Registration for Montmorency School’s 2026-2027 school year will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8.

Take a look back at news, sports and features from the Sauk Valley for the week of May 15-21, 2026.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for May 17-23 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Sterling's Aron Rivera beat Newman's Joel Rhodes 6-2, 6-4 in the third-place match at the Class 1A Geneseo Sectional tennis meet. The Golden Warriors were second as a team.

Sterling and Newman both had boys tennis players qualify for state after reaching the semifinals at the Class 1A Geneseo Sectional. Milledgeville's Loren Meiners had the regional-title-winning hit against Eastland in extras, and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman, Forreston, Bureau Valley, Oregon, Fulton and Amboy had girls advance to Saturday's state track and field finals. Bureau Valley softball advanced in the postseason, Sterling baseball won twice and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The Red, White, & Blue Ball on June 27 at Loveland Community House in Dixon will be an evening of patriotism, music, and community held in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Forreston’s Darin Greenfield had six RBIs in a 25-4 baseball win over Eastland, Spencer Nye had three RBIs for Milledgeville, Dixon softball fell in postseason action and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Eighth-seeded Erie-Prophetstown softball led top-seeded Riverdale 3-2 before falling just short in the regional semifinals. Milledgeville and Eastland softball advanced, Dixon and Oregon girls soccer advanced and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Megan Hubbard had eight strikeouts and Avery Mangler had two RBIs as West Carroll softball beat Polo 5-3, advancing to face Morrison. Erie-Prophetstown and Amboy softball also advanced, Rock Falls baseball beat Mendota and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

To get more information about the important part that “smithing” played in the Sauk Valley area, come to the Lee County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. Monday, May 25, to hear Greg Dutchoff, a local blacksmith, speak.

Get caught up on Sauk Valleys news, sports and features from the week of May 8-15, 2026.

Sauk Valley Community College held its 2026 commencement Friday on the school campus in Dixon.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for May 10-16 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Sauk Valley Community College held its 2026 commencement Friday, May 15, 2026.

Sterling's Aron Rivera was named co-MVP after a No. 1 singles title at the Western Big 6 Conference tennis meet. Dixon baseball beat Rochelle twice, Morrison softball beat Oregon 3-2, Newman won 15-5 and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The Dixon School Board on Wednesday approved a slate of personnel items, including new hires, changes of status, and resignations.

Dixon's Daniela Lovett qualified for state track in the 3,200 after running a personal best. Newman and Erie-Prophetstown boys track had wins at the Three Rivers meet, Fulton softball won the NUIC West and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Lauren Metzler of Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery about Tevin’s Tribe and its overdose awareness and prevention event happening later today, focused on education, support and saving lives.

Shaw Local celebrated the winners and nominees of the Sauk Valley Favorites with a dinner and awards ceremony Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Sauk Valley Community College.

Derek Prieto won the 200 and 400 as Sterling took third at the Western Big 6 Conference track and field meet. Dixon's Brady Lawrence pitched a complete game, Dixon softball won 14-1 and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

St. Andrew Grade School's annual Spring Carnival runs May 14-17 across from RB&W District Park in Rock Falls.

The Telegraph and Gazette honors the everyday heroes making a difference in the Sauk Valley through their hard work, kindness and dedication.

A familiar Memorial Day tradition has found new life in Mount Carroll. MooFest returns with four days of music, food and games, all while supporting local nonprofits and bringing the community back together for a weekend that feels like home.

Erie-Prophetstown’s Isabella Olvera had six RBIs and Lilly Swatos drove in four in an 18-1 win over Hall. Oregon and Milledgeville softball won, Bryson Wiersema had a home run and five RBIs for Milledgeville, Dixon baseball won and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

It starts with a camera and turns into something bigger for Dixon High School students who are stepping behind the scenes to produce live broadcasts. They're finding confidence, solving problems and reaching audiences far beyond their town.

By day, Ryan Jandrey works with bodies. By night, he studies faces. He's chasing through portrait art something most people miss – faces, structure, and the fine line between likeness and feeling.

Leaves of history: A former church in Leaf River now protects the town’s memories. Inside, its dedicated volunteers preserve photos, artifacts and stories that refuse to fade.

Gage Farster plans to earn a degree in mechanical engineering, with the hope to graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Sterling boys tennis beat Newman 4-1, Newman baseball beat Amboy 10-0, Rock Falls won 2-0, Dixon lost to Byron 8-2, Newman softball beat Amboy 8-7, results from the Milledgeville boys track invite and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

In the Sauk Valley, disputes over gas-powered bikes have drawn ire from residents and law enforcement in recent years. Taking a clearer, statewide approach to e-mobility rules is a welcome step toward protecting riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike.

Get caught up on Sauk Valley news, sports and features from the week of May 1-7, 2026.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for May 3-9 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

WACC is a cooperative endeavor of 16 member school districts and three parochial schools, educating students who come from five counties: Bureau, Carroll, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside.

Abate of Iowa, District 21, will host the 37th annual Blessing of the Bikes at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 7, in downtown Fulton.

Morrison's Allie Anderson had three RBIs and Ava Duncan pitched a complete game in a 3-2 softball win at East Dubuque. Amboy softball beat Earlville twice, Eastland won 26-3 and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Eight Sauk Valley students have qualified for the Youth Equestrian Development Association National Championships, which will be held the first week of June in Lexington, Virginia.

Sterling's Lily Martinez hit two home runs in a 16-1 softball win over Rock Falls. Newman softball won 11-1, Forreston baseball beat Milledgeville 6-0, Dixon boys track took second in Geneseo and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark sits down with Sauk Valley Community College’s Jim Grot to talk about the college’s upcoming excursions and programs, including the Lake Michigan Lunch Cruise, Industrial Maintenance Bootcamp, EMT Basic Program and more.

Dixon baseball rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 4-3 walkoff win over Byron. Sterling girls track took second at the Big 6 meet, Oregon was second at the BNC meet, Fulton was second at the NUIC meet and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The $18,500 scholarship is the largest Dixon High School scholarship presented by a Dixon-area organization.

The Dixon Historic Theatre presents "Finding Nemo Jr." on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.

Sterling's Adrian Monarrez had three RBIs and Danny Martinez closed the game in a 9-8 baseball win over Geneseo. Oregon's Kendall Boyle had three RBIs in a 10-3 softball win over Rock Falls, and more in Wednesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The grant provides an opportunity for the Sublette and Amboy communities to double their impact for Amboy Community Unit High School students attending Sauk Valley Community College.

The three officers graduated April 23 from Sauk Valley Community College‘s police academy, where they completed 16 weeks of training.

Milledgeville softball beat Morrison 4-3 to take first in the NUIC South. Layla Wright had two home runs for Sterling, Dixon softball beat Oregon 2-1, track and field results, and more in Tuesday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Teachers are asking the same questions on technology: What is changing, and how do we keep up? A Dixon educator is helping them find answers, even as the technology keeps shifting beneath him.

After 11 years leading Sauk Valley Community College, David Hellmich steps away, and leaves behind a legacy shaped far beyond its Dixon campus.

From basement walls to buildings across Illinois, a Polo artist is transforming ordinary surfaces into murals inspired by pop culture and local history.

As the school year winds down, families across the Sauk Valley begin the seasonal shift into summer routines. While the break offers a well-earned change of pace, it also presents a challenge: keeping kids active, engaged and connected.