More local news
On March 6 at the Byron City Council meeting, Sgt. Jeremy Boehle was appointed as police chief for the City of Byron by Mayor John Rickard.
Boehle appointed to Byron Police chief after 26 years with the department
At its March 6 meeting, the Byron City Council appointed and swore in Jeremy Boehle as the new Byron Police Department Chief. Boehle previously held the rank of sergeant within the department he has served for 26 years. 
At its meeting on March 6, the Byron City Council and Mayor John Rickard recognized retiring Byron Police Department Chief Todd Murray for his 24 years of service to the community.
Murray retiring as Byron PD chief after 24 years, spent 39 total years in law enforcement
At its meeting on March 6, the Byron City Council and Mayor John Rickard recognized retiring Byron Police Department Chief Todd Murray for his 24 years of service to the community. Murray has 39 years of service total in law enforcement. 
On Feb. 28, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office announced the official implementation of its Handle with Care program in cooperation with nearly all of the school districts in Ogle County to protect children. 
Ogle County Sheriff’s Office implements Handle with Care program in partnership with schools
On Feb. 28, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office announced the official implementation of its Handle with Care program in cooperation with nearly all of the school districts in Ogle County to protect children. 
Sports

Boys Basketball: Byron takes third at IHSA 2A State Championship in Champaign

The Byron High School boys basketball team took third place in the IHSA 2A State Championship tournament in Champaign on Thursday. Byron defeated Williamsville 62-48 to finish the 2023-24 season with a 31-3 record.
While it wasn’t the storybook ending that Byron was hoping for, the Tigers are returning home from Champaign with a state trophy in boys basketball for the first time ever.
Byron's Cason Newton drives around Benton's Isaac Billington.
Boys Basketball: Byron falls to Benton in IHSA 2A State Semifinals
The Byron Tigers held a brief one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of their IHSA 2A Boys Basketball State Semifinal game against Benton on Thursday evening.
The Byron High School boys basketball team won the IHSA 2A Super Sectional at Sterling on Monday evening. The Tigers defeated Chicago Latin 85-71 for their first super sectional title in school history.
Boys Basketball: Byron wins IHSA 2A Super Sectional Championship at Sterling
The Byron Tigers have smothered opponents with their defense throughout the postseason, but it was their balance and efficiency on offense that fueled their effort during Monday’s IHSA 2A Super Sectional Boys Basketball Championship at Sterling High School.
The Byron High School boys basketball team defeated Princeton 59-43 on Friday to win the IHSA 2A Mendota Sectional Championship. It’s Byron’s first sectional title since 2007.
Boys Basketball: Byron wins IHSA 2A Sectional Championship at Mendota
As it has done throughout the entire postseason, Byron’s defense was the deciding factor on Friday evening, when the No. 1 seeded Tigers battled the No. 4 seeded Princeton Tigers in the IHSA 2A Mendota Sectional Boys Basketball Championship game. 
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Edward Alistair Visel
Edward Alistair Visel
Edward Alistair Visel, 36, of Chicago, died March 11, 2024, in his hometown of rural Winnebago, IL after a sixteen-month experience of pancreatic cancer.
Janet ‘Jan’ L. Riley
Janet ‘Jan’ L. Riley
Janet “Jan” L. Riley, age 90, passed away peacefully in her home in Byron, IL on February 15, 2024. 
Michael L. Personette
Michael L. Personette, age 72, died Monday, March 4, 2024 at his home in Byron.
Larry L. Palmer
Larry L. Palmer
Larry Louis Palmer, 76, of Stillman Valley passed away on February 11, 2024.
Barbara J. Kirchner
Barbara J. Kirchner
Barbara J. Kirchner, age 75, passed away on Friday March 8, 2024 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, IL. 
Opinion

Wrapping up IHSA hoops

It’s a wrap for the Illinois high-school basketball and fans can now devote their attention to the NCAA tournament. It used to the IHSA tourney extended into the college post season and attendance suffered because of that.

A dream year for Byron sports

The Byron boys basketball team shined when the lights were brightest, joining the football team downstate on a championship quest. The Tigers shot lights out in a command performance win over upstart Chicago Latin in the super-sectional.

Letter: Support for Ron Kern

I am writing in support of Ron Kern in the upcoming primary election for Ogle County Board representing District 5 on March 19.
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