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  • St. Charles man arrested on sexual abuse charge

    OREGON – A St. Charles man was being held on $15,000 bond Thursday on charges of criminal sexual abuse.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Top 5 things to do this weekend

    From Nashville to DixonDIXON – The Paul Childers Band, a blues trio from Nashville, headlines the De ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Sterling snow rules in effect

    STERLING – Sterling’s snow parking ordinance is in effect for city streets.Vehicles should be parked ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Fatal fire investigation nears end

    DIXON – The state fire marshal's office reported Thursday that it was close to finishing its investigation into a Nov. 1 fire that left a Dixon woman ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Police say school chief soon to be in custody

    DIXON – The president of a performing arts school who is charged with failing to report sexual abuse allegations is expected to turn himself in next w ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Santa makes the rounds at CGH

    Dressed as Santa Claus, John Watts and Rock Falls High School student Thomas Wei greet Vern Workman on Thursday evening at CGH Medical Center. The two ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • 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

  • John ‘Jake’ Broderick

    OREGON – John “Jake” Broderick, 70, of Oregon, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, in Oregon.Jake ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Shaun Casey Wicks

    STERLING – Shaun Casey Wicks, 35, of Sterling, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Exceptional Care and Training Center in Sterling.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • William M. Hubbard Jr.

    KINGS – William M. Hubbard Jr., 84, of Kings, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Ralph J. Susan

    DIXON – Ralph J. Susan, 83, of Dixon, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at KSB Hospital in Dixon. He was a school bus driver for Illinois Central School B ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Linda L. Wetzel

    ROCHELLE – Linda L. Wetzel, 65, of Rochelle, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Lawrence L. ‘Larry’ Marshang

    LYNDON – Lawrence L. “Larry” Marshang, 54, of 15499 Mohawk Road, Lyndon, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at his home.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Roger C. Moorhead

    POLO – Roger C. Moorhead, 61, of Polo, died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, at KSB Hospital in Dixon. He worked in construction for many years, most recently wi ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Illa Lucille Carrington

    DIXON – Illa Lucille Carrington, 85, of Dixon, died Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at Dixon Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • 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

  • Wind energy yields benefits to environment

    Wind energy is on the rise in Illinois and is providing huge environmental benefits for the state. Illinois’ wind energy is already avoiding more than ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Compare his words to the public records

    Mr. Coltrain says “I am not a troublemaker” to the judge. OK, so I have to ask someone to print out any public records involving him and the law enfor ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Give a non-traditional gift this Christmas: Forgiveness

    You may think of forgiveness as a gift that costs you more than you’re willing to give. But it’s also a gift that uniquely blesses the giver and recei ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Shining the spotlight on achievement

    Statewide recognition is not easy to achieve. We would be remiss if we did not comment on three recent instances of such accomplishment.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • 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

  • 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

  • Decorated trees grace presidential site

    WEST BRANCH, Iowa – The halls are decked and the trees are wearing their holiday apparel at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum. Heartlan ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Support Groups, Clubs, and Services

    Saturday, Dec. 14Alcoholics Anonymous, 9 a.m., closed, Big Book, United Methodist Church, 201 E. Chi ...
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Tech program set at senior center

    STERLING – A free program about making technology easier to use will begin at 3 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Whiteside County Senior Center, 1207 W. Ninth St.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 am

  • Modern worship program Sunday

    DIXON – "The Thrill of Hope," presented by The Rock nonprofit group, will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Gingko Tree Café, 216 W. First St.
    NEW: Dec. 13, 2013 - 1:15 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

  • 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