The featured speaker for this month’s Oregon Depot Museum “Those Were The Days” program on Saturday, Sept. 27, will be Jim Owens of Pecatonica.

Column: When it comes to running government programs, accuracy and oversight aren’t optional. Yet under Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois’ management of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been anything but accurate or accountable.

Rochelle Township High School hosted a ribboncutting for its recently remodeled library media center Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.

Sixto Xavier Valdivieso of Rochelle graduated from Lee University during the 194th commencement exercises Aug. 2, 2025.

The Ogle County Historical Society will have its monthly meeting Monday, Sept. 29, in Oregon.

City officials said the site is already part of Oregon's riverfront district.

A total of 340 students enrolled in UA Early College during summer semester 2025 at The University of Alabama were named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 or higher.

Dozens of volunteers spent Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, cleaning and supporting a number of sites as part of the United Way of Lee County & United Way of Ogle County's Day of Caring.

Marguerite N. Conboy was recently appointed as a Denver County Colorado Court judge by Denver Mayor Mike Johnson.

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

Arlington Heights native remembered for his faith and speaking out.

A crowd, estimated at 300-350 people, turned out for a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk in downtown Oregon on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.

As she celebrates 15 years as a breast cancer survivor, Shelley Herlihy of Davis Junction is still working to help people who are in the fight now.

Dickson: The United States is not a democracy, although it appears Mr. Harris would prefer mob rule over rule by law.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Sept. 11 to Lynnette Stover. She received a sign and a $25 Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware Manager Jesse Lopez.

Polo’s Harper Clark was named to the president’s and graduation lists at Des Moines Area Community College.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host public meetings throughout northern and west-central Illinois to provide information on the status of chronic wasting disease and its effect on free-ranging deer populations.

IBV Energy Partners, in concert with its subsidiary, Kyte River Solar, is in the process of developing a 150-megawatt solar farm near the intersection of South Meridian Road and Lincoln Highway. The land use permit is expected to be submitted at the end of this year.

Harris: As I receive responses to my articles, I feel like I’m shaking my wife lying lifeless in our bed, screaming for her to wake up.

Eagle’s Nest Art Group will host a one-day art show in its studio at Conover Square Mall on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

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

Rochelle volleyball beat Sandwich and Rochelle tennis beat Rockford Christian in the Rochelle sports roundup.

Rochelle Township High School saw 24 students from the classes of 2025 and 2026 earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, which certifies high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language.

Mateusz Pytlak, 28, received concurrent sentences for the three felony offenses after entering guilty pleas Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

University of Illinois Extension is offering a free, interactive virtual series designed to help individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes take control of their health and live vibrant, fulfilling lives.

University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois.

Victim says she was emotionally and physically abused and still suffers from the incidents.

District Governor Marcia Meyers was the guest speaker at the Aug. 28, 2025, meeting of the Oregon Lions Club. She spoke of activities happening within the district as well as information on her platform, Canine Companions. The Oregon Lions Club then donated $200 to the cause.

Over the past decade, Rochelle Township High School has expanded its dual-credit and advanced placement offerings to better prepare students for what comes next.

Southern New Hampshire University recently congratulated Brian Marlatt of Oregon and Casondra Bailey of Mt. Morris on being named to its summer 2025 dean’s list.

The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District presented a concept plan for improvements at Tilton Park at a public meeting Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

The Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival committee held its annual post-festival meeting Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at VFW Post 3878. The meeting reflected on the three-day event held Aug. 15-17 in Rochelle.

A healthy democracy leads to healthy communities.  A high voter turnout encourages elected officials to be more accountable. 

TIDEMAN: Several strategies can slow erosion and get food and farm systems back on a sustainable track. By keeping roots in ground year-round, cover crops help keep soil in place and maximize water-holding ability, making it more resistant to floods and droughts.

Southern New Hampshire University congratulates Ogle County residents named to the summer 2025 president’s list.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, the Rochelle Elementary School Board heard an update on the status of its HUB Program from Superintendent Jason Harper and HUB Program Director Yazmin Nambo.

Politicians around northern Illinois mourned Charlie Kirk, who was from the Chicago suburbs and was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

Rochelle volleyball beat Oregon and Stillman Valley, plus tennis results in the Rochelle News Leader high school sports roundup.

The Rochelle Rotary Club recently held a fundraising raffle to support the CAN holiday shopping trip.

The city of Polo and the Polo School District recently announced a collaborative effort to apply for the Safe Routes to School Program Grant.

At its meeting Monday, Sept. 8, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved an amendment to an agreement with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network.

Southern New Hampshire University recently congratulated Rochelle’s Abby Dall on being named to the summer 2025 dean’s list.

Ogle County 4-H Fair General Projects winners were recently named.

The annual dinner will be held at St. Mary’s Parish Center, Oregon, on Wednesday, Oct. 22. 

Ogle County 4-H Fair Horse Show winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Clothing Show winners were recently named.

Ogle County 4-H Fair Cat Show winners were recently named.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Sept. 1-5, 2025.

The Byron Public Library District is pleased to announce a special Meet & Greet event to welcome the new library director, Jason Sleet Shirley.

Briggs Sellers, a physical education major from Mt. Morris, will compete for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team during the 2025 season, which began Saturday, Sept. 6.