This year the national organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, celebrates 125 years of service from 1899 to 2024. Theirs is an impressive history of commitment to our nation both at home and abroad. In Rochelle the Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 celebrates 80 years of service from 1944 to 2024. The birthday celebration will be held at the museum on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. with a presentation by Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 official, Quartermaster Joe Drought.

The Ogle County Republican Party recently delivered its final batch of the election season of donated goods to Lifeline Food & Self-Help Project in Oregon, concluding a campaign that raised goods for the needy in exchange for Trump/Vance lawn signs.

The Hansen’s Halloween House is set to host a spooktacular haunting for all ages! This family-friendly event will take place at 1021 4th Ave. from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31.

St. Paul Lutheran Church awarded scholarships to three students on July 21.

St. Paul Lutheran School recently released its honor roll information for the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year. 

On Oct. 17, 100 Women Who Care of Ogle County met at Pine Grove at Pinecrest in Mt. Morris and voted to donate $10,500 to HOPE of Ogle County.

We’re still “Getting down to business in Rochelle.” As part of our ongoing project at the museum to present information about the business history of Rochelle – “Getting down to business in Rochelle” a reception for the new chapters – Chapter 2: 1869-1875 and Chapter 3: 1876-1880 – will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.

The Village of Progress held its Annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 9 at St. Mary’s Leaning Center, Oregon. It celebrates the accomplishments of those who attend the Village and the many volunteers who donate their time and talent.

The 2024 Ogle County Farm Stroll took place on Sunday, Oct. 13, with six farms opening their doors to the public. The farms on the stroll were Barnhart's Stone Corner, BerryView Orchard, Dietrich Ranch, Happily Homegrown, Hough's Maple Lane Farm, and Orion Organics.

Rochelle Township High School student Laila Vazquez recently received the Rochelle Rotary Service Above Self Award for September.  

The Presbyterian thrift shop was established in April of 1974. The shop was a vision of several church members including Mrs. Lawrence Sassaman, Mrs. Daniel Tilton, Mrs. Mark O. Tilton, Mrs. Lawrence Tastad, Mrs. Kepner, Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Jeff Allen.

This year's Ogle County Farm Stroll will be on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As a locally-owned and headquartered community bank, Stillman Bank values every opportunity to give back to their communities. In partnership with FHLBank Chicago and its Community First® Program, they are honored to award Little Hubs Learning Center an Accelerate Grant for Small Businesses, totaling $15,000.

On Sept. 29, 2024, at 4:17 p.m. the Monroe Township Fire Protection District was dispatched for a reported structure fire involving a barn in the 3,000 block of Bennett Rd in Esmond.

The Ogle County Health Department (OCHD) has confirmed the first positive bird for West Nile Virus (WNV) reported in Ogle County for 2024. A dead crow found in Rochelle tested positive for WNV after being sent to the IDPH laboratory for testing.

Rochelle Township High School recently named its 2024 Homecoming Court candidates.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) recently announced the creation of The Todd Ackland Legacy Fund, established to celebrate the life and legacy of local pastor Todd Ackland.

The Rochelle Municipal Utilities (RMU) Electric Department has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The grant, aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions and promoting energy efficiency, will help RMU implement critical energy-saving initiatives in the community.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the Fall 2024 semester. The Foundation awarded 333 scholarship awards totaling $267,574.

The City of Rochelle along with Kishwaukee College, Small Business Development Center of Illinois, and Waubonsee Community College are hosting an informational session for marketing your small business in English and Spanish on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall at 420 N. 6th St. in Rochelle.

After several years of dedicated service, Officer Sydney Jackson will be deployed with the National Guard this fall. Officer Bart Silva, a certified SRO with two years of experience serving the Rochelle Police Department, will fill the role until Officer Jackson’s return next fall.

On Sept. 8 a grand opening was held for Positive Esthetics by Ashley at the business’s new location at 951 S. 7th St. Suite D in Rochelle. The business offers services from eyebrow waxing to facials to Brazilian waxes.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of Sept. 14 to Ben and Jen Manning. The couple received a sign and a $25 Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware Manager Jesse Lopez.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Fiesta Hispana was held in downtown Rochelle. The event, in its sixth year, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

Stillman Bank recently ended their “Purchase with a Purpose” Debit Card campaign in which a $1 donation was made to local charities with every Stillman Bank Debit Card transaction up to $15,000.