Polo Schools will present their fall musical, Disney’s Moana Jr., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Show dates have changed because of the state football championship scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21.
Several local departments responded to a shed fire in rural Polo Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.
I remember when I wrote the Civil War book on the 15th Regiment. What spurred me on was the fact that the men were so afraid they would be forgotten. I liked the point brought out in the program – to say their names out loud when you visit cemeteries.
Centennial Elementary School in Polo has been ranked among the 2026 Best Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
Polo Women’s Club participated in the annual wreath ceremony held at Fairmount Cemetery on Nov. 6, 2025.
Laynie Mandrell was recently named the October Student of the Month at Polo Community High School. After high school, she plans to attend college to become an industrial engineer or dietitian.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 3-7, 2025.
The Polo Christmas Festival is back for its seventh year on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, bringing a full day of festive fun for all ages.
Obendorf: A package came in the mail for the Polo Historical Society. In it were several things, including several badges worn by Joe Powell when he was chief of police for Polo and when he was Ogle County sheriff.
The Sterling Fire Department was dispatched Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, to a structure fire at C&K Undercar Specialists.
Twelve local students are among the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
The Polo Christmas Festival Committee is excited to announce the return of the annual craft and vendor show, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
Four local students are among University of Wisconsin-Whitewater scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
The annual Polo Christmas Festival will be Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
The Polo Christmas Festival is once again spreading holiday cheer through its annual Santa’s Helper Food Drive, running from Nov. 1 through Nov. 29, 2025.
Obendorf: Up at the Dr. Burns House in the newspaper room is a beautiful antique slanted wooden piece of furniture for reading the big newspaper books. Since the newspaper books are now being brought to the museum, we want to bring this antique down to the museum.
Polo Historical Society Board Member and Military Liaison Kevin Smoot will host the program “Polo’s Veterans” Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at the Polo Senior Center, 101 E. Mason St.
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 20-24, 2025.
Polo Historical Museum is moving the big newspaper books from the Dr. Burns House to the museum so they will be in a better controlled system.
The Polo Christmas Festival Committee is seeking volunteers to help make this year’s holiday celebration a success. The festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and there are a variety of opportunities available to get involved.
Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?
Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 13-17, 2025.