The Merry & Bright Decorating Contest is once again being sponsored by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. The chamber encourages all residents and business owners to make the community festive this holiday season.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and some players met with reporters at Halas Hall on Monday a day after the Bears pulled off another thrilling win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here are three of the most interesting things they said Monday.

Here is a list of Ogle County property transfers for Nov. 17-21, 2025.

AgriGold agronomist Kevin Gale said yields were fairly good for the northern half of Illinois, but fell short of early season potential.

The annual Candlelight Christmas event begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the Chana United Methodist Church, 606 N. Main St., in Chana.

Here's a list of upcoming activities at the Rock River Center.

The Chicago Bears improved to 8-3 on Sunday after they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28 at Soldier Field. Here are the five big takeaways from another thrilling win.

Linebackers D'Marco Jackson and Amen Ogbongbemiga weren't supposed to make major impacts for the Chicago Bears at the start of the season. But on Sunday, the duo combined to lead the Bears in tackles and help their team beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dolly’s Book Bash will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 4, 2025, at the library in Leaf River.

The Grinch-mas Pajama Party will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, and is for ages 5-9.

The Chicago Bears won’t get a chance to go against a longtime rival on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers ruled Aaron Rodgers inactive for Sunday's game. Chicago will also be without starting left tackle Theo Benedet.

From Capitol News Illinois: The request list also included $68.5 million for implementation of ISBE’s new literacy plan, a program the board approved in 2024 to improve literacy instruction throughout the state

All families with children with autism and other special needs can enjoy the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa in a more subdued and calm environment.

Schwendau: Given the disrespect and misinformation being shown towards our seated President Donald Trump, I think it is time to drop some hard truths that are not up for debate.

The Chicago Bears announced that they placed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve.

Some showers followed by cold winds may be coming to Northern Illinois this Thanksgiving week.

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

The Chicago Bears own an NFL-best 16 plus turnover 11 weeks in the season. Here's how that ratio has served as a catalyst for the Bears' 7-3 start to the season.

The Chicago Bears return home Sunday to begin a busy holiday week when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field. Here are the top five storylines to watch.

The Chicago Bears will be without all three of their starting linebackers Sunday when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Solider Field.

Polo Area Community Theatre is in rehearsals for its next production, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson.

The 18-year-old 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

Oregon’s 39th annual Candlelight Walk will be from 3-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.

Chicago Bears coordinators met with reporters at Halas Hall on Thursday as they continued their preparations for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Thursday

The Chicago Bears got some defensive starters back at practice Thursday. Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard and Jaylon Johnson were all full participants. Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell all missed practice for a second straight day.

Farmers are rebuilding turkey flocks hit hard by avian flu, and overall demand has declined. That combination is helping keep turkey costs down for families this Thanksgiving.

In the Nov. 17, 2025, edition of Ogle County Life, Reed Harris asked “When do we start winning?” He posed a lot of questions for our consideration. They were more than questions, though. Framed in a manner critical of the current administration, they make me ask questions.

The Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, unanimously approved a $21,118 purchase of new signage for 10 parks.

The holiday season is in full swing all over Ogle County as residents and businesses are decorating and preparing for all of the festivities that lie ahead. Choose from some of these ideas to go green this holiday season and reduce your waste footprint.

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved rate increases for Nicor and Ameren gas companies - but denied the much larger hikes both utilities were seeking.

The Chicago Bears didn't shy away from the challenge of playing Aaron Rodgers when the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field on Sunday. The Bears said they want to play the former Green Bay Packer quarterback.

The Chicago Bears were without some starters on both sides of the ball at practice Wednesday as they started to prepare for Sunday’s game agains the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chicago Bears are getting closer to having a healthy secondary. The team announced Wednesday that it activated the 21-day practice window for cornerback Kyler Gordon to come off injured reserve.

Two middle classification powers lock horns in one side of the bracket while two long time rivals battle on the other. Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.

Stock up on Christmas cookies and other baked goods by attending the cookie walk and bake sale Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at the United Church of Byron in the Fern Calvert Fellowship Hall.

The annual Higley Light Extravaganza will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at 309 W. Front St. in Mt Morris.

How? Why? Are the Bears setting up fans for another double doink of disappointment in January? So many questions about this 7-3 start. Let’s try to answer a few from Minneapolis, site of the latest last-second victory.

Rochelle stands at the doorstep of another wave of technology investment: data centers. Questions about water, energy and neighborhood impact are natural — but so are the opportunities.

I love the city of Rochelle for many reasons. First and foremost, it is the city where I grew up. For this reason, I try to volunteer whenever I have a chance, to give back to the city that helped raise me.

Starting Wednesday, Illinoisans can add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to their iPhones, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced Tuesday.

The Chicago Bears hired head coach Ben Johnson over the offseason to bring out the best of quarterback Caleb Williams. So has Williams improved? Here's what the numbers say 10 games into the season.

The Ashton-Franklin Center School District recently released its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

On April 27, 2025, Governor Pritzker spoke at a New Hampshire Democrat Party fundraising event, calling for “mass protests, mobilization, and disruption” against Republicans to protest the current administration.

Briggs Sellers, a physical education major from Mt. Morris, is a member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, which will compete in the NCAA Division III Championship for the 20th time in program history.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters virtually Monday a day after his team beat the Minnesota Vikings on a last-second field goal. Here are three of the most interesting things Johnson said Monday.

Polo Schools will present their fall musical, Disney’s Moana Jr., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. Show dates have changed because of the state football championship scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21.

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a field goal as time expired Sunday to beat the Minnesota Vikings 19-17. Here are the five big takeaways from a third straight late-game victory.

Bring your favorite little person for a fun, relaxed time of stories, games, crafts and making new friends.

The Chicago Bears picked up their third straight late-game win Sunday when they beat the Minnesota Vikings on a last-second field goal. Here's how the Bears' trust in each other helped them earn their fifth last-minute win of the year.

The Rochelle Christian Food Pantry at 770 Lincoln Ave. saw an all-time record with 237 families served during the week of Nov. 2-8, 2025.