Whiteside County

The Rock Falls City Council heard a report Tuesday night about the consequences of a failed referendum that would have instated a 0.5% sales tax throughout Whiteside County to help fund emergency dispatch services.

The actual property tax rate in Sterling could decrease by nearly 6% next year, city officials say.

A new family owned Italian cuisine restaurant has opened in Prophetstown.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” is the theme of Erie’s Hometown Holiday Parade scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Plenty of activities are planned for Prophetstown Proud’s 39th annual Lighted Christmas Parade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Nov. 2-8, 2024.

“Sandwiches with Santa” is a free event from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the WCSC, 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling. Executive Director Emily Hammer said this is the center’s first year hosting the event.

Steven W. Coleman, 45, was sentenced Oct. 17 to three consecutive life sentences and another 105 years in prison for setting a fatal fire at the Western Apartments in Sterling. He was in court Thursday asking for that sentence to be reconsidered.

Harrison Webb, charged with attempted murder, is accused of walking from his Rock Falls home to Sterling, going into the restaurant’s kitchen, and with less than two feet separating them, shooting a 17-year-old worker in the back of the neck.

Panel members include Emily Hammer, executive director of the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling; Karla Burn, marketing director at Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison; and Chris Burks, social worker at Resthave.

Fritts was reelected Nov. 5 to a second term in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Goodwill’s Veteran Career Resource Program helps veterans find employment by providing one-on-one job readiness training, comprehensive support services and employment referrals for Sauk Valley veterans.

The Honor Flight of the Quad Cities honors veterans by pairing them with volunteer guardians for a day-long trip to Washington D.C., where they can share personal experiences and make connections with other veterans.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, 2024.

The only Revolutionary War veteran buried in Whiteside County was honored Saturday, Oct. 5, by the Kishwaukee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, which installed a commemorative plaque at a cemetery southeast of Albany.

The 17-year-old boy, whose name was not released by authorities because he is a juvenile, also is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, felony burglary and unlawful possession of a stolen firearm.

Despite his insistence that he is a changed man, a Rock Falls felon was sentenced to up to 18 years in prison Wednesday in connection with a December 2023 standoff at a Dixon hotel.

Li Arellano Jr., who won an uncontested race during Tuesday’s general election, says he is ready to hit the ground running for the 37th District. He will serve a four-year term.

Lee County voters support Amboy, Harmon fire departments' merger.

Here are the unofficial results for the 2024 November election for the Whiteside and Ogle county boards and referendum questions for Whiteside County, the Walnut Public Library District and Amboy Fire Protection District.

Voter turnout in the Sauk Valley area was down slightly from the 2020 election, but still up from 2016.

Sheriff: Measure will be on the April 2025 ballot.

Here are the races we're watching in Lee, Whiteside and Ogle counties as voters finish casting their ballots Tuesday for county, state and federal congressional races, and in some cases, answered referendum questions. Polls closed at 7 p.m.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday and will close at 7 p.m. Learn more about what Sauk Valley voters are casting ballots on.

Election Day is upon us; here are five things to know about voting in the Sauk Valley on Nov. 5 based on information from the Illinois State Board of Elections website

On Monday, Nov. 11, customers can help support the Whiteside County Honor Flight program when they make a purchase from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Culver’s, 1901 Harley Davidson Drive in Rock Falls.

Johnathon P. Parker, 40, was taken into custody Saturday night, Nov. 2, 2024, in the 1600 block of Riverdale Road, Rock Falls, after a 10-hour standoff over two days with police, according to Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker.

CrossView Church, 703 14th Ave. in Fulton, offers a free community meal called The Table every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

The Whiteside County Health Department held an open house Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, for their new Optometry department and facility expansion.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Oct. 19-25, 2024.

The Sterling Public Library will host a job search workshop from 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. It is free to attend.

Johnathon P. Parker, 40, is wanted for one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, according to a news release.

Sterling police detective says during Monday preliminary hearing that investigation continues into whether more people will be charged.

The Prophetstown-Lyndon Food Pantry is open every Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall at 215 Washington St.

Work scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1.

Red Cross says donation appointments are crucial this fall; $10 e-gift card given for coming to give Nov. 1-17.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Oct. 12-18, 2024.

Steven Coleman was sentenced Oct. 17 to three consecutive life sentences and another 105 years in prison for fire that killed 3 at Sterling’s Western Apartments

Need something to do this winter? The Whiteside County Extension has you covered with several classes, workshops and other activities.

The Whiteside County Health Department and Community Health Clinic has announced its new addition, which includes an expansion and added optometry services, is expected to be completed by the end of October with services beginning Nov. 4.

Online hearing will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Brett Cahoone charged with nine counts, remains jailed in Whiteside County.

In Illinois, only one of the 17 congressional districts falls into the “competitive” category – the 17th District, which covers much of northwest Illinois, including Rockford, the Quad Cities area, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

The Whiteside Forum will host a presentation given by Mark and Jean Zinnen and Theresa Brandon at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St., Morrison.

Brian Richmond is a construction mechanic with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133.

Here is a list of property transfers for Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for Oct. 5-11, 2024.

The dean’s list honors students with a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

Steven W. Coleman was sentenced Thursday for three counts of murder, three aggravated arson charges, and a residential arson charge. All seven sentences will be served consecutively to each other.

Steven Coleman was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, to three life sentences for setting a fire that killed Shyla Walker, Celina Serrano and Carrie Hose in 2020. Coleman refused to attend the sentencing hearing.

After over a decade of planning and saving, a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday officially opened the doors to the Erie School District’s new elementary school.