JCB Investments returned to the Sterling City Council on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, with updates on its proposal to transform the former National Manufacturing basin building at 201 Locust St. into what could become northwestern Illinois’ largest indoor entertainment complex.

Construction began July 23, 2025, with an original completion date of Oct. 1. The sewer replacement work is expected to push the project back by about six weeks, with crews now aiming for Nov. 11.

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira has announced he will retire next month, officially stepping down Friday, Sept. 19, 2025.

If approved, Barrel & Boards would offer year-round family-friendly entertainment, including on-site food courts, a brewery, a winery, 20,000 square feet of games, including bocce ball and pickleball courts, a boutique bowling alley, and virtual reality video games.

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.

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira made the official announcement during the July 7, 2025, Sterling City Council meeting, when Potthoff’s father, Ron Potthoff – a former Sterling police chief – had the honor of pinning his son.

Seven months after Sterling approved a controversial public camping ordinance to address increasing complaints of homeless individuals breaking the law or harassing people, only a handful of citations have been issued and the broader issues surrounding homelessness remain.

A delay in finalizing an inspection checklist and the scheduling process will buy Sterling landlords a little more time before inspection notices begin arriving for their rental properties.

Construction on the Northwestern Steel & Wire Park and its splash pad, part of Sterling’s $300 million Riverfront Reimagined project, are on track to be completed by the end of the month.

Sterling’s new riverfront park has been named Northwestern Steel & Wire Park.

Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira bid a fond farewell Monday, June 16, 2025, to retiring Deputy Chief Jeff Mohr during Sterling's City Council meeting.

Although the city’s yet-to-be-named riverfront park and splash pad were originally projected to be finished toward the end of June, Strand Associates project manager Zach Simpson said the last progress meeting with contractors indicated the project was slightly behind schedule.

Sterling High School students Nico Battaglia, Brinley Francis and Esra Ramirez were named recipients of the 2025 Garrett Ramos Scholarship during the June 2, 2025, Sterling City Council meeting. Ramos died in the line of duty on Dec. 4, 2021.

Sterling is one step closer to receiving a River Edge Redevelopment Zone designation that could provide up to $50 million in tax incentives for economic development work the city has already started along its riverfront.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night to accept a court order allowing the city to use eminent domain to purchase several parcels of property near the current facility’s discharge line to house the new plant.

The Sterling Industrial Development Commission sold four vacant properties around Sterling for $1 each.

The number of reports of stolen vehicles and burglaries in Sterling also increased in 2024, according to the report.

Northcutt plans to improve training and professionalism within the SFD to make it a leader in both areas.

Members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 urged the Sterling City Council on Monday, April 21, to pass a resolution showing its support for CGH management to quickly reach an agreement with the union.

Some details of the project are currently confidential while the land deal is being finalized, including the new facility’s location and the landowner’s name, but construction is expected to begin 2 to 3 years after the acquisition, with an additional 2 years for completion.

Read the transcript from our April 23 edition of Talk-Line: Brandon Clark from the Shaw Local News Network discusses a controversial homeschool bill trying to be passed through the Illinois legislature, plus more from Sterling.

On the April 23 edition of Talk-Line: Brandon Clark from the Shaw Local News Network discusses news stories being covered, including a controversial homeschool bill trying to be passed through the Illinois legislature.

Voters this week in Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Sterling’s Second Street road construction project will rebuild 10 blocks.

The park is part of the city’s $300 million multiphase Riverfront Reimagined project.

Ron Clewer of developer Gorman & Co. said several hoteliers have expressed possible interest in developing hotels at the Lawrence Bros. and National sites, including representatives from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and two local hoteliers.

New Sterling alderman Allen Przysucha on consolidated election win: ‘It still hasn’t fully sunk in yet.’

The proposed site is located within the city’s 1.5-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction and spans 105 acres. However, the project would only develop 31 acres of the parcel.

According to unofficial election results, Jim Wise has been reelected to his seat, while newcomer Allen Przysucha was elected to the council by unseating current alderwoman Kaitlyn Ekquist.

Contested races are taking place for two Rock Falls City Council seats, two Sterling City Council seats and Dixon Township highway commissioner. Whiteside County voters also are deciding the fate of a proposed public safety sales tax.

Whiteside, Lee, Ogle and Carroll county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Shaw Local reporter Brandon Clark spoke with Jim Wise about his vision for Sterling leading up to the Sterling City Council election on April 1.

Ryan Nares, a candidate for Sterling City Council in the April 1 election, sat down with Shaw Local reporter Brandon Clark to discuss the biggest issues in Sterling.

Allen Przysucha, a candidate for Sterling City Council, answered questions from Shaw Local reporter Brandon Clark on the key issues facing Sterling ahead of the April 1 election.

Jon Mandrell, Sauk Valley Community College vice president of Academics and Student Services, moderated the 2025 candidate forum at Sterling City Hall, where candidates Jim Wise, Ryan Nares and Allen Przysucha answered questions.

The TALK-LINE interview for March 19 featured Shaw Local News representatives Charlene Bielema and Brandon Clark covering stories in our area featuring the rental housing situation that the city of Sterling is facing and how the city council is dealing with it.

According to the new ordinance, inspections will begin after June 1, 2025, and registration forms and a complete inspection checklist will be developed and provided to all landlords in advance of the implementation of the program.

The decision to waive the bid process and accept a proposal from Jefferson Fire and Safety for the purchase of a customized Rosenbauer King Cobra firetruck with a 101-foot articulating aerial ladder came after a series of reports on the state of the department’s apparatus.

Allen Przysucha: Even though I don't necessarily want to pay more taxes, I do support the public safety tax. It is unfair that Sterling and Rock Falls are funding the 911 Center for the entire county.

In 2023, the City Council approved donating an out-of-service firetruck.

The TALK-LINE for March 5 featured Shaw Local News Network reporter Brandon Clark covering a story out of Sterling concerning rental homes and how the city council is trying to work with those in need of help with their units.

Sterling Deputy Fire Chief David Northcutt said the new truck is needed to replace Truck/Tower 4, the department’s only truck with an aerial ladder.

City officials have said the code and inspection program are necessary to bring neglectful landlords and tenants to heel. However, rental property owners have voiced concerns that the ordinance and its vague language would unfairly burden good landlords and tenants.

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.

Shaw Local's Brandon Clark asked the community which Sterling roads they thought needed repair. Three streets were mentioned more than others: Second Street, Fourth Avenue and 16th Avenue near Lynn Boulevard. Read his column to see if they made the city's 2025 repair list.

As Sterling’s city manager, Schumard is responsible for many of the day-to-day operations of the city, including managing labor contracts and city budgets, recruiting city employees, applying for grants and acting as a liaison for city groups.

TIF is a tool used by local governments to encourage economic development in underperforming areas.

Council hopes to land Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant for work at Griswold and Woodburn avenues.

Foundation to hold Jan. 29 public investment meeting for planned riverfront park.

The Sterling Police Department honored two of its own Monday with its Cadet T. Thorp Officer of the Year and Non-Sworn Employee of the Year awards.