John Combs of Rochelle passed away at age 24 on Oct. 4 after being struck by a train in Montgomery, Alabama. His passing is shrouded in uncertainty due to missing details and out-of-character behavior he exhibited in the days that led up to it.
Foundation for Focus House recently released the names of four area students that will be receiving scholarships from its 2025 application cycle.
Now lining the driveway of Etnyre International in Oregon are 154 flags purchased by employees, each honoring a friend or family member that served in the United States military.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board tabled a resolution in potential support of State Senate Bill 0045, which seeks to ban steer tailing.
Rochelle Community Hospital celebrated National Hospital Week from May 12-16.
On May 6, Pegasus Special Riders in Oregon hosted a class of students from the Lee County Special Education Association’s Transition Program for a workshop that focused on horse care and interaction.
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.
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.
Spring planting is in full swing for farmers in Ogle County, with dry conditions allowing field work to be done in recent weeks, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said April 29.
The Franklin Creek Conservation Association (FCCA) will present A Day at the Mill on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Franklin Creek Grist Mill at 1893 Twist Road in Franklin Grove. The entry cost is a $5 suggested family donation.
Stillman Valley High School at 425 S. Pine St. will host an Out of the Darkness Campus Walk for suicide awareness on Sunday, May 4. Check-in starts at noon, the event starts at 12:30 p.m. and the walk will start around 1 p.m., Organizer and SVHS Social Worker/Counselor Hannah Feldhaus said.
A shooting early Monday evening in Mt. Morris took the life of a 25-year-old Oregon High School graduate and a 44-year-old man has been charged with his murder, an Ogle County Sheriff’s Office press release said.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board unanimously approved a resolution opposing House Bill 1176, a potential state law that would increase county publishing responsibilities when it sends out tax bills.
Rochelle-based creative company Do Art Productions has seen recent growth in its workshop offerings in recent years and has added a new performer.
April is Occupational Therapy Month. That service is offered by the Rochelle Community Hospital Rehabilitation Services Department. RCH has two occupational therapists on staff that can create a personalized rehabilitation program for patients recovering from surgery, an injury or an illness.
Amid bills the state is considering that would see townships consolidated into county government, Flagg Township officials spoke with the Rochelle News-Leader and Ogle County Life on April 4.
A female patient was transported to Rochelle Community Hospital for treatment after driving her car into Lake Sule early Sunday morning, Rochelle Fire Department Chief Dave Sawlsville said Monday.
April 9 is the 10-year anniversary of the tornado that brought 200 mile per hour winds that damaged 179 structures and demolished 30 homes near Rochelle.
After hearing a report that a tornado had hit northwest of Rochelle on April 9, 2015, then-Rochelle Fire Department Lt. Dave Sawlsville left the RFD fire station with a crew heading towards that area. While on Illinois Route 251, they saw it for themselves.
Following an April 9, 2015 EF4 tornado that damaged 179 structures in Ogle County and destroyed 20-30 homes in rural Rochelle after winds reached over 200 miles per hour, then-Rochelle Area Community Foundation Executive Director Kim Montgomery knew someone had to step up to assist with the fundraising work that was going to take place.
During the April 1 Consolidated Election, a proposition for the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District to issue $4.5 million in bonds to build and equip a new fire station passed with 66.67 percent of the vote (438 votes in favor, 219 votes against).
On Thursday, March 27 a ribbon cutting was held at 506 Lincoln Ave. in Rochelle for HitHub By Bennie Baseball. The training facility offers batting cage, plyo wall and pitching machine rentals along with baseball/softball instruction and facility rentals for team practices and parties.
The Byron School District is moving forward with significant repairs to some of its oldest spaces as they make strides to complete their long-term Capital Improvement Plan.
In an effort to keep the community informed and safe, Rochelle Community Hospital recently released information on measles, as the United States is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in decades.