When the first Sterling fire engine arrived at the scene of a rural Rock Falls garage fire Dec. 3, 2021, Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos was on it. Just two hours after he arrived, firefighters would be removing his body from the basement – his death caused by asphyxia.

After a full-day’s work, a Whiteside County jury was seated Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, to hear a wrongful death civil case that could see the jury asked to award tens of millions of dollars to a Sterling firefighter’s widow and children.

A pool of nearly 80 potential jurors was waiting it out in a Whiteside County courtroom Monday as jury selection began in a wrongful death civil case that could see the jury asked to award tens of millions of dollars to a Sterling firefighter’s widow and children

Rock Falls, Dixon, and Sterling high schools all saw their graduation rates increase, according to Illinois State Report Card data

Rock Falls Tourism is excited to announce the evolution of its beloved Tour of Lights House Decorating Contest into a bigger and brighter community celebration – the Winter Wonderland House and Business Window Decorating Contests.

Dixon-based muralist Anne Hermes is putting the finishing touches on a mural on the Blackhawk Hills Regional Council building in Rock Falls.

Here's a look back at the Sauk Valley's week in photos for Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2025.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Oct. 26-Nov. 1 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Morgan Mandrell and Matthew Valentino have graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee.

A civil trial will begin Monday in Whiteside County Circuit Court to determine whether the widow of a Sterling firefighter, killed in the line of duty in 2021, should be paid damages in connection with his death

Halloween has arrived! Here is a list of trick-or-treat hours for Sauk Valley-area towns.

Seven Sauk Valley-area high school students have been chosen as Whiteside Area Career Center students of the month for September.

Search our table to see what designation your Carroll, Lee or Whiteside county school received on the 2025 school report card.

The Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce welcomes the community to this three-day celebration from Nov. 20-22, 2025. Activities include Holiday Bingo, Christmas Walk, Love Light Reading, $1,000 Giveaway and Grinch Dodgeball.

Harley Canas, 26, of Rock Falls, is charged in Whiteside County with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and endangering the life or health of a child, a misdemeanor, according to Whiteside County court documents.

A Rock Falls man has been charged in Whiteside County with felony weapons violations and resisting arrest

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 28 featured Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sam Kersey, previewing upcoming holiday events in November, including the chamber’s annual “Holiday Bingo” day on Nov. 20 and the following “Hometown Holidays” activities Nov. 21-22.

Rotary's Student of the Month honorees are selected based on the character traits of Rotarians who live their lives based on The Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned?

Harold's Furniture owner Becky Hunter has worked at the Rock Falls store for 40 years, and a celebration is planned for Nov. 1n at the store.

Rock Falls' Chamber of Commerce held its annual Biz Boo! trick-or-treating event Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Photos by Katie Holloway - Shaw Local News Network

Rock Falls VFW Post 5418 – Jerry Celletti, also known as The Bunker, has been awarded $957 through the Rock Falls 2025–2026 Façade Improvement Program, provided by Rock Falls Tourism.

Augustana College announced more than 1,100 students were named to the dean’s list for the 2024-2025 spring semester.

A number of local runners had success at the IESA state cross country finals Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Normal. The Dixon Reagan girls were fourth as a team in Class 3A and Rock Falls East Coloma's Bentlee Lawrenz was the overall winner.

Dixon and Rock Falls junior cross country runners took home medals from the IESA state cross country finals on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

This will be an open forum meeting. Attendees will discuss the upcoming elections, what’s new in town and whatever else comes of interest.

Katalina Scott plans to earn her pre-med degree on her way to becoming a doctor of sports medicine.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Oct. 12-18 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Optimist Club of Sterling will host a “Decades of Disney” trivia night on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, to benefit area youths by providing scholarships and activities.

Rock River Valley Self Help Enterprises of Sterling celebrated the achievements of its clients, staff, and volunteers during its annual awards banquet Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at the McCormick Event Center in Rock Falls.

Led by a number of local standouts, the Sauk Valley Community College women's tennis team qualified for nationals this past weekend.

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.

Self Help Enterprises held their annual client awards and recognition event Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.

Dixon's Scarecrow Fest is Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

It’s time to celebrate Halloween in Rock Falls! The second annual Spooktacular Halloween Lighted Golf Cart & UTV Parade is Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. The parade route begins at Rock Falls Township High School and then goes west down Second Street.

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

Jeremy “The Amazer” Haak’s greatest magic trick is no illusion – it’s how he turned a childhood fascination with magic into a career that has captivated audiences for more than three decades.

“The Little Guernsey Girls” is the story of three sisters who died at Dixon’s cement plant quarry in 1957. The presentation begins at 2 p.m.

The Grey Ghosts of Illinois Valley Central traveled to Hinders Field in Rock Falls on Friday, October 10, 2025 to take on the Rockets. IVC won the contest 28-0.

Local Rotarians invite residents to participate in the 10th annual End Polio Now Walk on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. The walk begins at 9 a.m. at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.

The Rock Falls City Council approved the appointment of Rock Falls Patrol Sgt. Ryan McKanna as interim police chief Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Here's a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, 2025.

Gather all your ghosts, goblins, and creepy crawlies to deck out your house and yard for Rock Falls’ decorating contest.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Sept. 29-Oct. 4 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 1 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark looking at featured news stories, including a planned expansion at a Sterling business and substance abuse care in Rock Falls

Several Rock Falls officers told the City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, that their applications were not looked at during the chief selection process. Council members also indicated they won't support the mayor’s choice of Rollie Elder when they are asked to vote.

Melinda Jones has a message for people – My hometown Rocks! – and the city’s tourism director and her team are committed to getting that message out to people near and far.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Sept. 22 to 26, 2025.

New this year is the Women's Skillet Throwing Competition, which has four age categories.

Selmi’s, located in Rock Falls, is a family-owned farm, apple orchard, and greenhouse that has served the region for four generations.