Avery Moran plans to double major in journalism and film and television, and hopes to live and work in Chicago.

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.

A Sterling man concerned about how data from automated license plate readers could be used – and possibly shared – expressed his concerns Tuesday night to the Sterling City Council.

That feeling when your new boss has good things to say about your work so far - on your first official day on the job? Two new Sterling firefighters had that feeling as they were sworn into office Tuesday night. 

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.

Dillan Vancil: Congress should stop using band‑aid bailouts and fix trade policy so farmers are not collateral damage every time there’s a trade war. Read Vancil's full questionnaire here

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.

From Me to We: A Sterling husband-and-wife financial team helps soon-to-be newlyweds blend their habits, hopes and histories into a shared plan for lifelong stability.

From breezy afternoon games to tournament wins and travel-ready paddles, more people are embracing the growing sport of pickleball – whose quick learning curve and social energy keep drawing more players to the net. There are many places to play throughout northwest Illinois.

Do you understand and know how your real estate taxes are calculated in Whiteside County and where your tax money goes? An informational meeting, “Property Tax 101”, will take you through the Illinois tax cycle from start to finish.

The services will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling.

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

Travis Howell and Mandi Ballard have joined Sauk Valley Bank.

Competing for customers in a market crowded with competitors isn’t anything new for Horacio Leon, one of the co-founders of Azul Cantina, Sterling’s newest Mexican restaurant. 

Gavin Staats plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College's electrical and HVAC programs.

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

The following area students have been named to Illinois State University’s fall 2025 dean’s list.

A Sauk Valley community action group flipped the script Saturday afternoon by focusing on love instead of anger at its rally against the Trump administration. About 100 people gathered outside the Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

Sauk Valley Bank is pleased to welcome Warren Laube as its new chief credit officer.

An I Love America rally was held Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, in downtown Sterling. About 100 people attended the rally.

Several students throughout the Sauk Valley have been recognized for their academic achievements at the collegiate level.

Eleven students have been named Whiteside Area Career Center students of the month for December.

“It was a big year of change,” said OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine President Jackie Kernan when reflecting on the Catholic health system's Jan. 1, 2025, takeover of KSB Hospital in Dixon.

Azul Cantina is open for business in Sterling. The Mexican-style restaurant moved into the former Applebee's building.

The fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. May 1 in the J. Mark Beaty Performance Center at Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling. The evening will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and Kentucky Derby-themed games and activities.

The Sterling Police Department is inviting the public to help celebrate the second birthday of the department’s comfort dog, Millie.

Work on Sterling street and road projects is shifting into higher gear for 2026.  One of the major road projects that Sterling drivers will see is resurfacing of Fourth Street, Illinois Route 2, from Locust Street to 19th Avenue. 

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

Thirteen leaders in high school activity programs across the country – including a Sterling educator – have been selected to receive a National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Citation.

Headquartered in Sterling, Sauk Valley Bank is a locally owned, community financial institution that offers solutions that fit customers' personal, commercial, and agricultural financial needs.

Matthew Clemen, a senior, is Newman Central Catholic High School's student of the month for January.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from February 9, including a bandit being killed near Chadwick in 1926

Work on the Lawrence Brothers and National Manufacturing properties is continuing and includes work to clean up the properties and stabilize the structures.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Feb. 1-7 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 Jan. 26-30, 2026.

Anna Sielaff is part of the Illinois Humanities 2026-27 Road Scholars Speakers Bureau and will present this program at the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society’s meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8.

Catch up on the Sauk Valley's news and sports for the week of Jan. 30 to Feb. 6, 2026.

Granny Rose Animal Shelter of Dixon has been visiting schools around the area in an effort to educate youngsters on the importance of animal shelters.

Editor’s note: Today marks the second of a two-part series about automated license plate readers in northern Illinois. Thursday’s installment focused on cities' successes. Today’s installment examines privacy concerns, national controversies, and ongoing debate

Couples planning their big day are invited to attend the annual Sauk Valley Wedding Expo, the area’s largest wedding showcase, from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Jan. 26-30, 2026.

Today marks the first of a two-part series about the use of automated license plate readers, commonly known as LPRS or Flock cameras, in northern Illinois. Today’s installment focuses on how cities use the cameras and the successes they have noted

Granny Rose Animal Shelter visited Sterling's Jefferson School this week to educate and spread awareness about the importance of animal shelters.

More than 11,800 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2025 fall semester dean’s list.

The Sterling Police Department will be getting a 2025 Chevy Tahoe to replace the 2023 Ford Explorer that was wrecked in a Christmas Day 2025 crash in downtown Sterling. 

A summertime block party-style event is coming to downtown Sterling on July 25. Sterling Street Fest will be a one-day, afternoon-to-evening event featuring live bands, food and activities.

Prairie Brome Solar is investing in a local initiative that helps children feel safe, heard, and supported during the earliest stages of healing after abuse.

A Deer Grove man who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence during a head-on crash that killed a Sterling businessman admitted to using drugs while on probation and could now face prison.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Jan. 25-31 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you