Family, friends, and members of Boy Scout Troop #64 gathered at the Steward United Methodist Church on July 14 for a National Court of Honor as Logan Frye was officially awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. 

Nancy Sue Thorne, 87, of Rockford, passed away on July 20, 2024, at River Bluff Nursing Home, after a long illness.

Cole Jacob Ramos, 37, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Rochelle, and he is now at peace in Heaven with his loving Lord. 

Marcia Ruth Goelitz, 92, of Esmond, Illinois passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024, in her new home in Monroe Center, Illinois.

On July 30, Ogle County Clerk and Recorder Laura J. Cook announced the recipients of a Polling Place Accessibility Grant from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Rochelle Township High School hosted the 5th Annual Rochelle Summer Tennis Tournament from July 26-27. A total of 145 athletes from 55 cities assembled to compete in the annual event, which featured 12 divisions for athletes ranging from children through seniors.

On July 26 at approximately 11:53 p.m. deputies responded to the 7,000 block of East Illinois Route 64 for a single-vehicle motorcycle accident. After an investigation it was determined that a 2009 Harley Davidson Softail being operated by Dennis A. O’Sullivan, 48, of Sycamore, had a headlight malfunction causing the motorcycle to travel off the roadway and crash into the south ditch. O’Sullivan was transported to Javon Bae Hospital - Riverside by the Oregon Fire Department for injuries sustained in the accident.

On July 26 at 10:55 p.m. Francisco Felipe, 43, of Rochelle was arrested on an outstanding Ogle County warrant. He paid $401 and was released.

At its July 22 meeting, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to hold a future public hearing for the potential designation of a new tax increment financing (TIF) district at the Caron Ridge Shopping Center, the former site of Sullivan's Foods that has been vacant for seven years.

A vehicle was a total loss after a car fire in Rochelle on Saturday morning, Rochelle Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Edwards said.

Calvary Lighthouse Church in Hillcrest will be hosting a seven-day Cornfield Tent Revival Aug. 7-14 every night at 7 p.m. The signs and wonders conference will take place at 14409 E. Hemstock Road. and events will also be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 11-14.

Former Rochelle student-athlete Megan Thiravong closed out her junior season with the Saginaw Valley State University women’s golf team by stringing together some of her best rounds as a collegiate player.

William (Bill, Billy, Mr. Nye, The Science Guy) Gore Nye Sr., beloved father, grandfather, friend and partner, passed away on July 11, 2024 at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 82. 

On July 26 at 7:41 a.m. deputies conducted a traffic stop on North Walnut Street and West 2nd Street in Byron. As a result, deputies arrested Francisco Esquivel-Cruz, 54, of Loves Park for driving while license revoked. Francisco-Cruz was additionally issued a citation for operation of a vehicle with registration suspended. Francisco-Cruz was transported to the Ogle County Jail, where he was released on a notice to appear with a future court date.

On July 23 at 5:01 a.m. Alejandro Ortega-Sanchez, 48, of Malta was cited for speeding. He signed a promise to comply and was given an Aug. 16 Rochelle court date.

Terry Galen Petry, 80, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at his home in rural Rochelle, IL with family by his side. 

The Rochelle Chamber of Commerce recently presented its Lawn of the Week award for the week of July 25 to Dale and Megan Wells. They received a sign and a $25 Rochelle ACE Hardware gift card, presented by Rochelle Ace Hardware Manager Jesse Lopez.

Candidate packets for three four-year full-term council members in the City of Rochelle will be available in the City Clerk’s Office at Rochelle City Hall located at 420 N. 6th St. Petitions may be circulated beginning July 30.

At its June 24 meeting, the Rochelle City Council unanimously approved a bid from Larson & Larson Builders for a $251,950 Rochelle Police Department locker room improvement project.

Following above-average rainfall levels in Ogle County and mild temperatures this summer, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said July 25 that crops in the area are looking “exceptionally well.”

On Thursday, July 25, a ribbon cutting was held in the downtown Rochelle gazebo area to mark the new membership of Clearly Exteriors to the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.

The extreme heat that recently blanketed the United States is a clear sign of climate change. But rising temperatures are fueling more than just hotter summers. Climate change is contributing to the spread of drug-resistant infections. And alarmingly, the medicines we use to fight those pathogens are losing their effectiveness.

Carpenter Media Group (CMG) and News Media Corporation (NMC) announced July 25 plans for CMG to manage, and with an option to acquire, NMC.

Summer means one thing...it’s fair season!

Whether she was in the back row, setting the ball or taking big swings on the front line, former Rochelle volleyball standout Sylvia Hasz was a versatile weapon throughout her three years with the Lady Hubs, all of which resulted in Interstate 8 All-Conference First Team recognition.