Payton Felix

Dixon Public Schools will stop hiring new staff for the next few years as a way to reduce spending, the board learned Jan. 14. The district’s fiscal 2026 budget will operate at a $1.6 million loss due to major federal funding declines and rising insurance costs.

A Lee County judge on Monday, Jan. 12, denied a Wisconsin man’s motion to dismiss multiple felony charges filed against him stemming from a 2022 police chase in which an Illinois state trooper was shot at, but not injured.

A 65-year-old Dixon man pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Jan. 7, to attempted murder, home invasion and other charges.

Dixon’s OSF Saint Katharine announced Thursday, Jan. 8, its 2026 plans to expand family planning services, open an OnCall Urgent Care and offer virtual care options. The announcement comes as OSF HealthCare reaches the one-year mark of merging with the former KSB Hospital

A Lee County judge ruled Tuesday, Jan. 6, in favor of Dixon’s defense attorney’s motion to pause the information-gathering pretrial process in a lawsuit that alleges the city did not comply with the state's public records' law.

The former Snyder’s pharmacy in Dixon, now a convenience store, will close by Jan. 31 after being sold to CGH Medical Center.

Brave Arts Creative Studio, at 115 S. Hennepin Ave. in Dixon, is open Monday through Friday at various times for kids to get creative at open studio or learn about art in a more structured setting and for art parties designed for families and adults.

A Rock Falls father and daughter have teamed up to bring back local favorite Arnie’s Happy Spot and its original chicken recipe. Owners Dave and Maddie Cochran held a soft opening for the restaurant at 1667 Hoover Road in Deer Grove, now called The Happy Spot, on Dec. 11.

Dixon Public Schools District 170 administration is looking at ways to reduce spending due to recent federal funding cuts along with several years of rising health insurance costs and decreasing student enrollment numbers.

A former student at Dixon Public Schools District 170 is returning in July as superintendent.

The Dixon City Fire Department, Dixon Rural Fire Department and Advance EMS responded Tuesday, Dec. 23, to a report of a grill fire at McDonald’s, 207 N. Galena Ave., Dixon.

Members of the Rock Falls Police Department were dispatched Monday, Dec. 22, to complete operation Santa Claus.

A Dixon native now serving as an elementary principal in Polo will be Dixon Public Schools' next superintendent after current Superintendent Margo Empen retires in July 2026.

The Rock Falls City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 16, to approve the appointment of Ryan McKanna as the city's new police chief.

Almost year since OSF HealthCare took over Dixon’s former KSB Hospital, the City Council voted Monday, Dec. 15, to repeal the 130-year-old ordinance that created KSB.