Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  At the library, we love books and reading.  So many people in our community share our love of reading. 

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Creston Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a $14,404 bid from Queens Trucking & Construction for the demolition of a home in disrepair that the village acquired at 308 E. North St. 

At the beginning of its club year in October, Will McLachlan became the new president of the Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Club, succeeding Ric Taylor. 

The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the Spring 2024 semester. The foundation awarded 196 scholarship awards totaling $181,972.

Shirley Ann Rainwater went to her Heavenly home on February 7, 2024.

Byron Middle School saw a brief lockdown on Wednesday morning after a report of a person carrying an item resembling a gun case was made by a student, Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said.

Being in recovery, especially in the early stages, has its ups and downs. Dating is not necessarily a top priority for everyone, but it’s nice to have companionship.

Finding and affording labor are among the top challenges Illinois farmers, suppliers and processors tell me they face in 2024.

The 16th annual From the Heart Gala & Auction was held Saturday, Feb. 3 at the hangar at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle. The event saw 311 people attend and raised a record $90,000, breaking its previous mark of $80,000 in 2023.

On Friday, Feb. 2, a groundbreaking ceremony was held by the City of Rochelle and New Directions Housing Corporation at 405 Lake Lida Lane in Rochelle for The Grove, a new family housing complex. 

On Feb. 2 at 12:58 p.m. Brandon S. Bergman, 36, of Rochelle was arrested on an outstanding DeKalb County warrant. He was released on a notice to appear with a Feb. 13 court date.

The Rochelle Township High School Speech Team competed in the IHSA Regional at DeKalb on Saturday, Feb. 3.  As a team Rochelle placed second behind DeKalb.

On Feb. 2 at approximately 2:39 p.m. deputies responded to the intersection of Freeport Road and Illinois Route 52 for the report of a two-vehicle accident between a truck and a semi. Upon further investigation it was learned the pickup truck drove through the stop sign and impacted with the semi. Driver of the pickup truck, Joseph Emmerson, age age 52 of Rockford, was cited for disregarding a stop sign. No injuries were sustained from the accident. Ogle County Deputies were assisted by Polo EMS, Ogle County Emergency Management, and Polo Police Department.

Chris A. Hildredth, 59, of Rochelle passed away Feb. 2, 2024.

Elda Mae Jordal, 96, died on Friday, February 2, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Barbara J. Byrd, 87, of Rochelle died February 5, 2024 at the Rochelle Community Hospital.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team had the Rochelle community and the school behind it as the purple and white took the court against Sandwich on Monday.

Senior bowler Kenzie Liezert fired five strikes over her first six frames to roll a season-best 212 in the fifth game of the IHSA Rockford East Regional at Don Carter Lanes on Saturday.

The Rochelle Middle School Lady Royal basketball teams took the court this past week for games against Belvidere South and Burlington Central.

The Rochelle Hub varsity basketball team was without several players including one starter on Friday evening, when the purple and white traveled for an Interstate 8 Conference matchup against LaSalle-Peru.

The Rochelle Wrestling Club sent 17 athletes to the 2024 St. Charles Battle for the Shield on Sunday, Feb. 4.

The Rochelle Hub varsity wrestling team crowned four individual champions and brought home the team title during Saturday’s IHSA 2A Rochelle Regional.

On Jan. 30 at approximately 8:47 p.m. deputies responded to the intersection of Illinois Route 251 and Illinois Route 64 for a reported two-vehicle crash. After a brief investigation, it was determined that a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, driven by Daniel Miller, 75, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin, was westbound on Illinois Route 64 and disregarded the stop sign at Illinois Route 251. A Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Priscilla Rodriguez, 38, of Rockford, was southbound on Illinois Route 251 and was struck in the intersection on the driver's side by the Ram pickup. Rodriguez was extricated from her vehicle and transported to a local hospital by Rochelle Fire for suspected non-life-threatening injuries. Miller was cited for failure to obey a stop sign and was released on scene by medical personnel. Miller shall appear in court at a later date. Ogle County Deputies were assisted by the Illinois State Police, Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire and Rochelle Fire. 

On Jan. 29 at 8:31 a.m. Caitlin L. Holt, 27, of Rochelle was cited for no valid registration. She signed a promise to comply and was given a March 1 Rochelle court date.

Carol L. Weidmann, of Rochelle, IL, passed away Monday evening, January 29, 2024, at The Moorings Nursing Home of Arlington Heights.