Carroll County's sheriff is speaking out about how his office handled its investigation into death of Mount Carroll teen whose body was discovered by 2 off-duty sheriff's employees on a state highway in the middle of the night.

The 17-year-old boy, whose name was not released by authorities because he is a juvenile, also is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, felony burglary and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm.

A Rock Falls teen was treated at a local hospital and released after he was shot in the neck Wednesday night at Sterling’s Pizza Ranch, police say.

It was around 5 a.m. Dec. 31, 2023, when the Bellows family was awakened by their dog Shango’s barking. That’s when they discovered their house was on fire. Four family members, including three children, escaped through the back door.

Despite his insistence that he is a changed man, a Rock Falls felon was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison Wednesday in connection with a December 2023 standoff at a Dixon hotel.

Brooks Jewelers opened in early September at 113 N. Fourth St., Oregon. Along with selling jewelry, the store offers jewelry repairs, cleanings and inspections, appraisals, engravings and custom jewelry.

The measure was approved after receiving a vote of 173 in favor and 50 against, according to unofficial election results posted on the Lee County elections website.

Sheriff: Measure will be on the April 2025 ballot.

Here are the races we're watching in Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties as voters finish casting their ballots Tuesday for county, state and federal congressional races, and in some cases, answered referendum questions. Polls closed at 7 p.m.