DeKalb youth theater company Lightbeam Players will present its show “Secrets Lie Beyond” on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.

Camren Hastings, 18, is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and aggravated use of a firearm as a person under the age of 21, a Class 4 felony.

Sarah Safranek is accused of suffocating her son, Nathaniel Burton, in the family’s Oregon home in February 2021.

Aqua America, the company which owns area water supplier Aqua Illinois, has been sold. It supplies water in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Will counties, among others.

Seven Sauk Valley-area high school students have been chosen as Whiteside Area Career Center students of the month for September.

Ogle County’s Dewayne Adams placed fifth in his division at the National Corn Husking Contest in Nappannee, Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. At age 90, he was the oldest competitor at the event.

Byron Bank is proud to once again participate and be a drop-off location for the Ogle County Toys for Tots program during the 2025 holiday season.

Search our table to see what designation your Ogle County school received on the 2025 school report card.

“I permitted an event to an animal abuser. I did,” DeKalb County Interim Administrator Derek Hiland said of an Aug. 2 rodeo in Kirkland. In the past few years, steer-tailing events have drawn widespread criticism, though some say animal abuse allegations are hard to prosecute.

The Hansen Halloween House is back for another year of family-friendly fun. The free event will take place at 1021 Fourth Ave., Rochelle, from 5-9 p.m. on the days leading up to Halloween and from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

In the past few years, steer-tailing events in DeKalb, Will, Ogle and McHenry counties, among others, have drawn widespread criticism. Some say animal abuse allegations are hard to prosecute, however.

A dedication ceremony was held for a new memorial in honor of Illinois Gov. Frank O. Lowden on Oct. 14, 2025, on the lawn of the historic Ogle County Courthouse in Oregon.

The third annual book fair features authors from across the northern Illinois area offering books on mystery, romance, children, history, young adult and more.

Employees of Oregon’s Public Works Department will begin sucking up leaves next week for city residents despite Mother Nature’s delay in cooperating.

As the vibrant leaves change colors and the temperatures begin to drop, we are reminded that fall has officially arrived in Rochelle.

Larry B. Miller, a retired pharmacist, was inducted posthumously into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame on Oct. 16, 2025.

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club had its monthly meeting on Oct. 13, 2025.

UCB Fellowship of the United Church of Byron is having its annual Harvest Feast Turkey Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

There were no injuries and minimal damage to equipment and crops after the Rochelle Fire Department was called for a report of a combine fire Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, RFD Chief Dave Sawlsville said.

The city of Rochelle recently announced the appointment of Matt Hoffman as its new finance director.

Kish Short-Term programs provide students with the expertise needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 11-15 weeks, allowing students to start a career immediately or build on skills with additional training.

Polo Historical Society Board Member and Military Liaison Kevin Smoot will host the program “Polo’s Veterans” Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, at the Polo Senior Center, 101 E. Mason St.

The anxiously-awaited IHSA football pairings have been announced. With all the prognostication leading up to them, there weren’t too many surprises.

First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 20-24, 2025.

"Grow Your Own Microgreens" sessions are set for Nov. 5 and Nov. 15 at the Bertolet Memorial Library in Leaf River. Participants will learn how to grow microgreens and explore creative ways to incorporate them into their diets through engaging hands-on classes.

The Village of Progress held its annual banquet Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Oregon. Eight VOP consumers and volunteers were presented with awards during the festivities.

Here's a list of events happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center.

Rochelle Community Hospital hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, for the ongoing expansion of its Health and Wellness Building.

Polo Historical Museum is moving the big newspaper books from the Dr. Burns House to the museum so they will be in a better controlled system.

Here's a look at events taking place at the Forreston Public Library.

Rochelle held a retirement celebration and open house Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, for Finance Director Chris Cardott, who will retire at the end of the year after 20 years with the city.

How many items can a DIY skeleton hold? Find out at the Oregon library.

A ribboncutting was held Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, for three automotive businesses at 1400 N. Seventh St. in Rochelle: Doug Smith Motors, Mason Smith Auto Repair and Superior Dent Services.

Staff from the Rock River Valley Blood Center will draw blood from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 3, 2025, at Leaf River United Methodist Church.

Elizabeth Vaughan of Rochelle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 2025.

Construction is set to begin on Rochelle’s downtown stage, outdoor gathering space and parking lots on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.

State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, and Regional Office of Education 47 are co-hosting an upcoming winter clothes drive for local students and families in need.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside, and Ogle counties’ property transfers for Oct. 13-17, 2025.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is inviting veterans and their families from across the 37th District to join him for a special event honoring their service and dedication.

The Polo Christmas Festival Committee is seeking volunteers to help make this year’s holiday celebration a success. The festival will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, and there are a variety of opportunities available to get involved.

Rochelle Township High School recently congratulated students Wyatt Worthington and Kyler Dickson on being selected as recipients of this year’s Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution Awards, respectively.

A grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony were held Oct. 22, 2025, for Davis Family Health and Trim IV Infusions at their new location at 450 Coronado Drive in Rochelle.

The Stillman Valley High School Agriculture Department was highlighted as the feature story in the Fall 2025 Volume 2, Issue 1 of Prairie Career Advocate.

In preparation for First Responders Day on Oct. 28, 2025, Rochelle youths were encouraged to color one square of two, 20-piece paper quilts honoring Rochelle’s police and firefighters.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation received a $33,000 Meta Data Center Community Action Grant to enhance learning through immersive technology.

Stillman Bank recently promoted a key member of its team in northern Illinois. Kaitlyn Jones has been promoted to the position of treasury relationship manager, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

A Rockford man’s argument that he entered a Rochelle townhome to “rescue” a “loved one” who worked as an online escort did not sway Ogle County jurors Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from convicting him of home invasion, armed robbery, and being an armed habitual criminal.

Rochelle's Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 received a $1,000 donation from CHS on Oct. 13, 2025, to help pay for a new camera system.

The Ogle County Board unanimously denied a special-use permit for a community solar energy facility in Marion Township on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, but did approve a special-use permit for a similar facility in Leaf River Township by an 11-10 vote.