The Rochelle Lady Hub JV cheerleading team recently concluded a successful 2023-24 season.

Sophomore Deegan Schabacker’s increased focus has led to a starting role on the Rochelle Hub varsity wrestling team this season.

Sophomore Cammyla Macias was mentally tough as she took the mat for the first-ever Interstate 8 Conference Girls Wrestling Championships at Rochelle Township High School on Saturday.

The Rochelle Hub JV wrestling team won the Interstate 8 Conference meet at Rochelle Township High School on Saturday.

A new bowling ball and improved hooking techniques have allowed senior Kenzie Liezert to take a significant step forward for the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team this season.

At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council held discussion on a potential agreement with Teska Associates Inc. for consulting services to establish an Eastern Gateway tax increment financing (TIF) district and/or a business development district to aid in the development of the Caron Ridge Shopping Center, the former site of the Sullivan's Foods grocery store. 

There’s a hunger in America for civility. I hear it again and again from people who follow this column. They mourn its decline because they understand a crucial fact: Democracy dies when civility disappears.

The “State of Our Educator Pipeline 2023” report by Advance Illinois underscores the challenges in Illinois' education system and the urgent need to address the teacher shortage comprehensively. While recruiting more teachers is important, addressing teacher attrition, responsible for 90% of the demand, requires a deeper examination of root causes and strategies to retain high-quality educators.

On Thursday at the Ogle County community room in Rochelle, the 2024 winners of the From the Heart Cash Calendar were drawn by members of the organization’s board and representatives from nonprofits that From the Heart raises money for. Winners can be found in the Rochelle News-Leader and online at fromtheheartrochelle.org. 

Rochelle resident Arch Millotte served in the United States Air Force for 20 years from 1951-1971. 

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) opens its 2024 Community Needs Grant Cycle on Feb. 1, 2024 for all qualified non-profit agencies, organizations, schools, churches, government and municipality partners who serve the Rochelle, Kings, Chana, Lindenwood, Esmond, Steward and Creston areas.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) is honored to partner with Jeff Perry Autos through their December sales event coupled with donations. A portion of each vehicle purchased from Jeff Perry Autos was slated for the RACF Endowment Fund, which also included general donations, totaling $925.

Scholarships are available through the Rochelle Community Hospital Auxiliary to area students who are planning to pursue careers in the healthcare field. Five scholarships are available in 2024 which include the Ward A. and Mabel T. Miller Scholarship.

On Jan. 19 at 12:46 p.m. Hannah E. Fulara, 29, of Oglesby was cited for speeding 57 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone. She signed a promise to comply and was given a Feb. 16 Rochelle court date.

On Jan. 20 at approximately 5:08 a.m. deputies responded to a car in the ditch at the intersection of Eagle Point Road and Wilson Mill Road. After investigation, deputies placed Michael Geary, 30, of Polo under arrest for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of alcohol. Geary was additionally issued citations for no valid license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, disobeying a stop sign, and improper lane usage. Geary was transported to the Ogle County Jail where he was later released on a notice to appear with a future court date. 

Hector Z. Amador, 78, of Rochelle, IL passed away on January 21, 2024 in Rochelle, IL.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team adjusted its lineup during Friday afternoon's nonconference match against the short-handed Oregon Hawks.

Four members of the Rochelle Hub varsity basketball team reached double figures on Saturday, when the boys engaged in a high-scoring nonconference battle against the Streator Bulldogs.

Junior Cayden Moore scored a team-high 18 points to lead the Rochelle Hub varsity basketball team during Friday's Interstate 8 Conference game against Morris.

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team closed out its Interstate 8 Conference home-and-home series against Morris on Friday evening.

The Rochelle Wrestling Club sent nine athletes to the 2024 Hononegah Kids Classic on Sunday.

The Rochelle Wrestling Club sent a team of athletes to the 2024 Didi Duals at St. Viator High School on Saturday.

Area fire departments responded to a report of smoke at a greenhouse facility in Hillcrest on Friday evening, Rochelle Fire Department Lt. Jason Underwood said Saturday. 

On Jan. 16 at 6:42 a.m. Anthony R.G. Brass, 48, of Rochelle was cited for disobeying a stop sign. He signed a promise to comply and was given a Feb. 16 Rochelle court date.

On Jan. 16 at approximately 2:10 p.m. Kristopher Lowery, 29, of Rochelle, was arrested for an outstanding no bond Ogle County warrant for suspended registration. Lowery was transported to the Ogle County Jail where he will be held pending an appearance before a judge.