More News

Follow Us!

View photos and stories
and interact with us!

Be the first to receive
local breaking news!

More ways to connect with us »

National video

Reader Poll

Pension reform has been approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Quinn. Do you believe it will help improve Illinois' shaky finances?
Yes
No

  • Local News

  • Local Sports

  • Obituaries

  • Police Beat

  • Opinion

  • Video

  • Blogs

  • Local Business

  • Community

  • Lifestyle

  • Food

  • State

  • Nation & World

  • ISP: Alcohol might be involved in death of man found on I-88

    DIXON – Alcohol might have been a contributing factor in the death of a man found alongside Interstate 88 just west of Dixon on Nov. 13, Illinois Stat ...
    Dec. 12, 2013 - 5:55 pm

  • Teens urge random acts of kindness in video

    Two 16-year-olds, Kyle Nutt and Zade Abdullah, have been seen all over Sterling and Dixon donning superhero costumes. And now, the entire Internet is ...
    Dec. 12, 2013 - 1:23 pm

  • Ex-official gets Cherry Valley job

    MORRISON – Jim Wise, Morrison's former administrator, was hired last week for the same position in Cherry Valley, a Rockford suburb. This is familiar ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:15 pm

  • Morrison man dies in head-on crash

    MORRISON – A Morrison man died Tuesday after being involved in a head-on crash on U.S. Route 30 near Hillside Road.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:21 pm

  • Holiday Pops concerts return

    The Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday Pops concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, and 3 p.m. Dec. 22, at the Coronado Performing Arts Cent ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:17 pm

  • Nashville recording artist coming to Dixon

    DIXON – Dixon Main Street’s holiday window displays will set the stage Saturday as small businesses in the Second Saturdays district will be open for ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:17 pm

  • Home damaged in shooting west of Rochelle

    No injuries were reported, but a home was damaged in a shooting that happened on Saturday west of Rochelle, authorities say.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:21 pm

  • Rock Falls man arrested on drug charge

    STERLING – A Rock Falls man was arrested Wednesday and charged with selling drugs, police say.Ronny ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:34 pm

  • Official: Board can’t be ‘buddy-buddy’

    ROCK FALLS – Coloma Township's financial problems shouldn't be blamed on just one person, a township trustee said Wednesday.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:21 pm

  • Cold weather? It's for the birds

    A bald eagle loses a feather Tuesday afternoon as it swoops above Page Park in Dixon. ...
    Dec. 12, 2013 - 1:19 pm

  • Wilma P. Dunbar

    CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Wilma Pauline Dunbar, 90, of Clarksville, formerly of Dixon, passed away peacefully Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at her home. She worked ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:05 pm

  • Justin G. Curtin

    PROPHETSTOWN – Justin G. Curtin, 30, of 13775 Howard Road, Prophetstown, died Monday, Dec. 9, 2013, at his home. He was employed by Menk USA LLC in St ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:05 pm

  • Doug N. Hand

    ROCK FALLS – Doug N. Hand, 62, of Rock Falls, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:05 pm

  • John W. Ail

    AMBOY – John W. Ail, 46, of Amboy, passed away in the early morning of Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.He was ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:05 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

  • Unions cost the taxpayers more and more

    Regarding unions, we have many people working with benefits and making more money than those who are not represented by a union. Normal everyday worke ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 9:38 pm

  • Sewer flat rate makes it easy to overcharge

    I recently found out that I’ve been overcharged by the city of Rock Falls on the so-called “flat rate” for sewer use for at least 14 years.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 9:38 pm

  • Future can’t be compromised

    Last week, I stood in a small country church and sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” along with about 50 others who celebrated the life of my 103-y ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 9:38 pm

  • Delays make justice elusive

    During a 6-day, two-state killing spree in late June 2008, eight people were brutally beaten to death, including five victims in Whiteside County.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 9:38 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 - 10:42 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 - 10:42 pm

  • Out Here: 'Townships need to resharpen pencils'

    Townships feel under assault. That's no secret. Last year, a law firm presented, "Townships in Crisis Mode: What Can be Done," at a conference in Spri ...
    Dec. 12, 2013 - 6:24 pm

  • Out Here: No need to tout GOP credentials

    Former Rep. Bobby Schilling is a Republican, but you wouldn't have known that from his recent speech to workers at the IFH Group factory in Rock Falls ...
    Dec. 12, 2013 - 6:15 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

  • 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

    Friday, Dec. 13Childhood immunization clinic; Women, Infants and Children clinic; and Family Plannin ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 9:36 pm

  • Pops concert set for Abiding Word

    STERLING – The Sterling Municipal Symphony Band’s 20th annual Evening at the Pops concert will be Jan. 10 at Abiding Word Church, 806 E. Lynn Blvd.
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:28 pm

  • Bustos rep available today

    STERLING – Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, announced that a member of her staff will hold office hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at her Sterling s ...
    Dec. 11, 2013 - 11:29 pm

  • 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 - 10:42 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 - 11:12 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

  • 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 - 9:10 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