Sterling

Before you head to the polls, here is a look at the candidates and the seats they are running for in Whiteside County's city, school and township elections.

The list honors students who received a semester grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.75 depending on the student’s college.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Feb. 17-23, 2025.

Jefferson Elementary Principal Heather Wittenauer said Friday that the pre-kindergarten centers help make the transition to full-day kindergarten easier by teaching students preliminary skills needed to be a good student.

See when State Sen. Li Arellano Jr.'s mobile constituent services will be visiting your town.

Rodney Swan has been held in the Whiteside County Jail since mid-January, when he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is accused of shooting himself in the thigh when a loaded gun tucked into his waistband discharged as he was pulling up his pants.

Several fire departments responded to an emergency call reporting a possible structure fire early Thursday morning.

SVCC Academics and Student Services Vice President Jon Mandrell has been named the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator Award recipient.

While some school districts struggle to get students involved in music, that is not the case for Challand, where over 60% of sixth, seventh and eighth graders are involved in the music department, according to band teacher Nicole Oberg.

A Rock Falls man wanted on an arrest warrant in connection with a Dec. 8 home invasion in Sterling has been taken into custody and is facing more charges.

Over 250 people gathered in front of Sterling’s Grandon Civic Center and post office on Tuesday to peacefully protest against President Trump and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk.

Millie has been serving as the SPD’s comfort dog for nearly a year.

Plans also in the works for fourth annual Bellson Music Fest in Rock Falls.

Hundreds lined up in front of Sterling's Grandon Civic Center on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, to voice their frustration with the current presidential administration.

Challand Middle School STEM teacher Logan Shearer said her class uses hands-on activities, projects and teamwork to explore the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a fun and engaging manner.

The screening’s goal is to provide parents a measure of their child’s development in areas of learning importance. The Bi-County cooperative and schools will offer preschool programs for special needs children ages 3 to 5.

Sterling resident Ryan Heffelfinger will work in Lincoln Elementary’s physical education programs in the Sterling Public Schools.

H&B House of Hair, a barbershop and beauty salon at 312 Light St. in Sterling, is owned by siblings Jose Hernandez and Doris Beranza.

Sterling Washington Elementary School students are brightening teachers' Friday mornings with a snack, a smile and a hot cup of joe.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Feb. 10-16, 2025.

The church is located at 22027 Polo Road, Sterling.

The college named 1,200 to the dean’s list. The list honors students with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the term’s courses.

The Kiwanis Club of Sterling purchased nearly $8,000 worth of coats thanks to local donors during its signature project, the 2024 Coats for Kids drive.

Challand Middle School Agriculture Education teacher Julie LeFevre wants people to know that “agriculture is for everyone, not just for farm kids.”

Montmorency School is located at 9415 Hoover Road in Rock Falls.

Roller rinks and bowling alleys in Sterling, Dixon, Rockford and more offer indoor fun during the frigid winter months.

Two state bills have been filed to secure a designation that, if approved, could provide millions of dollars in additional funding for city development in Sterling.

Jefferson Principal Heather Wittenauer wrote a grant proposal to the Sterling Schools Foundation, petitioning for funding to purchase smart boards, which cost about $2,400 each.

SHS’s Internship students work with local businesses and organizations, such as CGH Medical Center, the Sterling Police Department, Sauk Valley Bank, Sterling Steel and many others, to gain practical career insights and help them decide what they want to do after high school.

Outwork Elite partnered with the Garrett Ramos Foundation on Monday, Feb. 17, to host a free basketball camp for kids ranging from third through eighth grade. Over 120 players from throughout the Sauk Valley and beyond attended the clinic at Newman Central Catholic High School.

Beethoven’s famous “Fifth Symphony” and Young Artist Rileigh Wren will highlight Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Family Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, in the Morrison High School Auditorium, 643 Genesee Ave., Morrison.

The 40th annual Polo Farm Toy Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Polo Centennial Grade School, 308 S. Pleasant Ave., Polo.

The performers are private lesson students of Nadine Appel, Clea Arbogast, Mardi Huffstutler, James Miller and Nicole Oberg.

About 30 people gathered on First Avenue bridge between Sterling and Rock Falls on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, to protest immigration policies enacted by the Trump administration.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville recently announced that it awarded 400 diplomas to graduating students for the fall semester.

More than 30 fourth through eighth graders from Madison School and Reagan Middle School performed “Peter Pan Jr.” under the direction of Grace Wadsworth, Faith Morrison and Mardi Huffstutler.

Get caught up on news and sports in the Sauk Valley for the week of Feb. 8-15, 2025.

Iowa State University, Trinity Christian College and Aurora University also announce fall semester dean’s lists.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Feb. 3-9, 2025.

According to a news release, Rock Falls police were dispatched at 1:50 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, for a reported stabbing in the 600 block of West 20th Street in Rock Falls.

A Whiteside County jury has found a Freeport man guilty of attempted predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13 in connection with a reported assault at a Sterling school playground in 2023.

The Friends of the Hennepin Canal will host its next “Hike the Hennepin” event at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the steel dam, 298 14th St. NE, Milan.

Several Sauk Valley-area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville dean’s list for the fall 2024 semester.

Several inches of light, fluffy snow fell across Sterling and Dixon on Wednesday afternoon.

Testimony got underway Wednesday in Whiteside County Circuit Court, where a now-22-year-old Freeport man is facing multiple charges of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl at a Sterling school playground two years ago.

Several inches of fluffy, light snow fell across the region on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, prompting plows to hit the streets and residents to grab their shovels to clear their sidewalks and driveways.

Joann plans to close 500 of its 850 craft and fabric stores – including several across northern Illinois – the company announced on Tuesday.

The college named 259 full- and part-time students to the president’s list for high academic achievement. The dean’s list featured 150 students.

Rock Falls has issued a snow emergency effective at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, through 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Sterling’s snow emergency goes into effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Teachers and administration may run the show at Sterling High School, but it is the students who command the headlines and shape the yearbook.