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On Tuesday, Jan. 14, a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony were held for the newly-branded BP gas station at 1180 N. 7th St. in Rochelle. The location was previously a Clark station. 
Ribbon cutting held Tuesday, Jan. 14 for BP at 1180 N. 7th St. in Rochelle
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony were held for the newly-branded BP gas station at 1180 N. 7th St. in Rochelle. The location was previously a Clark station. 
At a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 9 at Oregon City Hall, three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size were detailed, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years. 
Byron Nuclear Plant seeks enterprise zone incentives with capacity improvements coming
At a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 9 at Oregon City Hall, three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size were detailed, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years. 
The trustees of the Oregon Fire Protection District have announced plans for a $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the current fire station on Washington Street, located next to the river. This project, slated to begin in late spring pending city approval and financing, will significantly enhance the district’s capabilities without requiring any additional property tax levy.
Oregon Fire Protection District announces $4.1 million expansion project
The trustees of the Oregon Fire Protection District have announced plans for a $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the current fire station.
Sports

Girls Basketball: Polo Marcos earn All-Tournament Team honors

Polo High School varsity girls basketball players Cam Jones, Carlee Grobe and Laynie Mandrell received All-Tournament Team honors from the 2024 Polo Holiday Tournament held this past month. Polo took third in the tournament after a 67-21 win over Milledgeville.

Boys Bowling: Oregon Hawks take second at Dixon Toughman Tournament

The Oregon Boys bowling team competed at the Dixon Toughman Invitational at Plum Hollow Family Center, Dixon.
The Oregon High School varsity wrestling team placed fifth out of 60 schools in the 2024 Abe’s Rumble dual tournament in Springfield from Dec. 27-28.
Wrestling: Oregon Hawks take fifth at Abe's Rumble in Springfield
The Oregon High School varsity wrestling team placed fifth out of 60 schools in the 2024 Abe’s Rumble dual tournament in Springfield from Dec. 27-28.
The Stillman Valley High School varsity girls basketball team defeated Byron 45-40 to claim the championship during the 2024 KSB Dixon Holiday Classic from Dec. 26-28.
Girls Basketball: Stillman Valley Cardinals win 2024 KSB Dixon Holiday Classic
The Stillman Valley High School varsity girls basketball team defeated Byron 45-40 to claim the championship during the 2024 KSB Dixon Holiday Classic from Dec. 26-28.
The Byron High School varsity boys basketball team defeated Winnebago 55-53 on Friday, Dec. 20 to clinch its third consecutive Forreston Holiday Tournament title.
Boys Basketball: Byron Tigers win third straight Forreston Holiday Tournament title
The Byron High School varsity boys basketball team defeated Winnebago 55-53 on Friday, Dec. 20 to clinch its third consecutive Forreston Holiday Tournament title.
Wrestling: Oregon Hawks finish second at Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament
The Oregon High School varsity wrestling team finished second out of 16 schools at the 2024 Stillman Valley Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The Byron High School varsity wrestling team took second out of 14 schools at the 2024 Metamora Holiday Classic on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Wrestling: Byron Tigers take second at Metamora Holiday Classic
The Byron High School varsity wrestling team took second out of 14 schools at the 2024 Metamora Holiday Classic on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Polo eighth-grader Abram Garcia raced with the Dixon Distance Club during the 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships at the Blue River Cross Country Course in Indiana on Dec. 14.
Cross Country: Polo's Garcia earns USATF All-American honors
Polo eighth-grader Abram Garcia raced with the Dixon Distance Club during the 2024 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships at the Blue River Cross Country Course in Indiana on Dec. 14.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Hilda May Reeder
Hilda May Reeder
Hilda May Reeder, 99, of Polo, passed away Thursday, January 09, 2025, at Dixon Health Care Center in Dixon, IL.
Jacquelyn Petitt
Jacquelyn Petitt
Jacquelyn Petitt passed away peacefully December 12, 2024.
Janice Marie Maas
Janice Marie Maas
Janice Marie Maas, 77, passed away peacefully at Serenity Hospice and Home of Oregon, Illinois, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. 
Patricia “Pat” A. Jones, 89
Patricia ‘Pat’ A. Jones
Patricia “Pat” A. Jones, 89, longtime area resident, passed away in her home in Oregon, IL, on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Darlene Elizabeth Butterbaugh
Darlene Elizabeth Butterbaugh, 98, of Mount Morris, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at her home in Mount Morris.
Opinion

Polo, Forreston programs make noise

Let’s head to the western side of the county to see what’s up in winter sports. Two things stand out – Polo co-op wrestler Lucas Nelson and the Forreston boys basketball team.

Letter: Thanks for your generosity

The staff at our Rochelle ALDI have been meeting the special needs of their customers for years by purchasing gift cards to "help" customers when times are difficult.

Looking towards the basketball postseason

Fresh off their success on the football field, the Pecatonica boys are lighting up the basketball courts. Ranked No. 1 in 1A, the Indians have rolled to an 11-0 record and have only been tested once (56-54 win over 2A Normal U-High).
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