Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for March 15-21 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties’ property transfers for March 9-13, 2026.

A small, private plane crashed about 3:10 p.m. Friday in the area of Thome and McNeil roads near Rock Falls, according to the Illinois State Police.

One person is dead in a plane crash Friday, March 20, 2026, near the Whiteside County Airport.

The city of Rock Falls' department head roster will change up due to future retirements announced by city officials during the past few weeks.

Woodlawn Arts Academy is proud to exhibit artwork from talented students and staff from all over the Sauk Valley area and is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 student-teacher art exhibit.

About a year after Cledy’s House of Hope opened in Rock Falls, the money is running out and, without donations, could be forced to close its doors, according to its COO.

Drew is running for Illinois comptroller. He is a small business owner in downstate Illinois and an attorney.

The city of Rock Falls will see new faces in two of its leadership positions.

Local election judges for Tuesday's Illinois' primary election reported slow voter turnout.

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

Cledy's House of Hope, a women's sober living home in Rock Falls, is in jeopardy of closing if financial help isn't found.

The cities of Sterling and Rock Falls are now both operating under snow emergency parking rules.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for March 8-14 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 March 2-6, 2026.

The Next Picture Show will host the second annual Chapter and Verse Open Mic Night for area authors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 10.

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

Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sam Kersey is stepping down from her role, the organization announced Monday.

A Rock Falls woman has pleaded not guilty to nine sex-related charges, several of which accuse her of sexually assaulting, abusing and exploiting minors

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for March 1-7 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 Feb. 23-27, 2026.

A Rock Falls man was sentenced to 7 years in prison Thursday for severely beating his 61-year-old next-door neighbor in August 2022 after months of feuding

Cynthia Clampitt will present the history of pigs and pork to examine the impact these animals have had worldwide. Clampitt will focus on the Midwest, including why poet Carl Sandburg would call Chicago “Hog Butcher for the World.”

The Rock Falls City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday that increases the annual liquor license fees for bar owners with gaming machines as their primary revenue source.

Now that federal funding has come through, Rock Falls and Sterling’s regional fire training tower could see construction begin this year.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Feb. 23-27, 2026.

The touch-a-truck event of Rock Falls, known as “The Big One,” is now recognized as the largest such event in the United States, event chairman John Watts announced.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Feb. 22-28 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Scotts Miracle-Gro office in Morrison is sporting a fresh new look thanks to a unique collaboration with the Digital Media Arts students at the Whiteside Area Career Center.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Feb. 16-20, 2026.

On this episode of Talk Line, David Northcutt of the Sterling Fire Department and Kyle Sommers of the Rock Falls Fire Department join the show to discuss the latest developments surrounding the area’s new burn tower.

An Ohio, Illinois, volunteer firefighter has been charged in Lee County with felony arson, accused of setting a grass fire Friday in the Green River State Wildlife Management Area that burned 700 acres

Students earned honors from Blackburn College, Mississippi State, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Ohio University.

Two area students have been named to the dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Feb. 16-20, 2026.

The rhythmic event has been drumming along at Rock Falls High School since 2014. Photos by Katie Holloway

This special program recognizes current and former Rock Falls residents who have served – or are currently serving - our country in any branch of the United States military.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Feb. 15-21 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 Feb. 9-13, 2026.

The Rock Falls City Council will vote March 3 on an ordinance that would increase annual liquor license fees for bars in which primary revenue comes from gaming machines.

The Amboy City Council learned the details of a fundraising campaign Monday that could pay the bill for Amboy High School students to attend Sauk Valley Community College. 

A Cedar Rapids man who served prison time for joining rioters entering the U.S. Senate on Jan. 6, 2021, and taking video of sensitive documents, will be sharing his story and answering attendees' questions at the Twin City Conservatives’ Feb. 28 meeting in Rock Falls

The daylong celebration of percussion will feature student solo and ensemble performances, competitive events, awards presentations, and a highly anticipated large group showcase highlighting regional ensembles and collegiate performers.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark chats with Sam Kersey from the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce about its upcoming 70th anniversary, Spring Bingo and April speed-networking events.

Rock Falls establishments with gaming machines, and the machines’ owners, will be required to pay more in gaming machine fees to the city starting this year.

The ordinance bans mobile homes that were manufactured more than 20 years old from the parks within city limits. It applies to all those homes even if they’ve been renovated, but does not apply to homes already within a city park, according to the ordinance.

A Sterling man has been sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to a 2024 aggravated battery charge – a Class 2 felony because it involved a police officer – and a separate 2023 aggravated battery charge.

Sauk Valley Community College‘s police academy, now hosting its 10th class, is not only resolving the issue of lengthy recruitment timelines, local police chiefs say, but new officers say they are able to build stronger ties with the communities they will serve.

Here is a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Feb. 9-13, 2026.

Maya Kobbeman hopes to major in social work and get on the path to becoming a licensed clinical social worker to help others.