Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Sept. 29-Oct. 4 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 1 featured Dixon Family YMCA Community Wellness and Fitness Director Katie Matteson discussing childcare enrollment still available for toddlers through 5 years of age at the new Lovett Childcare Center.

Luke Wadsworth, formerly of Dixon, has been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Dixon School Board has approved a $1.7 million deficit budget for fiscal 2026, mainly due to a $4.6 million drop in federal funding. The district is exploring cost-saving measures but won’t cut staff this year.

Dixon Public Schools is searching for its next superintendent and is looking for community volunteers to help in the selection process. Want to help choose the best candidate? Here's how you can get involved.

Nationally recognized author Bob O’Connor, a 1963 graduate of Dixon High School, has published his 41st book – a Civil War novel, “John Lower 103rd Pennsylvania and the Christmas Pickle Tradition.”

The Dixon Police Department has announced trick-or-treat times for children this Halloween season will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

Energy and waste industry leaders gathered Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, to mark the launch of the Lee County Renewable Natural Gas facility, a project that is already converting landfill gas into clean energy for the region.

The award builds on Dixon’s earlier success in securing a $13 million federal grant for the project. Rising construction costs in recent years created a funding gap, but the new state grant ensures Project Rock can now move forward without delay, city officials said.

Throughout the month of October, several local Dixon businesses are joining forces to support the OSF Foundation, with all proceeds benefiting the Women’s Imaging Center at OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center.

The 2025 Dixon High School Homecoming Parade will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. Motorists should expect the route to be closed off to traffic for about one hour and are asked to use alternate routes.

The American Legion of Dixon will serve roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, roll, vegetable, salad and dessert Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for Sept. 22-26, 2025.

Annual event is a fundraiser for the Village of Progress in Oregon.

Lee County officials have made a few changes to a proposed ordinance that would regulate open burning in the county's unincorporated areas. The revisions would make the ordinance less restrictive, most notably by allowing open burning at any time of day or night.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is inviting families across the district to honor their veterans by submitting photos and stories for the “Honoring All Who Served” Veterans Day Display.

Influencers from beyond the grave told their tales Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, during the annual Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society’s Cemetery Walk.

Two hundred and 50 bicyclists hit the roads in Ogle County on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, for the 10th annual TOSOC (Tour of Scenic Ogle County), an annual fundraiser for the Village of Progress.

The obstetrics and gynecology team at OSF Saint Katharine in Dixon is inviting the community to a 5K walk/run celebrating the strength, love and dedication of every parent who has provided breastmilk to their baby, and the family and friends who support them.

Australian-born guitarist Orianthi will perform Oct. 11, while rock band Buckcherry takes the stage Oct. 19.

Hydrant flushing helps remove mineral buildup, brings fresh water to low-flow areas, and ensures hydrants are working properly, according to city officials.

The menu at a downtown Dixon restaurant has customers seeing green, as well as many vegetable and fruit colors to consider in a more healthier offering.

The Dixon School Board approved several personnel actions Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.

Selmi’s, located in Rock Falls, is a family-owned farm, apple orchard, and greenhouse that has served the region for four generations.

The Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society sponsored a cemetery walk at Oakwood Cemetery in Dixon on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.

An attorney of a rural Dixon man charged with the attempted murder of three police officers at his home in June 2024 is planning to file a petition asking that his client be allowed to wear civilian clothes at hearings.

The hike is designed for all ages and will be divided into three groups, each led by a Nature Center expert and tailored to different “spooky levels”.

OSF HealthCare is welcoming Dr. Andrew Feyh to its team of general surgery providers.

The second annual block party between the Dement Town Tavern and The Pup House in Dixon takes place from 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Sixth Street and Depot Avenue, and 527 Depot Ave.

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 25 featured the Marketing Manager of Sinnissippi Centers of Dixon, Andy Jackson, discussing National Recovery Month in September to increase awareness that treatment works and recovery is possible.

After the Black Hawk War ended in August 1832, settlers from eastern states slowly began to feel safer about venturing into the Rock River valley.

Dixon Stage Left’s first Senior Theatre showcase performance, “We Still Got It!”, will be Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First Street, Dixon.

The drive-thru flu shot clinics will return Wednesday, Oct. 8, and Wednesday, Oct. 15, allowing community members to receive their vaccination without leaving their vehicles. OSF Saint Katharine will also host a flu shot booth at the Discover Dixon Scarecrow Fest on Oct. 18.

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 24 featured Shaw Local News reporter Brandon Clark looking at local news coverage on stories like the Kitzman Farm's care of animals, and a new tattoo business now open.

The Grand Detour Arts Festival was recently held and the results are in, with many accolades for area artisans.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for Sept. 15-19, 2025.

For the past two years, the Sterling, Dixon City, Dixon Rural, and Rock Falls fire departments have worked to align their command structures, allowing leaders to take over seamlessly during major calls.

The Dixon City Council has OK'd two redevelopment agreements that will bring a string of businesses into the Gateway project area as well as a suite of dental service providers – including one for pediatric dentistry – to the other side of South Galena Avenue.

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 22 featured Reagan Mass Transit District Executive Director Greg Gates discussing recent results from a public survey conducted by Northern Illinois University for Lee County and the positive numbers sent along.

Read Sauk Valley photographer Alex T. Paschal's column about all the local events that happened Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and view his gallery containing dozens of photos taken that day.

Sauk Valley Community College hosts local artist Les Allen for a new exhibit titled “The Shape of Light”. The exhibit runs to Thursday, Nov. 20, and takes place in the Sauk Art Gallery. The gallery is open during campus hours and is free to the public.

In what has become one of the busiest weekends of the year, SVM photographer Alex T. Paschal made his way to six events Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, to document the diverse and colorful people of the Sauk Valley.

Sterling High School students found themselves wrist-deep in learning, sometimes quite literally, during a recent field trip to Kitzman’s Farm Sanctuary in Dixon.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Sept. 14-20 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Sept. 8-12, 2025.

After years of tattooing in other people’s parlors, Jacob Mekeel has finally found a shop of his own, opening Merlo Macs Tatt Shack in Dixon. He's also got another venture in the works: turning a bus into a mobile tattoo parlor.

“The History of the Nachusa Grasslands and Bison Returning to Illinois” will be given by Mark Herman at 7 p.m. in Dixon.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for Sept. 8-12, 2025.

The Blackhawk Firefighter Association will host a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Sauk Valley Community College.

The Board of Trustees unanimously selected Jon Mandrell, vice president of academics and student services, as the college’s seventh president. He will officially begin his presidential duties June 1, 2026.