Along The Rock

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Heather Waniger and Aimee Howard from Elevate Youth Center to discuss the organization's free after-school programming for middle school students and its mission to provide a safe, welcoming space for local youth. Learn how Elevate is helping bridge the gap for middle school families by offering homework support, recreation,...

🎸 Music can change a life—and Music Gear for Kids is making that happen one instrument at a time. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tory Willard and Billy Paul of Music Gear for Kids to discuss how their nonprofit is helping local children discover the joy of music by providing refurbished instruments at no cost. Learn how the organization collects donated inst...

Thinking about traveling to Europe? 🌍✈️ On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Brenda Helms , director of community education and alumni engagement at Sauk Valley Community College, to discuss SVCC's upcoming 2027 European travel experience through Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria . Learn what's included in the 10-day trip, travel costs, payment options, activity l...

💸 What if waiting just 24 hours could save you hundreds of dollars—and a lot of regret? In this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss the power of the 24-Hour Rule and how taking a step back before making a purchase can help you avoid impulse buying and make smarter financial decisions. The conversation goes beyond money, exploring how a simple cooling-off per...

🎣 Along the Rock Podcast | 20th Annual Cops and Bobbers with Detective Brad Dempsey The Dixon Police Department's 20th Annual Cops and Bobbers Fishing Derby is almost here! Host Kierstyn Long sits down with Detective Brad Dempsey to discuss how this beloved community tradition has grown over the past two decades and what families can expect this year. Learn about: 🎣 Free fishing for kids age...

🎩 Magic is coming to the Dixon Theatre! On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Spencer Aurand , Executive Director of the Dixon Theatre, to talk about illusionist John Westford and his upcoming performance. Learn what makes Westford's show unique, why the Dixon Theatre is expanding its lineup of family-friendly entertainment, and how residents of Dixon can take...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with local historian Tom Wadsworth to explore one of the most heartbreaking stories in Sauk Valley history. In August 1957, sisters Nancy, Teresa, and Ruthie Guernsey disappeared near the cement plant north of Dixon, Illinois. What followed was one of the largest volunteer search efforts the region had ever seen, drawing hundreds of c...

Join host Kierstyn Long as she sits down with Adriana Cervantes, Nora Rodriguez, and Isabella Garcia to preview the 14th Annual Taste of Fiesta in Rock Falls. Learn about the history of the festival, what's new for 2026, the scholarship program, this year's King and Queen, folkloric dance performances, family activities, food vendors, live entertainment, and the celebration of Hispanic Her...

Join host Kierstyn Long on this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Julie Bassett , founder of Together for Taft , to discuss the future of the historic Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon, Illinois. Learn about the nonprofit's mission to preserve the 144-acre outdoor education campus, why the property has meant so much to generations of students, and what's happening now follow...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Heather Grobe , Executive Director of the Dixon Family YMCA, and Danny Langloss , Dixon City Manager, to discuss the YMCA's purchase of the Love It Child Development Center and what it means for families throughout the Sauk Valley. The conversation explores: • The expansion of child care services, including infant care • The...

☕ Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation! Can saving money really be as simple as setting aside one hour of your pay? In this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman discuss the One-Hour Rule , a simple savings strategy that can help you build an emergency fund or grow your savings without relying on automatic payroll deductions. They compare the One-Hour Rule t...

Substance use disorder affects families, friends, and entire communities. In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Lauren Metzler , founder of Tevan's Tribe , and Jordan Keene to discuss International Overdose Awareness Day, breaking the stigma surrounding addiction, and the importance of compassion, recovery, and community support. The conversation also highlights...

Historic preservation, Flock cameras, data centers, and the future of local government are all on the table in this episode of Along the Rock . Host Nathan Stahr sits down with Dixon City Manager Danny Langloss , Sterling City Manager Scott Shumard , and Rock Falls City Administrator Robbin Blackert for an in-depth discussion about the issues shaping the Sauk Valley. Topics include: Historic build...

🌾 Along the Rock | Sauk Valley Grown Returns in 2026 Join host Kierstyn Long as she sits down with Molly Johnson of Illinois Extension to discuss the return of Sauk Valley Grown , a one-of-a-kind event celebrating local agriculture, farm tours, and fresh, locally sourced food. Learn what attendees can expect during this year's event, including visits to area farms, a farm-to-table dinner prep...

Can volunteering help pay for college? At Sauk Valley Community College, it can. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Sarah Partington and Lyndsey Kelly to discuss the SVCC IMPACT Program , an earned tuition initiative that rewards high school students for giving back to their communities. Learn how students can: Earn up to 100% tuition at Sauk Valley Community Col...

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at your local police department? On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Mary Toth of the Sterling Police Department, joined by everyone's favorite four-legged guest, Millie , to discuss the Sterling Citizens Police Academy . Learn how this free seven-week program gives community members an inside look at police...

In this episode: 👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond. 🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online 🎤 Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction to Lifestyle Creep 00:28 – What Is Lifestyle Creep? 00:51 – The “I Deserve It” Mentality 01:36 – What Would You Do With a $10,000 Raise? 02:29 – Spending More vs....

The Grand Detour Art Festival is celebrating 77 years of bringing artists, families, music, food, history, and community together at the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with festival organizers Lynn Roe and Becky Hage to talk about this year's event, the festival's incredible history, and what visitors can expect wh...

Join host Kierstyn Long for another episode of Along the Rock , presented by the Radar Free Press , as she sits down with Rock Falls Tourism Director Melinda Jones to preview the 2026 Art in the Park celebration. Learn about the annual Sculpture Walk, the rotating outdoor art gallery, local and regional artists, live acoustic music, food trucks, and the unique Otocast app that lets visitors hear d...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tony Flores to discuss the story behind his Facebook ministry, Faith, Fire, and Passion , and the inspiration for the upcoming Sterling for Jesus community event. Tony shares how a calling that began more than 35 years ago led him to create a ministry focused on sharing the Gospel, encouraging others, and bringing people togethe...

Watch this inspiring episode of Along the Rock as host Kierstyn Long sits down with internationally acclaimed Australian blues guitarist Michael Charles . Michael shares the incredible story of how a single invitation to perform at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago changed the course of his life, launching a decades-long career across the United States and Canada. From playing alongside blues leg...

Birth to Five Illinois is shaping the future of early childhood education—one community conversation at a time. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long welcomes Abby Hoskins , Maggie Fern , and Rachael DeSpain to discuss the work of the Birth to Five Illinois Action Council in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties. The group explores how families, educators, community leaders, and local...

In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Susan and Paul Gould to discuss the mission behind Loaves and Fishes, how the program grew from serving just one guest on its first day to more than 1,700 meals in a single month , and why everyone is welcome at their table. 🍳 Free Community Breakfast 📍 First United Methodist Church (Broadway Methodist Church) Annex 501 Broadw...

How many subscriptions are quietly draining your bank account every month? In this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emlyn Zimmerman discuss the hidden cost of forgotten subscriptions and how small monthly charges can add up to hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars each year. From streaming services and gym memberships to free trials that become paid plans, Quinn and Emlyn share p...

What makes a tomato safe to eat—and when should you throw it away? On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long is joined by Bruce J. Black of Illinois Extension to explore common tomato troubles every gardener is likely to encounter. From fungal diseases like anthracnose, early blight, late blight, and powdery mildew to harmless physiological disorders such as catfacing and fruit cracki...