Gov. Pritzker on Tuesday signed legislation that raises $1.5 billion to fill a fiscal hole for the Chicago area’s public transit agencies set to kick in next year. Legislation relies on increased sales tax in the Chicago area and a diversion of funds from the state’s Road Fund.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

A Rock Falls man whose plea agreement in a case accusing him of home invasion, sex assault, and aggravated battery was turned down in Whiteside County Circuit Court says his right to a speedy trial has been violated and is asking that the case be dismissed

Whiteside County deputies took children shopping Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during their annual Shop with a Cop event in Sterling. - Photos by Brian Hurley

The Millie Moo Foundation in Hillsdale has officially launched with a mission to provide hope and financial support to families facing pediatric cancer while also offering scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers.

The results are in for Blackhawk Hills Regional Council’s 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition. Eleven entries were submitted by designers and scored by a 9-person judging panel with experience in accessibility, community and economic development, and design.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Dec. 1-5, 2025.

Sterling Federal Bank has announced President and Chief Executive Officer Dean Ahlers will retire and that Bo Mays will take over that role next month.

OnCall Imaging at 1609 First Ave. in Rock Falls recently began its third year in business. The 8,000-square-foot imaging center offers MRI, CT, X-ray, DEXA, mammogram and ultrasound services.

Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s annual “Holidays with the Symphony” concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Durgin Performing Arts Center at Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa.

All school-age children are invited to Prophetstown's Henry C. Adams Memorial Library’s December craft hour at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

A Rock Falls man was sentenced Monday to up to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possessing images of child sexual abuse

BOOKER: As sheriff of Whiteside County, my priority is simple – protecting the people who live, work, and raise their families here. Any changes to state law must give deputies and police officers the tools they need to do the job safely and responsibly.

Travis Hosette impersonates and sings Sinatra-like vocals professionally for all sorts of special events throughout eastern Iowa, western Illinois, and as far away as Milwaukee and Cincinnati.

The Erie Public Library will host a cozy afternoon of live Christmas music with local musician Ron Eckberg at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

Fishing is in Mike Schafer's blood. The second-generation Fulton business owner has grown his fishery into a worldwide market with most of its catch coming from the mighty river he grew up near.

Erie held its annual Christmas parade Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. - Photos by Jessie Otten

Meier: There’s two surefire ways to avoid online scams: face-to-face transactions, preferably in a public place, and cash only.

Here’s a list of upcoming things to do in Fulton, Albany and Prophetstown the week of Dec. 8, 2025.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 24-28, 2025.

The city of Rock Falls and two fire officials are taking steps that could pave the way for an appeal of a $31.5 million verdict issued against them in connection with Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos’s 2021 line-of-duty death

A Sterling man has pleaded not guilty to multiple weapons charges filed after an October shooting that damaged a residence in that city.

The sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Nov. 24-28, 2025.

Scott E. Hagerman of Rock Falls was found guilty Wednesday of beating Ronald Fistler Jr. in August 2022 and causing a brain stem injury

The Emmanuel Church of Morrison’s “Voices of Praise” present EVOP’s 18th annual Christmas cantata, the high-energy “Joy! Unspeakable Joy!”, which will be presented in three services at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2025; 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

A Whiteside County jury began hearing testimony Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in the trial of a Rock Falls man accused of beating a 61-year-old man in 2022 and causing a brain stem injury.

A Sterling man being held in the Whiteside County Jail on a 2022 arson and home invasion case now faces additional charges that accuse him of assaulting a jailer.

Some who sell artificial Christmas trees this seasons say their costs are much higher this year because of tariffs, which could benefit those who sell fresh-cut trees.

For the 2024 performance year, the Illinois Rural Community Care Organization has announced that Morrison Community Hospital was named IRCCO’s “Best Overall” for both Quality and Annual Wellness Visits. Morrison was also honored as a co-recipient of the “Best in Quality” award.

Woodlawn Arts Academy will present its 2025-26 Winter Art Exhibit, “A New Chapter,” beginning Dec. 12, 2025. The public is invited to attend the opening reception for the exhibit from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 17-21, 2025.

Due to a medical emergency with Dana Starkell, the Volunteer Education Committee will replace its speaker for the Dec. 3, 2025, opening of the Wild Winter Wednesday season in Fulton.

From Breakfast with Santa to community Christmas caroling, Albany United Methodist Church has a full slate of Christmas activities planned.

Due to the weather forecast for this weekend, the city of Morrison has declared a snow emergency effective 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Nov. 17-21, 2025.

Creativity is a longtime hobby for many people in Morrison, and throughout Whiteside County, and a downtown art gallery spreads the word about local talent with a mission to inspire and evoke.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 10-14, 2025.

Meier: Do not respond to an unexpected or unsolicited text, phone call, or robocall unless you know who sent it.

See who has been selected a Whiteside Area Career Center student of the month for October 2025.

The Volunteer Educators at the Windmill Cultural Center in Fulton invite the public to attend the first program of Wild Winter Wednesday’s 2025-2026 season. It will feature guitarist Dana Starkell, who will talk about his epic canoe journey from Winnipeg to Brazil.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Nov. 10-14, 2025.

The Morrison Historical Society concludes its monthly programming on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, with live musical entertainment, “The New Connection”. 

More than three years after he was charged with aggravated battery, the case of a Rock Falls man accused of beating a neighbor so badly that he died almost three weeks later will go to trial Dec. 2, 2025.

A Prophetstown man has pleaded not guilty to driving while high on drugs and causing a two-vehicle crash that left another man dead last May

The blaze broke out early Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 2025, at 912 Locust St., Sterling, according to a Sterling Fire Department news release.

Police allege a woman had a large, bleeding bump on her head and red marks around her neck, indicating she had been choked, as a result of a Nov. 8 beating

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Nov. 3-7, 2025.

On a recent crisp October day, the fellowship hall at Erie United Methodist Church buzzed with the hum of sewing machines and the laughter of volunteers. Almost a dozen church members and friends worked together to sew 165 handmade pillowcases for children in foster care.

A Sterling man was arrested Wednesday in connection with an Oct. 30 death threat made against a Whiteside County 14th Circuit Court judge