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.

U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, visited Focus House north of Rochelle on Wednesday to tour the facility and meet with the organization’s leadership regarding its programming and desire for a new residence hall.

Foundation for Focus House will hold its 25th annual spaghetti fundraiser April 15. The event will include lunch delivery and drive-thru.

A potential solar array project at Rochelle Township High School is being put on an indefinite pause, Superintendent Jason Harper told the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education at its monthly meeting Tuesday.

The Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival will again be held at Atwood Park in 2026 after the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a special-use permit for the event at its Monday meeting.

Nick Westgerdes of Rochelle, an accredited farm manager, licensed real estate broker in Illinois and Wisconsin and Illinois auctioneer, recently announced the launch of New Roots Farm Brokerage, LLC.

From breezy afternoon games to tournament wins and travel-ready paddles, more people are embracing the growing sport of pickleball – whose quick learning curve and social energy keep drawing more players to the net. There are many places to play throughout northwest Illinois.

A total of 595 students enrolled in UA early college during fall semester 2025 at The University of Alabama were named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 or higher.

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

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 9-13, 2026.

American Legion Post 403 of Rochelle recently held its first meeting of the year at the Petro Truck Stop in Rochelle.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation has announced the creation of a new scholarship fund honoring the memory of 1998 nursing graduate, Cheryl Safford-Sawallisch.

A single-family home in Oregon that sold for $387,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County during the past week.

The Rochelle Township High School speech team earned the title of Regional champions Feb. 7 at the IHSA Regional competition held at DeKalb High School.

Central Bank Illinois recently announced a series of executive and officer-level promotions.

Amy Anthenat, 50, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to the felony offense of aggravated driving under the influence in connection with Addison man's death.

The Rochelle Community Hospital Foundation hosted a Valentine’s Brunch at The REC Center on Thursday for local couples who have been married for 50 years or more.

The Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a transition back to a traditional grading model at Rochelle Middle School.

No one was injured during a small appliance fire in a downtown Rochelle apartment building Thursday afternoon, Rochelle Fire Chief Dave Sawlsville said.

Rochelle Community Hospital celebrated National Wear Red Day on Feb. 6. February is American Heart Month, and RCH staff wore red to raise heart health awareness and celebrate the heart-related services it provides the community.

The Rochelle City Council discussed a potential development agreement Monday with Project Crossroads, a much talked-about data center development.

Eleven area fire departments responded to an agricultural facility fire north of Rochelle on Tuesday morning, Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District Capt. John Rimstidt said.

First in February at the Flagg Township Museum in Rochelle it’s a “Find the Love” Scavenger Hunt, unlocking romantic treasures at the museum for visitors, friends and history lovers.

The late James Combs of Rochelle served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 2-6, 2026.

Tilton Elementary School in Rochelle recently held its Spelling Bee finals.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce will once again host the Lucky Hub Dash 5K presented by Holcomb Bank.

We love reading! Reading is an important part of our lives. Reading makes the mind work and encourages us to use our vivid imaginations.

Kishwaukee College recently named its graduates for the fall 2025 semester.

Amid record need in 2025, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry also saw record donor support in that calendar year, RCFP Board President Cal Jacobs said.

An Ogle County judge will hear arguments in March for motions filed by a Chicago woman’s attorneys seeking to dismiss charges of falsely reporting a shooting near Rochelle in May 2025. The motions argue the charges violate her right to free speech.

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

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.

As the Seal of Biliteracy marks 10 years in Illinois, the number of seniors graduating with the distinction has climbed more than 2,000%.

The Kaneland boys basketball team traveled to Rochelle Tuesday to take on the Hubs of Rochelle High School.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Victoria Onorato on the SAFE-T-Act: This law needs to be completely rescinded. Read her full election questionnaire here

Tony McCombie: In addition to SAFE-T Act reforms, I support reforming statutes that deal with habitual criminals, fleeing and eluding police officers, crimes against children, and more protection for victims. Read her full election questionnaire here

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. 

Oil production has been at the forefront of many news stories lately, so let’s look at oil production in the world and see if we can make some sense of it.

Kishwaukee College will host Visit Day for prospective students and their families from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Feb. 16, at the college.