Sauk Valley Community College is seeking volunteer tutors for a free program in Dixon helping non-native English speakers improve their language skills and prepare for the U.S. naturalization process.

The TALK-LINE interview for Aug. 27 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark discussing the newspaper acquisitions by Shaw Media in Rochelle and Ogle County, plus stories on Sauk Valley Community College’s Project Vital program.

The event will be at Dillon Mall at Sauk Valley Community College, 173 Illinois 2 in Dixon. 

The award honors individuals committed to the success of public education and the mission of the Illinois Education Association.

The Sauk Valley Community College greenhouse and JL Acres LLC organic crops are among sites that will be toured.

The TALK-LINE interview for Aug. 13 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark discussing featured local news coverage in the Sauk Valley area.

Vice President of Academics and Student Services Jon Mandrell said the number of students has been climbing for the past three years – from 1,507 two years ago, to 1,586 last year, and now 1,686 this fall.

As community colleges take on an evolving role in recent years, Shaw Local News Network is providing details on the compensation of presidents who lead 10 of these publicly funded schools in northern Illinois.

The TALK-LINE interview for August 7 featured Sauk Valley Community College Marketing Director Jim Grot and Adult Education Literacy Coordinator Ana Lara.

As Sauk Valley Community College President Dave Hellmich prepares to retire in spring 2026, today we are publishing his first of several columns in which he will "examine the Sauk Valley’s many opportunities to improve itself so it can be a beacon of everything good."

The session will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon.

The Licensed Educator Accelerator Pathway initiative, which will be offered at Sauk Valley Community College beginning in August, will help local schools grow their talent by investing in current employees.

Sauk Valley Community College President David Hellmich announced Thursday, July 31, 2025, that he will retire in May 2026.

As Sauk Valley Community College marks its 60th anniversary in 2025, its founders, leaders and supporters are reflecting on how a grassroots movement built a thriving institution from the ground up while continuing to shape futures across northwest Illinois.

The TALK-LINE interview featured Sauk Valley Community College Marketing Director Jim Grot discussing some upcoming trips planned through the college, open to the public.

Bailey Schneiderbauer will oversee market operations, community partnerships and customer service initiatives for the Sterling area, according to a news release.

The college named 263 full- and part-time students to the president’s list for high academic achievement. The dean’s list includes 130 students.

Sauk Valley Community College’s Impact program has received a $25,000 gift from Dixon Rotary, which will help provide Dixon High School students with access to the Impact program.

Summer Solstice Gathering is June 21 in Franklin Grove, Touch-A-Truck is June 28 in Rock Falls.

"I play guitar. Haphazardly – the best I can. I taught myself just playing on my parents’ porch in Princeton," Todd Volker writes in a Write Team column.

The event will be presented by Ryan Gleason, senior manager of Government Affairs of the Great Lakes Region at the United States Chamber of Commerce, and Andrew Cunningham, executive director of Infrastructure and director of Legislative Relations, Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

The Illinois Community College Trustees Association has selected Sauk Valley Community College President David Hellmich as the 2025 recipient of the Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award.

Read the transcript from our TALK-LINE interview for June 5 which featured the Director of Community Education and Alumni Engagement at Sauk Valley Community College, Brenda Helms.

The TALK-LINE interview for June 5 featured the Director of Community Education and Alumni Engagement at Sauk Valley Community College, Brenda Helms.

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.

The drive, sponsored by the SVCC Student Activities and Student Government Association, invites students, faculty, staff and the community to help save lives through blood donation.

Ryan Bivins will officially assume his new role during his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, June 2, 2025. Bivins’ selection was announced Tuesday, May 27.

A program supporting some of the Sauk Valley’s most vulnerable college students for more than 25 years is facing uncertainty amid looming federal funding cuts.

The TALK-LINE interview for May 14 featured Brandon Clark from Shaw Local News with stories on a possible shutdown of an important area of Sauk Valley Community College due to federal cutbacks

Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon held its commencement ceremony Friday, May 9, 2025, at the school.

Students officially become alumni as Sauk Valley Community College holds its commencement ceremony Friday, May 9, 2025.

Dianna Brevitt is Sauk Valley Community College’s radiology program director, its Outstanding Faculty Award winner, and is being nominated for the 2025 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Outstanding Full-time Faculty Award.

Dixon High School students signed letters of intent Tuesday, May 6, 2025, to go into the teaching profession.

The outdoor classroom features stone bench-style seating, several black pillars equipped with power outlets for students to charge their electronic devices and three large whiteboards for instructors. Future capital projects are focusing on expanding and improving the space.

The TALK-LINE interview for May 1 featured Sauk Valley Community College Marketing Director Jim Grot discussing upcoming events on the SVCC calendar including graduation ceremonies Friday May 9 at the college.

Sauk Valley Community College over the past few years has been working to create an outdoor multipurpose space for its students. The outdoor classroom features stone bench-style seating, several black pillars equipped with power outlets for students to charge their electronic devices and three large whiteboards for instructors. Future capital projects are focusing on expanding and improving the space.

Read the transcript from our Talk-Line interview with SVCC College Marketing Director Jim Grot on upcoming events including SVCC graduations.

The Whiteside Area Career Center CEO program student trade show took place Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Northland Mall in Sterling.

Held throughout March, the long-running contest encourages Sterling Federal employees to nominate and select local charities for a chance to receive financial support.

This free event is designed to assist students and families in completing their FAFSA application, a critical step in securing financial aid for college, including grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, a Downers Grove Democrat who represents Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District, led the town hall Saturday, April 12, at Dixon’s Sauk Valley Community College to discuss concerns from Sauk Valley-area residents about national events.

Voters in La Salle and Bureau counties this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Voters this week in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

The TALK-LINE interview for April 3 featured Financial Assistance Director at Sauk Valley Community College, Jenn Schultz, discussing the 2025-2026 FAFSA Federal Aid program.

Artist Glenn Bodish, who is an art professor at Sauk Valley Community College, will be featured in the Dempsey Family Gallery at Water Street Studios.

This spring, La Salle and Bureau county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Dixon’s Sauk Valley Community College has signed an articulation agreement with Northern Illinois University that provides a seamless transfer from SVCC’s Criminal Justice associate degree program to NIU’s Public Service Leadership bachelor’s degree.

The TALK-LINE interview for March 6 featured Sauk Valley Community College Marketing Manager Jim Grot discussing upcoming events on the SVCC calendar.

Sidewalk Prophets concert will be March 19 in Walnut; Ready Set, Grow workshop is March 29 at Sauk Valley Community College.