With a record crowd of 330 people on hand, the 17th Annual From the Heart Gala was held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the hangar at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle and raised $90,000 for nine area nonprofits, From the Heart Founder and President Dave Eckhardt said. That number tied a record amount raised in 2024.
At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education unanimously approved a bid of $746,050 from Stenstrom Construction in Rockford for remodeling work at the RTHS Library-Media Center (LMC). The work will begin in early June and conclude in early August.
The Rochelle VFW Post’s Queen of Hearts contest has reached a record number of $543,740 with nine cards remaining.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library hosted a Seed Swap Day. The event served as the 2025 kickoff for the seed library at the location, which is free and available to the public each day in its second year since its inception.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Rochelle Fire Department held a promotion and oath of office ceremony at Luna to commemorate a recent department expansion and establishment of the rank of captain. Promotions on Jan. 23 included Jason Underwood, Zach Prewett and Jeremy Good being named captains after previously serving as lieutenants.
At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a resolution earmarking $3.7 million in Northern Gateway tax increment financing (TIF) funds for a future Illinois Route 251 reconstruction and expansion project.
At its meeting on Dec. 9, 2024, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance extending a moratorium limiting the number of class B (bar) liquor licenses and the issuance of any new class B liquor licenses until May 1, 2027.
The City of Rochelle’s Public Works Department has seen a milder-than-usual winter so far this year, its director, Tim Isley said Jan. 17.
Rochelle Community Hospital’s Convenient Care department, which treats patients of all ages for minor illnesses and injuries with no appointment necessary, has seen an increase in viral illnesses over the past month, Family Nurse Practitioner Chenin Congrave Rude said Jan. 22.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board approved three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday evening, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education heard a report from Dean of Students Brett Zick, who presented new data regarding attendance numbers, December graduations and academic progress at RTHS.
After being put on hold due to cold eather and wind, the City of Rochelle expects its water tower project to be fully complete and painted around May 1, Rochelle Municipal Utilities Superintendent of Water/Water Reclamation Adam Lanning said Jan. 17.
Jose Huerta of Hillcrest served in the United States Army from 1969-1971. Huerta was a platoon sergeant in the Vietnam War.
At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard a report on 2024 numbers at The REC Center from Park District Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger.
On Friday, Jan. 17 at the Ogle County community room in Rochelle, the 2025 winners of the From the Heart Cash Calendar were drawn by members of the organization’s board and representatives from nonprofits that From the Heart raises money for. Winners can be found in the Rochelle News-Leader and online at fromtheheartrochelle.org.
February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, and juniors and seniors at Rochelle Township High School have access to 20 different CTE programs at Kishwaukee Education Consortium (KEC) at Kishwaukee College in Malta.
The fitness center in the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District’s REC Center has seen increased use since the start of 2025 with new members and New Year’s resolutions, Park District Director of Recreation Maureen Stevens and Fitness Manager Ellen Becker said Jan. 15.
The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library and the Ogle County Master Gardeners will host a Seed Swap Day at the library on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 2-4 p.m. The event will serve as the 2025 kickoff for the seed library at the location, which is free and available to the public each day in its second year since its inception.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education heard a district facility update from District Business Manager Kevin Dale.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony were held for the newly-branded BP gas station at 1180 N. 7th St. in Rochelle. The location was previously a Clark station.
At a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 9 at Oregon City Hall, three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size were detailed, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years.
The Rochelle Fire Department responded to 3,057 calls in 2024, RFD Chief Dave Sawlsville said Jan. 7. RFD responded to 3,129 calls in 2023 and that total number dropped by 72 calls in the year that followed.
Longtime variety comedian and actor Philip Earl “MooNiE” Johnson will be performing his new stand-up routine, ‘Get Me a Viking!’, on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Arts Center at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle. The event is one night only. Tickets are $25 and are available at VCCTrochelle.org or at the door until it’s sold out.
At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board unanimously approved the appointment of Patricia Garcia to a vacant trustee seat. Garcia was then sworn in by Village Clerk Dawn Bearrows.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Creston Village Board of Trustees heard a report from Village Building Inspector Aaron Moore on the building of new homes that has been taking place in the Creston Commons subdivision.