Sauk Valley

Newmn scored three runs in the top of the first, then tacked on three more in the fifth to back pitchers Drake Cole and Garret Matznick in a 6-2 victory over Johnsburg in the Class 2A Mendota Sectional final Saturday afternoon.

Belvidere North sophomore Ava Morris tossed a two-hit shutout and added two hits and an RBI in a 4-0 win over Sterling in the Class 3A Dixon Regional final Friday at Reynolds Field.

Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s annual outdoor Pops Concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1, in the music shell at Riverview Park in Clinton, Iowa. The concert is free and open to the public in appreciation for public support through the past 71 years.

The Illinois College & Career Pathway Endorsement Program allows students to earn a formal endorsement on their high school diploma or transcript by completing a series of structured requirements designed to prepare them for life after high school in their chosen career path.

Newman sophomore Joel Rhodes and Sterling freshman Aron Rivera wrapped up their seasons at the state tennis meet on Thursday. Both were competing in state singles for the first time.

The fourth annual Bellson Music Fest is set for Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Rock Falls as is Discover Dixon’s Summer Block Party in Dixon.

Get caught up on Sauk Valley's Photos of the Week for May 23-29, 2025.

Sterling scored three runs in the seventh inning to tie the game, then added another run in the ninth to rally for a 4-3 win over host Freeport in their Class 3A regional semifinal game Wednesday.

Here's a list of the public pools and splash pads opening across the Sauk Valley.

The five were recognized as students of the month for April.

Scholarships and student achievement awards have been given to students in the Rock Falls High School Class of 2025.

Eastland's Hunter Miller pitched a complete game as the Cougars beat Milledgeville 8-4 for a regional title. Newman's Joel Rhodes finished second at sectional tennis, Sterling's Aron Rivera was third, Dixon girls soccer fell 4-0 and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The Dixon School Board approved several new hires, resignations and other personnel actions at its meeting Wednesday, May 21.

Byron scored in all but one inning, and Andrew Talbert allowed just four baserunners in a one-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning win over Oregon in Saturday's Class 2A Stillman Valley Regional championship.

There are many ways to be an ally to LGBTQ+ youths. Know that with every supportive action you take, you are making a positive impact on a young person in the community.

Sterling’s Abby Ryan and Kaelee Varden advanced to Saturday's state high jump finals. Sterling's Aron Rivera and Newman's Joel Rhodes qualified for state tennis, Milledgeville and Oregon softball fell in the regional finals and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Sterling scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to come back and beat Dixon 3-2 on Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field in Page Park.

With a number of ceremonies, parades and speakers planned throughout the Sauk Valley on Memorial Day, here is a list of what local communities will be doing to remember the fallen.

Oregon's Bryce Becker got the win in a 3-0 shutout of Rock Falls, Morrison's Bella Duncan pitched a perfect game to open the postseason, Oregon walked off against E-P, Morrison track won a sectional title and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Other upcoming events include River Country 101.7-FM’s annual Summer Kickoff Concert, which begins at 6 p.m. May 31 with Delaney Ann, followed by headliner Kelsey Hart at 8 p.m., along the Dixon Riverfront.

Dylan Blackburn of Dixon owns DK9services, a company specializing in obedience training and behavior modification for dogs. For the past several years, he has volunteered his expertise to the Pups for Veterans program.

Forreston and Fulton baseball advanced to face each other in Saturday's regional final. Eastland baseball also advanced, Sterling won, Milledgeville softball beat Eastland 11-10 and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Dixon soccer advanced to Saturday's Class 2A Rockford Boylan Regional final after Jenna Harrison scored four goals in a 7-1 win over Belvidere. Sterling fell 7-1 in its regional matchup with Freeport in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Bureau Valley softball beat Rock Falls to open the postseason. West Carroll, Ashton-Franklin Center softball, three baseball teams advanced and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Sauk Valley Community College freshman Katie Drew, a Dixon grad, placed fifth at the NJCAA DII Women's National Championship golf tournament to earn All-American first-team honors. She is the first women's golfer to earn All-American honors for the Skyhawks.

Morrison softball pitched two shutouts, Dixon baseball fell short against Rochelle and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman’s Wyatt Widolff won the 800 at the TRAC meet, Sterling and Rock Falls baseball fell, A-FC won 19-16 in extras with a Caleb Thomas home run, Fulton softball won and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Business owners and members of the Shaw Local team gathered at Dixon’s Mad Water Saloon on Thursday to celebrate the Sauk Valley’s favorite businesses of 2025.

Sterling track and field took second at the Western Big 6 Conference meet and won five events. Forreston-Polo won the NUIC meet, Oregon girls won their first sectional title, Dixon and Sterling softball won and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Kick off your summer with performances from rising country music stars Kelsey Hart and Delaney Ann on May 31 along the Dixon Riverfront.

Check out the news, sports and feature photos from the week of May 9-15, 2025, in the Sauk Valley.

Rock Falls' Ariel Hernandez, Kayla Hackbarth and Ryleigh Eriks qualified for state on their home field. Morrison softball finished undefeated in conference, E-P baseball beat Newman and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Polo's Cam Jones had four hits and Cheyenna Wilkins pitched a complete game with 13 strikeouts. Dixon baseball and softball fell short on the road, Oregon baseball and softball won big and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman's Evan Busman pitched a three-hit shutout at Amboy, Rock Falls came back at home, Sterling and Newman softball won, Forreston-Polo boys won the Milledgeville track and field invite and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

In his column this month, Sterling City Councilman Jim Wise asks Sauk Valley residents to take a few moments on Monday, May 26, to pay tribute to the fallen with somber respect and dignity.

Sterling's Bryce Hartman pitched a complete game with six strikeouts in a 7-3 win over Mendota. Eastland baseball and softball won, Oregon's Isabelle Berg pitched a one-hitter and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Sterling softball beat Rock Falls 12-2, Newman beat Mon-Rose, Fulton's Belle Curley hit a walk-off single, Newman baseball won 19-6 and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Eastland baseball behind three hits from Brayden Jackson and softball with a stellar outing from Keara Kaus win in the NUIC. Plus more baseball, softball and girls track and field results in Thursday's Sauk Valley Media sports roundup.

Also, get ready for two events on June 7: the fourth annual Bellson Music Fest at the RB&W District in Rock Falls and the 40th annual Sauk Valley Child Fair, with the theme Candy Land, from 9 a.m. to noon at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon.

Get caught up on news, sports and features for the week of May 2-8, 2025, in the Sauk Valley.

Drake Cole pitched a one-hitter as Newman tallied 10 hits and 10 walks in the road win. Sterling baseball fell to Quincy, Fulton won 15-0, Gianna Vance led Newman to a win, Fulton softball beat Orion 4-3 and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

About 150 students in grades four through eight will participate in this dynamic program, which is designed to spark curiosity, build skills, and prepare students for a successful year ahead, River Bend Schools Superintendent Darryl Hogue said.

Sterling softball had a hit-fest in Galesburg to win 30-4. Rock Falls softball also won, Morrison's Bella Duncan pitched a no-hitter, Sterling baseball beat Bureau Valley and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Marissa Bliefnick plans to attend Western Illinois University to major in pre-med biology and to pursue a career as a doctor.

This national recognition comes from Students for Life of America, honoring student groups that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to pro-life activism both on campus and online.

Sterling's Kaedon Phillips won two jumping events, hitting a PR of 2.00 meters in the high jump. Sterling baseball won at Quincy, Newman beat Kewanee 8-7, Rock Falls softball beat Oregon and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Eastland's Adam Awender was named MVP of the boys game after scoring 33 points at the Jim Shaw All-Star Classic on Sunday. Morrison's Camryn Veltrop scored 20 points in the girls game.

Katarina Verdick plans to become a marriage and family counselor as well as further her education in psychology and therapy.

Newman's Joel Rhodes went 4-0 to take first at No. 1 singles at the Rochelle tennis invite. Oregon and Forreston baseball won, Sycamore swept Rock Falls softball and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Natalie Eddinger plans to become a pediatric cardiologist.