Several Sauk Valley-area fire departments are receiving grants through the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office’s 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program.

Judge grants prosecutors’ objection to expert testimony from veterinarians, but rules defense attorneys are free to call the civilians they want to testify.

A signing ceremony was held June 4 to establish the HOPE of Ogle County Domestic Violence Support Fund through the Rochelle Area Community Foundation.

The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library's HVAC replacement project is done, and the library is ready to welcome patrons for its summer reading program, Director Sarah Flanagan writes.

Each year, the Polo Lions Club partners with the keynote speaker of their annual Farmers’ Night to support youth programming in the area.

William Haas of Rochelle served in the United States Army from 1970-1972. Most of his service was spent in Okinawa, Japan, during the Vietnam War. 

AI, AI, that’s all one hears about lately. AI is presented as the next greatest deal since sliced bread. So what is the fuss all about?

U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, visited Rochelle and Ogle County on May 28 and met with city and county officials.

Crowds flocked to the Rochelle Railroad Park to see the Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Over 2,000 people are estimated to have come to the Rochelle Railroad Park on Tuesday to see the Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 steam locomotive make a whistle stop.

A grand reopening and ribbon cutting were held May 29 for The Blackstone Bar & Grill in Rochelle.

The University of Dubuque recently named Ogle County students to its spring semester 2026 academic dean’s list.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for May 25 to 29, 2026.

A single-family home in Rochelle that sold for $215,000 nears the top of the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County in the past week.

Honored students earned a grade-point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.

The Roberts Armory World War II Museum of Rochelle participated in the World War II reenactment at the Chaplain Creek Village in Franklin Grove on May 16 and 17.

An animal rights group urged Ogle County officials to shut down a rodeo event near Rochelle on Sunday as one of its members heads to trial for charges that accuse her of falsely reporting a shooting at one of those events in May 2025.

As we move further into spring and summer, we begin following the great number of projects and happenings throughout our community.

A ribbon cutting was held May 28 for Rochelle’s recently completed pocket park.

The University of Dubuque recently named Rochelle students to its spring semester 2026 academic dean’s list.

A Memorial Day ceremony was held Monday at the Rochelle Veterans War Memorial at Lawnridge Ceremony.

Steve Hall has spent the past 40 years as an educator at Lutheran schools in the region. He recently retired as the principal of St. Paul Lutheran School in Rochelle after nine years in that position.

Rochelle Township High School held its graduation ceremony May 23 outdoors on the football field. There were 169 graduating seniors.

Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists and the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District invite the public to join them for a free community presentation, “Stretch, Play, Recover: Pickleball Tips,” on Tuesday, June 9.

More than 3,500 students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earned a spot on the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester.

The Rochelle City Council unanimously approved the $355,787 purchase of a new Horton all-wheel-drive ambulance from Foster Coach Sales on May 26.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting were held May 22 for Salon Idyll in Rochelle.

It was a big day for Oregon girl athletics on Saturday with a regional softball title and a fourth-place finish in the IHSA track & field meet.

Rochelle Township High School's graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 was held on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for May 18-22, 2026.

A single-family home in Rochelle that sold for $155,000 nears the top of the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Ogle County during the past week.

The 40th annual Rochelle Township High School art show was held May 14, celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of student artists throughout the school year.

The Rochelle Township High School board on May 18 recognized retirees who will finish their careers this month.

Belmont University released the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester, with approximately 49% of the university’s 6,724 undergraduate students earning the academic recognition.

Kris and Jessica Wexell were recently named the first 2026 winners of the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Lawn of the Week contest.

In one of the most competitive 2A boys track & field sectionals in the state, Rochelle and Byron finished in the top 5 of team standings.

The pool will open one hour earlier each day, starting at 11:30 a.m. rather than 12:30 p.m. Early access will be available for pool pass holders and all-inclusive REC members at 11 a.m. Adult swim will take place Monday through Thursday from 7-10:30 a.m.

The Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Department in Lindenwood is holding its 73rd annual fish fry fundraiser from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 5.

Here's a list of Ogle County property transfers for May 11-15, 2026.

A grand opening was held May 16 for The Echelon in Rochelle. The recently remodeled downtown building is now home to Down Range Firearms, photography businesses Kitty’s Kaptures and JuliaVsoftstudios, more business suites, a meeting room and living spaces.

Andrea Voss of Lindenwood was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Amanda Headon, daughter of Dr. Cassandra and Lance Headon of Rochelle, graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in May 2026.

Dede Ponto will retire this month after 33 years as a teacher in the Rochelle Elementary School District.

Jason King took fourth place in the straight truck division at the 2026 Wisconsin State Truck Rodeo in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Illinois Municipal Utilities Association recognized RMU for earning all three national association awards.

Presented by local history enthusiast and researcher Mary Rose Fillip, the program explores the history of the Women’s Ambulance Safety Patrol.

Stillman Trust & Wealth Management recently announced the winners of the Eickman Scholarship, an annual scholarship awarded to four area high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Rivers Estock of Steward was recently named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University.

Many World War II artifacts are on display, including tanks, trucks, cannons and Rochelle News-Leader newspapers from 1945.

Southern New Hampshire University recently congratulated Rochelle-area students on being named to the list.