Vicki Sauter owns Dog Trot Pottery at 308 W. First St. in Dixon. The shop offers unique, handcrafted pottery made by Sauter, including bowls, plates and dishes.

In the fall, natural areas often become dumping spots for yard waste, pumpkins, straw, and other organic decorations. Many think that a thrown-away pumpkin will break down and disappear. Not exactly.

Thomas Gehlbach has enjoyed playing piano for the past 40 years. Gehlbach is going to share that enjoyment by playing in the Phidian Musicale at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St. in Dixon.  It is free and open to the public.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where Whiteside, Lee and Carroll county voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

Just weeks ago, the Dixon Family YMCA faced the threat of closing both its facilities. But thanks to nearly $200,000 raised in emergency funding and swift action by community leaders, the YMCA has stabilized operations and is laying the groundwork for a long-term comeback.

Each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 9,200 fires were reported to fire departments in the U.S. over a three-day period around Halloween, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

The history of six Mississippi River bridges will be featured in a program Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Fulton (Martin House) Museum in Fulton. The program begins at 2 p.m.

The Lee County Board on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, approved an ordinance regulating open burning in the county’s unincorporated areas.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center is reminding women that early detection is key to saving lives.