Two people are dead following a June 14 shooting incident in Polo, a June 16 Ogle County Sheriff’s Office press release said.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard an update from Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger on the June 5 fall of an electric pole at Spring Lake Pool during open hours.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education approved multiple end-of-year actions as the new fiscal year approaches.

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce held its 55th annual golf outing on Thursday at Fairways Golf Course in Rochelle. The sold-out event saw 158 golfers and 30 hole sponsorships, Chamber Executive Director Tricia Herrera said. 

At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees held a public hearing and tabled a vote on the renewal of a special use permit for the construction and operation of a 49-megawatt solar farm north of Twombly Road.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education heard an update from District Superintendent Jason Harper on the status of its HUB Program.

At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a $286,682 bid from DPI Construction, Inc. for the construction of a pocket park at 517 W. 4th Ave. The DPI Construction bid was the lower of two bids the city received and $16,682 higher than the engineer's estimate for the work.

Rochelle’s Dale Galland served in the United States Army 1965-1967.

John Combs of Rochelle passed away at age 24 on Oct. 4 after being struck by a train in Montgomery, Alabama. His passing is shrouded in uncertainty due to missing details and out-of-character behavior he exhibited in the days that led up to it. 

Foundation for Focus House recently released the names of four area students that will be receiving scholarships from its 2025 application cycle.

The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library kicked off its Summer Reading program on Wednesday. The theme this year is Level Up at Your Library. The library has hosted a summer reading program for over 50 years to offer area kids a place to go and activities while they’re on summer break from school. You do not need a library card to participate in summer reading programs.

Theresa Crystal retired in May after 22 years at RMS, teaching math, writing and social studies.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Creston Village Board unanimously approved the awarding of a $290,734.80 bid to Martin & Company Excavating for an upcoming storm sewer project.

Rochelle VFW Post 3878 has commissioned a new mural on the back of its building and work started on May 27. The mural will be painted by local artist Mat Steder of Steder Tattoo and will depict a bald eagle, an American Flag, service members and the post’s name.

On Thursday, May 29, a ribbon cutting was held in Rochelle in the parking lot of Runnings for Little O’s Frozen Treats. The mobile business serves up frozen custard and more and has been serving around the area for three years.

At its May 12 meeting, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a special use permit for a new childcare center planned for 450 Coronado Drive in Rochelle. The location was previously a medical facility and has been vacant for a few years. 

The City of Rochelle and Rochelle Municipal Utilities recently installed new poles and lights at the softball field at the Rochelle Little League facility at Tilton Memorial Park. The project was a partnership between the city, Rochelle Little League and the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District.

At its April 28 meeting, the Rochelle City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution amending and extending an agreement with the Greater Rochelle Economic Development Corporation (GREDCO) through May 2027. GREDCO works with the city and the Lee County Industrial Development Association (LCIDA) to foster economic growth. 

At its meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a $125,000 engineering services agreement with BHMG Engineers, Inc. for scoping a new electric turbine. The decision came as Rochelle Municipal Utilities continues to study future generation capacity in Rochelle.

Don Romes of Rochelle served in the United States National Guard from 1956-1964.

On Saturday, Rochelle Township High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 outdoors on the football field. There were 204 graduating seniors. 

Currently in the display case at the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library are woodworking pieces made by Rochelle resident Steve Dilling, who has carved more than 100 pieces over nearly 40 years.

Ann Marie Jinkins began her career at Rochelle Township High School in 1992 after graduating from the University of Illinois, when the school was in need of an English teacher that could teach one section of Spanish for a year. She retired from the school this May after 33 years at RTHS and 22 as its librarian.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board tabled a resolution in potential support of State Senate Bill 0045, which seeks to ban steer tailing. 

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners saw the swearing in of recently re-elected Commissioners Dale Wells and BT Carmichael. Board President Tim Hayden was not present at the meeting and will be sworn in privately at a later date.