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No injuries after Monday morning fire at apartment complex on Irene Avenue in Rochelle

There were no injuries after a Monday morning fire at an apartment complex in Rochelle, Rochelle Fire Department Chief Dave Sawlsville said. 
There were no injuries after a Monday morning fire at an apartment complex in Rochelle, Rochelle Fire Department Chief Dave Sawlsville said. 
Community
Female juvenile airlifted to Rockford after being struck by train in Rochelle Tuesday night
A juvenile was airlifted to an area medical center after being struck by a train Tuesday night in Rochelle, a Wednesday morning Rochelle Police Department press release said.
Rochelle Community Hospital looks to its future with the improvement and expansion of the healthcare services it can offer the community. As the face of healthcare continues to rapidly advance, RCH is making plans to update and change its current facilities, while remaining its presence steadfast in the community.
RCH making campus changes to build on care
Rochelle Community Hospital looks to its future with the improvement and expansion of the healthcare services it can offer the community. As the face of healthcare continues to rapidly advance, RCH is making plans to update and change its current facilities, while remaining its presence steadfast in the community.
The Ogle County Republican Party recently confirmed that Pastor Corey Brooks will be the keynote speaker at its 2025 Lowden Day Dinner on Aug. 21 at The River’s Edge Experience in Oregon.
‘The Rooftop Pastor’ Brooks headlines Ogle GOP fundraiser Aug. 21 in Oregon
The Ogle County Republican Party recently confirmed that Pastor Corey Brooks will be the keynote speaker at its 2025 Lowden Day Dinner on Aug. 21 at The River’s Edge Experience in Oregon.
Sports
Former Rochelle student-athlete Alivia Henkel won the CCIW title in the 400-meter hurdles during her freshman season at North Central College. The victory came less than two years after Henkel suffered a cardiac arrest as a senior at RTHS.

Women's Track: Henkel's comeback story continues at North Central College

Last winter, former Rochelle student-athlete Alivia Henkel found herself fighting to survive.

Little League: 12U Softball All-Stars win Illinois Little League District 19 Championship

Rochelle Little League’s 12U Softball All-Stars went 3-0 to win the Illinois Little League District 19 Championship at Westwood Sports Complex in Sterling on Thursday night. The team includes Lilyan Erickson, Berkeley Thompson, Jaelyn Gonzales, Tinley Tabor, Annalyce Harris, Helen Miller, Molly Whiting, Madelynn McRoberts, Natalie Isley, Brynn Stinnett, Isabel Jackson and Macey Gittleson. The team is coached by James Jackson, Tim Thompson and Adam Erickson.
Rochelle Little League’s 12U Softball All-Stars went 3-0 to win the Illinois Little League District 19 Championship at Westwood Sports Complex in Sterling on Thursday night.

Little League: Junior Baseball All-Stars win Illinois Little League District 19 Championship

The Rochelle Little League Junior Baseball All-Stars went 3-0 over three games to claim the Illinois Little League District 19 Championship this season. The team includes Declan McKinney, Gabe Bybee, Garrett Miller, Gavyn Foster, Elijah Good, Joey Chadwick, Kolton Cragin, Mateo Medina, Mikey Chadwick, Nolan Zick, Riley Smith and Tyler Sutton. The team is coached by Dan Sutton, Will McKinney and Mike Medina.
The Rochelle Little League Junior Baseball All-Stars clinched the Illinois Little League District 19 Championship with a 21-4 win over Freeport at Tilton Park’s Elzie Cooper Field on Tuesday evening
Sports
Junior Ella Thompson passes the ball forward during the Rochelle Lady Hub volleyball team's summer camp on Tuesday afternoon.
Volleyball: Lady Hubs back on the court for high school summer camp
The Rochelle Lady Hub volleyball team shared the court with coaches and members of the Kishwaukee College women’s team on Tuesday afternoon, when returning and incoming RTHS players laced up for the second day of the team’s one-week high school camp.
VFW’s coaches are Rob Olszewski, John Cox and Jeff Noble. The team includes Landon Johnson, Paul Olszewski, James Bingham, Greyson Dettman, Cody Cox, Brayson Bouland, Wells Millard, Jackson Noble, Paul Martinez Jr., Kash Kannheiser, Royce Scott and Mason Fitzpatrick.
Little League: VFW wins 2025 Major League Baseball Championship Series
Rochelle Little League’s Major League Baseball City Championship Series concluded with the winner-take-all third game at Joe Doner Field on Wednesday evening.
Bennett Law, Roberto Bugarin, Eli Thompson, Gavin Smith and Chase Brown (left to right) all hit home runs over the fence as the Rochelle 561 Sluggers 12U team defeated the Huntley 47's 16-3 on July 1.
Baseball: Five players hit home runs as Rochelle 561 Sluggers 12U rolls over Huntley 47's
Five players blasted home runs over the fence to lead the Rochelle 561 Sluggers 12U baseball team against the 47’s 12U team at Huntley’s Warrington Park Fields on July 1.
Hunter Bivins (left) and Dominick Joyce (right) clear the hurdles during the 45th Annual RATC Invitational at RTHS on June 28.
Track & Field: 45th Annual RATC Invitational held at RTHS
The 45th Annual Rochelle Area Track Club Invitational was held at RTHS on Saturday, June 28.
Elias Andronic finished first in greco-roman wrestling at the 2025 USA Wrestling Kids Freestyle & Greco Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Wrestling: Andronics earn All-American honors at 2025 Kids Freestyle & Greco-Roman National Championships
Local athletes Elias and Nehemiah Andronic represented Rochelle and the Forge Wrestling Club during the 2025 USA Wrestling Kids Freestyle & Greco Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from June 27-29. The two brothers each earned All-American honors.
Former Rochelle student-athlete David Gerber played in all 11 games during his sophomore season at Monmouth College, carving out roles on special teams and offense.
Football: Gerber works into greater special teams, offensive roles at Monmouth College
A transformation in the weight room has led to more success on the football field for former Rochelle student-athlete David Gerber. A two-sport athlete in basketball and football at RTHS, Gerber has added around 30 pounds to his frame since graduating from high school.
Opinion
Ron Kern

Marveling at stupidity

My brain has frozen and is devoid of any original thought. Hoping to get an easy weekend coming up to rejuvenate and aching body and a sluggish brain.

Consider this: Questions for the White House

If it’s not obvious what type of government President Trump wants by now, then we aren’t listening, watching, and/or don’t care.  I would say to those still wondering that it’s a government where he can be the most powerful and dictate all that happens in America. 
I am a resident of Rochelle, in the congressman’s 16th district. I have some concerns I want to express as we approach July 4. I am used to seeing stories about dictators arresting people …
Sometime or another we will experience a time when we are alone. Some people fear of being alone for various reasons.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Linda Arjes
Linda Arjes, age 57, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 at her home in Lindenwood. 
Margie Lee (Turner) Reints, age 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, as well as her beloved husband Jim on July 5, 2025 surrounded by family.
Margie Lee (Turner) Reints
Margie Lee (Turner) Reints, age 86, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, as well as her beloved husband Jim on July 5, 2025 surrounded by family.
Dianna Lynn Moss (Reese)
Dianna Lynn Moss (Reese)
Dianna Lynn Moss (Reese), 58, of Rochelle, passed away on July 1st, 2025 in Rochelle, IL.
Marcia Jeanne Lawhorn
Marcia Jeanne Lawhorn
Marcia Jeanne Lawhorn, age 80,  joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her beloved Wilbur on Friday, July 4, 2025.
Edmund Leo Roberts
Edmund Leo Roberts
Edmund Leo Roberts, 80, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025 at his home in Rochelle, Illinois. 
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