Sunny skies and mild temps made for a perfect setting for three National Night Outs in Ogle County on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. The evening events, organized by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department, Oregon Police Department, and Mt. Morris Police Department, were held in Byron, Oregon and Mt. Morris.

An estimated 1,300 people turned out to hear the popular band, Brass From the Past, play Motown, soul, and rock selections on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. The Chicago band featured a large horn section, dynamic rhythm section, and three vocalists.

A bit of rain may have held the attendance to 1,200 at the Mt. Morris Jamboree Concert on Friday, July 25, but it didn’t stop the band shell from rocking.

Travis Cunningham was the guest conductor for the Kable Concert Band on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Mt. Morris. Cunningham is the music/band teacher for Forreston High School and Junior High. Bailee Fyock of Forreston sang two solos: "For Good" from Wicked and "Let it Go" from Frozen.

The pilot of a cropdusting plane died Tuesday morning when a plane crashed near the Ogle County Airport, between Oregon and Mt. Morris

Thirty four kids took part in the Let Freedom Ring Kiddie Parade on Saturday, July 5, 2024 in Mt. Morris.

A parade, live music, food and fun were all part of the Let Freedom Ring festival in Mt. Morris on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Two pancake breakfasts started a day full of events on Friday, July 4, 2025 at the Let Freedom Ring festival.

A total of five contestants took part in Let Freedom Ring's Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest on the Warren Reckmeyer bandshell on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in downtown Mt. Morris.

Block party, live music and fireworks all set for Friday, July 4.

The martial art of jiu jitsu is more than just taking people to the ground, there are abundant life lessons to learn from engaging in it, and an Ogle County club teaches it all.

Jonny Lyons and the Pride entertained an estimated crowd of 1,000 at the Mt Morris Jamboree on Friday, June 27, 2025. The free concerts are held on Friday nights through the summer on the campus in downtown Mt. Morris.

Rocks Off, a tribute band featuring Rolling Stones songs, rocked the Jamboree bandshell on Friday, June 20, in downtown Mt. Morris. The free concerts are held Friday nights throughout the summer. All concerts are from 7 to 9 p.m. at the bandshell, except for July 4 and 5. Next up on Friday, June 27, is Johnny Lyons and the Pride, offering classic rock tunes.

The 2025 Jamboree Concert Series kicked off Saturday, June 13, in Mt. Morris with Rick Lindy and his band paying tribute to Roy Orbison on the Warren Reckmeyer Bandshell before a packed crowd on the Campus square. The free concerts are held Friday evenings in downtown Mt. Morris.

Sunny skies and a large crowd made for the perfect match at the annual Rock River Riders Motorcycle Club’s Father’s Day Hillclimb on Sunday, June 15.

Freshman Jillian Hammer who placed third in the 100-meters hurdles and fifth in the 300 hurdles

The weather was perfect and the animals and tractors did not disappoint as Oregon Elementary School students flocked to the Oregon High School's FFA Petting Zoo and Ag Event on Friday, May 9, 2025. FFA students brought their tractors and animals to the lawn of the elementary school for kids to learn about agriculture.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. May 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. May 4 at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Theater at 500 Evergreen Lane in Mt. Morris.

The Performing Arts Guild will once again showcase their talents with upcoming performances of “Crimes of the Heart" this weekend in Mt. Morris.

Firefighters from several departments responded to a structure fire at 6727 W. Henry Road, southeast of Polo, around 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025. At least one vehicle and a camper along with several items were lost in the garage fire. No injuries were reported. Crews responding included Polo, Mt. Morris, Sterling, Forreston, Oregon, Dixon Rural, EMS Advance, Milledgeville, Chadwick, Dixon City, and Franklin Grove.

Oregon High School students entertained audiences last week with the school's presentation of "Seussical The Musical". Performances were March 13-16 in the OHS Theater.

The college named 1,200 to the dean’s list. The list honors students with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the term’s courses.

Roller rinks and bowling alleys in Sterling, Dixon, Rockford and more offer indoor fun during the frigid winter months.

One firefighter was injured after falling on the ice.

Several students from Dixon, Sterling, Rock Falls and Rochelle have been named to the dean's list.

Performance dates are Jan. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 2 p.m.

The Performing Arts Guild will present ‘Christmas Eve in Chaos’ in Mt. Morris. Show dates are Jan. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. Go to performingartsguild.com for tickets.

Oregon High School's Choir, Concert Band, and Jazz Band played Christmas selections in front of a packed house on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The music department's annual Christmas Concert was held in OHS Music Room.

Mt. Morris' Christmas in the Village was held Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Activities included a lighted parade and an appearance by Santa.

Events include special visits and breakfasts with Santa, annual interactive dinner theater.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else, and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at one of these restaurants in northern Illinois.

Voters in Ogle County turn out to cast their ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

The Evangelical Free Church of Mt. Morris partnered with the Fall Family Festival in Mt. Morris on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, for its Trunk or Treat on the village square. The event included candy, decorated trunks and fun for kids and their families. The Fall Family Festival was sponsored by the Let Freedom Ring Committee and featured a craft show, penny carnival, costume parade, pumpkin carving contest and concessions.

BerryView Orchard was one of six Ogle County farms in this year’s stroll

Event was held Sept. 28 north of Mt. Morris

Visitors to the Back Roads Market were not disappointed Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 with four stops on this year’s tour. And if you love ice cream, Hough’s Maple Lane Farm was the place to be. Larry, Sandra and Ralph Flickinger of Sugar Grove, Illinois, brought their “Flicks’ Hit-N-Miss” to Hough’s Maple Lane Farm, 3788 N. Mt. Morris Rd., and created homemade ice cream on site with their 100-year-old hit-n-miss stationary engine. And they brought their display of antique ice cream scoops.

An Olympic champion, two coaches, five athletes and three state title teams were among the inaugural inductees of the Oregon School District’s athletic hall of fame.

An Olympic champion, two coaches, five athletes, and three state title teams were among the inaugural inductees of the Oregon School District’s athletic hall of fame. It was a night of memories, tributes, and camaraderie for those selected to the OCUSD Athletic Hall of Fame as their friends and families reflected on their accomplishments during the Sept. 14 celebration at the Rock River Center.

Firefighters were called to a machine shed fire Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at 7015 W. Judson Road, southeast of Polo. Several fire departments assisted the Polo Fire Department on the call. There were no injuries.

StrawFest took place Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, on the Mt. Morris College Campus in the Mt. Morris downtown area

The Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce annual awards dinner was held Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at River's Edge Experience in Oregon. Earleen Hinton was named Citizen of the Year and Dave Head was named Volunteer of the Year.

Mt. Morris’ National Night Out event ran from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, near the Mt. Morris College campus in the village’s downtown.

Mt. Morris’ first-ever National Night Out drew community members to the village’s downtown to meet with law enforcement and other first responders. The event ran from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, near the Mt. Morris College Campus in the village’s downtown.

Bicycles, trikes, and two walking firecrackers took part in this year's event.

A large crowd turned out Thursday, July 4, 2024 for Mt. Morris' annual Let Freedom Ring fireworks.

Event was held at The Center, formally the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center

Kids climbed the hill during a break in the action

Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones played on Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Jamboree Music Series in Mount Morris.

Darren Barker, 53, is charged with the felony offenses of possessing and intending to deliver between 15 and 100 grams of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Blast from the Past played in Mt. Morris on a cool, clear night