Whiteside County

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

Northwest Illinois is full of many gorgeous state parks, perfect for family-friendly outdoor adventures.

Proceeds will go toward local projects, scholarships, the American Red Cross blood drive canteen and school supplies.

The Relay for Life of the Sauk Valley celebrated 30 years of raising money for cancer research and education during its annual event Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Sterling.

Presentation focused on the ways natural area guardians can support native populations.

The shutoff is to reduce the number of mayflies on the bridge pavement.

The role of the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office is to uphold and protect the right to protest – while also ensuring the safety of all participants, bystanders and the broader community.

The father of a Rock Falls man murdered Feb. 14 wants the Rock Falls police chief to resign after officers testified last month that several protocol violations happened during the investigation.

Dave Harrison and Dean Huisingh have joined forces to create a new conservation center in the area.

The trial of a former Rock Falls man facing up to 60 years in prison on sex assault and sex abuse charges will be delayed a month after prosecutors requested more time to review a report of new evidence in the case

Check out Shaw Local's list of Sauk Valley-area students who have been named to dean and president's lists, earned their degrees

As a Whiteside County deputy pulled up on a vehicle believed to be driven by a man considered a person of interest in another case, he said he discovered the wanted vehicle not only had a different driver but also more than 100 grams of meth stashed inside

Lifescape Community Services, which provides adult protective services in Whiteside, Lee, Carroll and Ogle counties and works to increase understanding of abuse and neglect of older people, will spread awareness at its outdoor information booth from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

Families throughout Whiteside County are invited to this free community event designed to spark children’s imagination and strengthen reading and family time.

Tours and historical displays were all part of a day of celebration Saturday, June 7, 2025.

The meeting is an open house format with no formal presentation. The public is invited to attend at any time during the hours listed to view informational displays, speak with project representatives, ask questions and share feedback.

See our latest list of Sauk Valley-area students who've graduated or been named to their college's dean's list.

Students achieving high honors for the academic year are Anniston Buchholz, Heidi Epps, Alivia Heald, Evelyn Moore, Grady Small and Gabriel Willhite.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night to accept a court order allowing the city to use eminent domain to purchase several parcels of property near the current facility’s discharge line to house the new plant.

Proof of residency is required by presenting two forms of legal identification. Student fees are $65 for students in kindergarten through third grade and $70 for students in fourth through eighth grades.

The event features coloring contests, farm animals from Happy Little Hooves, giveaways, Scoopie appearances, $6 Kid Meals, and touch-a-tractor.

What started as a closet full of supplies has grown into a nonprofit organization helping foster children and families across the Sauk Valley.

One of the charges – unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of meth with intent to deliver – is a Class X felony that carries a possible 30-year prison sentence.

Here's a list of students named to the honor roll.

The bridge is located west of Sterling.

Sauk Valley-area students have been named to the dean’s list.

A Rock Falls man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a 2021 shooting that injured another man and damaged a Rock Falls home.

The donations will provide around 15,000 pasta servings for children’s free summer meals.

David Skinner, 62, was found not guilty of all seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 that he faced.

A Sterling man has been sentenced to up to 9 years in prison after admitting he set fire to his Sterling apartment last fall as officers arrived to investigate an aggravated battery reported at that address

The fair runs from Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Whiteside County Fairgrounds, 201 W. Winfield St. in Morrison.

Here's the list of students named to Newman's honor roll.

John Trumbla, who fulfilled a prison sentence for a 1984 Cook County murder conviction, has been out on parole for a drug conviction since 2023 and was set to be discharged from that sentence in 2026. Arrested in another drug case Friday, he was granted pretrial release Tuesday.

Wadsworth, 72, first became the pronouncer for the Lee County Spelling Bee in 1983. Over the years, he has declared 43 local champions and sent them to Washington to represent the local bee, which is now the Lee Ogle Whiteside Spelling Bee.  

Allison Burrs of Carroll County took first place in the Senior Individual Presentation category.

Running from May 28 through Aug. 6, United Way will provide grab-and-go lunches to children and teens at 17 locations across the county, ensuring children have access to meals during the school break. 

Founded in 1965 as part of the national community action movement, Tri-County Opportunities Council has played a role in fighting poverty and empowering individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Morrison resident Clara Bush recently was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at Bradley University.

A Rock Falls man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Whiteside County Circuit Court, then apologized for fatally stabbing the man, whom he considered a friend.

Mark T. Kelly, 54, of Eldridge, pleaded guilty Monday, May 19, to the charge, which is a Class X felony because he had had at least five previous DUI violations, according to Whiteside County court records.

Kyle Cooper was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday, May 22, 2025, for fatally stabbing Daniel J. Gordon on Feb. 14 in Rock Falls.

A two-vehicle crash in rural Prophetstown on Wednesday afternoon left one man dead and another injured, according to a news release from the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ogle County Health Department sponsored the construction of another mini-food center Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Dixon Public Library.

The Citizens Utility Board blamed years of poor policies and planning by grid operator PJM Interconnection for the rate increase.

Carlos T. Loyola, 27, is charged in Whiteside County with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated domestic battery.

Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred between January and April 2023. The predatory criminal sexual assault charges are Class X felonies that carry possible prison sentences of up to 60 years.

The funds were raised during a volleyball tournament held in April.

The tour’s first coffee and conversation event will be held at 8 a.m. June 4 in Franklin Grove.

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will focus on nighttime enforcement.

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday for most of northern Illinois, the National Weather Service reports.