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.

Three people were transported via ambulance with “serious, but not life-threatening” burn injuries early Tuesday morning suffered from an incident with a propane heater outside of Silgan Containers at 400 N. 15th St. in Rochelle, Rochelle Fire Department Chief Dave Sawlsville said. 

Frank Schermerhorn was on the Rochelle High School track team in 1936. After graduation he was employed in the plastering trade with his father. F.W. Schermerhorn. Dec. 7, 1941 changed Frank’s life. On Dec. 8, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corps. How his experiences changed him is difficult to tell, “he never talked about the war.” Fortunately, there are records which give us a glimpse into a small part of the price he paid in the service of his country.

Small Business Bingo raised $3,540 to be split between nonprofits Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County and the Hub City Senior Center at its final event of this season on Thursday, Jan. 2 at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hangar in Rochelle, Event Organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said. 

The City of Rochelle hopes to see a data center development within the city limits in coming years, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Dec. 18. 

The City of Rochelle’s planned 2025 work includes a downtown improvement project, work on the intersection of Flagg Road and 20th Street, other infrastructure projects and work to attract new businesses.

A look back at some of the top Rochelle News-Leader stories of the past year

In November, Pure Flavor (formerly MightyVine) invited representatives from the City of Rochelle to Windsor, Ontario, Canada to see a similar facility that could be built in Rochelle. Pure Flavor currently operates a greenhouse in Rochelle and is considering expansion, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh told the News-Leader Dec. 18.

A look back at some of the top Rochelle News-Leader stories of the past year

The City of Rochelle’s 2024 work included the addition and replacement of public safety staff, preparation for a 2025 downtown-area improvement project, the establishment of a new tax increment financing (TIF) district for the former site of Sullivan’s Foods, and new intergovernmental agreements. 

Kyle Arreguin of Rochelle served active duty in the United States Navy from 2008-2010 and has served in the Navy Reserves ever since. 

At its Dec. 19 meeting, The Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Club held a drawing for its annual cash raffle fundraiser. The raffle raised $18,600. The cost was $20 per ticket and a maximum of 1,500 tickets were sold. Tickets included over $200 in coupons to local businesses.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Rochelle Community Hospital hosted a Holiday Drive-Thru Dinner for anyone in need. 200 free dinners were served, RCH Marketing, Foundation & Organizational Development Manager Michelle LaPage said.

The Rochelle Moose Lodge at 311 N. Main St. celebrated its 95th birthday in May 2024, but Deb Bolin, its administrator, said Dec. 17 it’s currently in danger of closing due to financial difficulties. The Rochelle Moose is a members-only club and is seeking support, patronage and donations from its current members, along with new members, to keep its doors open. 

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board approved a special use permit for a solar project in the area of Haldane by a 13-11 vote. Haldane is located between Forreston and Polo. 

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education unanimously approved a new compensation plan for its maintenance department.

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District Board of Commissioners heard a recap of operations in 2024 presented by Park District Executive Director Jackee Ohlinger as the year comes to a close.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, a ribbon cutting ceremony event was held for Rochelle Book Hub for its new membership to the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. 

On Thursday, Dec. 12, Community Action Network (CAN) held its annual shopping trip for families in need in the Rochelle community at the First Presbyterian Church.

At Wednesday's monthly meeting of the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees, Village Engineer Kaitlin Wright of Baxter & Woodman said that Hillcrest's Priority 1A water main project is complete. 

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education unanimously approved a programming change at Stepping Stones Preschool that will see all six classrooms moving to a five day per week schedule in the spring semester. 

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the City of Rochelle presented a facade grant check for $4,537.50 to Rudy Hernandez, the owner of the Lincoln Mall building at 425 Lincoln Highway in Rochelle.