On Thursday, March 27 a ribbon cutting was held at 506 Lincoln Ave. in Rochelle for HitHub By Bennie Baseball. The training facility offers batting cage, plyo wall and pitching machine rentals along with baseball/softball instruction and facility rentals for team practices and parties.

At its March 10 meeting, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance amending its zoning code to allow for language on data centers and data warehousing. 

At the March 27 meeting of the Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Club, Rochelle VFW Post 3878 Commander Dennis Orlikowski presented the organization with a $4,250 donation from proceeds from the VFW’s recently-completed record Queen of Hearts game. The donation was accepted by Chet Olson of Kiwanis Golden K. 

Recent and future federal changes originating from the White House are not expected to have significant impacts on the City of Rochelle and its operations, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh told the News-Leader on March 26 in a conversation about federal funding cuts and potential tariffs. 

Thomas Plumb of Rochelle served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1959. He was in charge of a motor pool at 29 Palms Marine Base in California for most of his time in the service. 

At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council gave the go ahead on a new mural design that will be painted in the downtown area.

In an effort to keep the community informed and safe, Rochelle Community Hospital recently released information on measles, as the United States is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades.

At its March 11 meeting, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education unanimously approved a Stepping Stones Preschool fiscal year 2026 transition plan that will see it expand the district's preschool offerings and utilize the currently-vacant May Elementary School building for that purpose.

The Vince Carney Community Theatre will present ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ at the Lincoln Arts Center at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle on March 28-30 and April 4-5.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing township consolidation in bills that the state is currently considering.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard an update from Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger on a potential future Helms Park redevelopment project.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education unanimously approved a $102,229.74 bid from DeMoulin for 150 new marching band uniforms. 

The Rochelle Fire Department Social Organization will host its 102nd Annual Fireman’s Ball on Saturday, April 5 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the hangar at Flight Deck Bar & Grill at 1207 W. Gurler Road in Rochelle. 

BrightFarms will be suspending operations at its Rochelle greenhouse facility later this year, a March 5 Cox Enterprises press release said. BrightFarms is owned by Cox Enterprises. 

On Thursday, March 13, the Rochelle Hiring Expo, presented by the City of Rochelle, the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, Kishwaukee College and Rochelle Township High School was held at RTHS at 1401 E. Flagg Road.

At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees heard a report from Village Building Inspector Aaron Moore on recent demolition work that has been done at 201 and 203 Powers Road at the former bowling alley site after the ownership obtained another permit after their previous permit for demolition work expired.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education unanimously approved a Stepping Stones Preschool fiscal year 2026 transition plan that will see it expand the district's preschool offerings and utilize the currently-vacant May Elementary School building for that purpose.

On Monday, the deceased person was identified as Jill Bier, 67, of Oregon. Bier was a staff member at Oregon Elementary School, which was detailed by Oregon School District Superintendent PJ Caposey in a release to district families and confirmed by VanVickle.

At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council reviewed and discussed two potential designs for a proposed downtown mural. 

Ron Sondgeroth of Rochelle served in the United States Army from 1966-1968. He served in an artillery division in Vietnam on a two-year tour. 

The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation after receiving a call to an address Friday in rural Oregon with a report of a deceased person. 

On Wednesday, March 5, City of Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows and City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh presented their 2025 State of the City address at City Hall and live on Facebook. 

With move-in plans in place, the new Creston-Dement Public Library building at the corner of Main and Cederholm Streets is planned to open March 17, Library Board President Doug Kroupa said March 3.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Creston Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $4,164 bid from Blood Hound Underground Utility Locators for work on locating service lines as it hopes to alleviate rust issues in the village’s water system. 

There were no injuries and a home was a total loss after a structure fire on Wednesday afternoon in rural Ashton, Rochelle Fire Department Captain Zach Prewett said.