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  • SVM reporter at Books on First today

    DIXON – Sauk Valley Media reporter Matt Mencarini will have "office hours" from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Books on First, 202 W. First St.
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:01 pm

  • Ex-school official faces new charges

    STERLING – A former Dixon school administrator was arrested last week after, police say, he violated an order of protection filed against him by the m ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:29 pm

  • Rock Falls panel looks at industrial park farmland

    ROCK FALLS – A city panel is taking a closer look at the use of farmland it controls in the east side industrial park.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:21 pm

  • Critic more confident with finances

    ROCK FALLS – A Coloma Township trustee who has criticized the township's handling of finances says things appear to be turning around.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:16 pm

  • Dateline Dixon: Turns out, B for more than Bally

    DIXON – If you picked up Tuesday's newspaper, you may have seen and read an article I wrote about Jack Bally and his replica B-17 G bomber.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:22 pm

  • ‘A street cop at heart’

    Cadet T. Thorp, who served as the chief of the Sterling Police Department for 22 years died Dec. 4. He was 73.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:28 pm

  • Elementary school wins $25,000

    POLO – While company representatives from US Cellular hid in the principal’s office Tuesday morning, Sue Hillison, who works in the computer lab, nerv ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:54 am

  • Two taken to Rockford after accident

    Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon on state Route 2 near the Grand Detour bridge.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:23 pm

  • Nuke plant wants lower tax assessment

    BYRON – Exelon Nuclear officials have filed a tax appeal to ask that Ogle County cut the assessment of the Byron nuclear plant in half.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:18 pm

  • Lee man accused of sexual assault

    WATERMAN – A motion to reduce the bond of an 18-year-old Lee man charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl last month in DeKalb County's rur ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:23 pm

  • Alicia M. Gillick

    NEWPORT, Tenn. – Our world was forever changed when we lost a sweetheart in our family by the name of Alicia Marie Gillick, 31, of Newport, Tenn.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • Marian Rose

    FULTON – Marian Rose, 94, of Harbor Crest Nursing Home in Fulton, died Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, at the nursing home.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • John H. Cumby Sr.

    ROCK FALLS – John H. Cumby Sr., 80, of Rock Falls, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • John W. Ail

    AMBOY – John W. Ail, 46, of Amboy, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at KSB Hospital in Dixon.Mihm-Jones ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • Martha B. Rhoden

    SAVANNA – Martha Belle Rhoden, 96, of Savanna, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna. 
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • David J. Cremer

    OREGON – David J. Cremer, 71, of Oregon, died Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at his home.David was born Oct ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 10:44 pm

  • Rickey D. Massey

    FREEPORT – Rickey D. Massey, 65, of Freeport, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, after a short illness.
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:57 pm

  • Dorothy E. Schlomer

    ROCK FALLS – Dorothy E. Schlomer, 70, of Rock Falls, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling.
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:57 pm

  • Tony M. Lanphere

    PROPHETSTOWN – Tony M. Lanphere, 33, of Prophetstown, died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at his home.Tony wa ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:57 pm

  • Richard A. ‘Sonnie’ Ramos

    PRINCETON – Richard A. “Sonnie” Ramos, 72, of Princeton, died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton.
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:57 pm

  • Please return wreath stolen from cemetery

    On Nov. 20, we placed our Christmas wreath and Christmas swag on our parents’ graves at the Chapel Hill Cemetery. On Nov. 27, we went to the graves to ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:03 pm

  • Officer was wrong to kill wild animal

    Thank you, Bob Wolf, for saying what I was thinking [“Kill cougar? There must be a better way,” The Reader’s Voice, Nov. 29].
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:03 pm

  • No mention of Pearl Harbor; don’t forget it

    The SV Weekend dated Dec. 7-8 failed to mention a remembrance of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where 2,400 U.S. servicemen were killed and 2 ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:03 pm

  • Mandela’s legacy one of love, forgiveness and reconciliation

    If ever there was a political leader worthy of profound admiration and thanks, it was former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:04 pm

  • Save Lincoln School; utilize city’s windfall

    I would like to respond to the letter titled “Use windfall to help keep school open” that appeared Nov. 30 and was well written by Nancy K. Lahman of ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:37 pm

  • Forum topic Thursday is war on terror

    The Rock River Open Forum would like to invite the public to a showing and discussion of the DVD “Dirty Wars” at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Rock Falls Pub ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:38 pm

  • Breakups need not be bitter

    In 2010, Gov. Pat Quinn desperately needed a respectable running mate on the Democratic ticket, after primary voters saddled him with Scott Lee Cohen, ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 11:17 pm

  • From our archives: Great news – shoe factory returns

    Note to readers – Sauk Valley Media reprints editorials and articles from the past as a regular Monday feature. The following items appeared in the Te ...
    Dec. 8, 2013 - 9:08 pm

  • China’s boldness highlights wider maritime conflicts

    China has made an ominous move in claiming sovereignty over the air, and the Obama administration has appropriately responded with B-52 bombers. The u ...
    Dec. 8, 2013 - 9:08 pm

  • Thank you for support of bowling group

    The Sterling USBC Women’s Bowling Association would like to say “thank you” to everyone who attended, and those who participated in, our first holiday ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:43 pm

  • An ugly word in our language

    Justin Coltrain, who is charged with a hate crime in an August fight in Ogle County, says he is not a racist. But Coltrain, who is white, didn't help ...
    Dec. 2, 2013 - 4:05 pm

  • Like what you see on the front page?

    What to put on the front page is a big decision every day – one in which readers often disagree. In an email, one woman objected to our lead story, "V ...
    Nov. 28, 2013 - 11:05 pm

  • Day meetings good for working folks?

    Last week, the Lee County Board resisted the idea of holding meetings at night – the time most working people can attend. The vote was 12-10 in favor ...
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 9:10 am

  • Sure would like to hear from Gene

    In his re-election campaign last year, Whiteside County Board member Gene Jacoby pushed for openness. In a statement in our newspaper, he wrote, "As e ...
    Nov. 21, 2013 - 4:07 pm

  • All for choice on helmets, but...

    When it comes to helmets and seat belts, I'm on the side of choice and freedom. If you want to ride your bike and let the breeze blow through your hai ...
    Nov. 18, 2013 - 4:14 pm

  • Unnecessarily complex

    One of the biggest objections to Obamacare is it'll make health insurance more bureaucratic. I'll leave that debate to others, but let's make one thin ...
    Nov. 8, 2013 - 12:21 pm

  • Rock Falls shoppers help Sterling

    Just like everywhere else in Illinois, Cherry Valley residents have to pay property taxes – for schools, township, county, other entities. But not for ...
    Nov. 5, 2013 - 3:00 pm

  • A concern for offenders'' privacy?

    In September, we reported on a father-and-son duo who attacked Benjamin Brainerd in Sterling earlier this year. The father, James Velasquez, asked Bra ...
    Nov. 1, 2013 - 2:19 pm

  • No need for bureaucratic middleman

    It took years, but government is finally becoming more transparent, thanks to a nonprofit group. The other day, a story from July 2008 caught my eye. ...
    Oct. 29, 2013 - 1:12 pm

  • Too many government agencies?

    Slowly but surely over the years, government agencies have been merging around here. The evidence is often seen in the clunky hyphenated names in gove ...
    Oct. 25, 2013 - 9:50 am

  • Sterling woman joins food sales company

    STERLING – Melinda McCarter of Sterling has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:45 pm

  • Free legal help available in Dixon

    DIXON – Attorney Andrew Bollman will provide a complimentary review and draft of powers of attorney for property and health care through Feb. 1 at 119 ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:44 pm

  • Wipfli team earns recognition

    MILWAUKEE – Wipfli LLP, a professional services firm, announced that its Turnaround and Restructuring Services group was honored with the Turnaround o ...
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 10:31 am

  • Sterling builder attends course

    MAZOMANIE, Wis. – Ryan Hartman of Andersen Statewide Buildings LLC of Sterling participated in the 3-day Wick Buildings Builder School refresher cours ...
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 10:31 am

  • Hibbett Sporting Goods now open

    DIXON – Hibbett Sporting Goods has opened its newest location in Dixon.The store, 1620 Miller St., w ...
    Nov. 30, 2013 - 12:20 am

  • Local YMCA CEO recently honored

    STERLING – Andy Thornton, CEO of Sterling-Rock Falls Family YMCA, received the Illinois Chief Club Award at the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs annua ...
    Nov. 22, 2013 - 9:24 am

  • Bank manager earns promotion

    STERLING – Jon Byar, banking center manager at Midland States Bank’s Sterling office, has been promoted to commercial relationship manager.
    Nov. 22, 2013 - 9:23 am

  • Cost Cutters helps fight cancer

    STERLING – Cost Cutters hair salons in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin recently donated $3,424 to the southern Wisconsin affiliate for Susan ...
    Nov. 22, 2013 - 9:22 am

  • Urban Outlet likely to move downtown

    STERLING – Urban Outlet, a clothing store at Northland Mall, appears to be moving downtown. The stor ...
    Nov. 22, 2013 - 7:48 pm

  • Rochelle announces $1.5 million airport expansion

    ROCHELLE – In the mid 1940s, business man, LaVerne Schultz, created a grass runway near his factory on state Route 251 South, first known as Schultz F ...
    Nov. 15, 2013 - 9:09 am

  • Support Groups, Clubs, and Services

    Thursday, Dec. 12Childhood immunization clinic; Women, Infants and Children clinic; and Family Plann ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:04 pm

  • Meetings canceled for December

    OREGON – Two Ogle County meetings are canceled for December because of a lack of business.The Ogle C ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:24 pm

  • Special ed group to meet Tuesday

    DIXON – The Lee County Special Education Association will have its regular board of control meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 11:24 pm

  • Support Groups, Clubs, and Services

    Wednesday, Dec. 11Sauk Valley Gold Chapter of Business Networking International, 7 a.m., Candlelight ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 10:38 pm

  • Even-odd parking active in Dixon

    DIXON – The city's even-odd parking ordinance went into effect Monday, when all cars were required to be parked on the odd side of the road.
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 11:11 pm

  • Support Groups, Clubs, and Services

    Tuesday, Dec. 10Childhood immunization clinic; Women, Infants and Children clinic; and Family Planni ...
    Dec. 8, 2013 - 9:08 pm

  • Toy drive set Saturday in Rock Falls

    ROCK FALLS – A Toys for Tots collection will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Save-A-Lot, 928 First Ave.
    Dec. 8, 2013 - 10:25 pm

  • Financial program set Thursday for high schoolers

    FORRESTON – Staff from state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka's office will present a free workshop on money management for high school students from 7:4 ...
    Dec. 9, 2013 - 1:44 pm

  • Santa, activities planned for event

    ROCK FALLS – A Christmas open house for the entire family will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at 1300 W. Second St.
    Dec. 8, 2013 - 10:25 pm

  • Volunteers to count eagles

    APPLE RIVER – Eagle Nature Foundation will host the 54th annual Mid-Winter Bald Eagle Count Jan. 25. Volunteers are needed.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:30 pm

  • Soup is in season

    It seems like I have been making a big pot of soup almost every weekend lately.It makes a quick supp ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:07 pm

  • Give the gift of food

    GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Looking for a gift that your family and friends will enjoy and is easy on your w ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:07 pm

  • Skip the cookie exchange for a holiday bash with simple delicious treats

    We wanted to have a holiday gathering but didn’t have a lot of time to prep, plan or prepare.So what ...
    Dec. 10, 2013 - 9:09 pm

  • Snow day and pancakes

    Snow comes with winter the way the receipt comes with groceries. Routine. Except in Baltimore. There, snow comes with winter the way Godzilla comes wi ...
    Dec. 4, 2013 - 5:03 pm

  • Capture the benefits of cranberries

    Among the fruit group, cranberries are one of the top contenders for richest in health-promoting antioxidants. Cranberries and cranberry juice have lo ...
    Dec. 3, 2013 - 9:07 pm

  • Wine gifts galore for the holidays

    You know the type: He or she already has a 1,000-bottle wine cellar, 65 corkscrews, a dozen too-cute wine posters (“Wine a little; you’ll feel better” ...
    Dec. 3, 2013 - 9:00 pm

  • Talkin' turkey with Butterball CEO

    NEW YORK (AP) – Turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving, says Butterball CEO Rod Brenneman. Whether it's turkey sausage for breakfast, turkey medallions on ...
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 8:47 am

  • Homemade for health and wealth

    I was speaking with a friend this week who told me that she asked her kids “What is the one dish you could not do without for Thanksgiving?” After hea ...
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 8:47 am

  • Pot pie perfection

    Now is when the menu changes, when pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil retires to also-ran status, when the prospect of gravy makes our mouth water.
    Nov. 27, 2013 - 8:47 am

  • Don’t waste a can of chipotles

    Q: A lot of recipes call for a teaspoon or tablespoon of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, but then yo ...
    Nov. 19, 2013 - 6:46 pm

  • House Republicans signal support for budget deal

    WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans signaled support Wednesday for a budget deal worked out a day earlier, a plan narrowly drawn but promoted as a way ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:28 pm

  • AP-GfK poll: Public admiration of Obama drops

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' perceptions of President Barack Obama are falling not only on his handling of the economy and other big issues, but also ...
    NEW: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:00 pm

  • FDA targets antibiotics in meat

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Citing a potential threat to public health, the Food and Drug Administration moved Wednesday toward phasing out the use of some anti ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:29 pm

  • Pope Francis is Time's Person of the Year

    NEW YORK (AP) — Time magazine selected Pope Francis as its Person of the Year on Wednesday, saying the Catholic Church's new leader has changed the pe ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:17 pm

  • Year after Newtown, gun control groups keep hope

    NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — Having already lost her 6-year-old son, Nicole Hockley insists she won't lose the fight to reduce gun violence — no matter how l ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:21 pm

  • Health care signups pick up pace in November

    WASHINGTON (AP) — Playing catch-up with a long way to go, President Barack Obama's new health insurance markets last month picked up the dismal pace o ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:30 pm

  • Detroit's water drains away from ravaged pipes

    DETROIT (AP) — Torrents of water spew from broken pipes in Detroit's Crosman School, cascading down stairs before pooling on the warped tile of what w ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:22 pm

  • NTSB: Asiana captain worried about visual landing

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Asiana Airlines captain who crashed a Boeing 777 at San Francisco International Airport in July told investigators he was "very ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:33 pm

  • Female libido drug remains in limbo

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The multi-decade search for a pill that boosts sexual desire in women has hit another roadblock, raising questions about the future ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:33 pm

  • How Volcker Rule would limit banks' risky bets

    WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators have approved a rule that seeks to defuse the kind of risk-taking on Wall Street that helped trigger the 2008 financ ...
    UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2013 - 12:33 pm