In a letter to the community on Feb. 24, From the Heart President and Founder Dave Eckhardt said the organization would be ceasing operations after 18 years.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board approved an electrical aggregation resolution by a vote of 20-0. The resolution is for county residents and small businesses not in a township or city to have the opportunity to pay a power rate agreed to by the county if they so choose.
The Family Healthcare Clinic at Rochelle Community Hospital recently welcomed Kristi Gonzales, MSPAS, PA-C, to its list of providers as a physician assistant.
Local food truck vendor No Prep Tacos will be opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in March just outside Rochelle at 7034 S. Klondike Road, the former site of The Kitchen Table.
Willis Senior Lofts, a 60-unit senior housing development at 410 Willis Ave. in Rochelle, will be completed in March or April and move-ins should start in April, Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC) Vice President & Regional Project Partner Hume An said.
On Friday, Feb. 7, Rochelle Community Hospital celebrated National Wear Red Day in support of National Heart Month in February with staff members sporting the color red to raise and spread awareness of the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease.
With a record crowd of 330 people on hand, the 17th Annual From the Heart Gala was held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the hangar at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle and raised $90,000 for nine area nonprofits, From the Heart Founder and President Dave Eckhardt said. That number tied a record amount raised in 2024.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library hosted a Seed Swap Day. The event served as the 2025 kickoff for the seed library at the location, which is free and available to the public each day in its second year since its inception.
Rochelle Community Hospital’s Convenient Care department, which treats patients of all ages for minor illnesses and injuries with no appointment necessary, has seen an increase in viral illnesses over the past month, Family Nurse Practitioner Chenin Congrave Rude said Jan. 22.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board approved three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years.
The Flagg-Rochelle Public Library and the Ogle County Master Gardeners will host a Seed Swap Day at the library on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 2-4 p.m. The event will serve as the 2025 kickoff for the seed library at the location, which is free and available to the public each day in its second year since its inception.
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.
The trustees of the Oregon Fire Protection District have announced plans for a $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the current fire station.
Small Business Bingo raised $3,540 to be split between nonprofits Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County and the Hub City Senior Center at its final event of this season on Thursday, Jan. 2 at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hangar in Rochelle, Event Organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said.
The City of Rochelle hopes to see a data center development within the city limits in coming years, City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said Dec. 18.
A look back at some of the top Ogle County LIFE stories of the past year
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, Rochelle Community Hospital hosted a Holiday Drive-Thru Dinner for anyone in need. 200 free dinners were served, RCH Marketing, Foundation & Organizational Development Manager Michelle LaPage said.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Ogle County Board approved a special use permit for a solar project in the area of Haldane by a 13-11 vote. Haldane is located between Forreston and Polo.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, a ribbon cutting ceremony event was held for Rochelle Book Hub for its new membership to the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.
On Thursday, Dec. 5, a Small Business Bingo event was held at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hangar at the Rochelle Municipal Airport and raised $3,820 that will be split between nonprofits Foundation for Focus House and the Rochelle Township High School Education Foundation, Event Organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said.
John Combs of Rochelle passed away at age 24 on Oct. 4 after being struck by a train in Montgomery, Alabama. He was in the south at that time working as a lineman helping with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the days beforehand.
Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center recently wrapped up its holiday season pajama drive that saw an overwhelming response from the community.
On top of boarding and grooming for dogs and cats, Dachsies to Danes in Steward has also operated as a rescue facility for dogs for the past 23 years. Last year, it became an all-breed rescue.
In an interview with the Rochelle News-Leader and Ogle County Life on Nov. 25, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said that harvest should be fully wrapped up locally by the beginning of December.