A tornado watch issued for much of northern Illinois Thursday afternoon has been extended until 11 p.m. And a severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect until 8 p.m. for some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

The independent psychological thriller “Where Silence Lies” will arrive at The Dixon: Historic Theatre for limited screenings May 7 and 14, offering audiences a tightly focused story that explores shifting truths, identity, and psychological tension.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that effective Wednesday, April 1, the 10-ton vehicle weight restrictions on Garden Plain Road and Freeport Road were lifted.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker is urging Congress to authorize year-round E15 gasoline sales, arguing it would stabilize fuel markets and support rural economies

Chicago Bears brass met with reporters this week in Phoenix at the NFL’s annual meetings and discussed various things, including a new stadium. Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down what they learned about the Bears this week

From Capitol News Illinois: The blame game comes after Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a report that found property taxes in the state’s largest county have grown faster than inflation and wage growth over the past 30 years

Tom Wadsworth of Dixon will premiere his new historical presentation on the rivalry between John Dixon and John Phelps. These two pioneer leaders often clashed as they battled for the prominence of Dixon and Oregon, the towns they created.

Multi-genre, Blues Hall of Famer Michael Charles and his band will be performing a free concert at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 4, in Sterling.

The Bears let key defensive production walk this offseason. With the draft three weeks away, fixing a unit that wasn’t close to championship level is now the top priority, Marc Silverman writes

Sauk Valley Bank recently announced Lori Gajdzik is the Harvard market president of Sauk Valley Bank.

Lifescape AmeriCorps organized a volunteer fair Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.

Newman baseball took its first loss 8-4 to Lena-Winslow after the Panthers scored five unearned runs. Fulton girls track & field won, Sterling baseball fell to Rock Island 5-4, Sterling softball fell at Ottawa and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman scored nine runs in the first inning and Gianna Vance pitched a two-hitter as the Comets beat Lena-Winslow 9-1. Newman's younger players also stepped up in the win.

Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon on Wednesday, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century and the thrilling leadoff in NASA’s push toward a landing in two years

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across northern Illinois on Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes

The Bears say they want a new stadium open by 2030, with a final decision expected in the coming months. Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, remain in play as lawmakers negotiate key incentives

A Dixon man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to one count of criminal neglect/abuse of an elderly person, a Class 3 felony.

From Capitol News Illinois: More than 1,000 Illinois State Police vehicles have passed the threshold for replacement, but current funding levels mean it will take 18 years to replace them all, Director Brenden Kelly said

The Chicago Bears are still making an effort to potentially receive compensatory draft picks for former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham’s hiring with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason

The first yard waste pickup of the year for Amboy will be Thursday, April 23, according to Melissa Eisenberg, Amboy city clerk.

Newman softball beat Lena-Winslow 9-1 in a chilly afternoon game Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

A tentative agreement has been reached between First Student and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union representing its more than 17,000 bus workers nationwide, according to a news release.

From Capitol News Illinois: A proposal that would have created the first statewide regulations aimed at curbing pollution generated by fulfillment centers, parcel hubs and sorting facilities failed to receive a committee vote in either chamber of the General Assembly

One of the most iconic dishes at Thai restaurants is peanut noodles. These are rice noodles covered in a creamy, savory, sweet, and slightly spicy peanut butter-based sauce. While the noodles are delicious, they may have more carbohydrates than some of us would like to eat.

Sterling’s Lily Martinez and Layla Wright pitched a combined no-hitter in a 9-0 win over Quincy. Milledgeville softball beat Newman 17-6, E-P took second at the Rosenberry Classic and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants the Chicago Bears to find a solution to their stadium search sooner rather than later. He made the comments Tuesday at the league’s annual meetings in Phoenix.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, sponsored the bill after hearing from an agency that had funding and a house ready to open a CILA, but was blocked by local zoning, despite a long wait list. The bill passed the house 77-35

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark chats with Susie Welch about the upcoming events at the Lee County Council On Aging.

NFL owners approved five rule changes at their annual league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday. They approved rules that will change aspects of the kickoff, allow support for NFL officials as well as one in case of a referee work stoppage.

The NFL’s annual meetings continued in Phoenix on Tuesday as AFC coaches met with reporters. Here are five of the most interesting things coaches said about current and former Chicago Bears players and coaches Tuesday.

Together for Taft, a newly established non-profit organization whose mission is to reopen and reimagine the Lorado Taft campus, is looking to keep the momentum going. The group is planning another kickoff event for April.

The National Corn Growers Association recently released a report, “America’s Crop at Risk: The Future of Corn and Family Farms,” illustrating how far U.S. agriculture has come and how urgent action is needed to secure its future

Newman junior sprinter Elaina Allen is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week, presented by Loescher Heating and Air Conditioning. She is off to a good start and hopes to place even higher at state track this season. 'Elaina is a fierce competitor.'

According to the motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more than before the war in Iran began

Sterling softball takes on Quincy Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Sterling won 9-0.

Cutting hair in Dixon for 61 years, Dick Dir of Bill and Dick's Barbershop celebrated a retirement party Monday, March 30, 2026, at the downtown shop.

Owen Mandrell and Ethan Mathews both hit grand slams for Rock Falls in a win at E-P. Dixon baseball is 4-0, Sterling fell 9-8 at Rock Island, Dixon's Taylor Frost pitched a complete game win over Amboy and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

In a game in which the Comets scored 14 runs over the last two innings on the way to a run-away 20-5 win over Bureau Valley, Newman coach Kenny Koerner pointed to relief pitcher Liam Nicklaus as providing a calming influence when the Comets needed it most.

Bureau Valley coach Dave Shepherd said it was about time. The Storm finally chalked up a victory over their old Three Rivers Conference rival Newman Monday, scoring four runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth to rally for a 9-6 win.

Newman defeated Bureau Valley 20-5 on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Bureau Valley High School.

Bureau Valley defeated Newman 9-6 on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Bureau Valley High School.

Ken Nelson Auto Group is partnering with the Chevrolet Youth Baseball & Softball program to provide new equipment and a monetary donation to Al Morrison Baseball in Dixon.

Here is a preview look at each baseball team across the Sauk Valley coverage area as the 2026 season is underway.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters Monday morning at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix. Here are four of the most interesting things Johnson said.

Experience will be everything for Dixon this spring, and the Dukes have it in spades. After losing just one senior off last year’s 3A regional title team, Dixon now looks to pick up where it left off.

The countdown to planting begins with April’s arrival, and farmers could start soon if conditions are favorable.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark sits down with Mick Welding to discuss the latest construction updates at Morrison Community Hospital, the addition of two new surgeons, and what it all means for local healthcare moving forward.

From Capitol News Illinois: Operation Midway Blitz brought hundreds of federal immigration agents to the Chicago area last fall and led to more than 4,500 arrests. What happens to the children in these situations?

The Next Picture Show in Dixon will be the venue for an April 16 concert and photo art show featuring the Christian Dillingham Jazz Quartet and photographer Jason Patrick Miller.

Get caught up on Sauk Valley news, sports and features from the week of March 19-26, 2026.