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  • Charities tied tight to economy

    As the economy goes, so often go donations to charities. Before the steel mill closed in 2001, United Way of Whiteside County was poised to reach its ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:45 pm

  • Ybarras not ready to give up on dream

    STERLING – It's year 8 of Larry Ybarra's dream to bring a huge sports complex to a small town. While he admits that the road has been rough, he promis ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:40 pm

  • Rate of low-income students increasing

    In the last 5 years, the rate of low-income students in Illinois public schools has increased from 43 percent to 50 percent. In the Sauk Valley, most ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:43 pm

  • Out Here: Sparking the dreams of others

    The Rock Falls City Council hadn't met the city's most famous resident – well, inanimate object – until this week. That would be Elwood, the dummy. Hi ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:50 pm

  • Woman charged with drug possession

    STERLING – Bond was set at $6,000 for a Rock Falls woman who is accused of one count of cocaine poss ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:49 pm

  • Santa Claus strolls through Sterling

    Santa Claus passes the streets of downtown Sterling Friday evening during the Seasonal Sights and Sounds holiday parade.
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:37 pm

  • Lighting up the tree at Dixon Christmas Walk

    KSB occupational therapist Melody Maney helps Emma (left), 5, Ellie, 5, and Danny Linboom, 8, hit the button Friday evening lighting up the Christmas ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:35 pm

  • Bring on the cold

    OTTAWA – No one knows cold like those who take up ice sculpting. Area lovers of winter, or those who think they just might be able to tolerate the col ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 10:33 pm

  • Ex-Rep. Schilling talks about health care act

    ROCK FALLS – Bobby Schilling, a Republican candidate for Congress, told a crowd of factory workers Thursday that he came from nothing, recalling his f ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 2:58 pm

  • Numbers hold steady in Sauk Valley

    Despite a 2-month wait since the release of the last county unemployment statistics, numbers throughout the Sauk Valley haven't changed much during th ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 10:20 pm

  • Ben Ray

    FULTON – Ben Ray, 82, of Fulton, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport, Iowa.
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:14 pm

  • Carl Christopher Eigsti

    LITTLE ELM, Texas – Carl Christopher Eigsti, 85, of Little Elm, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.Carl was b ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:14 pm

  • Elora Eilis Stewart

    EUREKA – Elora Eilis Stewart, infant daughter of Dennis and April McClure Stewart, was born Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, safe into the arms of Jesus.
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:13 pm

  • Robert E. Anderson

    PROPHETSTOWN – Robert E. Anderson, 94, of Prophetstown, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling.
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:14 pm

  • William D. Williams

    CALIMESA, Calif. – William Dwight Williams, 70, of Calimesa, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Calimesa.
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:13 pm

  • Jerrold ‘Jerry’ Linton

    BATAVIA – Jerrold “Jerry” Linton, 86, loving husband and father, and a former longtime resident of Batavia, passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at the G ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:13 pm

  • Donald Hamstra

    MORRISON – Donald Hamstra, 93, of Morrison, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at Resthave Nursing and Retirement Home in Morrison. He worked at Morrison Comm ...
    Dec. 6, 2013 - 9:14 pm

  • Carl Junior Anderson

    THOMSON – Carl Junior Anderson, 73, of Thomson, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at his home.Law-Jones F ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 10:04 pm

  • Cadet T. Thorp

    STERLING – Cadet T. Thorp, 73, of Sterling, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. He had a milk hauling business in the Tam ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 10:05 pm

  • Nora Glazier

    LYNDON – Nora Glazier, 81, of Lyndon and Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Center in Prophetstown, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at CGH Medical Center i ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 10:05 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

  • 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

  • Students perform with District 8 Festival

    MORRISON – Fifteen Morrison students sang and played instruments at the Illinois Music Educators Association District 8 Festival Nov. 16.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:28 pm

  • State announces funding for area wildlife preservation

    SPRINGFIELD – Grants for wildlife enhancement projects across Illinois recently were awarded by the state Department of Natural Resources.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:38 pm

  • Support Groups, Clubs, and Services

    TodayAlcoholics Anonymous, 9 a.m., closed, Big Book, United Methodist Church, 201 E. Chicago Ave., D ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:43 pm

  • Accident survivor to discuss healing

    POLO – Bruce Van Natta, who recovered from a logging truck falling on him, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at Polo Church of the O ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:37 pm

  • Knights to host drive at K of C hall

    DIXON – A blood drive will be from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 506 W. Third St.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:35 pm

  • Music, lights part of holiday program

    STERLING – “The Glory of Christmas,” a free, multimedia event, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Tuesday at New Life Lutheran Church, 702 W. Lynn Bl ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:36 pm

  • Church, school welcomes public

    DIXON – An open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Sugar Grove Church and School, 352 Timber Creek Road.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:36 pm

  • Sterling arts group helps to decorate

    STERLING – Bridge of Art, a community arts initiative, is working on this year’s Sights and Sounds window display project, “O Tannenbaum: 50 Artists – ...
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:33 pm

  • Caroling event starts at St. Peter

    GRAND DETOUR – Carols of the Season, a carol-singing program, will be at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Historic St. Peter Church, 8225 S. Main St.
    Dec. 5, 2013 - 4:33 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

  • Sweet history: Early American desserts connect us deliciously with tradition

    Desserts are the sweet stuff of which memories are made, particularly in a holiday season, a time typically so rich with recollections. Salute that sp ...
    Nov. 19, 2013 - 9:30 pm

  • Be selective during holidays

    Our first snowfall reminded me that the holidays are quickly approaching. Holidays bring joy, excitement and happiness. They also can bring anxiety, c ...
    Nov. 19, 2013 - 6:46 pm

  • Better health doesn’t come without hard work

    Have you ever heard the expression “anything worth having is worth working for”?A lot of people say ...
    Nov. 12, 2013 - 7:59 pm