In the March 5 Sauk Valley news article, “Animal cruelty charges in McHenry County could change how backyard rodeos operate across northern Illinois,” several Illinois state’s attorneys suggested that prosecuting acts associated with steer tailing is difficult.

A Monroe Center man was sentenced to prison Friday after pleading guilty to identity theft and aggravated fleeing.

A rural residence in Mount Morris that sold for $749,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County over the past week.

Oregon recently received a state Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant for $32,788 that will be used for a multi-year project to strategically market and promote Oregon’s destinations, tourism attractions and community events.

Ceczar Spann, 31, of Rochelle, was found guilty of two counts of domestic battery for striking a member of his household during a Sept. 12, 2025, incident.

The Merry Martha Club, a Leaf River service organization, is once again sponsoring a quilt raffle this spring.

The Vintage Shop Hop, featuring vintage, thrift and antique stores across northern Illinois and Wisconsin, is March 6 and 7.

Oregon High School Theater will present “The Sound of Music!” this month.

An 80-year-old ag equipment company in Oregon is still shaping land and lives. At Woods Equipment, the machines matter, but the people who use them matter more.

Oregon Community Unit School District 220 announced that Ryan Huels, principal of Oregon Elementary School, has recently been recognized at both the national and state levels for his leadership in education.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 23-27, 2026.

Abigail Rogers of Oregon was named to the dean’s list of Loyola University College of Arts and Sciences.

A single-family home in Oregon that sold for $290,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County during the past week.

"Agriculture education is big." That was not the theme but it was the message Friday at the fourth Cultivating Connections in Agriculture, which celebrates agriculture education and FFA in the Sauk Valley and the larger northern Illinois region.

On Wednesday, March 4, our publications in Oregon, Polo, Mt. Morris and Forreston will be merged into our Ogle County Life publication, which instead of publishing on Mondays, will be published on Wednesdays going forward.

Oregon and Mendota meet Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Rock Falls for the 2A regional basketball title. Oregon took the win 65-52.

The Ogle County 4-H Penny Carnival is set for March 7 at the Blackhawk Center in Oregon.

The Augustana Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. James Lambrecht, will bring performances to communities across Illinois and Wisconsin from March 20-26.

The First Fridays Open Mic presents its monthly show at the Oregon VFW on Friday, March 6.

The Chana Play Day committee has announced competition for several scholarships. The candidates must be high school graduates or the equivalent with ties to the Chana area.

The Oregon Church of God Mission Committee hosted a Love Drive to collect cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and paper products to be donated to Lifeline in Oregon and Loaves & Fishes in Mt. Morris.

Paula and Derrick Porter are transforming a vacant downtown Oregon business into the After Teen Lounge.

Paula and Derrick Porter are transforming a vacant downtown Oregon business into the After Teen Lounge – slated to open next month. Here's a look at their progress.

Firefighters from 13 departments battled a hay bale fire at a farm in the 6000 block of West Pines Road, between Oregon and Polo, Monday afternoon.

Firefighters from 13 departments battled a hay bale fire at a farm in the 6000 block of West Pines Road, between Oregon and Polo, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 16-20, 2026.

The Oregon School District has started its senior spotlight series, a daily feature that recognizes members of the Oregon High School Class of 2026.

Augustana College announced more than 1,200 students were named to the dean’s list for the 2025-2026 fall semester.

David D. Lowtharp, 57, was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections through a plea agreement.

Darren Barker, 55, pleaded guilty to the Class 1 felony and was sentenced by Ogle County Judge John “Ben” Roe through a plea agreement.

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.

A referendum to establish the Oregon Park District passed by 56 votes in 1966. This year, the organization is celebrating 60 years of services, expansion and improvements.

Franklin T. Houston, 28, was found guilty Wednesday of the felony offense of injuring a police officer while resisting arrest and the misdemeanor offenses of resisting a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Individuals who are passionate about nature, conservation and strengthening their communities are invited to apply for the Illinois Master Naturalist Program, now accepting registrations for its spring 2026 training cohort.

Awards were presented for the America the Beautiful Art Exhibit at the opening reception at the Coliseum Museum on Friday, Feb. 13.

The “Those Were the Days” presenter at the Oregon Depot on Feb. 28 will be Highland Community College’s Lifelong Learning instructor, Mark Peterson.

The Ogle County Historical Society’s monthly meeting is Monday, Feb. 23, in the carriage house annex behind the Nash House Museum in Oregon.

From breezy afternoon games to tournament wins and travel-ready paddles, more people are embracing the growing sport of pickleball – whose quick learning curve and social energy keep drawing more players to the net. There are many places to play throughout northwest Illinois.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Feb. 9-13, 2026.

Oregon sixth, seventh and eighth grade band and choir students participated in the 2026 Route 72 Solo and Ensemble Contest on Feb. 7 at Pecatonica High School.

In addition to Courtney Gaulrapp’s recognition, five other OCUSD 220 team members and partners were honored through Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel awards.

Central Bank Illinois recently announced a series of executive and officer-level promotions.

Amy Anthenat, 50, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to the felony offense of aggravated driving under the influence in connection with Addison man's death.

Derek Swanlund, 45, is charged with the first-degree murder of Cameron Pasley, 25, also of Mt. Morris, in what police described as a “domestic incident.”

Oregon Elementary School’s Courtney Gaulrapp was named Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.

More than 7,000 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year, including Oregon’s Peytyn Alizabeth Sadler.

Dixon city and rural firefighters and Advance EMS were called at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday to the 900 block of West Fourth Street, according to a news release.

Once an aging farm, an Oregon wedding venue is now a lovingly restored getaway where a mother-and-daughter team shape wedding weekends through antiques, photo nooks, heartfelt management and a devotion to making magic happen.

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

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