Get caught up on news, sports and features in the Sauk Valley for the week of March 6-12, 2026.

High winds and snow canceled schools and closed businesses as a late-season blizzard blanketed the Sauk Valley on Sunday and Monday.

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

Lauryn Francque plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College to earn an associate of arts degree in business. After Sauk, she intends to transfer to Iowa State to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business, with an interest in marketing.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from March 13

The group will meet every Monday, April through October, at 9 a.m. at the walking path near Peoria Avenue and River Street in Dixon.

Eastland’s impressive run back to the Class 1A state semifinals came to an end after a 61-43 loss to Lawrenceville in Thursday's third-place game. The Cougars still took home back-to-back state trophies for the first time as a program.

Eastland was unable to settle in against Chicago Marshall's speed and athleticism in a 66-38 loss in Thursday's Class 1A state semifinal matchup. The Cougars will play Lawrenceville for third place later tonight.

The Rock River Valley Shamrock Club parade steps off at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, from Dixon High School, and the party follows at 3:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The Whiteside Area Career Center has announced its students of the month for February.

Chloe Clark plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College and study business and then go on to continue her education to earn an additional degree in ornamental horticulture/floral design.

Push open the door at a Galena pub and Illinois quietly disappears. What's inside? Irish wood shipped overseas, crowd-pulling music, history-rooted stories and a sense of welcome that treats strangers like family.

Once a month, a Savanna museum comes alive after going dark. Candlelight, live music, poetry and neighbors share the room for a small-town concert series, turning the museum into one of Savanna’s most anticipated nights.

Before the first tee time, Tim Throop is already watching Lake Carroll's golf course breathe. Since the late 1970s, he’s seen storms, droughts, wildlife and change on the course, but he enjoys having something new to work on every day.

Through BEST, Inc.'s Work Experience initiative, employers can host motivated job-seekers for short-term, hands-on training while BEST, Inc. covers the cost.

Once again, Eastland’s tenacious defense got the job done. The Cougars made one final defensive stand to beat Tremont 47-45 in Monday’s Class 1A Supersectional at Western Illinois University to advance to state for the second straight year.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Kim Ewoldsen from the Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College about the upcoming Coffee & Conversations event on March 19 and the wide range of resources the SBDC offers local entrepreneurs.

The Three Rivers Athletic Conference released its all-conference boys and girls basketball teams, with multiple area athletes recognized through voting by the head coaches.

Check out pictures from the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, 2026, of news, sports and features from the Sauk Valley.

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

Olivia Ketchum will attend Northern Illinois University to major in music education.

Eastland's defense held tough and made key plays in a 48-41 win over Pecatonica to win the Class 1A Orion Sectional title and get back to the Elite Eight. 'We’re playing some of our best, grittiest basketball at the right time.'

The Dixon Historic Theatre will host two great shows this weekend: Circus of Bubbles LIVE on Friday, March 6, and Revolución de Amor – A Tribute to Maná on Saturday, March 7.

The YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Elks Club in Dixon.

Eastland used a strong start, tough defense and an explosive finish to defeat Dakota 49-31 on Wednesday night. The Cougars advanced to face Pecatonica in Friday's Class 1A Orion Sectional final at 7 p.m. for the third straight year.

This inaugural program aims to spark creativity, build confidence and introduce young people to the fundamentals of starting and running a business.

The college is inviting community members, through an online survey, to share feedback on its 2027–2030 strategic directions.

Newman battled a physical Pecatonica into overtime on Tuesday night, but the Indians came back to win 70-66 in the Class 1A Orion Sectional semifinals as Zion Braimah scored 34 points. Newman finished with a program-high 33 wins.

One proud papa: A Savanna restaurateur has taken on an alter ego and making a business out of his grandkids-inspired nickname. Meet "Papa Chubby" and his food – keeping customers coming back hungry, and leave full.

An 80-year-old ag equipment company in Oregon is still shaping land and lives. At Woods Equipment, the machines matter, but the people who use them matter more.

Rethinking rural homes: Barndominiums look like barns, but live like homes. More rural families are choosing post-frame living, and an Indiana company is building them throughout the Midwest.

Sterling junior Jossy James was named All-Western Big 6 Conference first-team after tying for the league lead with 19 points per game. Nia Harris and Jae James were also named honorable mention.

Get caught up on Sauk Valley news, sports and features from the week of Feb. 20-26, 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.

Oregon never trailed in a 65-52 win over Mendota in the Class 2A Rock Falls Regional final Friday at Tabor Gym to win its first regional title since 2006.

Dixon advanced to the Dual Team State semifinals to guarantee the Dukes a state trophy. Blair Grennan, Kendra Ege and Michelle Naftzger are still alive at state wrestling, and Eastland basketball held on to beat Orion 46-45 in Friday's Sauk Valley Roundup.

Newman beat Forreston 75-48 to win the Class 1A Alleman Regional title on Friday night as all five starters had at least 11 points. 'I’d say our offense right now is on fire.'

The way some Dixon High School students recently learned about food science and meat science is an example of how Dixon agriculture teacher Grace Klein uses hands-on learning and finds topics to hold students' attention.

Newman's best season since 2009 came to an end after a 60-55 loss to Wethersfield in Thursday's Class 1A Eastland Sectional final.

Midland Wealth Advisors, LLC has been recognized as one of America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms of 2026 by Newsweek.

Country music star Ray Scott will perform at The Dixon Historic Theatre Saturday, Feb. 28.

Eastland beat West Carroll 46-33 as Wyatt Carroll scored 17 points. The Cougars will face Orion in Friday's 7 p.m. Class 1A Bureau Valley Regional final after the Chargers beat Fulton 72-62. Erie-Prophetstown also fell short to Aurora Christian in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Oregon hit five of its first six 3-point attempts, then used a huge second-quarter run to take control early in a 76-48 win over Rock Falls in their Class 2A Rock Falls Regional semifinal Wednesday night at Tabor Gym.

Connor Politsch was a "game-changer", scoring 24 points to help Forreston beat Annawan 52-44 in a Class 1A Alleman Regional semifinal. The Cardinals will face Newman in Friday's regional final at 7 p.m.

Newman pushed the pace Wednesday night and it led to a season high in scoring after an 85-63 win over Alleman in the regional semifinals. The Comets (32-1) set their single-season wins record and advanced to Friday's Alleman Regional final against Forreston at 7 p.m.

On this episode of Talk Line, Lauren Metzler shares the latest news from the Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery.

Eastland battled adversity like it has throughout the season, but fell short late in a 41-38 loss to Wethersfield in Tuesday night's sectional semifinal matchup. The Cougars finished the season 27-7 with their first regional title since 2020.

Created in honor of Dennis Gillan, a lifelong resident of Bureau and Lee counties, the scholarship reflects his dedication to hard work and community, according to a news release.