As the calendar flips into 2026, here are a few of the stories we’ll be following in the months ahead.

A 65-year-old Dixon man was charged Wednesday, Dec. 31, with home invasion and attempted murder, accused of entering a Dixon home and stabbing a man, according to Dixon police.

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

As 2025 draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the Sauk Valley’s top stories of the year.

Fourteen area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

From clothing and hobby stores to restaurants and auto shops, read a recap of 2025's business activity in the Sauk Valley.

After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle property transfers for Dec. 15-19, 2025.

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

At Nomia Meadows Farm in Franklin Grove, John and Lisa Ayers tend to bees, apples and 110 acres of native ground, welcoming visitors into the full-circle quiet of their prairie sanctuary.

4-H Camp is a five-day, four-night residential camping experience that is conducted cooperatively by University of Illinois Extension staff in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties and the professional staff at RRCC.

The Illinois Community College Board has announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers.

The Lee-Ogle-Whiteside Regional Spelling Bee will be Thursday, Feb. 19, at Dixon High School. Sponsors are the First National Bank in Amboy, Sauk Valley Media and Lee-Ogle-Whiteside Regional Office of Education.

Here's a list of property transfers for Dec. 8-12, 2025.

A year of sport’s thrills and chills have once again come and gone in the Sauk Valley. Take a look back at photographer Alex T. Paschal’s Top 10 images of the year. Included in each picture's caption is the photographer’s own words about what the photo means to him.

Take a journey back in time by viewing the images SVM photographer Alex T. Paschal has chosen as his favorites of 2025. Included in each picture caption is the photographer’s own words about what the photo means to him.

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

150 years on, a small Lee County village still finds its strength in the neighbors who never stopped looking out for one another. As Compton celebrates its sesquicentennial, its people remind each other what truly endures in their small town.

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

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.

Willard Simpson of Franklin Grove served in the United States Army from 1943-1946 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Europe during World War II.

The Village of Ashton celebrated the Christmas season with the annual Christmas Walk on Saturday, Dec. 6.

While wanting to help is commendable, it’s important to prioritize food safety. Those relying on food pantries often face higher risks of severe illness due to chronic health conditions, age or other factors.

United Way of Lee County will host a Pop Culture Trivia Night on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Post House Ballroom. Doors open at 5 p.m., with trivia beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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

The Illinois winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers in who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating

Only one in five Illinois residents has received the flu vaccine, and far fewer have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of the end of November, according to the state Department of Public Health

Dixon Rural and Dixon City firefighters and Advance EMS were dispatched at 12:46 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, to a structure fire at 1706 Spring St., Nachusa, according to a news release from Dixon Rural Fire Chief Dustin Dahlstrom.

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

Brandon Clark sits down with Lori Cortez, Vice President of Advancement at Sauk Valley Community College, to talk about how the SVCC Foundation is changing lives.

Brandon Clark talks with Ashley Richter, Executive Director of United Way of Lee and Ogle Counties, about upcoming community events like Shop Day with Lou+Co, the Dolly Book Bash, and Society Boutique Shop Day.

Whelan: We are committed to being constructive partners in developing solutions that keep Illinois safe and support a justice system the public can rely on.

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.

A storm with accumulating snow blanketing Northern Illinois started early Saturday morning and is expected to continue through the evening with peak snowfalls in the late afternoon.

Feathered gobblers are much more than the center of customers’ holiday meals for Renee Koster and her family at Windsweep Farm in Lee County.

While the National Weather Service stressed that exact snowfall totals and the precise track of the storm remain uncertain, confidence is growing that much of the region will experience accumulating snow during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year

Northern Illinois is forecast to get hit with turbulent winds Wednesday followed by accumulating snowfall this weekend that could affect Thanksgiving travel.

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

Officials expect it will result in an estimated bill increase of $13.03 for a home valued at $150,000, according to the approved tax ordinance.

On this episode of Talk Line, Brandon Clark sits down with Andy Jackson, Marketing Manager for Sinnissippi Centers, to explore local mental-health resources and community support programs.

The Lee County Council on Aging welcomed U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, on Nov. 7 for a special visit recognizing the dedication and service of the agency’s employees.

Lee County officials are hosting an open house Dec. 3, 2025, at the court services building in Dixon to showcase renovations.

Community members can browse and bid on more than 60 unique baskets and local gift certificates, all from the comfort of their home, while supporting programs that create lasting change in Lee County.

The Ashton-Franklin Center School District recently released its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

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

United Way of Lee County is celebrating the success of its inaugural Downtown Dolly Stampede, held Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in downtown Dixon. Despite the chilly weather, more than 40 enthusiastic participants turned out.

Here are some of the crimes that remain a mystery in northern Illinois

Ashton's Kaiden Gomez won a national chess tournament for youth players ranked 1700 and above in Omaha.