Community bankers around the country gathered in Washington in November to discuss the latest challenges currently facing community banks across the country, according to Sally Scanlan, president of Community State Bank of Rock Falls.

Generations Woven is a newly launched podcast and community project created by Tasha Garcia, Judy Randall and Nerina Human – three women from different generations with a shared mission to bring women together through honest conversation, reflection, and connection.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 14-20 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

To be eligible for the dean’s list, degree-seeking undergraduate students must earn a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.4 while taking at least 12 graded credits.

Here's a list of property transfers for Dec. 8-12, 2025.

The Rock Falls City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 16, to approve the appointment of Ryan McKanna as the city's new police chief.

A Rock Falls man whose plea agreement in a case accusing him of home invasion, sex assault, and aggravated battery was turned down in Whiteside County Circuit Court says his right to a speedy trial has been violated and is asking that the case be dismissed

Through community support, Culver’s of Rock Falls donated over $1,700 to the local Whiteside County Honor Flight to support their next flight to Washington, D.C.

Longtime Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA youth sports and swim instructor Deb Mortonson is calling it a career after 39 years of work with the YMCA.

Logan Thome plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College for 2 years then transfer to a 4-year university.

Host Brandon Clark chats with Sam Kersey, President of the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, recapping the Chamber's 2025 year, including the recent Christmas Walk, Hometown Holidays, Ambassador Club and more. 

Here's a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Dec. 8-12, 2025.

Dillan Vancil will be the guest speaker at the Twin City Conservatives Dec. 27 meeting.

The results are in for Blackhawk Hills Regional Council’s 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition. Eleven entries were submitted by designers and scored by a 9-person judging panel with experience in accessibility, community and economic development, and design.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 7-13 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Dec. 1-5, 2025.

The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA will host a Dec. 17 open house for Aquatics Director Deb Mortonson, who is retiring after being involved with YMCA communities for 39 years.

Host Brandon Clark discusses holiday fire safety, the Community Connect app, and fire department training integration with Sterling Fire Department Chief David Northcutt and Rock Falls Fire Department Deputy Chief Kyle Sommers.

The horse-drawn wagon rides and Santa & Mrs. Claus visits now will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. Dec. 19, at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Dec. 1-5, 2025.

The Coloma Township Board faced vehement protests from a large crowd Wednesday, Dec. 10, before voting 3-2 to approve a 43% property tax hike.

Sponsored by Candlelight Inn, these festive rides will run from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2025, with the last ride at 8:15 p.m. Please note that no vehicles will be allowed in the park that evening.

OnCall Imaging at 1609 First Ave. in Rock Falls recently began its third year in business. The 8,000-square-foot imaging center offers MRI, CT, X-ray, DEXA, mammogram and ultrasound services.

Residents came out to a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, to oppose a tax increase proposed, and ultimately approved, by Coloma Township's board.

Host Brandon Clark chats with Shaw Local editor Charlene Bielema about recent court coverage, the jury selection process, sports and other news.

Rock Falls defeated Putnam County 62-43 during the Colmone Classic tournament on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 at Hall High School in Spring Valley.

A Rock Falls man was sentenced Monday to up to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possessing images of child sexual abuse

Despite the smell in Sterling and Rock Falls on Monday, there’s no widespread natural gas leak, officials say

Judge James Heuerman agreed to give the city of Rock Falls and two fire officials until Jan. 12 to file the post-trial motion that could put them on the path to appealing the verdict in connection with the 2021 death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos

Sterling’s snow emergency will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Rock Falls' snow emergency will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and run until 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 24-28, 2025.

The city of Rock Falls and two fire officials are taking steps that could pave the way for an appeal of a $31.5 million verdict issued against them in connection with Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos’s 2021 line-of-duty death

Scott E. Hagerman of Rock Falls was found guilty Wednesday of beating Ronald Fistler Jr. in August 2022 and causing a brain stem injury

Cheryl Faber, Chair of Rock Falls Rotary Literacy Committee, presented to every third grade student in Rock Falls – in both parochial and public schools – a grade appropriate dictionary.

A Whiteside County jury began hearing testimony Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in the trial of a Rock Falls man accused of beating a 61-year-old man in 2022 and causing a brain stem injury.

The Rock Falls boys basketball team traveled to DeKalb Tuesday night to take on the Barbs in a nonconference contest.

Four years after Sauk Valley Community College launched its earned-tuition program, the community is noticing its impact on volunteerism.

Coloma Township Park District has a lot to celebrate this year: A century of history in its green spaces and places, people passionate about supporting parks, a Village with lots of stories to tell, and much more … including a big fiberglass chicken.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Nov. 23-29 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Each banner will feature the service member’s name, photo, and branch of service. Banners measure 2 feet wide by 4 feet high and will be displayed on the light poles along First Avenue in Rock Falls.

A Welcome Home Party for Dylan Wescott was held at Emerson's Pub in Rock Falls on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Wescott, a member of the Rock Falls High School track team, was seriously injured on March 15 at a local high school track meet.

The cities of Sterling and Rock Falls have declared snow emergencies that begin Friday in anticipation of a predicted winter storm that could blanket the Sauk Valley in up to 12 inches of snow

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Nov. 17-21, 2025.

The city of Rock Falls is excited to kick off the sixth annual holiday light display Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at Centennial Park.

Brandon Clark speaks with Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery Operations Manager Lauren Metzler about its new sober women's living facility in Rock Falls, Cledy's House of Hope.

Rock Falls celebrated the holiday season with their annual Hometown Holidays Christmas Walk on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Photos by Katie Holloway - Shaw Local News Network

Brandon Clark sits down with Shaw Local News editor Charlene Bielema and reporter Payton Felix to discuss several news stories across the Sauk Valley, including a $31.5 million civil lawsuit in Rock Falls, a recent Rock Falls City Council meeting and more.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Nov. 16-22 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 10-14, 2025.

Hundreds packed the McCormick Event Center in Rock Falls on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, for the annual Bingo night as part of Hometown Holidays.