Dr. Thomas Champley recently retired from his position as Ogle County Animal Control administrator after 28 years of service. Champley was honored for his service since 1996 at the Ogle County Board’s Sept. 17 meeting. 

Sept. 18, 2024 marked one year since the elimination of cash bail statewide and in Ogle County due to the state’s SAFE-T criminal justice reform act. 

The Rochelle Police Department’s Pink Patch Project fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October is taking place again this year and sales of t-shirts and patches are underway. 

Julie Ellen Clucas, 65, of Brooklyn, NY, died September 7, 2024 in Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY. Born in DeKalb on July 20, 1959, she grew up in Creston and graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 1977.

On Sept. 18 at 1:19 p.m. deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 6,000 block of North Illinois Route 251. After a brief investigation, Jessica N. Britto, 34, of Davis Junction, was placed under arrest for driving while license revoked. Britto was transported to the Ogle County Jail where she was booked and released on a notice to appear with a future court date. Britto was additionally issued citations for no insurance and driving while suspended registration.

On Sept. 17 at 12:32 a.m. Emilio S. Nava, 23, of Rochelle was cited for disobeying a traffic control device. He signed a promise to comply and was given an Oct. 18 Rochelle court date.

The Rochelle Municipal Utilities (RMU) Electric Department has been awarded a $150,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The grant, aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions and promoting energy efficiency, will help RMU implement critical energy-saving initiatives in the community.

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the Fall 2024 semester. The Foundation awarded 333 scholarship awards totaling $267,574.

The City of Rochelle along with Kishwaukee College, Small Business Development Center of Illinois, and Waubonsee Community College are hosting an informational session for marketing your small business in English and Spanish on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall at 420 N. 6th St. in Rochelle.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation for service for Ogle County Animal Control Administrator Dr. Thomas Champley, who is retiring. Champley has served the county as animal control administrator for 28 years after being hired in 1996.

There's never been a more stressful time to be a teacher. I say that as someone who worked in K-12 schools for more than 20 years, first as a teacher and then as a principal.

Seems in the world today everything is public and the word privacy appears to vanish into thin air. I’ve watched over the decades how government and their agencies disregard folks’ private property rights to the tune that now even our neighbors think they have some right over your property.

The St. Paul Lutheran School cross country team traveled for the Rockford Lutheran Invitational earlier this week.

Junior Ian Metzger fired a new season-best score for nine holes on Thursday, when the Rochelle Hub varsity golf team hosted Genoa-Kingston at Fairways Golf Course.

Junior Declan McGee and freshman Tyler Johnson were the clear frontrunners on Thursday evening, when the Hub duo surged ahead of the field and raced neck and neck for the outright victory during the annual Rochelle Cross Country Invitational at Skare Park.

Success at the doubles courts was what fueled the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity tennis team during its nonconference home match against Sterling on Wednesday evening.

Junior goalkeeper Antonio Hueramo recorded six saves as the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team shut out Morris on Wednesday for its first Interstate 8 win this season.

The Rochelle Hub varsity golf team fielded eight players during its Interstate 8 Conference finale against the Ottawa Pirates at Fairways Golf Course on Tuesday evening.

The Oregon High School varsity boys soccer team won 1-0 over Dixon on Wednesday, Sept. 11 behind a goal from Steven Guardado and an assist from Danny Chisamore.

Senior Sydney Carmichael accounted for both wins the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity tennis team scored during Tuesday evening’s Interstate 8 match against the Morris Redskins.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity volleyball team was in sync and capitalizing on mistakes during the early portion of its Interstate 8 match against Sycamore on Tuesday night.

After several years of dedicated service, Officer Sydney Jackson will be deployed with the National Guard this fall. Officer Bart Silva, a certified SRO with two years of experience serving the Rochelle Police Department, will fill the role until Officer Jackson’s return next fall.

On Sept. 8 a grand opening was held for Positive Esthetics by Ashley at the business’s new location at 951 S. 7th St. Suite D in Rochelle. The business offers services from eyebrow waxing to facials to Brazilian waxes.

Celesta Shannon Reed, 99, of Steward, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, September 13, 2024, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law.

James D. Reed, 73, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center in Franklin Grove, Illinois.