Whiteside County

See our latest list of Sauk Valley-area students who've graduated or been named to their college's dean's list.

The meeting is an open house format with no formal presentation. The public is invited to attend at any time during the hours listed to view informational displays, speak with project representatives, ask questions and share feedback.

Students achieving high honors for the academic year are Anniston Buchholz, Heidi Epps, Alivia Heald, Evelyn Moore, Grady Small and Gabriel Willhite.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night to accept a court order allowing the city to use eminent domain to purchase several parcels of property near the current facility’s discharge line to house the new plant.

Proof of residency is required by presenting two forms of legal identification. Student fees are $65 for students in kindergarten through third grade and $70 for students in fourth through eighth grades.

The event features coloring contests, farm animals from Happy Little Hooves, giveaways, Scoopie appearances, $6 Kid Meals, and touch-a-tractor.

What started as a closet full of supplies has grown into a nonprofit organization helping foster children and families across the Sauk Valley.

One of the charges – unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of meth with intent to deliver – is a Class X felony that carries a possible 30-year prison sentence.

Here's a list of students named to the honor roll.

The bridge is located west of Sterling.

Sauk Valley-area students have been named to the dean’s list.

A Rock Falls man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 2021 shooting that injured another man and damaged a Rock Falls home.

The donations will provide around 15,000 pasta servings for children’s free summer meals.

David Skinner, 62, was found not guilty of all seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 that he faced.

A Sterling man has been sentenced to up to 9 years in prison after admitting he set fire to his Sterling apartment last fall as officers arrived to investigate an aggravated battery reported at that address

The fair runs from Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, 201 W. Winfield St. in Morrison.

Here's the list of students named to Newman's honor roll.

John Trumbla, who fulfilled a prison sentence for a 1984 Cook County murder conviction, has been out on parole for a drug conviction since 2023 and was set to be discharged from that sentence in 2026. Arrested in another drug case Friday, he was granted pretrial release Tuesday.

Wadsworth, 72, first became the pronouncer for the Lee County Spelling Bee in 1983. Over the years, he has declared 43 local champions and sent them to Washington to represent the local bee, which is now the Lee Ogle Whiteside Spelling Bee.  

Allison Burrs of Carroll County took first place in the Senior Individual Presentation category.

Running from May 28 through Aug. 6, United Way will provide grab-and-go lunches to children and teens at 17 locations across the county, ensuring children have access to meals during the school break. 

Founded in 1965 as part of the national community action movement, Tri-County Opportunities Council has played a role in fighting poverty and empowering individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Morrison resident Clara Bush recently was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Bradley University.

A Rock Falls man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Whiteside County Circuit Court, then apologized for fatally stabbing the man, whom he considered a friend.

Mark T. Kelly, 54, of Eldridge, pleaded guilty Monday, May 19, to the charge, which is a Class X felony because he had had at least five previous DUI violations, according to Whiteside County court records.

Kyle Cooper was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday, May 22, 2025, for fatally stabbing Daniel J. Gordon on Feb. 14 in Rock Falls.

A two-vehicle crash in rural Prophetstown on Wednesday afternoon left one man dead and another injured, according to a news release from the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ogle County Health Department sponsored the construction of another mini-food center Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Dixon Public Library.

The Citizens Utility Board blamed years of poor policies and planning by grid operator PJM Interconnection for the rate increase.

Carlos T. Loyola, 27, is charged in Whiteside County with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated domestic battery.

Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred between January and April 2023. The predatory criminal sexual assault charges are Class X felonies that carry possible prison sentences of up to 60 years.

The funds were raised during a volleyball tournament held in April.

The tour’s first coffee and conversation event will be held at 8 a.m. June 4 in Franklin Grove.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will focus on nighttime enforcement.

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for most of northern Illinois, the National Weather Service reports.

Just one day before Kyle Cooper was set to be tried on a first-degree murder charge in a Rock Falls stabbing case, attorneys announced they’ve reached a tentative plea agreement.

Ed Britton, wildlife refuge manager of the Savanna District, will present a program on the 100th anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Fulton Martin House Museum.

Events include the Bellson Music Fest on June 7 at RB&W District Park, 201 E. Second St., and the Sick The Magazine Block Party on July 19 in downtown Rock Falls.

The River Bend Board of Education may need to seek public funding in the form of a referendum in spring 2026, according to a district statement.

Due to contractor delays, the start of the closure has been postponed to June.

Ebenezer Reformed Church is hosting 7 p.m. program featuring Pastors Darin and Korene Sturtz.

A Sterling man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to fatally stabbing a man found severely injured last August in a vehicle that crashed in the hospital parking lot.

A Whiteside County judge will decide Friday, May, 9, whether Kyle Cooper’s trial will begin Tuesday, May 13. That decision will follow a hearing on whether the Illinois Attorney General's Office will be able to intervene in the case on behalf of the Illinois State Police.

Read the transcript from our Talk-Line podcast: Shaw Local Editor Charlene Bielema on our Thank You Teachers section and more local news in the Sauk Valley.

From the May 7 Talk-Line: Shaw Local Editor Charlene Bielema details our Thank You Teachers special section and more local news in the Sauk Valley

Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker made the announcement Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Representatives from Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. and Illinois Department of Employment Security will be on hand to share information and resources for area job-seekers.

A pavement replacement project on the U.S. 30 bridge over the Mississippi River between Clinton, Iowa and Fulton will require closing the roadway to traffic from May 7-9. The Illinois 136 bridge, also known as the North Bridge, will close May 12 to Sept. 30.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for April 14-27, 2025.

Jackson Miller, 13, of Prophetstown, died at the scene of the crash in the 18000 block of Lomax Road. Whiteside County deputies were dispatched to that location shortly after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in reference to the crash.