Mellisa McMillan’s classroom supply list is not your everyday school supply list. “We need welding gloves and welding tongs. I know we need another new saw out in the woodshop,” McMillan said. She is the agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Ashton-Franklin Center High School.

The SVACC awards scholarships to students pursuing a college degree in a variety of fields. Application deadlines vary depending on the scholarship.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center joined the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Dec. 18, to celebrate the ribboncutting for the OSF Saint Katharine Center for Health – Sterling.

Host Brandon Clark speaks with Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dallas Knack about Sterling’s recent Sights and Sounds event, while exploring future 2026 events

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Sterling Main Street are excited to share the events planned for the Seasonal Sights and Sounds of Sterling Downtown Christmas Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the Sauk Valley Area Chamber Champion Award — the region’s highest honor recognizing exceptional leadership, service, and community impact.

The Talk-Line interview for Nov. 10 featured Dallas Knack of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Topics discussed include a wrap-up of the 2025 Sauk Valley Under 40 group and a preview of Sights and Sounds coming up in November

Wahl Clipper is aiming to reduce its Sterling workforce by 20% starting with voluntary resignation packages, company officials confirmed Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

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.

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 5 featured Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dallas Knack discussing upcoming chamber events, including the 72nd Fiesta Days Parade on Sept. 20.

Opinion from our editorial board: Rep. Fritts still has a choice. He can continue down the path of performative grievance, or he can rejoin the Chamber, roll up his sleeves, and get back to work. The Sauk Valley is stronger when all voices are at the table, including his.

State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, announced Wednesday that he withdrew his membership in the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce after the Chamber added a DEI statement to its website and removed the word “God” from a prayer at its annual scholarship fundraiser

As Sauk Valley Community College President Dave Hellmich prepares to retire in spring 2026, today we are publishing his first of several columns in which he will "examine the Sauk Valley’s many opportunities to improve itself so it can be a beacon of everything good."

The session will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon.

With the Sauk Valley’s annual Fiesta Parade set for Sept. 20, 2025, nominations are now being accepted for the parade’s grand marshal honor.

The 72nd annual Fiesta Parade, organized by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee, will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

The community group formerly known as Keystone has officially rebranded as Sauk Valley Under 40, reflecting a renewed commitment to building community, connection and leadership opportunities for young adults throughout the Sauk Valley region.

This annual event allows the agri-business community to gather and celebrate ag in the Sauk Valley while raising money for ag-related scholarships, education and workforce development initiatives.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 7 featured the Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Knack, discussing upcoming events on the chamber’s calendar.

Bailey Schneiderbauer will oversee market operations, community partnerships and customer service initiatives for the Sterling area, according to a news release.

The event will be presented by Ryan Gleason, senior manager of Government Affairs of the Great Lakes Region at the United States Chamber of Commerce, and Andrew Cunningham, executive director of Infrastructure and director of Legislative Relations, Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

Business owners and members of the Shaw Local team gathered at Dixon’s Mad Water Saloon on Thursday to celebrate the Sauk Valley’s favorite businesses of 2025.

Read the transcript from Shaw Local Radio's latest Talk-Line podcast: Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dallas Knack discusses the upcoming chamber golf outing scheduled for June 13 and more.

The TALK-LINE interview for April 7 featured Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dallas Knack discussing upcoming chamber events including a Keystone Young Business speed networking seminar April 16.

Speaker LeAndra Hartman will review key components from American psychologist and author Daniel Goleman’s research on emotional intelligence and leadership.

Listen to the TALK-LINE interview featuring the Executive Director of the Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce Dallas Knack discussing the recent networking programs held through the chamber and their annual dinner in January plus scholarship opportunities.

The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Sunday.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce presented awards to Brent Reuter and Tygen Bausman and honored three SVACC ambassadors during the Chamber’s annual awards ceremony Thursday at Deer Valley Banquet.

Owner Shelley McCarty is a HeadSpa specialist, licensed cosmetologist and licensed natural nail technician with over seven years of experience in the beauty industry.

The SVACC awards scholarships to students pursuing a college degree in a variety of fields.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Professional Women’s Network committee is holding a Lunch and Learn workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The dinner provided an opportunity to celebrate the manufacturing industry in the Sauk Valley and raise funds to provide scholarships for students pursuing manufacturing careers.

Alfred Silva of Silva Boxing Club in Sterling will be the grand marshal of this weekend’s 71st annual Fiesta Day Parade, the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce has announced.

“Let’s Get Motivated!” will be presented by Michelle French, owner of Lil Smoked Bar + Grill and local entrepreneur.

I would like to thank the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce members who sponsored or participated in the 58th annual golf outing on behalf of the chamber’s board of directors and golf committee.

The announcement follows resignation of Kris Noble, who has joined the Midland Institute of Entrepreneurship Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program as a community engagement specialist.

Attendees can raise funds for agriculture-related scholarships, discuss agricultural issues and celebrate Sauk Valley agriculture.

Lee County Industrial Development Association, Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce also among 151 recipients.

Signing day, more traditionally reserved for student athletes, was reimagined as a way to recognize the graduates who are going straight to work rather than pursuing higher education.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce raises funds and annually allocates scholarships for local students pursuing higher education as part of its mission to enhance the economic climate and quality of life in the Sauk Valley area.

141 students from six local schools participated in Sauk Valley Community College's Manufacturing Day Friday, April 26, 2024. After visiting and touring two of nine local businesses, the students spent the afternoon building and racing a car of their own design.

Generation Z, Millennials called upon to join group, help develop community’s future.

Back in 2018, Hannah Wilson, then a high school student, was part of Whiteside Area Career Center’s CEO program, learning the ins and outs of running a business. Today, at 23 years old, she is a full-time business owner with her own thrift store, Rack City, in downtown Dixon.

The session will focus on legislative updates on a state and national level and how they apply to area businesses.

“Who me? Identifying and Taming Imposter Syndrome” will be presented by Lori Cortez, vice president of advancement at Sauk Valley Community College. The session will focus on recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome in professionals.

Chamber members gathered for the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and meeting at McCormick Center on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Kris Noble, executive director of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and has received the recognition of IOM.

Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce has opened scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 school year. SVACC awards scholarships to students pursuing a college degree in a variety of fields.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee presented contributions to local ag programs as part of the committee’s mission of supporting ag education and initiatives.

State Rep. Bradley Fritts, R-Dixon, will host a prescription drug drop-off event Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9-11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, 211 Locust St., Sterling.