Along The Rock

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Dr. Tad Everett, Superintendent of Sterling Public Schools, to discuss Illinois’ new bell-to-bell cellphone law and why Sterling Public Schools chose to implement the policy one year ahead of the statewide deadline. The law, which takes effect statewide on July 1, 2027, restricts students from having personal wireless devices on...

🍂 Fall is in full swing in Dixon, and Discover Dixon has a packed October planned! On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long talks with Jennifer Lang and Lucas Pauley from Discover Dixon about the community events bringing people downtown throughout the month. 🎃 Coming up in Dixon: 🌶️ Ultimate Tailgate 📅 Sunday, Oct. 11 ⏰ 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 📍 Bean Blossom parking lot, downtown Dix...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Mary Oros and Tim Kunkel from the Dixon Rotary Club to talk about the upcoming World’s Largest Polio Walk and the local effort taking place right here in the Sauk Valley. Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio for 35 years, bringing the world within reach of eliminating the disease. While progress has reached nearly 9...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Ben Sondgeroth, lead regional edtech coordinator for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois, for a conversation about one of the biggest questions facing schools today: What role should artificial intelligence play in the classroom? Ben explains why AI should be viewed as a partner in learning rather than a replacement for le...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Lysa Hegland from Junior Achievement of the Heartland to explore how the organization is helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom. Junior Achievement of the Heartland is celebrating 70 years of serving communities across Iowa and Illinois. Today, the organization reaches approximately 63,000 students across 24 count...

What should you do when your budget actually leaves you with money left over? On this episode of Cash and Coffee, Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman continue the conversation about cash-envelope budgeting and explore what happens when you do not spend everything you budgeted. Should you roll the money over to the next week? Move it to another category? Put it into savings or retirement? Or use it as...

Get ready for a day of lumberjacks, fall fun, and family activities at Selmi’s Greenhouse and Family Farm! On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr talks with Melinda Jones from Rock Falls Tourism and Ranae Smith from Selmi’s Greenhouse and Family Farm about the sixth annual Lumberjack Show and everything happening at Selmi’s this fall. The Lumberjack Show takes place Saturday, October...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Dale Hayen and Anna Garcia from Sauk Valley Friends of NRA to talk about the organization’s 32nd annual banquet and how the event supports youth shooting sports and local organizations. The annual banquet is set for October 10 at the Dixon Elks Club. Doors open at 4 p.m., with dinner beginning around 5 to 5:30 p.m. The evening will...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Nick and Brennen Neblung from Bobby’s Crash Foundation to share the story behind the foundation and the life-changing crash that inspired its mission. On September 28, 2025, Brennen was seriously injured in a crash caused by excessive speed. He spent approximately a month and a half receiving treatment between the University of I...

Step into a world of castles, costumes, Renaissance-inspired entertainment, and family fun on this episode of Along the Rock! Host Kierstyn Long sits down with Dr. Danny Pierce, executive director of Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, to learn more about the history of Stronghold, its mission as a summer camp and retreat center, and the annual Old English Fair. Located along the Rock River just o...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Nathan Stahr sits down with Nick Pepper from 7:24 Fitness on the Rock and Andrew Jackson from Sinnissippi Centers to talk about the Sauk Valley Apple Cider Run. Now in its sixth year, the event brings together a 5K, half marathon, fall fun, and an important cause. The race is a fundraiser for the Sinnissippi Centers CARES Fund, which provides short-term assi...

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long sits down with Camryn Johnson, the new director of the Rock Falls Chamber, and Marissa Razo, the Chamber’s program coordinator. Learn more about Camryn’s journey with the Chamber, her goals for growing membership, and how the Rock Falls Chamber supports local businesses and brings the community together through events. The conversation also hig...

On this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr welcomes Ben Lightner from Dixon Stage Left for a look at everything the theater company has coming up this fall and winter. Dixon Stage Left is bringing The Hound of the Baskervilles to the Jerry Mathysse Theater at Sauk Valley Community College as a unique live radio theater experience. The production features two performers portraying every...

💵 Is cash making a comeback? On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman explore the surprising return of cash stuffing , an old-school budgeting method that is gaining new attention among younger consumers on social media. From budgeting binders and labeled envelopes to savings challenges and spending limits, cash stuffing is changing the way some people think abou...

Three women. Three generations. One shared mission. On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tasha Garcia, Nerina Human, and Judy Randall from Generation Woven to talk about how an unexpected friendship became a podcast and a growing community focused on connection, authenticity, and personal growth. Generation Woven brings together women from different generations and...

🌮 Tacos, Wrestling & Fall Fun Are Taking Over Rock Falls! 🤼 On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Melinda Jones from Rock Falls Tourism and Ryan Zschiesche from ZOWA Live to preview the return of the Taco Throwdown at RB&W Park. The third annual event is bringing together 10 taco trucks, a taco-eating contest, live wrestling, music, and plenty of community...

🍎 APPLE SEASON IS HERE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS! 🍎 On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long welcomes Bruce J. Black from Illinois Extension for an apple-filled conversation just in time for fall! Did you know there are approximately 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide , with about 2,500 grown in the United States ? Bruce breaks down the fascinating world of apples, from how new...

Step into a world of fall, fantasy, costumes, and imagination on this episode of Along the Rock! Host Kierstyn Long sits down with Jake Wallin, Trent Johnson, and Jaclyn Sciacero to preview the third annual Fall and Fantasy Fest, coming to Centennial Park in Rock Falls on Sept. 26-27. The local pop-up Renaissance festival is moving to a new location this year, giving organizers more room to expand...

What did harvest season look like before modern farming technology? On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long talks with Katie Lewis from Bos Brothers Historical Farm about the upcoming Old-Fashioned Fall Harvest . The annual event gives visitors a chance to step back in time and experience traditional farming, crafts, skills, and trades. This year’s show will feature historic harvest...

Fire safety starts long before an emergency happens. On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Becca Mayberry of Hopkins Family Fire Safety, Rock Falls Fire Chief Kyle Sommers, and Sterling Fire Chief David Northcutt to discuss fire prevention, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, escape plans, candle safety, extension cords, and other ways families can prepare for...

🐴 What if a horse could help a child find confidence, responsibility and hope? On this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Tonya Wells , executive director of Sol’s Legacy Ministries , to learn how horses are helping children in the community build confidence, develop leadership skills, learn responsibility and experience the power of trust. Based just outside Atkinson,...

Along the Rock: Understanding Rock Falls’ Flock License Plate Reader System How much can Flock license plate reader cameras actually see? Can police track your every move? Who can access the information, and what safeguards are in place to prevent misuse? On this episode of Along the Rock , host Nathan Stahr sits down with Rock Falls Police Chief Ryan McKanna for an in-depth discussion about the c...

☕ Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation! On this episode of Cash and Coffee , hosts Quinn Stahr and Emily Zimmerman take a closer look at the hidden costs and psychological tricks that can lead consumers to spend more than they planned. From free shipping minimums and restaurant app promotions to Amazon Prime and streaming subscriptions , Quinn and Emily break down how the promise of sav...

Join host Kierstyn Long for this episode of Along the Rock as she sits down with Liz Buchholz and Christine McGinnis of Rawhide Saloon and Shawn Hickey of Speak Out Against Suicide . The conversation highlights the upcoming Wings for Tristan Forever 14 Memorial Ride , a community event honoring Tristan's life while raising awareness for suicide prevention and the importance of mental health co...

For 20 years, PFLAG Sauk Valley has been providing support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and allies throughout the Sauk Valley. In this episode of Along the Rock , host Kierstyn Long sits down with Gabriella McKanna , treasurer of PFLAG Sauk Valley, to discuss the organization's two decades of service, its upcoming annual community picnic, and the many ways i...