Byron CUSD 226 is proud to announce that Annie Burke, second grade teacher at Mary Morgan Elementary School, has been awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Illinois State University.

The Illinois Farm Bureau said August was the driest for the corn belt since 2013, and the Illinois State Climatologist’s office noted that as of Sept. 11, over 30% of the state was experiencing “abnormal dryness” to moderate drought conditions,

Ben Johnson gets the perfect scenario for the bye week – the good feelings of a two-game win streak while his team gets valuable time to reset, work, and improve with 13 games still on the schedule, Marc Silverman writes

Maddie Shaw of Stillman Valley, who is studying early childhood education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has been admitted to the Professional Education program.

Forreston Junior/Senior High School/Forrestville Valley CUSD 221 received a grant for polycarbonate panels and connection supplies for its greenhouse.

Crystal Lake Central's boys golf team won its second straight regional title, while Ian Metzger earned medalist honors to lead Rochelle to its first sectional since 2009. Prairie Ridge placed runner-up in the nine-team regional to also advance.

The rate spikes of the summer are coming down, but ComEd customers still can expect higher bills through the winter, according to the Citizens Utilities Board.

From Capitol News Illinois: On housing, Lt. Gov. and Senate candidate Juliana Stratton proposed creating a tax incentive to encourage construction companies to build “starter homes” that must be priced below the median price of housing

The TALK-LINE interview for Sept. 30 featured 2025 Oregon, Illinois “Autumn On Parade” representative Debbie Dickson previewing this weekend’s celebration for her final time. She will be stepping down as coordinator of the event after this year.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is collecting donations for the Sycamore United Methodist Church Coat Ministry. Needed items include new and gently-used coats, boots, mittens, scarves, and other winter accessories.

The City of Rochelle recently released information on its 2025 Halloween festivities. Community-wide trick-or-treat hours will be 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

Military veterans U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Illinois State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit addressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth comments on “warrior ethos.”

Last year, Forreston’s football team was 2-7 because of losses to teams they could have beaten. This year, they are 4-1 because they are winning those same types of games.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led a game-winning drive against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday to lead to a 25-24 win. Here's what he did on that drive to secure the win on the road.

In the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The Stillman Valley High School National Honor Society would like to support those who have been affected by the disease.

Congratulations to these 22 Illinois high school football players who were voted onto Friday Night Drive's Team of the Week for Week 5 of the 2025 high school football season

Games with prizes for kids will be just part of the fun at the annual Fall Family Festival on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, on the Mt. Morris Village Square.

A Davis Junction woman and a Kentucky man suffered serious injuries when their overturned Harley-Davidson Trike landed on them during a Sunday crash in Shabbona Township, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and some players met with reporters virtually on Monday, a day after their come-from-behind win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Here are three of the most interesting things they said

Here are photos from Rochelle's cross country meet at Skare Park.

Stillman Valley High School is proud to announce that junior Lucas Mendoza has been selected as a BigFuture Ambassador for the fall 2025 program.

The Chicago Bears reversed a trend and found a way to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24 on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium. Here are the five big takeaways from a thrilling win on the road.

The Chicago Bears seemed like they were destined to once again lose in agonizing fashion once again Sunday. Instead, they found a way to beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 25-24. Here's how they did it.

Here are photos of Rochelle volleyball's match with Sept. 23, 2025. Rochelle won the match in three sets.

The Byron Women’s Club invites you to join in the fun Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 for Fiesta Nachos & Bingo.

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland will miss Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium after he was ruled inactive with a hip injury.

Oregon School District teachers received checks from the Mt. Morris Community Library Foundation on Sept. 15, 2025, that will get new books to first graders every month.

Andrew Marshall pleaded guilty to one of three charges – aggravated criminal sexual abuse – and sentenced to 30 months probation when he appeared in Ogle County court Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Two other felonies were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

In honor of Veterans Day, the Leaf River Lions Club is having a lunch drive-thru from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 4.

An attorney of a rural Dixon man charged with the attempted murder of three police officers at his home in June 2024 is planning to file a petition asking that his client be allowed to wear civilian clothes at hearings.

Changes Counseling will offer free depression screenings Oct. 6 at the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library at 619 Fourth Ave. in Rochelle.

Dixon scored early and often in a 56-0 rout over the Oregon Hawks at Landers-Loomis Field in Oregon on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department will be hosting a residential electronics recycling and food drive event Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

The Chicago Bears will be without three starters Sunday when they play the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Right tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker T.J. Edwards were all ruled out for Sunday's game.

Quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears will head back on the road to get back to .500 when they play the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Here are the top five storylines to watch.

Anthony Rowley, a Rochelle Edward Jones financial adviser, is supporting the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year’s toy drive.

Bearrows: As we transition into the vibrant season of fall, we are experiencing a bustling period here in Rochelle.

CrossRoads Community Church at 205 N. Jefferson Ave. in Polo is inviting the community to take part in its trunk or treat Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

A Swedish study of 2.4 million children born between 1995 and 2019 shows no causal link between Tylenol and autism, Illinois doctors and families say, warning the administration’s language is harmful and dehumanizing

The Chicago Bears' offensive line showed growth Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. But can that continue against the Las Vegas Raiders if starting right tackle Darnell Wright doesn't play?

The Chicago Bears didn’t see too much injury improvement Thursday. Five players didn’t practice for a second straight day, including starting right tackle Darnell Wright and rookie tight end Colston Loveland.

Here are Robin Rethwill's photos from Rochelle's seventh-grade volleyball match with Prairie Knolls.

Here are Robin Rethwill's photos from Rochelle's JV football game with Sycamore. Rochelle won 18-6.

A friendly reminder from Autumn on Parade and the City of Oregon: We are about to have a huge influx of people who may have never been to Oregon. They don’t know our roads, our businesses, or our lifestyle.

Rochelle's boys golf team placed second at the Interstate 8 Conference meet and the girls golf team was fifth. That and more in the Rochelle News Leader high school sports roundup.

How did a 50 burger turn into a hotdog celebration just one week later? The answer is easy. Ben Johnson cooked, Marc Silverman writes.

LARSON: I know something about martyrdom. It is part of the history of the church. Church historians will tell you that the foundation of the church is built upon the blood of the martyrs.

It’s very interesting that our current President gets away with bypassing the Constitution, ignoring our legal system, and even demanding that our United States attorney general pursue a particular case or what to pursue in a case.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had his best game of the season Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Here's how he got there and can take another step against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland and starting right tackle Darnell Wright both missed practice and led a group of five players who didn’t participate Wednesday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.