Sauk Valley

Hidden within hills and away from highways, but not too far from Lake Carroll, is a tiny community best known for its annual music festival and large antique barn – attracting social butterflies and lovers of bluegrass, gospel and country music.

Dixon's Katie Drew won the 102nd Ladies Lincoln Highway golf tournament individual title on Saturday at her home course. Dixon's Reese Dambman also helped Timber Creek win a third straight team title as she competed in her first Lincoln Highway.

Setting the tone as the leadoff hitter and shut-down closer for a fourth-place state finisher has earned Newman junior Garret Matznick the title of 2025 Sauk Valley Media Baseball Player of the Year.

This annual event allows the agri-business community to gather and celebrate ag in the Sauk Valley while raising money for ag-related scholarships, education and workforce development initiatives.

The legislation would make NWS meteorologists and support staff “mission critical” public safety workers, giving them the same employment protections as airport Transportation Security Administration agents and making it harder for future administrations to lay them off.

Pungent smells and sour tastes often are what one thinks of when it comes to sauerkraut, but Forreston makes a big deal about it – with plenty of fun and entertainment in a four-day festival that is pleasant and appetizing.

Rock Falls River Chase on Saturday and Sunday, Pop-Up Market and Music in Sterling and more this weekend in the Sauk Valley.

Here is a roundup of the results from the 40th annual OSF Tennis Classic over the weekend.

Dixon's Aaron Conderman and Dean Geiger finished 1-2 in their hometown race at the 25th annual Reagan Run 5K on Saturday. Melissa Winchester was the top female finisher.

From pageants to parachutes, take a look back to the stories and photos from last week in the Sauk Valley.

Get caught up on news and features from the week of June 27-July 3, 2025, in the Sauk Valley.

The Sterling/Rock Falls Jaycee’s fireworks display ignites at dusk (about 9:30 p.m.) Thursday, July 3, and OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center will sponsor Dixon's Petunia Festival Family Fun Night from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 4.

Do you want a fairy tail wedding? Experts have a few tips to keep your puppy from getting to preppy and your wedding from going to the dogs.

In observance of PTSD Awareness Day, 13 volunteers, including veterans, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center in Rochelle.

Having some cents of Ogle County history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Ogle County can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of driving through a cut up rock to blazing trails and rails.

Growing food doesn’t have to be a dirty job, just ask a local farmer who can coax herbs and veggies from rockwool and water

Still swingin' away: Cold or gloomy weather preventing you from visiting the golf course? Need help on improving your game? There's plenty of green to play through on simulator video screens that can be custom-designed by a Galena business, both in the home and on the back yard.

Having some cents of Dixon history: Centennial, quasquicentennial, sesquicentennial, dosquicentennial … Dixon can observe them all this year, from the anniversary of an unbeatable high school football team to the establishment of governance in its rural areas.

A Carroll County business owner does more than just sell seed and feed, he likes to get to know the people who grow, help them get the most out of his products, and lend a hand to learning.

Melinda Jones has a message for people – My hometown Rocks! – and the city’s tourism director and her team are committed to getting that message out to people near and far.

The Class of 2025 was the last class to march into the future in Savanna, as its city prepares to say farewell to its high school before it moves to Mount Carroll.

A Mount Carroll craftsman is happy when he’s in his own neck of the woods, having the run of his Mill and creating hand-crafted pieces made with tools that have some history behind them and more work ahead of them.

When couples fall in love with each other, they can call someone who’s fallen in love with photography to capture the picture-perfect moments in their wedding.

The next time you include cheese in your recipe, maybe there's another variety that works well. Visiting a cheese shop can bring one closer to a new taste, and a place in eastern Stephenson County has more than 50 varieties that can work.

Royally hand-in-hand: A pair of Stillman Valley businesses under one roof sought to bring back memories of generations ago: one with the name of a longtime grocery store chain, and another with Grandma's beef jerky recipe.

Looking for someone who will give you tiers of joy? You’ll find it up the Street in downtown Dixon, at the intersection of talent and creativity.

A father and child reunion is only an ocean away for a pair of Prophetstown natives who love getting together to make music

The martial art of jiu jitsu is more than just taking people to the ground, there are abundant life lessons to learn from engaging in it, and an Ogle County club teaches it all.

When it comes to our health, times have really changed – but a Tampico woman would like to change them back, to a time when nature would nurture us, and she’s offering an oasis where people can do just that: a retreat where they can regroup, relax and recharge.

It doesn't happen often when competing in sports gives kids an experience of earning a medal in national competition, but Dixon's Lily Haws has one in the sport she enjoys playing. The 13-year-old recently brought home silver from a national curling competition.

Drag racing and Arnie Beswick were born around the same time – one on the dry lake beds of California and the other in Morrison – and they’ve both found fame through the years, with drag racing attracting legions of fans and “The Farmer” becoming a legend in his field.

When Chadwick lost its only diner, the community didn’t have to go far to find someone to pick up the spatula, and now the new owner aims to serve meals that will keep folks coming back for Second helpings.

When a Sterling family saw an outdoor family gem with an uncertain future, they stepped up and gave their campground a renewed use. Now in its 60th year, Ruffit Park is flourishing with new owners encouraging people to experience the outdoors.

When a husband and wife decided to open and events venue, they aimed to bring a marriage of affordability and elegance to Rock Falls, where newlyweds can relax knowing their in good hands.

Heartfelt moments from nearly 30 same-sex couples are paired with historical text to highlight the 10th anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which extended marriage equality to same-sex couples nationwide.

Here is a look back at the top boys basketball players in the Sauk Valley area for the 2024-25 season.

As an encore to a stellar junior season when he scored more points than any Dixon player, Darius Harrington obliterated his own scoring record on his way to taking over the top spot on the Dukes’ all-time scoring list. He is the 2024-25 SVM Player of the Year.

Petunia City's providers: Making the city they love come up flowers every year is the mission of a group of Dixon women who enjoy adding a little more pink to their community.

Duane Dickison is the fire chief of the town he grew up in, and it's a badge of honor he takes seriously and with great responsibility. He leads a department that not just fight fires, but tackles the growing issue of recruitment and managing a substation in a neighboring town.

When a Rock Falls guitarist gives his musical passion to the community, he hopes it brings many smiles and positive memories to their minds, and makes them happier. It's a lifelong passion for music that keeps evolving for Todd Lorenc, from electric guitar to ukulele and back.

When a photo opportunity knocks, a Dixon photographer opens the barn door to find the grit and determination that tells the stories of farmers and their families

Whether you’re a sports fan or just looking for a place to hang out and grab a bite, the family at JW’s Third Base thinks you’ll be a fan of their neighborhood bar and grill

They say you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink – but you can lead people to a horse trailer and let them drink, thanks to a Sterling woman who’s brought her own twist to the mobile bar service business.

Get caught up on news and features from the week of June 20-26, 2025, in the Sauk Valley.

Looking for something to do in the Sauk Valley? Here are five suggestions.

Take a look back at the drama, excitement and all-out effort put forth by the hundreds of high school spring sports athletes from throughout the Sauk Valley who competed in 2025.

With the conclusion of the 2025 high school spring sports season, take a look back at some of the best images from the Sauk Valley.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance hosted a Juneteenth celebration Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling.

The Sauk Valley showed off its pride, protested against kings and walked to fight cancer last week. Take a look back at these and other stories in our photos of the week collection.

Enjoy the summer sounds of the Dixon Municipal Band on June 19 in Page Park; celebrate diversity at annual Juneteenth observance on June 21.