The Chicago Bears will end the regular season against the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar share the latest news from Halas Hall, break down Sunday's game, and what's at stake for the playoffs

A free community meal is served on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at CrossView Church, 703 14th Ave. in Fulton.

Riverdale Middle School in Port Byron is announcing the students making first-quarter straight A, honor roll and perfect attendance lists.

You may be surprised at how much you’re spending on things like coffees and TV subscriptions. Try keeping track of all expenses for a full month.

The Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert of chamber music will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton.

The Chicago Bears were without a couple offensive starters Thursday as the team returned to the practice field. Wide receiver Rome Odunze and right guard both missed practice while rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III was a full participant.

Chicago Bears coordinators met with reporters Thursday at Halas Hall as the team continued preparing for its regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on Sunday. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Thursday.

Wild Winter Wednesday on Jan. 21 will feature Linda Russell, who will present a singalong titled "Hank Williams, Sr. - Country Music Legend.“ Her favorite retirement hobby is creating sing-along movies, which she shares with retirement/healthcare facilities.

Space heaters are most often responsible for home-heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Illinois’ statewide 1% grocery tax will go away on Jan. 1, though many people will continue to pay it at the local level.

2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

National Bloody Mary Day is Jan. 1. Celebrate with a cocktail at one of these award-winning bars in Kane and McHenry counties, the Sauk Valley and the Illinois Valley.

Bears fans, stop waiting for the other shoe to drop, Marc Silverman writes. This team is real, Caleb Williams is built for the moment, and Ben Johnson delivered on every promise. Buckle up – January is going to be fun

Join the Tri-County Opportunities Council in partnership with the Northland Mall for the second annual Frosty Fun-Day Family Fun Fair on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Northland Mall in Sterling.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at our New Year’s Day archives across three different centuries. These front pages serve as a time capsule, capturing the unique concerns and celebrations of our communities from 1890 to 2010

Come join the Amboy community for a delicious bowl of chili and great fellowship from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, as the Lee Center Church and Amboy Lions play host to the Chili Luncheon & Basket Raffle at the Amboy Community Building, 280 W. Wasson Road.

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze would’ve continued to miss practice according to an estimated report the team released Wednesday. Rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III and left tackle both would've been limited.

President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort

Preventable pregnancy-related deaths rose and stark racial disparities remained in the Illinois Department of Public Health’s most recent maternal mortality report.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams said it'd be cool to be the first Bears quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards in a season if he accomplished the feat against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He's 270 yards away from reaching the mark.

Scam texts typically claim that the recipient’s vehicle registration or driving privileges are at risk of suspension and prompt immediate action through a link.

The Salvation Army encourages Illinoisans to consider post-holiday giving. “As the year comes to a close, the need in our communities does not,” said Lt. Colonel Jonathan Rich,

From Capitol News Illinois: Also beginning Jan. 1, students in seventh and eighth grade will be able to get an early jump on earning high school credits

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center has announced that Jennifer Hernandez, APRN, will join its team as a family medicine provider beginning in early January.

Newman boys basketball is 15-0 after winning Erie-Prophetstown's Cliff Warkins Memorial Tournament title. E-P wrestlers Rozlyn Mosher and Michelle Naftzger won titles at Ottawa, and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Brandon Clark sits down with licensed mental health professional Jillian Amodio, founder of Moms for Mental Health, to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Jillian shares expert insights, practical strategies, and ways to boost your mood.

Launch snowballs, test a blubber glove in icy water, explore the northern lights and warm up with hot chocolate at the Illinois State Museum.

The Chicago Bears' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night raised a question: Is the Bears defense ready for the playoffs? Here's a look at what the numbers say.

The Chicago Bears fell a play short in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the loss and what's next with a week left in the regular season

An Oregon man died from his injuries following a two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon north of Grand Detour, according to an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office news release

Expect some slick roads late Tuesday afternoon and again on New Year's Eve as periods of light snow move in

Erie-Prophetstown senior wrestler Michelle Naftzger is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week. She became E-P's first girls wrestler to reach 100 career wins and hopes to become a four-time state qualifier.

Newman faces off against Riverdale Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, for the title at the Cliff Warkins Memorial boys basketball tournament at Erie High School. Newman took the win 79-73.

The Duchesses bounced back with a 52-43 win over Stillman Valley to take third at the Dixon Christmas Classic on Monday night.

Newman boys basketball advanced to the E-P tournament title after a 49-46 overtime win over Galena. Xavian Prather scored 25 points in a Sterling win, Rock Falls and Dixon fell and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Lydea King participated in the 151st Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wisconsin. King, from Rock Falls, is a member of wind orchestra and philharmonic orchestra.

The biggest increase in hospital admissions for the flu in Illinois is in children ages 5 to 17. Only 1 in 5 Illinois residents has received the flu vaccine

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters virtually Monday a day after his team fell a play short in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Here are three of the most interesting things Johnson said Monday.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Trump administration filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify a new state law that allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents who arrest them in or near courthouses or if they believe their constitutional rights were violated

The law applies to both part- and full-time workers. It covers a broader swath of workers than the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

Sterling American Legion Post 296 will host a public open house from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, when veterans, and descendants and spouses of veterans, can learn about Legion membership.

Check out Sauk Valley's Photos of the Week for Dec. 19-25, 2025.

The Chicago Bears couldn't pull off some late-game magic in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Here are the five big takeaways from tough loss out on the road.

The Chicago Bears had a chance to win their game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. But Caleb Williams and the offense fell a play short. Here's a breakdown of the final minutes of the Bears' failed comeback.

The Chicago Bears' DJ Moore and Darnell Wright will both be active Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers after they were added to the injury report over the weekend with illnesses.

A Sterling man was charged Friday, Dec. 26, with felony aggravated battery after being accused of hitting and kicking two Sterling police officers on Christmas Eve.

Strong winds, with gusts ranging from 45 to 55 mph, will usher in a cold front Sunday night that could result in snow showers in some areas, the National Weather Service said.

The collision occurred Thursday, Dec. 25, at First Avenue and East Third Street in Sterling, according to a Sterling Police Department news release.

After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature.

These 10 stories across Shaw Local saw the most visitors in 2025.