‘Need to leave us alone’

STERLING – The debates over the pension crisis in Springfield catch the attention of Donna Willhite, an 84-year-old who receives a state pension. ... Read More »

Mall tearing down vacant building

STERLING – Northland Mall is demolishing a long-vacant building, but officials are tight-lipped on plans for the site in the east end of its parking lot. ... Read More »

Sheriff, 911 agency in dispute

DIXON – The Lee County Sheriff's Department is in a dispute with the local 911 agency over the department's hiring process for dispatchers. ... Read More »

Local News

No info being shared on Crundwell loans

DIXON – Fire Chief Tim Shipman said Monday he still is waiting to hear back from the U.S. Attorney's Office in regard to a personal loan he received from former comptroller Rita Crundwell. ... Read More »

Board to look at fees for lunch, driver's ed

DIXON – The board will consider Wednesday raising student fees 10 cents for lunch and $50 for driver's education. ... Read More »

Regional News

Quinn OKs tough fracking regulations

Quinn signs into law tough fracking regulations ... Read More »

Quinn signs into law tough fracking regulations

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation giving the state the nation's strictest regulations for high-volume oil and gas drilling.In a news release, Quinn's o ... Read More »

Planit Sauk Valley

Music at Lamb's Tap

Lamb's Tap in Rock Falls has great music planned all month. ... Read More »

"WWII Recreated" in Dixon

An authentic World War II reenactment camp will be at Elks Page Park in Dixon on this weekend, June 21 through 23.  This will feature daily battle simulations with U.S. and German troops, armored vehicle displays, weapons and uniform demonstrations and a military collectibles sale.  "WWII Recreated" will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the park at 7883 S. Lowell Park Road. Admission is $10 per car. There will be a tribute to World War II veterans, who will be admitted free of charge.  The sale will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. The public can bring items to buy, sell, or trade, for $10 a table. Call Dick Grobe, 815-284-9881, to reserve a spot. ... Read More »

Dining

Peel away banana bread calories

Taste Of Home's Makeover Banana Nut Bread comes from an original recipe that bakes out to 387 calories a slice. With the makeover, the calories are 266. ... Read More »

Opinion

Complaint that all kids weren’t allowed to play

We just feel that we want to voice to the people in the Sauk Valley area that the children who have played for the Al Morrison Baseball of Dixon for many years in the past wer ... Read More »

Seeks help to find families of 1944 draftees

We are looking for the families or friends of the men drafted around Aug. 29, 1944, from Whiteside County or thereabouts.My brother, William Rock, was drafted on the same date ... Read More »

Obituaries

Kathryn Ann Taylor

ROCK FALLS – Kathryn Ann Taylor, 75, of Rock Falls, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loving family.Ann was born May 19, 1938, in Sterling, the daughte ... Read More »

National video

Blogs

» Business Bits
Business Bits

Sauk Valley Bank opens new branch

STERLING – Sauk Valley Bank newest branch is open at 3319 E. Lincolnway.
» Reciprocity
Reciprocity

Drill

It was easy to get distracted by the performance of it all. The active shooter drill held by Sterling and County Police last week at the high school. The scenario; two armed shooters in the school killing students and teachers and the police and medical technician's response. It's an unfortunate drill, but a necessary one. In the hallways a Halloween mentality took over, especially when the ketchup-blood concoction was applied on the students. Small talk and "what I'm going to do" plans were passed around freely between laughs and odors of the sickly sweet blood stand-in. It was an odd contrast between real and imaginary, one I'm sure psychologists will explain to be a type of coping mechanism. I took these "portraits" of the injured and de

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