Sauk Valley Front Headlines

The TALK-LINE interview for July 25 featured Lee County Fair and 4-H Show Board Member Josie Hussey.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 23 featured Dixon Public School Educator and Coordinator of the 2025 “Tools For Schools” program, Mandy Dallas.

Timothy Cunningham was found not guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse

Dixon residents can now enjoy a new, more convenient location for R.P. Lumber. It reopened June 16 at 1350 N. Galena Ave. with the same open hours: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7 p.m. to noon.

The first George Fest in Rock Falls goes from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with events including a Chicken George eating contest, car and craft shows, bags tournament, food and drink vendors, kids activities and live music.

The roads will be closed until approximately 8 a.m. Sunday, July 27, to allow for cleanup of the event.

Illinois law-enforcement and transportation authorities had their annual speeding awareness day this week and urged drivers to slow down on the roads.

A Dixon man pleaded not guilty to six charges in connection with gunshots reported Monday, July 21, 2025, near Tilton Park Drive and Institute Boulevard in Dixon.

The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Auditorium.

One of the three men now faces an additional two charges, filed July 21, 2025, that accuse him of two counts of aggravated battery of a third-party guest

District 37 state Sen. Li Arellano has opened his new office in Dixon. Located at 86 S. Galena Ave, suite 2, in Dixon, the office will be staffed by Chief of Staff Nancy Naylor from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The center assists children who have made allegations of physical or sexual abuse and helps investigate cases.

Attend performances by the Dixon Municipal Band on Thursday night, or check out the Rock River Riders Hillclimb on Saturday.

The event, which will feature bounce houses, face painting, and, of course, sweet corn, will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at 9317 state Route 84, Savanna.

Dunk’s Bar & Grill is now open at 510 Chicago Ave. in Dixon.

Sterling graduate Mason Hubbard is set to compete at the 2025 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at Trump National Doral in Miami this Sunday. 'This is another great spot to see where my game sits amongst players all over the world.'

The Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 27, at KayCee Hall, 506 W. Third St.

Tasha Foster has opened the Silver Arrow Studio hair salon at 121 W. First St. in Dixon. From taper fades to highlights, Silver Arrow Studio offers haircuts, coloring, waxing, beard trimming and other services.

Demolition on the St. Mary’s Cement plant, which opened in 1914, has been happening for months, but it’s the work on the downing of the 310-foot smokestack that really has attracted attention.

Runners, walkers passed through a series of color stations where powdered colors created unique patterns on official race T-shirts.

Alexander Leamon, 23, of Lena, has been identified as the pilot killed in Tuesday’s crash near the Ogle County Airport.

Three years after an arson investigation was opened at the Kentucky Fried Chicken in La Salle, authorities have charged a former employee of the store.

The Foundation will offer soft-serve ice cream, flurries, sundaes and root beer floats from Aug. 5 to 9, 2025, during the Carroll County Fair.

Equipped with a mobile kitchen, a hungry customer base, a dream and a meat smoker gifted to them at their wedding, Courtney and Dantrion Dodd hit the road with their barbecue and have not looked back since.

The National Weather Service is warning of heat index values well over 100 degrees, creating conditions ripe for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, sheriff said.

A Dixon man has been charged with six offenses, including four felonies, in connection with gunshots reported around 4:25 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, in a field off Tilton Park Drive.

The Youth In Ag Foundation presentation of scholarships and the Brownfield Ag awards will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. The auction starts at 7 p.m. in the Carroll County Fairgrounds' Poultry Barn.

As part of the new redevelopment agreement, the city will reimburse M5 up to $958,000 for eligible costs tied to the rehabilitation of the former Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge and Amcore Bank.

The pilot of a cropdusting plane died Tuesday morning when a plane crashed near the Ogle County Airport, between Oregon and Mt. Morris

This Strawberry Pretzel Protein Bowl has about 300 calories and over 30 grams of protein. It makes a great breakfast, snack or a healthy dessert.

The Prairie Brome Solar Community Grant Program is designed to assist local nonprofits that play a role in enhancing the community’s well-being.

One person is dead after a plane crash near the Ogle County Airport on Tuesday morning.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee County for July 14-18, 2025.

Whiteside County sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call around 6:15 a.m. Monday, reporting the crash on Route 84 near the intersection of Lock Road in rural Fulton, according to a news release

Here is a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for July 14-18, 2025

The TALK-LINE interview for July 21 featured Lee County Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Katie Baker discussing youth summer workshops coming up at the end of this month.

Sterling students also have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee dean’s list.

The Sterling Police Department invites residents to join officers from 5-7 p.m, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Central Memorial Park (Grandon Civic Center) for an evening of free food, entertainment, vendors, games, giveaways and raffles.

Here is a list of property transfers for Ogle County for July 14-18, 2025.

The 72nd annual Fiesta Parade, organized by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Leaders Committee, will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 18 featured Illinois 74th District state Rep. Brad Fritts of Dixon discussing the wrap-up to the most recent General Assembly work on June 1.

Whiteside County 4-H will host a workshop for young animal lovers to introduce them to the field of veterinary science. The workshop will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. July 28 at the Rock Falls Public Library.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for July 7-11, 2025.

The OSF Saint Katharine Moms’ Group meets at the Dixon YMCA, while Moms on the Move is a group that walks at Dixon's new walking path.

The TALK-LINE interview for July 16 featured Lee County Sheriff Clay Whelan looking back at services offered during the 2025 Dixon Petunia Festival and the work of multiple law enforcement agencies to handle big events.

In 1926, when the Dixon park board advertised a job opening for a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Lowell Park, 15-year-old Ronald Reagan jumped at the chance, having taken a lifesaving course at Dixon’s YMCA.

Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls students also graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and were named to the university's chancellor's list.

Andrew Gornick pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Ogle County Circuit Court.

The truck, boat and trailer were pulled out of the water by the Morrison Fire Department and Dabney Wrecker, assisted by the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and three IDNR officers. No injuries were reported.

Thursday’s event was part of the nationwide series of “Good Trouble Lives On” protests held across the nation in honor of the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and longtime congressman John Lewis.