A Dixon man has been formally charged with three felonies in connection with social media posts and emails that authorities say directed threats toward a Lee County economic development official over data centers

A Dixon man faces felony charges accusing him of threatening a former state representative in connection with social media posts and emails, according to Dixon's police chief.

MANDRELL: From the vision of Pete Dillon and the founding board, who worked tirelessly to establish the college, to the graduates of the Class of 2026, the college’s history is filled with remarkable examples of overcoming challenges, pursuing opportunity, and changing lives.

Former Lee County Sheriff Tim Bivins, who served a decade in the Illinois State Senate, reminded a Sublette audience on Monday that Memorial Day is about more than a day off, a long weekend and family picnics.

The Dixon Police Department began a criminal investigation earlier this month, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

The 10-week program will run through Aug. 5, with meal distribution taking place each Wednesday. Each child will receive three free grab-and-go meals per week to help provide food access during the summer months.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for May 11-15.

Here's a schedule of Memorial Day observances taking place Monday in the Sauk Valley.

A Lee County judge issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for a Downers Grove man accused of felony charges related to vehicle theft.

Cash prizes are up for grabs for the winners of Woodlawn Arts Academy’s 18th annual Juried Art Exhibit. The academy is now accepting fine art and photography entries from adults as well as children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

A pregnant ER nurse was kicked by a patient. Prosecutors, hospitals and nurses say violence has become routine – and convictions remain rare

To get more information about the important part that “smithing” played in the Sauk Valley area, come to the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, to hear Greg Dutchoff, a local blacksmith, speak.

Rivers Estock of Steward was recently named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University.

John Foxley was honored with the silver axe and celebration Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Grand Detour station.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties' property transfers for May 4-8, 2026.

A single-family home in Compton that sold for $320,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Lee County / Whiteside over the past week

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is encouraging students across the 37th District to stay engaged this summer by participating in his annual Summer Reading Program.

A farmers market will make a return to Sublette this summer and the village will host a cruise night on Saturday, May 16.

Cody Schmitz of Ashton was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for May 4-8, 2026.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced it issued 23 citations for distracted driving violations, two speeding citations, and seven other citations for moving violations during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month enforcement campaign.

Normally, the small cottages, cabins, and barns of Chaplin Creek Historic Village in Franklin Grove represent the way of life as it was in northern Illinois in the early to mid-1800s.

The Telegraph and Gazette honors the everyday heroes making a difference in the Sauk Valley through their hard work, kindness and dedication.

The Lee, Carroll, Ogle, and Whiteside County farm bureaus, along with Country Financial, will host a crop marketing outlook at 7 p.m. June 17 at the Rock River Center in Oregon.

As of Jan. 1, 2028, it will be illegal to sell the invasive Bradford pear tree – also known as the Callery pear – in Illinois.

Eighteen students will participate in the final graduation ceremony May 20 at Clipper Kiddies Christian Preschool, Amboy’s only private preschool. The preschool will officially close in June.

The Lee County Master Gardeners will host a plant sale Saturday, and the Amboy Depot Museum will hold a “Junk in Your Trunk” rummage sale Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23, in the parking lot of the Depot Museum.

The United Way of Lee County held its 2025 campaign celebration Tuesday in Dixon to wrap up its donation year.

It starts with a camera and turns into something bigger for Dixon High School students who are stepping behind the scenes to produce live broadcasts. They're finding confidence, solving problems and reaching audiences far beyond their town.

By day, Ryan Jandrey works with bodies. By night, he studies faces. He's chasing through portrait art something most people miss – faces, structure, and the fine line between likeness and feeling.

United Way of Lee County wrapped up its 2025 campaign year with a celebration lunch Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The organization raised $419,417 in donations during its fundraising year.

The Dixon Family YMCA announced Monday it's made major progress on the road to financial recovery with its $5.7 million purchase of the childcare center it runs near Interstate 88.

WACC is a cooperative endeavor of 16 member school districts and three parochial schools, educating students who come from five counties: Bureau, Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside.

A single-family home in Sterling that sold for $360,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Lee County / Whiteside over the past week.

The Lee County Board has approved a zoning change that marks the completion of a step needed for a Chicago developer to turn the former Magnuson Hotel near Dixon into apartments.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for April 27 to May 1, 2026.

From packed tour buses to rising conversion numbers, clergy across Illinois say the first American-born pope is energizing Catholics one year after his election

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is sending out a message of caution in the wake of two recent reports of suspicious interactions involving children in Franklin Grove and Amboy.

Letter carriers across Dixon will collect non-perishable food donations on Saturday, May 9, as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an annual effort to combat food insecurity in communities nationwide.

Illinois State Police special agents began an investigation after receiving a cyber tip in January regarding the dissemination of child sexual abuse materials in Lee County.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a national organization that provides advocacy, support and education about mental health. The Amboy High School NAMI chapter is the first Lee County high school chapter, adviser and AHS teacher Emily Rose said.

The annual award seeks to recognize outstanding educators who go above and beyond for their students.

Teachers are asking the same questions on technology: What is changing, and how do we keep up? A Dixon educator is helping them find answers, even as the technology keeps shifting beneath him.

United Way of Lee County is inviting community members to take part in a drive-thru community pasta drive on Friday, May 8, to help support local children through its upcoming Summer Eats meal program.

A single-family home in Dixon that sold for $405,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Lee County / Whiteside in the past week

This screening is part of a broader initiative led by SVVOR and ROE No. 47 to explore the potential development of a recovery high school in the Sauk Valley region, with a proposed location in Rock Falls.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle property transfers for April 20-24, 2026.

How much rain fell in northern Illinois in April? In some places, it was more than twice the average, swelling rivers in the region beyond their banks.

This year, the Lee County Courts want to highlight juror appreciation as a central theme, acknowledging the time, attention, and public service that jurors contribute.

Here's a list of Lee County property transfers for April 20-24, 2026.