After a full-day’s work, a Whiteside County jury was seated Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, to hear a wrongful death civil case that could see the jury asked to award tens of millions of dollars to a Sterling firefighter’s widow and children.

As nonprofits, businesses and individuals across northern Illinois prepared for the uncertainty surrounding SNAP, President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund the food assistance program

A pool of nearly 80 potential jurors was waiting it out in a Whiteside County courtroom Monday as jury selection began in a wrongful death civil case that could see the jury asked to award tens of millions of dollars to a Sterling firefighter’s widow and children

Rock Falls, Dixon, and Sterling high schools all saw their graduation rates increase, according to Illinois State Report Card data

Indivisible Sauk Valley hosted a No Kings protest and food drive Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Sterling.

Music from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair will highlight the second concert of Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s 72nd season. The concert will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Centennial Auditorium at Sterling High School.

Indivisible Sauk Valley organized a No Kings protest and food drive Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Sterling.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for Oct. 27-31, 2025.

Marvel Zhang, of Sterling, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Here's a look back at the Sauk Valley's week in photos for Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2025.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Oct. 26-Nov. 1 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Morgan Mandrell and Matthew Valentino have graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee.

Already struggling with growing numbers of people in need of food assistance, Sauk Valley-area food pantries are now bracing for the even greater numbers expected in the wake of SNAP benefits ending Nov. 1, 2025, as part of the federal government shutdown.

The city of Sterling is hosting an outdoor Christmas decorating contest. Entry dates are Nov. 15 to Dec. 6.

Halloween has arrived! Here is a list of trick-or-treat hours for Sauk Valley-area towns.

All residents were able to safely evacuate the building before fire crews arrived

Seven Sauk Valley-area high school students have been chosen as Whiteside Area Career Center students of the month for September.

Search our table to see what designation your Carroll, Lee or Whiteside county school received on the 2025 school report card.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Oct. 20-24, 2025.

Harley Canas, 26, of Rock Falls, is charged in Whiteside County with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and endangering the life or health of a child, a misdemeanor, according to Whiteside County court documents.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 29 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark looking at local news highlights, including the Sterling School District’s plans for improvements to enhance education

Sterling’s Ink and Ivy Tattoo and Piercing will hold its grand opening Nov. 1.

The Sterling Police Department held its annual trunk-or-treat Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Local organizations lined up to hand out treats to the costumed kiddos.

Sterling Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, for a new indoor multipurpose student center designed to expand training and recreation opportunities for Sterling High School students.

Sterling Public Schools will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, on a new indoor multipurpose student center designed to expand training and recreation opportunities for Sterling High School students.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 24 featured YWCA of the Sauk Valley Executive Director Rebecca Munoz-Ripley discussing the necessary services offered through the organization concerning domestic violence situations.

Here's a look at news and sports happenings in the Sauk Valley for the week of Oct. 17-23, 2025.

The performance is in Centennial Auditorium at Sterling High School at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

Augustana College announced more than 1,100 students were named to the dean’s list for the 2024-2025 spring semester.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Oct. 13-17, 2025.

Sterling’s Riverfront Commission met Oct. 16, 2025, to discuss updates – and anticipated delays – to Sterling’s $300 million multiphase Riverfront Reimagined project.

During a Riverfront Commission meeting Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, Ron Clewer of developer Gorman & Co. said discussions on JCB Investments’ proposed entertainment complex at 201 Locust St. are on hold until spring 2026 because of high interest rates and other financial challenges.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

In recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, author and Sterling High School alumnus Josh Binder has released two new children’s books in his “Mighty Maddie” series – “Mighty Maddie’s Big Game” and “Mighty Maddie’s Big Dance Show.”

The Optimist Club of Sterling will host a “Decades of Disney” trivia night on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, to benefit area youths by providing scholarships and activities.

Sterling Federal Bank, a trusted icon in Sterling, was named one of the nation’s most extraordinary banks on Sept. 25, 2025, by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking.

Rock River Valley Self Help Enterprises of Sterling celebrated the achievements of its clients, staff, and volunteers during its annual awards banquet Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at the McCormick Event Center in Rock Falls.

Hundreds lined Fourth Street in Sterling on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to join one of thousands of "No Kings" rallies across the country and Europe.

Menards in Sterling is serving as a food drop-off site through the month of October.

Ryan Welty plans to attend Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and major in political science.

Led by a number of local standouts, the Sauk Valley Community College women's tennis team qualified for nationals this past weekend.

David Tessmann of Sterling has been named to the 2025 spring trimester dean’s list at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Main Campus in Davenport, Iowa.

With Halloween creeping closer, here is a list of trick-or-treat hours and other holiday and fall-themed events you can visit with your little ghosts and ghouls.

Self Help Enterprises held their annual client awards and recognition event Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to address transit funding, energy, grid reform and property insurance, among other issues, during its fall veto session.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 15 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark discussing local news stories, including a bakery taking over a Sterling location.

Dixon's Scarecrow Fest is Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Sterling volleyball lost in straight sets against Galesburg at home on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.

Here's a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Oct. 6-10, 2025.

After graduation, Hazel Pham plans to go to a four-year university to study biological sciences, then to medical school to become a physician.