Rochelle Apple Roasted Cafe & Family Restaurant opened in mid-December at 134 May Mart Drive in Rochelle at the former site of Dog Hub.

The big news coming out of the IHSA was an expansion of the football playoffs from 256 qualifying teams to 384.

Rochelle Community Hospital has temporarily updated its visitor restrictions in response to the recent increase of respiratory illness in Rochelle and the surrounding area.

As I prepare to close an 8-year chapter serving as city manager of Rochelle, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the residents, businesses and community partners who have supported our organization and our shared vision for this community.

Mylee Hulstedt and Mackenzi Shere, athletes from Stillman Valley High School, have been selected to compete in the 30th annual international fastpitch event known as The Cup held in the Netherlands.

An Oregon man died from his injuries following a two-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon north of Grand Detour, according to an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office news release

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

Stillman Bank held its 61st annual Holiday Giveaway drawing Dec. 22. The bank had a total of six winners throughout its six locations.

Stillman Bank recently held its annual Christmas coloring contest for children up to 10 years old.

Among those honored were Gwendolyn Hodson and Jack McKanna of Mt. Morris.

Laura Cook’s work over 27 years in the Ogle County Clerk and Recorder’s Office included elections, records, property taxes and land transactions. She retired from her position as clerk and recorder Dec. 19.

An Ogle County home sustained $5,000 in damage after fire broke out Saturday night, Dec. 27.

We can learn a lot by looking at ourselves through the eyes of others. A Chinese scholar gave us that opportunity in his book, “America against America.”

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.

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

A look back at some of the top Ogle County Life stories from the past year.

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

A look back at some of the top Ogle County Life stories from the past year.

Camren Hastings 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.

Brett A. Barnes, 42, entered not guilty pleas on five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse and grooming.

Joshua S. McQuality, 28, was arrested Dec. 15 following a search at his residence by the Ogle County Special Operations Unit and sheriff’s office.

During World War II and into the post-war period, two religions had chaplains: Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic) and Jewish. There are now five religions with chaplains: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu.

Zachary J. Popp, 31, is charged with the felony offenses of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and possession of cocaine.

The following events are happening at the Mt. Morris Senior & Community Center.

Here's a list of upcoming programs taking place at the Polo Library.

A look back at some of the top Rochelle-News-Leader stories from the past year.

Here's a list of upcoming events at the Mt. Morris Public Library.

Here's a look at upcoming events at the Bertolet Memorial Library in Leaf River.

The City of Rochelle’s work in 2025 included infrastructure work, small business development, and staffing replacement and expansion, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Dec. 17.

Here's a look at upcoming events at Julia Hull District Library in Stillman Valley.

A look back at some of the top Rochelle News-Leader stories from the past year.

Rock River Center is a resource center located at 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.

The city of Rochelle presented a facade grant for $2,550 on Monday, Dec. 22, to Tecalitlan Restaurant at 1071 N. Caron Road.

Ellen Hodson of Mt. Morris was among over half of Belmont University’s undergraduate students named to the fall 2025 semester dean’s list.

At a special meeting Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Rochelle City Council voted unanimously to appoint City Engineer Sam Tesreau as interim city manager following the resignation and impending departure of City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh.

December is almost over. We participated in the annual Christmas Walk parade. Our float was decorated with Christmas lights, a Snoopy doghouse and the Peanuts characters.

Kishwaukee College will host Discover Kish from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the college.

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

Rochelle presented a facade grant program check for $1,550 on Monday, Dec. 22, to Salon Idyll at 400 Lincoln Highway.

Gwendolyn Baker and Paul Baker of Stillman Valley and Shawn Clinton and Alaina Haas of Byron were recently named to the fall 2025 dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University.

The Rochelle Township High School Speech team competed in the Byron Christmas Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 20. The team placed third out of the 13 teams participating.

The First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, Jan. 2.

Senate Bill 642 was signed into law, creating Public Act 104-045, which increases the “maximum income limitation” for the Low-Income Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption.

The city of Rochelle public works department will pick up Christmas trees at the curb from Jan. 2-16.

Miss Ogle County Ruby Mulvaney gave an update about her activities as queen. The mowing crew of Brian Grover, Rick Bergner, Steve Pumfrey and Chip Lewison was recognized as volunteers of the year.

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

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

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.

Rock River Center is a resource center located at 810 S. 10th St., Oregon.