Sterling

The smell of raw marijuana alone is enough probable cause for an officer to search a vehicle, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday, reversing the decision of a Whiteside County judge and upholding the appellate court’s ruling.

With the state of Illinois set to phase out the local grocery sales tax, the Sterling City Council voted Monday to implement its own 1% grocery sales tax.

Two community theater troupes will present holiday-themed performances this weekend – one in Polo and the other in Morrison.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 18-24, 2024.

The Rock River Valley International Fellowship, a partner of the program, welcomed 15 students who have been staying with eight different host families in Dixon, Sterling and Morrison over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Sterling defeated Princeton 56-51 in the third-place game of the Dean Riley Shootin' the Rock Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday.

Enjoy shopping, music, live performances, annual tree lighting and visits with Santa.

After last Friday’s 8-man football championship game between Amboy and Miledgeville, the fall sports season has come to an end.

The park district so far has completed about 1.55 miles of its planned 2.75-mile multi-use trail that will connect Hoover Park to Sauk Valley Community College.

Sterling Industrial Development Commission approves motion to recommend sale of vacant properties in the 200 block of West Seventh Street to T&P for $1.

Rock River International Fellowship has been hosting 15 University of Chicago students as an introduction to the area and the Thanksgiving holiday.

Christmas walk and visits with Santa planned in Dixon.

The Whiteside County Board has approved a special-use permit for a proposed solar farm at McCue and West LeFevre roads, where Nexamp Solar LLC wants to build the LeFevre Road Solar Project.

On the ballot for the April 1, 2025, election will be two incumbents running for two open seats on the Dixon City Council along with two incumbents and two newcomers running for two open seats on the Sterling City Council.

Charges accuse her of having 12 cats, not providing adequate food or water and not reporting that she had more than eight cats.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 9-15.

The Pearl Harbor Day remembrance ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Sterling American Legion Post, 601 First Ave., Sterling.

The ninth annual End Polio Now Walk was sponsored this year by Rotary clubs of the Sauk Valley area, including the Dixon, Morrison, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon and Twin Cities Sunrise clubs.

Sterling’s Riverfront Commission met Wednesday to discuss updates for Sterling’s $300 million multi-phase Riverfront Reimagined project.

Dixon’s City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to ban sleeping and camping in public spaces on Monday in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows cities to do so.

A passion for the job and a love of family have been fueling a motorcycle repair shop in Sterling for over two decades.

The Rock Falls City Council heard a report Tuesday night about the consequences of a failed referendum that would have instated a 0.5% sales tax throughout Whiteside County to help fund emergency dispatch services.

Fire damaged a Sterling apartment building Tuesday night, causing three people to suffer smoke inhalation symptoms and two cats to be resuscitated.

Sterling has been awarded over $300,000 in federal grant funding to improve road safety, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, announced Monday.

The actual property tax rate in Sterling could decrease by nearly 6% next year, city officials say.

New owner Amit Kalra wants patients to know that although the dental practice has changed hands, patients can still expect the same great service. Kalra took ownership of the business July 17 from James Ferris, whose father owned it before him.

Events in Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon and Morrison listed.

Rock River Hospice and Home kicked off their Festival of Trees fundraiser with set-up day Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Northland Mall in Sterling. The Festival of Trees runs from Nov. 18-24.

The Regional Development Co., based in Valparaiso, Indiana, highlighted its 2024 achievements and recognized top lenders Nov. 7 at its annual membership meeting.

The Salvation Army and Menards are calling on the community to help brighten the holidays for children in need this Christmas. Through the end of November, Menards home improvement stores will be collecting new and unwrapped presents for local children in need.

The new park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site is phase one of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined Project.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 2-8, 2024.

“Sandwiches with Santa” is a free event from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling. Executive Director Emily Hammer said this is the center’s first year hosting the event.

Steven W. Coleman, 45, was sentenced Oct. 17 to three consecutive life sentences and another 105 years in prison for setting a fatal fire at the Western Apartments in Sterling. He was in court Thursday asking for that sentence to be reconsidered.

Harrison Webb, charged with attempted murder, is accused of walking from his Rock Falls home to Sterling, going into the restaurant’s kitchen, and with less than two feet separating them, shooting a 17-year-old worker in the back of the neck.

Life in the food business recently has flourished for a Sterling family, whose nearly quarter-century-old Mexican restaurant has moved to the city's downtown area.

The Festival Of Trees can be viewed at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, from Nov. 18 through Nov. 24.

Third-grade students from Montmorency school in Rock Falls presented thank-you letters Thursday to local veterans during their monthly breakfast at the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling.

Local communities gearing up for Christmas walks later this month and into December.

Sterling Township is providing food vouchers to help those struggling to afford a Thanksgiving meal.

The dinner will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parish Center Hall, 600 Ave. B in Sterling.

Bombshell Beauty Lounge wants to help dads bond with their daughters while learning to style their hair with more than just a ponytail.

“Portraits” features works by local artists Matt Jagitsch, Ryan Jandrey and Heather Shore. The public is invited to attend the opening reception for the exhibit from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Woodlawn Arts Academy is located at 3807 Woodlawn Road, Sterling.

New Life Lutheran Church is collecting donations for its third relief shipment of supplies, which will depart for Asheville on Thursday, Nov. 21. New Life is asking for donations of new warm clothing, including jackets, socks, blankets and other winter essentials.

Panel members include Emily Hammer, executive director of the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling; Karla Burn, marketing director at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison; and Chris Burks, social worker at Resthave.

Due to the smoke plume, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will be monitoring air quality and will follow up with a report through the EPA.

As winter approaches, Sterling Public Library staff members are expecting an increase in calls they will have to make to local law enforcement.

Bombshell Beauty Lounge in Sterling is offering Beers & Kitty Cocktails, a daddy/daughter hair event where fathers can bond with their daughters while learning simple hair care tips.

An informative and emotional speech by Navy corpsman Raymond Torres punctuated a Veterans Day ceremony Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, held at Centennial Auditorium in Sterling.

Goodwill’s Veteran Career Resource Program helps veterans find employment by providing one-on-one job readiness training, comprehensive support services and employment referrals for Sauk Valley veterans.