The festival will be from 3-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at the RB&W District, 201 E. Second St., Rock Falls. The throwdown is a celebration held in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.

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

The annual Fiesta Parade will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. in Rock Falls and ending in Sterling.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 72nd annual Fiesta Day Parade grand marshals: the YWCA of the Sauk Valley staff and board of directors.

Before most students even graduate high school, participants in the Whiteside Area Career Center’s Early Childhood Education program are already shaping the lives of children.

Taste of Fiesta kicked off the Sterling-Rock Fall’s Fiesta Days celebration with a day of fun Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at RB&W Park in Rock Falls.

Taste of Fiesta in Rock Falls kicked off a celebration of the deep roots of Mexican culture seen in the Sauk Valley. The Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, event is, as the name implies, a taste of the Fiesta Days parade and celebration that will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Photos by Katie Holloway and Alex T. Paschal

The next Twin City Conservatives breakfast meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27 at A’s Kitchen in Rock Falls.

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

The Rock Falls Police Department has announced that East Second Street from Avenue A to Wood Avenue will be closed from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Aviation historian John L. Hoh Jr. takes readers back to the bold beginnings of passenger flight with “Pioneers of Prophet Among the Clouds”.

Rock Falls Tourism has announced the return of the Spooktacular Halloween lighted golf cart & UTV parade. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in downtown Rock Falls.

The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 3:30 p.m. Monday reporting a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 30 at I-88 mile marker 44’s westbound on-ramp.

Ross Eden recently completed the installation of 12 bluebird houses along the Rock Falls Birding Trail at Lawrence Park.

The popular community-wide event gives residents the opportunity to clean out their homes, find new treasures, and shop local bargains throughout the Sauk Valley.

Here is a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Sept. 1-5, 2025.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Aug. 31 - Sept. 6 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

At the Whiteside Area Career Center in Sterling, students are not just learning about technology – they are taking it apart, putting it back together and coding their way into the future.

Day-of registration is available at the event at Emerson’s Pub, 3312 W. Rock Falls Road, Rock Falls.

Several Illinois Lottery players won big money from Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing, including the holder of a $50,000 winning ticket purchased at a Rock Falls convenience store. The jackpot is now at $1.7B for the Sept. 6 drawing

Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim formally announced his decision to retire, effective Sept. 30, at the Sept. 2, 2025, Rock Falls City Council meeting.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Aug. 25-29, 2025.

What began as a career in critical care nursing has evolved into a growing aesthetics and wellness business for Delaine Barbosa, the owner of Brazi’s Aesthetics in Rock Falls.

Through hands-on projects in photography, graphic design, video editing and digital drawing, Whiteside Area Career Center students explore the tools and techniques used by professionals in the creative industry, all while building portfolios of their own.

Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim told Shaw Local he is retiring at the end of September. A formal announcement will be made at the Sept. 2 Rock Falls City Council meeting.

While their classmates head to math or English, students at the Whiteside Area Career Center are taking part in mock trials and learning how to deescalate suspects – all as part of real-world law enforcement training.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides one-time benefits to income-eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and energy service reconnection.

Through this initiative, in partnership with the Dixon Rural Fire Department, the organization was able to purchase 13 kits to be distributed to schools in Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls.

A Sterling developer and business owner has purchased Coloma Township’s former US Bank building in Rock Falls.

Here is a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Aug. 18-22, 2025.

A Rock Falls man has been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to separate Whiteside County cases that accuse him of recklessly shooting a firearm in May 2024 and possessing meth

From noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 13, 2025, guests can enjoy free live music, explore craft vendors, and sample fare from food trucks and local favorites, all while watching the crowning of the 2024 Fiesta King, Queen, Princess, Don and Doña.

Rock Falls Tourism unveiled eight new works of art Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at RB&W Park for their annual Art in the Park sculpture walk.

Augustana College recently recognized 555 students during its 165th commencement ceremony.

The TALK-LINE interview for Aug. 22 featured Rock Falls tourism director Melinda Jones discussing upcoming events, including the “Arts In The Park Sculpture Walk and Outdoor Art Gallery” on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Thomas Dugger admitted in a plea agreement that he sold 55.7 grams of methamphetamine in July 2021.

The department is increasing its efforts to focus on stopping dangerous driving habits. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will focus on seat belt law enforcement. Police officers also will be searching for drivers impaired by alcohol, cannabis and drugs.

Attendees can navigate scenarios families in poverty encounter, such as securing housing, feeding families, and accessing essential services.

The Sauk Valley Community College volleyball team is ranked No. 11 in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll ahead of Friday's first match. The Skyhawks return eight players from last year's team.

Coloma Township was refunded nearly $8,000 in property taxes paid by the board's previous supervisor on the former US Bank building that the township purchased in 2023.

The banks of the Rock River will once again serve as a backdrop for art, music and food when the 8th annual Art in the Park Sculpture Walk & Outdoor Art Gallery returns Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, to RB&W District Park in Rock Falls.

Here is a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Aug. 11-15, 2025.

A Colorado man on a mission to walk about 3,180 miles, from top to bottom of the continental United States, spent the night in his self-made wagon-style camper Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Rock Falls. He started in Angle Inlet, Minnesota, and will end in Key West, Florida.

Just because a school day is over doesn't mean students aren't alone after the dismissal bell rings. Sterling Township has a place where local students in middle school and high school can gather for fun and frolic with new friends.

Denver man Tim Hickle made an overnight stop in Rock Falls on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, as part of his walk across America.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Aug. 4-8, 2025.

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

Illinois saw 142 tornadoes in 2024. With weather teams stretched thin because of federal budget cuts, forecasters warn the next storm might slip through the cracks

The Friends of the Hennepin Canal will hold its next “Hike the Hennepin” event at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Bridge 50, 25060 Illinois Route 172, Rock Falls.

There are fraternal organizations in the Sauk Valley where veterans gather to share stories and celebrate camaraderie. However, these fraternal organizations may not be around much longer unless more is done to help keep them open.