Sterling Police Chief Pat Bartel says he can’t ever think of a time in his life where he didn’t want to be a police officer: “I was the kid that probably knew my 10-codes before I knew my alphabet.”

Hops on the Rock, a craft beer festival, and Halloween Town offered fun for all in downtown Sterling on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.

“The Little Guernsey Girls” is the story of three sisters who died at Dixon’s cement plant quarry in 1957. The presentation begins at 2 p.m.

University of Illinois Extension and Sinnissippi Centers are partnering to host a mental health first aid workshop Nov. 3, 2025, at the Whiteside Extension Office in Sterling.

This event will provide constituents with suggestions for reducing their utility bills. The clinic will be hosted at the Sterling Public Library, 102 W. Third St., in Sterling.

Aurelio’s Cake Factory Bistro & Cafe's new location at 2907 Locust St. in Sterling opened Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, and now provides additional dine-in seating and new menu items, including sandwiches, soups, bagels, custom cream cheeses and new specialty coffee drinks.

The announcement was made during the Sterling City Council meeting Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Bland is filling the position previously held by Pat Bartel, who was recently named the SPD’s new police chief following the retirement of previous chief Alex Chavira, who retired Sept. 20.

Representatives from Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST, Inc.), Illinois Department of Employment Security and the IDES veteran’s employment representative/veterans career coach will be on hand to share information and resources for area job-seekers.

The City of Sterling has agreed to let the good times roll a little later downtown. After much debate, the Sterling City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, amending a section of the City Code to create an extended-hours permit for special events.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 8 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark with updates on news happenings locally, including stories on Sterling’s River Edge development and financial advantages connected with the improvements.

Dixon’s OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center is expanding with the opening of a new clinic in Sterling on Oct. 13, 2025.

Here's a list of property transfers for Whiteside County for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, 2025.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine blessed and dedicated a new primary care clinic in Sterling on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

The Sterling City Council unanimously OK'd an ordinance Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, that will map a portion of the city as a River Edge Redevelopment Zone, an action that could provide up to $50 million in tax incentives for economic development along the city's riverfront.

Nearly five years after winning the right to unionize, CGH Medical Center employees are still without a collective bargaining agreement. But a new state law, Senate Bill 0453, could change that.

A Polo man was sentenced Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, to 5 years in prison for a January 2022 crash on a Sterling bridge that killed a pedestrian and injured a police officer.

Meet Scott Melton, who was sworn in Sept. 2, 2025, as Sterling's deputy fire chief.

The TALK-LINE interview for Oct. 1 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark looking at featured news stories, including a planned expansion at a Sterling business and substance abuse care in Rock Falls

Sterling High School students celebrate Homecoming with a parade prior to the Homecoming football game against Alleman. The parade took place Friday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2025.

This collaborative event marked a step toward strengthening the network of support for veterans in the Sauk Valley region. The group will meet quarterly.

A Whiteside County judge has rejected a plea agreement that would have put a Sterling man behind bars for 8 years in connection with an October 2024 fire that destroyed a Galt home and injured two people

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Sept. 22 to 26, 2025.

What was once a beacon to Sterling's founding Brink now is reminder of local church history and a helping hand to the community he started, and its pastor and congregation are carrying on traditions more than 185 years later.

Owners of The Mercantile want to increase the establishment's seating capacity by opening up a wall in the cocktail lounge, creating a larger dining area that will feature darts, and obtain a permit that will allow their doors to stay open later during special events.

At Sterling High School, students in the agriculture program are not just learning about crops and machinery – they are gaining hands-on experience with animals and plants, building skills that could shape future careers or even help them manage their own gardens and pets.

For the past two years, the Sterling, Dixon City, Dixon Rural, and Rock Falls fire departments have worked to align their command structures, allowing leaders to take over seamlessly during major calls.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Sept. 15-19, 2025.

Read Sauk Valley photographer Alex T. Paschal's column about all the local events that happened Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and view his gallery containing dozens of photos taken that day.

A Morrison bank robbery case has moved into federal court

The Sterling Fire Department was called at 9:09 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, to a reported residential structure fire at 309 W. Seventh St., according to a news release

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 19 featured Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA Marketing and Development Director Ellie Hanlon discussing upcoming special events, including an “Adult Wellness Weekend” in October at Camp Benson in Carroll County.

Taking care of their community isn't just a job for a Rock Falls couple, but a passion that goes beyond that: making sure hungry bellies are full during the holidays and giving teenagers a chance to explore their hands-on skills.

In what has become one of the busiest weekends of the year, SVM photographer Alex T. Paschal made his way to six events Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, to document the diverse and colorful people of the Sauk Valley.

Sterling High School students found themselves wrist-deep in learning, sometimes quite literally, during a recent field trip to Kitzman’s Farm Sanctuary in Dixon.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Sept. 14-20 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Sept. 8-12, 2025.

Wahl Clipper is aiming to reduce its Sterling workforce by 20% starting with voluntary resignation packages, company officials confirmed Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Sept. 8-12, 2025.

The annual Fiesta Parade will be Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. in Rock Falls and ending in Sterling.

Sterling’s $6.2 million reconstruction of Second Street is facing delays after utility company ComEd informed city officials it cannot move power poles this year.

Shelby Yonk, Westwood’s new director of Human Performance, brings both academic preparation and applied experience to the role. Yonk holds a master of science degree in exercise science and wellness and is a certified strength and conditioning coach.

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 17 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark discussing local news stories being covered, including infrastructure work in Sterling, a new Sterling police chief announced, and Dixon City Council recognition.

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 72nd annual Fiesta Day Parade grand marshals: the YWCA of the Sauk Valley staff and board of directors.

Students from St. Anne's school in Dixon made a trip over to Westwood in Sterling on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, to learn about the game of pickleball from instructor Chris Duffy.

Bartel’s promotion was announced during the Sterling City Council meeting Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, when the city recognized the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Alex Chavira.

Sterling’s Briar Ivey, a Newman Central Catholic High School graduate, received an out-of-state scholarship to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Before most students even graduate high school, participants in the Whiteside Area Career Center’s Early Childhood Education program are already shaping the lives of children.

Adam Delgado, a Democrat and Sterling High School alum, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Taste of Fiesta kicked off the Sterling-Rock Fall’s Fiesta Days celebration with a day of fun Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at RB&W Park in Rock Falls.

Lindsay Young, formerly of Sterling, was presented the 2025 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award on Aug. 8, 2025, at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for her contributions to her profession, service to her community and support of the 4-H program.