Nearly 300 people gathered in front of Sterling’s Grandon Civic Center and post office Friday to protest President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk. However, not everyone at the protest disagreed with Trump’s policies.

Allen Przysucha: Even though I don't necessarily want to pay more taxes, I do support the public safety tax. It is unfair that Sterling and Rock Falls are funding the 911 Center for the entire county.

Pam Capes: Continuing education and honest conversations with our students regarding cyber bullying and inappropriate content is ongoing. Removal of the cell phones during the day could potentially reduce those types of interactions significantly.

Julie Aitken: At the end of the day, we want each of our schools to have the necessary tools to reach the best educational outcomes for our students.

Linda Wegner: We are working on maintaining optimum class sizes by not seeing a reduction in our teaching force. We are always seeking ways to attract and retain qualified teachers.

One bill would reclassify a fentanyl overdose as a “poison,” while another would consider major fentanyl possessors a threat to public safety. The bills have attracted bipartisan support

In 2023, the City Council approved donating an out-of-service firetruck.

In the 2nd Ward, running for a four-year term, Brian Snow – who has held on to his seat for more than two decades – will go up against former 4th Ward Alderman Marshall Doane.

The TALK-LINE for March 5 featured Shaw Local News Network reporter Brandon Clark covering a story out of Sterling concerning rental homes and how the city council is trying to work with those in need of help with their units.