Stillman Bank recently welcomed Kelly Pospischil as a commercial lender, according to Thomas R. Hughes, president and CEO.

Fifteen members from the Forreston FFA Chapter traveled to Stillman Valley High School on the evening of Feb. 4 to compete with their SAE (supervised agricultural experience) projects.

Eleven area fire departments responded to an agricultural facility fire north of Rochelle on Tuesday morning, Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection District Capt. John Rimstidt said.

First in February at the Flagg Township Museum in Rochelle it’s a “Find the Love” Scavenger Hunt, unlocking romantic treasures at the museum for visitors, friends and history lovers.

The late James Combs of Rochelle served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946.

Roller skating rinks are places where people of all ages can enjoy camaraderie, competition and creation of memories for years to come – and for more than 75 years, a classic Mount Morris rink has been a spot for fresh moves and retro fun.

The Oregon Park District invites community members to attend its 60th anniversary Coffee Conversation on Feb. 18 at the Nash Recreation Center.

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

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 2-6, 2026.

James Cicchetti Jr., 38, is charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of the girl on Dec. 26, 2025, according to court records.

Kenneth A. Thomson, 20, entered the not-guilty pleas and has demanded a jury trial

Protecting democracy in challenging times: Recent events across our country have underscored how vital it is to defend the principles of democracy.

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club celebrated achievements over the previous year at the January meeting.

Cypress Creek Renewables (Cypress Creek) recently announced the continuation of its Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship program.

The Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club met at Town and Country Lanes in Mt. Morris for the 4-H bowling tournament Jan. 18.

The Bread of Life food pantry in Stillman Valley recently announced it has received a $5,750 grant to help keep its shelves stocked with food.

The Ogle County Soil & Water Conservation District has opened applications for the 2026 Partners for Conservation cost-share program.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Jan. 26-30, 2026.

Tilton Elementary School in Rochelle recently held its Spelling Bee finals.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce will once again host the Lucky Hub Dash 5K presented by Holcomb Bank.

We love reading! Reading is an important part of our lives. Reading makes the mind work and encourages us to use our vivid imaginations.

The Creston Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Willett, Hofmann & Associates as its new engineering firm.

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved nearly $1 million for safety upgrades at three highway-rail crossings of the BNSF Railway Company’s track in Carroll and Ogle counties.

If you were governor of Illinois, you might assume your primary job would be to govern Illinois.

Amid record need in 2025, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry also saw record donor support in that calendar year, RCFP Board President Cal Jacobs said.

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will be hosting a residential electronics recycling event Friday, Feb. 27.

An Ogle County judge will hear arguments in March for motions filed by a Chicago woman’s attorneys seeking to dismiss charges of falsely reporting a shooting near Rochelle in May 2025. The motions argue the charges violate her right to free speech.

John D. Carew, 27, pleaded guilty to the 2025 felony offense as he appeared in court with his attorney, Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley, in front of Ogle County Associate Circuit Judge Anthony Peska.

Beauty Collective & Co. in Rochelle held a grand opening Jan. 18.

Jonathon Gounaris, 33, is charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of possessing a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card.

Imagine, it’s Saturday, July 4, 2076. The 300th anniversary of America’s independence. Fifty years before, residents, organizations and schools wrote letters and messages to the “future people” of Ogle County.

The Lessons for Living is a free online series of one-hour sessions designed to empower adults of all ages with practical, easy-to-understand guidance for living an inspiring, healthy and fulfilling life. All sessions require registration.

Oregon High School has recently introduced an off-campus lunch option for seniors who are eligible.

Chuck and Lydia Roberts of Rochelle, who have been married for 53 years, have been ski instructors together for all of those years and just recently started their 50th year of ski instruction at Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin.

A Rochelle woman died Sunday as a result of injuries suffered in a Jan. 26 shooting, Rochelle Police Chief Pete Pavia said Wednesday.

Focus House has tentative plans in place for the construction of a new residence hall at its 3279 Illinois Route 251 location in the coming years, Executive Director Brenda Mason said Feb. 3.

Last December marked the 10th anniversary of my monthly column in the Ogle County Life. Thanks to those who have read it, and to the Ogle County Life for faithfully publishing it during that time.

Ogle County recently released the list of marriage licenses issued in January.

The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show will begin with an opening reception Saturday, Feb. 14. Several artists will be on hand to welcome visitors.

Artists within a 35-mile radius of Dixon or who are permanent residents of Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, Carroll, Stevenson or Jo Daviess counties and who are at least 16 years of age are eligible to enter.

In northern Illinois’s largest cities to its smallest towns, counterfeit pills, whose effects are boosted by fentanyl, kill users and devastate the families they leave behind.

The Chana Family Clothes Closet will be open Feb. 7, 18 and 21 with a wide variety of clothing from infant to plus adult.

With the calendar turning to February, it’s crunch time for basketball and wrestling. The wrestlers will be in the midst of it Friday, Feb. 13, at Byron for the individual sectional, always one of the top sporting events of the school year.

Join The Serenity Shed on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to create a 12-inch custom sign for $15. All supplies are provided. Spots are limited.

Larson: I feel shame, I feel a sense of guilt concerning this animus being visited by one American upon another.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the spring 2026 semester. The foundation awarded 335 scholarships totaling $267,526.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Jan. 26-30, 2026.

Emi Bail, a student at Byron High School, has been selected for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Here's a list of upcoming events planned for February at the Polo library.

Stillman Valley High School students have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs.