Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 2026.

Trustees of the Sterling-Rock Falls Community Trust encourage applications from upcoming and past graduates from Sterling and Rock Falls for a broad range of college scholarships to be awarded in mid-April.

A Rock Falls father and daughter have teamed up to bring back local favorite Arnie’s Happy Spot and its original chicken recipe. Owners Dave and Maddie Cochran held a soft opening for the restaurant at 1667 Hoover Road in Deer Grove, now called The Happy Spot, on Dec. 11.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 28-Jan. 3 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The following seven area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Dec. 22-26, 2025.

The charges, filed Tuesday, Dec. 30, stem from a Dec. 7 incident in which the man is accused of possessing meth while carrying a loaded BB gun.

As the calendar flips into 2026, here are a few of the stories we’ll be following in the months ahead.

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

Lydea King participated in the 151st Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the magnificent A. F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wisconsin. King, from Rock Falls, is a member of wind orchestra and philharmonic orchestra.

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

A Rock Falls man will stand trial on home invasion, sex assault, and battery charges after a Whiteside County judge on Friday denied a motion to dismiss the case

From clothing and hobby stores to restaurants and auto shops, read a recap of 2025's business activity in the Sauk Valley.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 21-27 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

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

Rock Falls Tourism has announced the winners of the Winter Wonderland Business Window Decorating Contest and the House Decorating Contest. Each contest had 10 participants.

Joshua Segura of Crystal Lake has been named superintendent of the Rock Falls Township High School District, effective July 1, 2026, the Board of Education has announced.

These 10 stories defined conversations around dinner tables, dominated social media feeds, and shaped how residents see their corner of Illinois during 2025

Shaw Local photographers across northern Illinois captured some amazing moments this year, including the excitement and drama of high school sports, the hometown pride of a summer festival, and the reality of the news events that shaped our communities. Together, these images preserve not just what happened in 2025, but how it felt to live in the towns and neighborhoods we call home.

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

Culver’s of Rock Falls invites the community to help the business celebrate its 25th anniversary by visiting the restaurant and participating in its community giveaways Jan. 2-4.

Wagon rides were offered Friday, Dec. 19, through the Holiday Lights Display in Rock Falls.

Members of the Rock Falls Police Department were dispatched Monday, Dec. 22, to complete operation Santa Claus.

Visitors were treated to wagon rides through the lighted display in Rock Falls' Centennial Park on Friday, Dec. 19.

Community bankers around the country gathered in Washington in November to discuss the latest challenges currently facing community banks across the country, according to Sally Scanlan, president of Community State Bank of Rock Falls.

Generations Woven is a newly launched podcast and community project created by Tasha Garcia, Judy Randall and Nerina Human – three women from different generations with a shared mission to bring women together through honest conversation, reflection, and connection.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 14-20 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

To be eligible for the dean’s list, degree-seeking undergraduate students must earn a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.4 while taking at least 12 graded credits.

Here's a list of property transfers for Dec. 8-12, 2025.

Take a journey back in time by viewing the images SVM photographer Alex T. Paschal has chosen as his favorites of 2025. Included in each picture caption is the photographer’s own words about what the photo means to him.

The Rock Falls City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Dec. 16, to approve the appointment of Ryan McKanna as the city's new police chief.

A Rock Falls man whose plea agreement in a case accusing him of home invasion, sex assault, and aggravated battery was turned down in Whiteside County Circuit Court says his right to a speedy trial has been violated and is asking that the case be dismissed

Through community support, Culver’s of Rock Falls donated over $1,700 to the local Whiteside County Honor Flight to support their next flight to Washington, D.C.

Longtime Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA youth sports and swim instructor Deb Mortonson is calling it a career after 39 years of work with the YMCA.

Logan Thome plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College for 2 years then transfer to a 4-year university.

Host Brandon Clark chats with Sam Kersey, President of the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, recapping the Chamber's 2025 year, including the recent Christmas Walk, Hometown Holidays, Ambassador Club and more. 

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

Dillan Vancil will be the guest speaker at the Twin City Conservatives Dec. 27 meeting.

The results are in for Blackhawk Hills Regional Council’s 2025 Northwest Illinois Housing Design Competition. Eleven entries were submitted by designers and scored by a 9-person judging panel with experience in accessibility, community and economic development, and design.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Dec. 7-13 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

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

The Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA will host a Dec. 17 open house for Aquatics Director Deb Mortonson, who is retiring after being involved with YMCA communities for 39 years.

Host Brandon Clark discusses holiday fire safety, the Community Connect app, and fire department training integration with Sterling Fire Department Chief David Northcutt and Rock Falls Fire Department Deputy Chief Kyle Sommers.

The horse-drawn wagon rides and Santa & Mrs. Claus visits now will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. Dec. 19, at Centennial Park in Rock Falls.

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

The Coloma Township Board faced vehement protests from a large crowd Wednesday, Dec. 10, before voting 3-2 to approve a 43% property tax hike.

Sponsored by Candlelight Inn, these festive rides will run from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2025, with the last ride at 8:15 p.m. Please note that no vehicles will be allowed in the park that evening.

OnCall Imaging at 1609 First Ave. in Rock Falls recently began its third year in business. The 8,000-square-foot imaging center offers MRI, CT, X-ray, DEXA, mammogram and ultrasound services.

Residents came out to a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, to oppose a tax increase proposed, and ultimately approved, by Coloma Township's board.

Host Brandon Clark chats with Shaw Local editor Charlene Bielema about recent court coverage, the jury selection process, sports and other news.