Our much loved brother and friend, Gary Raymond Arends, passed away in his home in Elizabethtown, Kentucky on Jan. 8, 2024.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and Rochelle Community Hospital and the Rock River Valley Blood Center are working to raise awareness to increase donations amid a nationwide and regional blood shortage. 

In the last few days, the weather has been particularly bad, especially when you think about the past few years and the amount of snow we’ve had.  But, through it all, I have both given and received words and deeds of assistance in many ways.  Family, friends, and neighbors have all pitched in to try to help keep our feet on the ground and our vehicles on the roads, whenever possible.

The year was 1906 and Sears, Roebuck Company (Sears) had a problem. The catalog sales for building components was falling far short of expectations. Company President Richard W. Sears assigned Frank Kushel the task of correcting the situation, and fix it he did. Frank initiated a program of packaged homes. 

On Jan. 10 at approximately 9:20 a.m. deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident with an injury at the intersection of Mulford Road and Illinois Route 72.  After investigation, deputies learned that a black Hyundai passenger car driven by Briann Mccain-Bell, 19, of Rockford was traveling southbound on Mulford Road while approaching the Illinois Route 72 stop intersection. A black Peterbilt semi-truck tractor with a trailer of livestock, driven by Rick Phipps, 59, of Cannelton, Indiana was traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 72 approaching the Mulford Road intersection. The Hyundai then traveled through the intersection southbound without coming to a stop at the stop sign. The Peterbilt semi was unable to avoid the Hyundai and struck the front passenger side of the vehicle. The Peterbilt semi then traveled off of the south side of the roadway before striking a telephone pole and breaking it in half before coming to rest. The Peterbilt sustained heavy front-end damage and the Hyundai sustained heavy front-end damage. Mccain-Bell was transported to St. Anthony's Medical center for minor injuries by Stillman Valley EMS/Fire. Mccain-Bell was later issued citations for failure to yield at a stop intersection and too fast for conditions. Monroe Center EMS/Fire and COMED also assisted with the accident. 

Sophomore Freddie Hernandez used the advanced spladle technique to turn around his match against Sycamore’s Charlie Olson on Thursday evening, when the Rochelle Hub varsity wrestling team battled the Spartans in a crucial Interstate 8 Conference contest.

Lawrence Paul Hagemeyer was born March 19, 1947 in Rockford, IL.

Northern Illinois University recently announced its fall 2023 dean's list students.

At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees discussed the bids it received for its priority 1A water main project that will take place this year.

At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Rochelle Elementary School District Board of Education held a public hearing concerning its intent to sell an amount not to exceed $10 million in school fire prevention and safety bonds in the future for upcoming work at Tilton Elementary School.

Ogle County livestock farmer Brian Duncan of Polo was elected the new president of the Illinois Farm Bureau during the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 2-4.

Having practiced law in Ogle County since 1980 and served as Ogle County Resident Circuit for over 14 years, including three years as the Chief Judge of the 15th Circuit, my wife and I wish to endorse Chad Horner for Ogle County coroner. Chad has the experience and credentials we want in a public officer.

From coast to coast, the foundation of a thriving community is affordable housing.

The days go slow, but the years go fast. This rings true as I reflect on my leadership journey as I begin my ninth year as president at Kish.

The new year brings new artists to the Coliseum Museum of Art, Antiques & Americana (CMAAA) with exhibits by Scott Ide, Dick Cholke, Bob Cholke, and Betty Predmore.

Mapping out a succession plan to keep a farm in the family and family members on the farm is important. Farm family members must adopt a vision for keeping their farm operation in the family to pass onto future generations.

Sophomore guard Van Gerber drilled a trio of triples and sparked a 3-point shooting outburst from the Rochelle Hub varsity basketball team on Wednesday evening, when the boys hosted Sycamore in search of their first Interstate 8 Conference win of the season.

Hubert A. Fridge, a beloved member of the community, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024, at the age of 83 in Dixon, IL. Born on September 22, 1940, in Defuniak Springs, FL.

Robert E. (Bob) Bennett, formerly of Rochelle, passed from this life into eternity and the promise of a home prepared for the faithful believers, on November 23, 2023, in Easley SC.

On Jan. 5 at approximately 1:05 p.m. deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Rock Road and Mud Creek Road. After investigation, deputies placed Ricky Logan, 20, of Martinsville, Indiana, under arrest for an active Lee County contempt of court traffic warrant. Logan was transported to the Ogle County Jail where he was held in lieu of bond.

On Jan. 5 at 11:43 a.m. Shelli A. Delatorre, 55, of Rochelle was arrested on an outstanding Winnebago County warrant and transferred.

Americans believe that democracy is in danger—83% said so in an NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll in December of 2022. 45% of the participants felt that the threat came from Democrats. 49% blamed the Republicans.

Happy New Year! 2024 is here and the library is extremely busy with cool new programs for you.

On Dec. 12, Yngve “Morry” Johnson, a World War II veteran and longtime Malta/Creston-area corn, soybean and livestock farmer, passed away at the age of 99.

In a word, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern called the year that was 2023 “surprising” for farmers in Ogle County.