Millie, the Sterling Police Department’s comfort dog, and her handler, Community Service Officer Mary Toth, were recognized by the Sterling City Council on Monday for the work they do and the comfort they provide.

The Sterling Municipal Band will present its annual spring concert at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, at New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling. The concert is presented by the city of Sterling.

A Rock Falls company has filed a lawsuit alleging one of its owners systematically looted the business of more than $4 million through personal credit card charges, unauthorized cash withdrawals, and transfers to his own companies — all while concealing the scheme from co-owners.

Non-hazardous bulk waste such as furniture, dried paint, tires (a maximum of four per residence), used motor oil, appliances, brushes, metal, tin, car batteries, bikes and electronics will be accepted.

From vision to woodwork: A Pinterest photo. A magazine idea. A dream kitchen. At Sterling Woodworks, those visions can become reality, and the custom cabinetry and design business is now bringing that creative process closer to Lake Carroll homeowners.

Keeping tradition fresh: Three generations. 84 years. A Rock Falls bakery still rises before dawn to keep a family tradition alive.

In 1926, Sterling and Rock Falls were full of ambition – some of it still thriving today, some of it long gone. A barber chair, a bold Coliseum dream, a vanished golf course, a future NFL player – a century later, the stories still linger in local memory.

Walk through the doors of a Lena business and you might walk into your childhood. With antiques, sweets and even lunch, its antique-loving owners have created a place where shoppers rediscover memories, sometimes in the most unexpected objects.

A former Sterling High School basketball player’s goal of going pro is starting to seem like a real possibility as she gets ready to participate in a nine-day international camp.

An Illinois appellate court has ordered a new hearing in a 2011 Sterling shooting case, ruling that a man convicted of attempted murder has possibly presented credible evidence of self-defense that was unavailable at trial.

Tailgate Bingo tickets go on sale April 24 at Sauk Valley Bank locations in Rock Falls and Sterling and online at www.rockfallschamber.com.

A residential garage fire on Sterling’s First Avenue was brought under control Monday after firefighters from multiple departments responded to the blaze and prevented it from spreading to neighboring structures.

The Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce has announced that Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, will be the dates for the annual Rock Falls/Sterling spring community garage sales.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for April 13-17, 2026.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for April 12-18 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

A single-family home in Sterling that sold for $445,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Lee County / Whiteside over the past week

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle County property transfers for April 6-10, 2026.

OSF HealthCare is welcoming Chris Herbert to OSF Saint Katharine Center for Health – Sterling, where he will begin seeing patients April 23.

An Illinois appellate court has upheld the conviction of a Rock Falls man in connection with a fire at a Sterling apartment complex that killed three people in June 2020.

The Dixon Police Department is closely monitoring the weather today, preparing for possibly severe storms that could move through the Sauk Valley this afternoon and tonight

Shanna M. Hillers of Sterling is charged in Lee County with aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony; official misconduct of a public employee, a Class 3 felony; and abuse/criminal neglect of a resident of a long-term care facility, a Class 4 felony.

Nine criminal charges filed against a Rock Falls man in connection with shots fired at a Rock Falls party last summer were dropped Monday as part of a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to burglary in an unrelated case

Officials unanimously agreed to hire a manager to oversee a newly established Main Street program to spur economic growth and help existing businesses.

Newman High School will perform the Disney classic "Frozen". Shows will begin at 7 p.m. April 17, at 7 p.m. April 18 and at 2 p.m. April 19 at Centennial Auditorium on the campus of Sterling High School.

A Sterling landlord has been charged after an investigation into living conditions at an apartment complex discovered pest and rodent infestation and no smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, city officials say

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for April 6-10, 2026.

A Sterling man has been charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding a police officer and multiple traffic violations following a March 3 incident in Whiteside County

Nostalgia overload: Wind through the hills of northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin, from Scales Mound to Lead Mine, and there are scenic views and a time warp back to life – in the form of old-time stores and taverns – from many decades ago.

Maggie Morris plans to attend St. Ambrose University to pursue her bachelor of science degree in nursing, with a long-term goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

The sections of the 160-foot pedestrian bridge that will link the multi-use path along Sterling’s riverfront over state Route 40 have been delivered. But when the pedestrian bridge will be installed depends on action from Union Pacific Railroad regarding a single utility pole.

The single-family residence located at 1728 Hillcrest Drive in Sterling was sold on March 17, for $445,000, or $210 per square foot.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Janna Groharring about Sterling Main Street’s upcoming events, including Bloom at the Shoppes at Grandon Plaza, the Earth Day Bash at the Twin City Farmers Market, and the annual May car show.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for April 5-11 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Here's a list of Lee, Whiteside and Ogle property transfers for March 30 to April 3, 2026.

Augustana College announced more than 1,200 students were named to the dean’s list for the 2025-2026 fall semester.

As funding dwindles for nonprofit organizations, how much financial assistance should the Sterling City Council give to groups that help Sterling residents?

Local author John L. Hoh Jr. will present the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society’s April program “The Man With the Branded Hand.” at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12.

As chief lending officer, Billy Johnson will oversee the bank’s lending strategy and lending teams across all markets.

During Monday’s Sterling City Council meeting, Sterling Public Works Superintendent Brad Schrader said that as of May 1 the city will change its 50/50 sidewalk replacement program to one in which homeowners pay for the concrete and city crews install the sidewalks.

Working as a home health care aide at night, Michelle Wiemken for years had a picture in her mind. It was her own bakery, shelves lined with breads, cookies, cakes, pies and the other sweet treats she loved to bake.

On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Shaw Local News’ Charlene Bielema about recent tornado activity in Lee and Whiteside counties, plus an in-depth look at the jury selection process in high-profile local court cases.

A 27-year Sterling Police Department employee who started while still in high school and a patrol officer who is following a family tradition of public service were honored at Monday’s Sterling City Council meeting.

A Sterling man with a history of speeding convictions is now accused of fleeing police and driving over 100 miles per hour on Riverdale Road on March 31 near Rock Falls.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage in Sterling during storms that rolled through northern Illinois on April 2. It is the fourth tornado confirmed in connection with storms in Lee, Whiteside, and Ogle counties that evening

A downtown Sterling tavern caters to customers who enjoy coming to its place built on a brick foundation of hospitality, hometown pride and homestyle food.

A wrapper or cigarette butt might seem small, but multiplied across blocks of sidewalks, it reshapes how a downtown feels. Once a month from March to October, volunteers step up to change that in Sterling, cleaning it up and building friendships in the process.

Bridge spans wait to be put into place in Sterling.

Here's a list of Whiteside County property transfers for March 30 to April 3, 2026.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for March 29-April 4 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Professional Women’s Network will host a Real Colors workshop presented by Karla Belzer on April 29 at Woodlawn Arts Academy.