Preliminary planning is underway for the potential return of Small Business Bingo events in Rochelle in fall 2024 after its inaugural four events raised $18,853 for area nonprofits in 2023, Event Organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said at Jan. 23’s Rochelle Rotary Club meeting. 

Kennay Farms Distilling in Rochelle has collaborated with The DeLong Company and its Grown Climate Smart program to showcase the use of sustainable grain in its spirits. 

In August 2021, Nolan Turner of Rochelle suffered a C5/C6 incomplete spinal cord injury in a car accident. Turner has spent the past year practicing and competing in wheelchair rugby.

Following a jury trial on Jan. 18 at the Ogle County Courthouse, a Hillcrest man was found not guilty of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, Eric Arnquist of law firm Tess, Crull & Arnquist, said.

At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council held discussion on a potential agreement with Teska Associates Inc. for consulting services to establish an Eastern Gateway tax increment financing (TIF) district and/or a business development district to aid in the development of the Caron Ridge Shopping Center, the former site of the Sullivan's Foods grocery store. 

On Thursday at the Ogle County community room in Rochelle, the 2024 winners of the From the Heart Cash Calendar were drawn by members of the organization’s board and representatives from nonprofits that From the Heart raises money for. Winners can be found in the Rochelle News-Leader and online at fromtheheartrochelle.org. 

Rochelle resident Arch Millotte served in the United States Air Force for 20 years from 1951-1971. 

Area fire departments responded to a report of smoke at a greenhouse facility in Hillcrest on Friday evening, Rochelle Fire Department Lt. Jason Underwood said Saturday. 

In an effort to educate the community about the rewards of gardening and seed saving, the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library has established a new seed library. The seed library was established in conjunction with the Ogle County Master Gardeners program of the University of Illinois Extension. 

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board heard a presentation made by the Ogle County Economic Development Corporation and unanimously approved the commitment of $100,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act Funds to the newly-formed organization.

RTHS Principal Dr. Chris Lewis provided an update to the Rochelle School District 212 Board of Education on December graduation statistics as well as school attendance and current deficiency rates during the board’s monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.

As of Monday, Jan. 15, the Rochelle News-Leader’s revamped website at rochellenews-leader.com has been unveiled.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard an update from Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger on upcoming work at Helms Park.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and Rochelle Community Hospital and the Rock River Valley Blood Center are working to raise awareness to increase donations amid a nationwide and regional blood shortage. 

Ogle County livestock farmer Brian Duncan of Polo was elected the new president of the Illinois Farm Bureau during the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 2-4.

Greg Booras has joined Creative Circle Media Solutions as National Sales Director. He will focus on expanding sales of Creative Circle products in the magazine industry and helping accelerate the growth of the company across all industries and product categories. He’ll play an active role in product development as well as sales.