More local news
On Monday, the deceased person was identified as Jill Bier, 67, of Oregon. Bier was a staff member at Oregon Elementary School, which was detailed by Oregon School District Superintendent PJ Caposey in a release to district families and confirmed by Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle.
Ogle County Sheriff’s Office: Death of Oregon woman under investigation
On Monday, the deceased person was identified as Jill Bier, 67, of Oregon. Bier was a staff member at Oregon Elementary School, which was detailed by Oregon School District Superintendent PJ Caposey in a release to district families and confirmed by VanVickle.
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation after receiving a call to an address Friday in rural Oregon with a report of a deceased person. 
Death investigation underway after report of deceased person in rural Oregon
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation after receiving a call to an address Friday in rural Oregon with a report of a deceased person. 
With move-in plans in place, the new Creston-Dement Public Library building at the corner of Main and Cederholm Streets is planned to open March 17, Library Board President Doug Kroupa said March 3.
New Creston-Dement Public Library planned to open March 17
With move-in plans in place, the new Creston-Dement Public Library building at the corner of Main and Cederholm Streets is planned to open March 17, Library Board President Doug Kroupa said March 3.
Sports

Wrestling: Ogle County athletes medal at IWCOA Fresh/Soph & Girls Sectional

Oregon High School sent seven wrestlers to the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls Sectional in Sterling.
Ogle County athletes earned medalist honors during the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls Sectional at Sterling on Sunday. Wrestlers from Byron, Oregon, Rochelle, Polo and Stillman Valley advanced to the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls State Championship meet.

Wrestling: Ogle County middle-schoolers medal at IESA State Championship

Oregon's Jacksyn Windham finished first in the IESA State Championship at NIU's Convocation Center this past weekend.
Ogle County was well represented during the 2025 IESA State Championship at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center over the weekend, when middle-schoolers from Byron, Oregon, Stillman Valley and Polo earned medalist honors for their wrestling skills.

Wrestling: Ogle County youth athletes medal at IKWF State Championship

Eight members of the Stillman Valley Wrestling Club competed in the 2025 IKWF State Championship at the Peoria Civic Center over the weekend. Four athletes earned medalist honors and Evan Ross brought home a state championship in the Boys Intermediate 55 Division.
Byron's Caden Considine avoids the outstretched hand of defender Gavin Lanham during the IHSA 2A Sectional Semifinal against Princeton on Wednesday.
Boys Basketball: Princeton holds off Byron in IHSA 2A Sectional Semifinals
The Byron Tigers looked to be in full control after taking a 10-point lead during the third quarter of the IHSA 2A Marengo Sectional Semifinal against Princeton on Wednesday.
The Stillman Valley Cardinals take the floor before their IHSA 2A Super Sectional against Peoria Notre Dame on Monday evening.
Girls Basketball: Stillman Valley's record-setting season concludes in IHSA 2A Super Sectional Championship
The Stillman Valley Cardinal basketball team saw its record-setting season come to a conclusion during the IHSA 2A Super Sectional at Bureau Valley High School on Monday.
The Stillman Valley High School varsity girls basketball team won the IHSA 2A Rock Falls Sectional Championship on Thursday, defeating Byron 47-45. The team includes Olivia Voltz, Joslyn Nanni, Nola Ivy-Friberg, Lillian Green, Amelia Dunseth, Taylor Davidson, Emma Withers, Abby Gilliam, Addisyn Faerber, Alyvia Bagg, Dailene Wade, Brooklyn Lee and Brooke Jordal. The team is coached by Bobby Mellon.
Girls Basketball: Stillman Valley outlasts Byron to claim IHSA 2A Sectional Championship
An emotional Taylor Davidson said it felt like a dream as she and her Stillman Valley teammates celebrated their IHSA 2A Rock Falls Sectional Championship win Thursday.
Taylor Davidson
Stillman Valley's Davidson named to 2025 IHSA Academic All-State team
Congratulations to Ms. Taylor Davidson for being selected to the All-State Academic Team. 
The Byron High School varsity boys basketball team took down Rockford Lutheran 64-51 on Friday to claim the IHSA 2A Regional Championship at Marian Central Catholic.
Boys Basketball: Byron Tigers win IHSA 2A Regional Championship
The Byron High School varsity boys basketball team took down Rockford Lutheran 64-51 on Friday to claim the IHSA 2A Regional Championship at Marian Central Catholic.
The Oregon High School wrestling team defeated Sterling Newman 39-30 during the IHSA 1A Dual Sectional at the Blackhawk Center on Tuesday.
Wrestling: Oregon holds off Sterling Newman to win IHSA 1A Dual Sectional
The Oregon High School wrestling team built a large lead at the lighter weights and fought off a late surge at the heavier weights Tuesday evening, when the Hawks faced Newman Central Catholic during the IHSA 1A Dual Sectional at the Blackhawk Center.
Find us on Facebook
Obituaries
Obituaries
Max Wenzel
Max Wenzel
Max Wenzel, 84, born January 19, 1941, resident of this community for many years passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Dolores M. Larson
Dolores M. Larson
Dolores M. Larson, 87, of Shabbona, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Manor Court of Rochelle.
Doris Jean Elliott
Doris Jean Elliott
Doris Jean Elliott, 89, of Oregon IL,  passed away on March 6th, 2025 following a brief illness.  
Trudy Lynn Karrow
Trudy Lynn Karrow, age 60, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Sterling, Illinois, under the care of Serenity Hospice.
Jesus Alvarado
Jesus Alvarado
Jesus Alvarado, age 77, died at his home, Friday, February 28, 2025.
Opinion

Stall tactics in basketball

The stall tactics employed by Eastland in an upset sectional win over Pecatonica remain a hot topic of discussion. One side believes that a shot clock is needed and what Eastland did could be construed as poor gamesmanship.

Political letter policy

The Ogle County Life has implemented a new political letter policy.

Letter: Why tariffs?

In recent speech to Congress, Trump said: “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again.”
Special Sections
Web extra content