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May 3 the community gathered at The REC Center to celebrate the longtime Rochelle resident’s 65+ year career in coaching sports, including stops at Rochelle Township High School, Steward Elementary School, Freeport Aquin and Sterling Newman.
Rochelle’s Don Romes marks 65+ years of coaching including tenures at RTHS and Steward
On May 3 the community gathered at The REC Center to celebrate the longtime Rochelle resident’s 65+ year career in coaching sports, including stops at Rochelle Township High School, Steward Elementary School, Freeport Aquin and Sterling Newman.
On May 3, the Rochelle Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 125th anniversary at the Creston Opera House. 
Rochelle DAR Chapter celebrated 125th anniversary on May 3
On May 3, the Rochelle Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 125th anniversary at the Creston Opera House. 
On Wednesday, April 30, the Rochelle Area Community Foundation hosted its annual Community Needs grant award event at the Lincoln Arts Center in Rochelle. 41 grants were presented to area nonprofits and organizations at the event. 
RACF holds Community Needs grant award event, marks 20 years of giving
On Wednesday, April 30, the Rochelle Area Community Foundation hosted its annual Community Needs grant award event at the Lincoln Arts Center in Rochelle. 41 grants were presented to area nonprofits and organizations at the event. 
Sports

Softball: Oregon Hawks finish first at Byron Tournament

The team includes Alexi Czochara, Hayleigh Heuerman, Madison Shaffer, Olivia Ortega, Abree Barker, Brooke Halverson, Giselle Zavala, Isabelle Berg, Ella Dannhorn, Kaelin Shaffer, Lola Schwarz, Abbie Ludwig and Emma Schlichtmann.
The Oregon High School varsity softball team defeated Byron 3-2 and scored a notable victory over state-ranked Dakota 4-3 to win the Byron Tournament on Saturday, April 26.

Forreston High School holds 2024-25 Athletic Signing Days

Jaiden Schneiderman, daughter of Nick and Andrea Schneiderman, signed a letter of intent to participate on the volleyball team at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 
Eight student-athletes at Forreston High School will be competing in athletics at the collegiate level after signing during the 2024-25 school year.
Figure Skating: Byron's Bechtel, Shepeck compete in sectional finals
Hannah Bechtel and Lily Shepeck competed in figure skating and represented Byron on the 815 Edge Team.
Swimming & Diving: Byron team members earn ISDA honors
Byron High School co-op swimming and diving team standout Addison Bausman was recognized with ISDA All-State honors.
Girls Basketball: Polo Lady Marcos earn PCHS, NUIC awards
The Polo High School girls basketball team presented its season awards.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Sheryl E. Piros
Sheryl E. Piros
Sheryl E. Piros of Chana, IL., passed away Feb. 19, 2025, after a long illness.
JoDee Bardell
JoDee Bardell
JoDee Bardell of Polo IL, age 84 died peacefully on May, 4, 2025 in Oregon at Serenity Hospice and Home.
Keith Worley
Keith Worley
The family of Keith Worley is saddened to announce his unexpected passing on April 15, 2025 at the age of 64.
DeLores Meiners
DeLores Meiners
DeLores was born into the Wilhelms family on April 26, 1927 in Shannon, Illinois where she also grew up as a child. 
Betty May (Smith) Homer
Betty May (Smith) Homer
Betty May (Smith) Homer, age 101, of South Beloit, IL passed away on April 29, 2025 in Beloit, WI. 
Opinion

Taking in the Oregon Hall-of-Fame Classic

The big sporting event last weekend was the Oregon Hall-of-Fame Classic, with 21 boys track & field teams competing at Landers-Loomis Field. It was over 100 years ago that Sherman Landers and Frank Loomis were two of the best track athletes in the world, this while still in high school at Oregon.

Letter: Constitution of the United States of America

My word processor has Constitution without amendments: 17 pages. An intelligent person might read and understand it within an hour.  Certainly a President of our country should be expected to have read it, understand it and know it.

Letter: Solicitors

I recently read in your paper about the county and its latest act, allowing door-to-door solicitation. This is putting the public (your voters) in danger. I believe our city has had an ordinance against this for many years. We got our sign at City Hall years ago. I also believe it is a way for criminals to see if anyone is home. People who live alone will not appreciate this ordinance either.
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