After extensive debate and discussion, the Sterling City Council will proceed with plans for a house at 701 First Ave. in Sterling to eventually be demolished.

The Sterling City Council approved an economic development incentive agreement for improvements around a Second Street business Monday night.

The city of Sterling wants to know from residents and businesspeople whether parking needs are being met in the downtown business district.

With a sudden midwinter warm spell comes the urge to be outside and start cleaning up your yard. But Sterling city officials are warning residents against pushing yard waste into the street.

The work includes Griswold Avenue from Ninth Street to LeFevre; Woodburn Avenue from 11th Street to LeFevre; 11th Street from Dillon to Woodburn; 13th Street from Dillon to Woodburn and 15th Street from Dillon to Griswold.

The Sterling City Council is looking forward to warmer weather, a birthday party and a new festival.

A Sterling man concerned about how data from automated license plate readers could be used – and possibly shared – expressed his concerns Tuesday night to the Sterling City Council.

That feeling when your new boss has good things to say about your work so far - on your first official day on the job? Two new Sterling firefighters had that feeling as they were sworn into office Tuesday night. 

Work on Sterling street and road projects is shifting into higher gear for 2026.  One of the major road projects that Sterling drivers will see is resurfacing of Fourth Street, Illinois Route 2, from Locust Street to 19th Avenue. 

Work on the Lawrence Brothers and National Manufacturing properties is continuing and includes work to clean up the properties and stabilize the structures.

The Sterling Police Department will be getting a 2025 Chevy Tahoe to replace the 2023 Ford Explorer that was wrecked in a Christmas Day 2025 crash in downtown Sterling. 

A summertime block party-style event is coming to downtown Sterling on July 25. Sterling Street Fest will be a one-day, afternoon-to-evening event featuring live bands, food and activities.

Second Street is on track to reopen to traffic Friday from Fourth Avenue to First Avenue, the Sterling city manager told the Sterling City Council.

The city of Sterling will host two open houses from 9-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. Dec. 3, 2025, at Sterling City Hall to provide information about the rental inspection program.

Former Rock Falls Fire Chief Cris Bouwens testified Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, that several of his actions were contributing factors that led to the 2021 death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos.

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.

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.”

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Melton has dedicated 32 years to the Erie Fire Department as a volunteer, rising through the ranks to become fire chief.

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.