With several days of dangerously cold weather settling in across the Sauk Valley, warming centers will be open for those who need them. Please call the facility to make sure it is open before traveling in the cold.

Here's a look at schools that have announced their closure or switch to remote learning due to Friday's predicted cold.

“Can a Republican win for governor? Can a downstate farmer win for governor?” Those were the questions that former state senator and former and current GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey had for a crowd of around 30 supporters in Sterling on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

Thirty-one finalists from Lee, Ogle and Whiteside elementary and middle schools in fifth through eighth grades will compete for the regional championship.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Jan. 12-16, 2026.

The Whiteside Forum will host Barb and Phil Benson, local world travelers, who will talk about their adventures in Europe last year visiting the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and their week in Istria, Croatia.

The Education Committee at the Windmill Cultural Center on Jan. 28 will feature Pat Pessman introducing the audience to the book she has written, “The Saga of the Lilac Bush - an American Pioneer Narrative”.

The Men of the Tampico First United Methodist Church will have the annual chili supper on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the church basement.

The Volunteer Millers at Fulton’s Windmill Area will host Marcy Lawrence and Beth Lancaster, who traveled together to Iceland for a festive Christmas trip.

The class will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at 802 Eighth Ave., Erie.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Jan. 5-9, 2026

One hour could save a life as a free demonstration of CPR takes place at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Fidelity Drives Conference Center in Fulton.

One person was killed and two others seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on Thursday night on Illinois 84 north of Fulton

State Reps. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, and Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, will host a free Medicare 101 Seminar for local seniors on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Rock Falls.

A Morrison man has pleaded not guilty to theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and several battery charges

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, is asking residents of the 37th District to help make Valentine’s Day more meaningful for local seniors by contributing cards to his annual Valentines for Seniors card drive.

Daniel Yanes pleaded guilty Tuesday, Jan. 13, to one count of aggravated battery, was sentenced to 30 months of probation and will serve 180 days of periodic imprisonment that will allow him to work.

The city of Rock Falls has appealed a $31.5 million judgement delivered against the city and two fire officials in connection with the 2021 line-of-duty death of a Sterling fire lieutenant.

The trial of a Rock Falls man accused of home invasion, sex assault, and battery was to begin Tuesday in Whiteside County court. Instead, a Whiteside County judge assigned to the case last week will announce that day whether the case against Daniel Yanes will proceed

The celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 6. Take a tour of the apartment where the Reagans lived and discover more of Tampico’s history.

Here is a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle county property transfers for Dec. 29 to Jan. 2.

The top item on the wishlist for Twin Cities Homeless Shelter is available just a few minutes’ drive from the shelter. “Right now, what I’d really like, and they are on sale at Menards, are those 27-gallon storage totes,” shelter director Myles Newberry said.

Dollar General has announced its store at 2603 Locust St. in Sterling is now open. To celebrate, the company plans to host a grand opening event at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.

Sterling Today filed a complaint for eviction papers in Whiteside County Circuit Court against The Mercantile Ballroom & Cocktail Lounge and business owners Ryan Nares and Ashley Nares, who dispute the allegations made in the filing

While the appearance of the Twin Cities Homeless Shelter could be a single-family home, the face of homelessness has been changing over recent years, creating challenges for Myles Newberry and his two-person staff. 

When most people have put away the Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and ribbons, the director of the Whiteside County Toys for Tots program already is thinking about Christmas shopping.

Sinnissippi Centers announced Wednesday, Jan. 7, that it will again offer up to four $1,000 college scholarships for individuals seeking a career in the human services field.

A Chicago man was sentenced Wednesday to up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in Whiteside County court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, 2026.

Four music ensembles from the Clinton Symphony Orchestra will perform Sunday, Jan. 11, at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa. It’s the fourth concert in the Symphony’s 72nd season.

A Rock Falls father and daughter have teamed up to bring back local favorite Arnie’s Happy Spot and its original chicken recipe. Owners Dave and Maddie Cochran held a soft opening for the restaurant at 1667 Hoover Road in Deer Grove, now called The Happy Spot, on Dec. 11.

Odell Public Library in Morrison will host “Improving Online Health Literacy”, a free, in-person program aimed to increase online health literacy for all ages.

A Whiteside County man has been charged with criminal sexual assault, battery, and unlawful restraint in connection with a Dec. 31 incident

Here's a list of property transfers for Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties for Dec. 22-26, 2025.

Saying he wasn’t comfortable with forcing the county to pay, a Whiteside County judge has denied the public defender’s office's request to hire an expert to watch consumptive DNA evidence testing in a case accusing a Sterling man of sexual assault and abuse.

The charges, filed Tuesday, Dec. 30, stem from a Dec. 7 incident in which the man is accused of possessing meth while carrying a loaded BB gun.

A free community meal is served on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at CrossView Church, 703 14th Ave. in Fulton.

Wild Winter Wednesday on Jan. 21 will feature Linda Russell, who will present a singalong titled "Hank Williams, Sr. - Country Music Legend.“ Her favorite retirement hobby is creating sing-along movies, which she shares with retirement/healthcare facilities.

COLUMN: If you’re a veteran of the armed forces, you certainly learned your share of military-specific jargon, acronyms, and other lingo during your service. Even the alphabet is phonetic. Now I want to introduce you to another term specific to veterans: Claims shark.

As the calendar flips into 2026, here are a few of the stories we’ll be following in the months ahead.

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

The Illinois National Guard announced Monday that Gov. JB Pritzker has chosen Col. Steven B. Rice to be Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard. Rice will replace Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough, who will retire after nearly 38 years of military service

As 2025 draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the Sauk Valley’s top stories of the year.

Fourteen area students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dean’s list for the 2025 fall semester.

A Rock Falls man will stand trial on home invasion, sex assault, and battery charges after a Whiteside County judge on Friday denied a motion to dismiss the case

From clothing and hobby stores to restaurants and auto shops, read a recap of 2025's business activity in the Sauk Valley.

A Sterling man was charged Friday, Dec. 26, with felony aggravated battery after being accused of hitting and kicking two Sterling police officers on Christmas Eve.

A Sterling man accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl three years ago is headed to trial after a plea deal fell through Friday, Dec. 26.

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle property transfers for Dec. 15-19, 2025.

Wild Winter Wednesday’s first program of 2026 will be Jan. 7 at the Windmill Cultural Center, 110 10th Ave., Fulton.