Rochelle resident and co-owner of Institute of Languages, Mathematics, & Sciences, Faten Abdallah, was awarded the 2025 EIGERlab 815 Innovation Award for Education Innovation on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

The City of Rochelle has recently seen social media reaction to news of it talking with a developer about a data center potentially locating in Rochelle.

The Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a $7,673,358 bid from Tri-City Electric Co. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, for the construction of a new electric substation for Rochelle Municipal Utilities on Centerpoint Drive off Illinois Route 38 west of town.

Henry Henze, of Rochelle, stood guard over Abraham Lincoln’s casket from Chicago to Springfield on his last ride home. 

Roberts Armory World War II Museum will be open to the public in honor of Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.

DeKalb youth theater company Lightbeam Players will present its show “Secrets Lie Beyond” on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

The Aspen Institute recently named Kishwaukee College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

On Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, the annual Downtown Trick or Treat was held in Rochelle. Candy seekers took to the streets on Halloween and were greeted by downtown business owners and employees.

Camren Hastings, 18, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and aggravated use of a firearm as a person under the age of 21, a Class 4 felony.

Ogle County’s Dewayne Adams placed fifth in his division at the National Corn Husking Contest in Nappannee, Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. At age 90, he was the oldest competitor at the event.

When the harvest ends, creativity begins – and round hay bales become art. Need an idea for a neat front yard creation? Look to Rochelle, where the community comes up with colorful creations on circular canvases.

The Hansen Halloween House is back for another year of family-friendly fun. The free event will take place at 1021 Fourth Ave., Rochelle, from 5-9 p.m. on the days leading up to Halloween and from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

As the vibrant leaves change colors and the temperatures begin to drop, we are reminded that fall has officially arrived in Rochelle.

There were no injuries and minimal damage to equipment and crops after the Rochelle Fire Department was called for a report of a combine fire Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, RFD Chief Dave Sawlsville said.

The city of Rochelle recently announced the appointment of Matt Hoffman as its new finance director.

Kish Short-Term programs provide students with the expertise needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 11-15 weeks, allowing students to start a career immediately or build on skills with additional training.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 20-24, 2025.

Large, fast-moving trains from Chicago to the West Coast zoom through Rochelle. It's where two important lines cross at a diamond, and where train enthusiasts cross paths at a park to enjoy seeing what each engine and car brings to their eyes.

Rochelle Community Hospital hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, for the ongoing expansion of its Health and Wellness Building.

Rochelle held a retirement celebration and open house Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, for Finance Director Chris Cardott, who will retire at the end of the year after 20 years with the city.

A ribboncutting was held Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, for three automotive businesses at 1400 N. Seventh St. in Rochelle: Doug Smith Motors, Mason Smith Auto Repair and Superior Dent Services.

Elizabeth Vaughan of Rochelle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2025.

Construction is set to begin on Rochelle’s downtown stage, outdoor gathering space and parking lots on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.

State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, and Regional Office of Education 47 are co-hosting an upcoming winter clothes drive for local students and families in need.

Rochelle Township High School recently congratulated students Wyatt Worthington and Kyler Dickson on being selected as recipients of this year’s Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution Awards, respectively.

A grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony were held Oct. 22, 2025, for Davis Family Health and Trim IV Infusions at their new location at 450 Coronado Drive in Rochelle.

In preparation for First Responders Day on Oct. 28, 2025, Rochelle youths were encouraged to color one square of two, 20-piece paper quilts honoring Rochelle’s police and firefighters.

A Rockford man’s argument that he entered a Rochelle townhome to “rescue” a “loved one” who worked as an online escort did not sway Ogle County jurors Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from convicting him of home invasion, armed robbery, and being an armed habitual criminal.

Rochelle's Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 received a $1,000 donation from CHS on Oct. 13, 2025, to help pay for a new camera system.

The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard an update from Risk Superintendent Brent Boardman on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, about cleanup related to a June 5 incident in which a utility pole fell at Spring Lake.

Roberts: A recent speech by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented the current administration’s policy for the military in front of an unprecedented meeting of all serving generals and admirals at Marine Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025.

A Rochelle woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Interstate 88 near Ashton, the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police said Wednesday.

The Rochelle Township High School District Board of Education heard a yearly enrollment report Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, from District Superintendent Jason Harper.

Wolter: For centuries, horses served as the primary source of transportation and mechanical power for human civilization. From pulling plows and wagons to powering mills and delivering goods, horses were indispensable partners in daily life.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 13-17, 2025.

What started as somewhere for seniors to socialize has grown into a place that today is celebrating 50 years of being the Center of attention for Ogle County’s older population.

Since the establishment of its drone unit in its career & technical education program, Rochelle Township High School has seen over 190 students receive their recreational drone pilot certification, RTHS CTE Teacher Deanna Jacobs said Oct. 16.

The City of Rochelle’s recently-renovated and repainted water tower near the Illinois Route 251 overpass was recently nominated for Tnemec Company’s nationwide 2025 Tank of the Year contest.

Rochelle small business retail incubator “The Spark Shop” officially reopened Oct. 18, 2025, in the city’s historic filling station at 500 Lincoln Ave.

Rochelle put out a request for proposals (RFP) on Sept. 24, 2025, for developers interested in purchasing and building on the former site of Hickory Grove, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said.

The first Guest moved to the area of Flagg Township in 1856. Thomas Guest Jr. purchased 160 acres west of today’s Rochelle and began a life in what was then the wild west. 

The City of Rochelle and Rochelle Municipal Utilities are in “serious talks” with a developer about a data center locating within city limits in the near future, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Oct. 15, 2025. 

The Rochelle Elementary School Board heard an update Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, from HUB Program Director Yazmin Nambo, who said the district will be applying for new HUB Program funding in coming weeks.

In order to encourage discussion about the constitutional form of government, the DAR Chapter sponsored a Word Search contest open to all school-age youths.

With Halloween creeping closer, here is a list of trick-or-treat hours and other holiday and fall-themed events you can visit with your little ghosts and ghouls.

The Rochelle City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, unanimously approved a special-use permit for a childcare center located at 211 E. Illinois Route 38, the former site of the Rochelle News-Leader office.

Rochelle volleyball beat Sycamore and lost to Kaneland.

After raising a total of $36,540 for various local nonprofits over eight events since its inception in 2023, Small Business Bingo will return to Rochelle with two events in November and December, event organizer and AP Massage Therapy owner Ashley Patrick said Oct. 13, 2025.

The Vince Carney Community Theater at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle will present “An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe” on Oct. 17-19 and 24-25, 2025.

Here's a list of property transfers for Ogle County for Oct. 6-10, 2025.