Top Stories

From the Heart presents final checks to member nonprofits: 'It's been a great run'

On Tuesday, April 15, From the Heart presented checks for $10,000 each to nine area nonprofits at a special event at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle.
On Tuesday, April 15, From the Heart presented checks for $10,000 each to nine area nonprofits at a special event at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle.

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Ogle County Board: Resolution opposing house bill on publishing responsibilities approved

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Community
As an approved employer by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, State Approving Agency, the City is now offering eligible veterans the opportunity to utilize their GI Bill® benefits during training and probationary employment for designated job titles.
City of Rochelle named veteran-friendly workplace
As an approved employer by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, State Approving Agency, the City is now offering eligible veterans the opportunity to utilize their GI Bill® benefits during training and probationary employment for designated job titles.
The Lincoln Arts Center will present An Evening with Andy Beningo on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at 108S. Main St. in Rochelle.
Comedian Andy Beningo to perform at Lincoln Arts Center April 25
The Lincoln Arts Center will present An Evening with Andy Beningo on Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at 108S. Main St. in Rochelle.
On Wednesday, April 9, Rochelle Community Hospital had a presence at the Illinois State Capitol with a couple of staff joining the Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management's (AAHAM) Legislative "Leg" Day.
Rochelle Community Hospital participates in ‘Leg’ Day
On Wednesday, April 9, Rochelle Community Hospital had a presence at the Illinois State Capitol with a couple of staff joining the Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management's (AAHAM) Legislative "Leg" Day.
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Rochelle News-Leader — Sunday, April 20, 2025

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Police Reports

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Sports

Track & Field: Murphy sets new RTHS outdoor shot put record

Senior Erin Murphy launches her shot during the Rochelle Township High School track and field meet on Tuesday.
After setting a new school record in the shot put during the indoor season, Erin Murphy set a goal for herself to establish a new outdoor school record this spring.

Football: RTHS senior Lewis commits to North Park University

Senior Carson Lewis will be continuing his academics and his football career at North Park University next year.
Carson Lewis will be heading to the Windy City after graduating from Rochelle Township High School this spring.

Girls Soccer: Lady Hubs score first Interstate 8 win of season

Freshman Paige Harris looks to make a move around a LaSalle-Peru midfielder during the Rochelle Lady Hub soccer game on Wednesday.
Freshman Morgan DeLille delivered an equalizer that sparked a flurry of goals late in the first half as the Rochelle Lady Hubs sought their first Interstate 8 Conference win of the season during their varsity soccer match against LaSalle-Peru on Wednesday evening.
Sports
Rochelle senior Colton Czekala will be continuing his academics and his football career at Monmouth College next year.
Football: RTHS senior Czekala commits to Monmouth College
Rochelle senior lineman Colton Czekala will be changing positions when he takes the field for the Monmouth College football program next year.
Sophomore Johnny Andrist fires a pitch during the Rochelle Hub baseball game against Sycamore on Wednesday.
Baseball: Hubs collect six hits in home loss against Sycamore
The Rochelle Hubs were held to one run on six hits during the second game of their three-game Interstate 8 varsity baseball series against Sycamore on Wednesday evening.
Softball: Martinez leads Lady Hubs in road loss at Kaneland
Freshman Mya Martinez went 3 for 4 with three singles and two RBIs to lead the Rochelle Lady Hubs during their Interstate 8 Conference varsity softball game at Kaneland.
Boys Tennis: Doubles victories key Rochelle's road win at Kaneland
Success at the doubles courts continues to be a major theme for the Rochelle Hubs, who took all three of their doubles matches while earning a pair of singles wins to secure their Interstate 8 Conference varsity tennis victory against Kaneland on Tuesday evening.
Baseball: Hubs record 18 hits in Interstate 8 opener against Sycamore
The Rochelle Hubs rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score during their Interstate 8 varsity baseball series opener against Sycamore on Monday.
Freshman Abigail Dougherty kicks the ball during the Rochelle Lady Hub soccer match against Morris on Monday.
Girls Soccer: Dougherty scores as Lady Hubs fall against Morris
Freshman Abigail Dougherty booted in her first career varsity goal on Monday, when the Rochelle Lady Hubs faced off against Morris in Interstate 8 Conference action.
Opinion
Amy Heberling

Adding animals is a key ingredient to telling farm story

The majority of farms in Illinois are family-owned and consider themselves to be stewards of the land who care about feeding communities.

Reed Harris

Consider this: It’s up to us

I first want to apologize for all the doom and gloom.  But we do have options.  We still have a legislative branch that can do many things to change any outcome we see.  We need to push them into doing the job we elected them to do.  They have the option to conduct themselves as they were sworn in and follow the rules in the Constitution they were sworn to follow.  Will this be enough, and will they have time?  I pray so.

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Stan Popovich
Do you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression and do not know what to do to help them?
Ron Kern
Farmland is a finite resource. Once converted to other uses in most cases it cannot be reclaimed. The old days when some folks owned farmland as a tax write-off are gone. Once we moved past crop-share leases to cash rent leases those write-offs disappeared for landowners.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Fortunata “Rosa” Covelli Cassola
Fortunata ‘Rosa’ Covelli Cassola
Fortunata “Rosa” Covelli Cassola, 89, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, April 2, 2025 with her daughter by her side.
Charles O. Thorsen
Charles O. Thorsen
Charles O. Thorsen, of Lee, Illinois, passed away on April 6, 2025 at the age of 90. 
Mary Lou Kator
Mary Lou Kator
Mary Lou Kator, 81, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at her home in Rochelle, Illinois with family by her side. 
Delmer C. “Pastor Del” Keilman
Delmer C. Keilman
Delmer C. “Pastor Del” Keilman, 81, of Earlville, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on April 1, 2025. 
Barry Lee Sanders Sr.
Barry Lee Sanders Sr.
Barry Lee Sanders, Sr., 67, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, surrounded by his loved ones.

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A Springtime Twist on Classic Chicken Soup
(Family Features) This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup calls to mind those classic brothy soups from when you were a kid but with a flavorful spring twist. Serve with fresh cucumber sandwiches for a veggie-forward meal.
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(BPT) - Whether you've always had a green thumb or you're new to gardening, dreams of beautiful flowers spring to life this time of year. For inspiration, trusted seed packet company Ferry-Morse …
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