Local

This series of photos show a burning tree limb and an arching power line on Sinnissippi Park Road Thursday afternoon in Sterling. Strong winds knocked down the limb, setting it on fire. Sterling Fire had a truck on scene until ComEd arrived and shut down the power.

DIXON – Three children found in a vacant house Wednesday managed to do about $10,000 in damage before they were found, police said Thursday.

Top 5 events in the Sauk Valley this weekend

STERLING – Area unemployment rates were down in April, according to data the state released Wednesday. Whiteside County's rate of 8.7 percent for April was down from 9.1 percent a year ago, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported.

DIXON – Critical comments made by several parents about the coaching style of former Dixon High School basketball coach Steve Sandholm is "opinion speech" protected under the First Amendment. That's why Sandholm's defamation suit should be tossed, four defense attorneys argued Thursday during a 2-hour hearing in front of Stephenson County Judge David L. Jeffrey.

HOUSTON – An energy company seeking to build a transmission highway through northern Illinois received the go-ahead from federal regulators.

MILLEDGEVILLE – The day after Memorial Day, construction for the new veterans memorial in Milledgeville will start. Residents have raised more than $30,000 for the first phase of the project, which will include concrete work, pavers and permanent flagpoles, said Lee Gibbs, commander of the local American Legion.

STERLING – Sterling High School has won national recognition for challenging its students.

OREGON – Two Dixon men were injured, one seriously, in a two-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon in the 3500 block of South Lowden Road.

MORRISON – The City Council may decide Tuesday whether to allow bars to be open on Sundays.

MORRISON – A Sterling man who beat and robbed an elderly Sterling man while he slept in September 2009 was sentenced this week to 16 years in prison.

Owner unsure when restaurant will reopen

DIXON – More than $30,000 disappeared last week from a Dixon Rural Fire Protection District account used to pay pensions, fire and police officials said.

Meet the historic village’s late, great residents on June 10

What's happening in the Sauk Valley

DIXON – Dixon’s Second Saturdays’ second annual June Street Fair is right around the corner.

STERLING – Two districts. Six buildings, Thirty-three years. About a gazillion students. Those numbers tell the tale of Washington Elementary School Principal Pat Fortney’s life as an educator.

MOUNT CARROLL – Mount Carroll’s 31st annual Mayfest is Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the tree-lined campus of The Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies.

DIXON – Robbie LeBlanc will kick off this year's Musical Fridays Concert Series presented by Community State Bank from noon to 1 p.m. June 1 at the gazebo on the Riverfront in downtown Dixon.

ROCK FALLS – There still are a few more weeks to take part in an auction to benefit downtown beautification projects.