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Family of Rochelle man who passed away in October in Alabama seeking answers

John Combs of Rochelle passed away at age 24 on Oct. 4 after being struck by a train in Montgomery, Alabama. He was in the south at that time working as a lineman helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the days beforehand. 
John Combs of Rochelle passed away at age 24 on Oct. 4 after being struck by a train in Montgomery, Alabama. He was in the south at that time working as a lineman helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the days beforehand. 
Community
The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of this year’s  Giving Tuesday campaign, which raised an impressive $13,900 — well surpassing the $10,000 goal. This achievement was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of individual donors and the steadfast support of our community partners.
RACF thanks partners and donors for record-breaking Giving Tuesday
The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of this year’s  Giving Tuesday campaign, which raised an impressive $13,900 — well surpassing the $10,000 goal. This achievement was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of individual donors and the steadfast support of our community partners.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, a ribbon cutting was held for Destiny Studios at its new location at 148 May Mart Drive in Rochelle. Destiny Studios is owned by Erin Bacon and offers family, newborns, weddings, events and professional photography.
Ribbon cutting held Thursday, Dec. 5 for Destiny Studios in Rochelle
On Thursday, Dec. 5, a ribbon cutting was held for Destiny Studios at its new location at 148 May Mart Drive in Rochelle. Destiny Studios is owned by Erin Bacon and offers family, newborns, weddings, events and professional photography.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the City of Rochelle presented a facade grant check for $5,000 to Fearer Nye & Chadwick at 420 4th Ave. in Rochelle. 
City awards facade grant check to Fearer Nye & Chadwick at 420 4th Ave.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, the City of Rochelle presented a facade grant check for $5,000 to Fearer Nye & Chadwick at 420 4th Ave. in Rochelle. 

Girls Basketball: Third-quarter defense sparks Lady Hubs against Rock Falls

Senior Payton Cesarone drives around Rock Falls defender Miley Beckett during the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball game against the Rockets on Thursday.
A 6-0 run to start the third quarter gave the Rochelle Lady Hubs a spark during their nonconference varsity basketball matchup against Rock Falls on Thursday evening.

Boys Bowling: Hubs roll over Sterling for second straight win

Sophomore Luke Norris throws his ball down the lane during the Rochelle Hub varsity bowling match against Sterling on Thursday.
December has been kind to the Rochelle Hubs, who scored their second straight varsity bowling victory during Thursday’s nonconference match against Sterling.
Sports
Sophomore Bryson Stewart fires his ball down the lane during the Rochelle Hub varsity bowling match against Ottawa on Tuesday evening.
Boys Bowling: Well-rounded effort lifts Hubs over Ottawa
A well-rounded effort enabled the Rochelle Hubs to score an Interstate 8 Conference win during their varsity bowling match against Ottawa on Tuesday evening.
Wrestling: Hubs bring home wins over Le-Win/Stockton and Stillman Valley
The Rochelle Hubs remained unbeaten in varsity wrestling on Thursday, when the purple and white beat Stillman Valley and Le-Win/Stockton in nonconference action.
Girls Bowling: Lady Hubs suffer road loss against Kaneland
Senior Cassidy Vincent rolled a 521 series to lead the Rochelle Lady Hubs during their Interstate 8 Conference varsity bowling match against Kaneland on Thursday evening.
Junior Kylie McCullough rolls her ball down the lane during the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling match against Sycamore on Tuesday.
Girls Bowling: Lady Hubs fall just short against Sycamore
While the Hubs were facing Ottawa, the Lady Hubs hit the lanes for their Interstate 8 Conference opener against the Sycamore Spartans.
Freshman Audrina Rodriguez drives around a DeKalb defender during the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball game against the Barbs on Monday.
Girls Basketball: DeKalb defense stifles Lady Hubs
DeKalb’s smothering defense and fast break scoring were too much for the Rochelle Lady Hubs during Monday evening’s nonconference varsity basketball matchup.
Girls Bowling: Lady Hubs win season opener against Rockford Lutheran
The Rochelle Lady Hubs opened the 2024-25 varsity bowling season with a victory on Monday, when senior Cassidy Vincent fired a 593 series to lead the purple and white during their nonconference match against Rockford Lutheran at Park Lanes in Rockford.
Opinion
Ron Kern

What the Corporate Transparency Act means for farmers

Over 230,000 farms are up against a Jan. 1, 2025, deadline to file their detailed Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the Treasury Department under the requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). Despite facing steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file, less than 11% of eligible businesses nationwide have filed their BOI. Efforts to protect small businesses from these invasive requirements and the harsh punishment for noncompliance have stalled in Congress. Let’s review what the Corporate Transparency Act means for farmers.

Consider this: Supporting eachother

You're a dad.  You happen to also be a grandfather, maybe a great-grandfather.  Your wife had passed much too young and you have been on your own for a while.  The important people in your life are close. Not across the state line, nor across the country, nor even across the pond. Close enough to get together when the occasion arises. And in only a few minutes. This has been an important thing for several years now.
“A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, but perhaps there is a key.” So said Winston Churchill in 1939. 
There are a lot of moms like me who had kids at a young age and then after an extended gap had more kids later in life.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Luan B. Wine
Luan B. Wine
Luan B. Wine, long time Rochelle resident, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024, at the age of 97.
Peggy Lucille Futrell
Peggy Lucille Futrell
Peggy Lucille Futrell, 82, passed away Monday, December 2, 2024 at her home in Rochelle with family by her side. 
Helen Rose Strawbridge
Helen Rose Strawbridge
Helen Rose Strawbridge, age 90, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the Maple Crest Nursing Center in Belvidere, IL. 
James Russell Milligan
James Russell Milligan
James Russell Milligan, 71, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, November 24, 2024 at his farm in Kings, Illinois.
Leo James Gildea
Leo James Gildea
Leo James Gildea, age 87, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at his home with his family at his side. 
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