Norma Jean Rand, age 85, passed away Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Northwestern Hospital, McHenry, Ill., surrounded by family.

Reverend Bruce L. Hanson, age 75 of Garnavillo, IA passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Santa Ana, CA.

Congratulations to Rochelle Township High School athletic director Rich Harvey and assistant wrestling coach Nelson Baker, who were each presented with awards during the 2024 IWCOA Banquet this past weekend.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board unanimously denied a special use permit for one solar project, and unanimously approved another.

Judith “Judy” Carline (Pfeiffer) Wilmarth died April 12, 2024, in Walnut, IL at the age of 95.

Junior forward Jeannette Valle scored a first-half goal to help the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity soccer team keep pace during Wednesday’s Interstate 8 match against Ottawa.

The Rochelle Hub and Lady Hub track and field teams returned home for a coed Interstate 8 Conference meet against Ottawa and LaSalle-Peru on Wednesday evening.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team got its bats going in the late innings on Wednesday, when the purple and white hosted Kaneland in Interstate 8 Conference action.

Back-to-back two-run frames weren’t enough for the Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team to avoid another Interstate 8 Conference loss against Kaneland on Wednesday.

In 2001, I participated in Illinois Farm Bureau’s inaugural Market Study Tour to China. Our group visited a training kitchen where chefs were learning recipes featuring U.S. beef and pork products. In the kitchen’s cooler, I discovered the pork was from a facility in Waterloo, Iowa, where many of my own hogs were processed.

The long and bloody history leading to the war in Gaza brings to mind ancient Greek tragedies, in which the characters were helpless against fate, the laws of the universe, and their own mistakes. A similar feeling of tragic destiny hovers over Israel and the Palestinians. It arises in their case from human nature — and economics.

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

At its monthly meeting Monday, the Rochelle Township High School Board of Education unanimously approved lunch price changes for 2024-2025. Five menu items went up 10 cents in price, while all others remained the same.

Rochelle Township High School has established an emergency crisis response team due to a rise in out-of-hospital emergencies nationwide. 

On Friday, April 12, Seth Gelander, president, and Dave Gerber, treasurer, of the Rochelle Wildlife Conservation Club, made a heartfelt contribution to the Shriner’s Hospital in honor of Donald Vogeler.

On Saturday, April 13, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) hosted his art show reception and announced the winners of the 2024 16th Congressional District Art Competition. The 16th Congressional District Art Competition is an annual opportunity to showcase artistic high schoolers in central and northern Illinois. Rochelle Township High School’s Denia Rincon earned an honorable mention recognition for her piece “Motor Garden.”

On April 12 at 5:12 p.m. Pedro Torres Jr., 29, of Rochelle was cited for failure to yield, no insurance, and leaving the scene of an accident. He signed a promise to comply and was given a May 24 Rochelle court date.

On April 12 at approximately 10:50 a.m. deputies arrested Fazili Alonda, 27, of Rockford at the Ogle County Courthouse.  He was arrested on an outstanding warrant for driving on a revoked license (no bond).  He appeared in court, was released, and will return to court on May 13 at 1 p.m.

Diana C. Moreno was born December 25, 1945 in Chicago to James and Esther (nee Marx) Bateman.  She passed away April 12, 2024 at The Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights. 

Betty Skretteberg, 97, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Manor Court in Rochelle IL.

The community is encouraged to attend a tree planting at the Flagg Township Museum. The museum lost a tree on the west side of the building in 2023 and Girl Scouts from Troop 409 along with other Girl Scouts from Southern Ogle Service Unit will be planting a new tree at the museum on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m.

The Forge Wrestling Club continued its spring season with the 2024 Mukwonago Freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments at Mukwonago High School in Wisconsin on Saturday.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity soccer team concluded its Interstate 8 Conference series against Morris on Monday evening.

Freshman Dylan Etes walked and scored on a passed ball to help the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity softball team avoid an Interstate 8 Conference shutout against the unbeaten Sycamore Spartans on Monday evening.

The Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team teed off its Interstate 8 Conference series against Kaneland on Monday evening.