Sauk Valley News - Shaw Local

The Sterling Police Department made 53 arrests for drug and narcotic violations in 2025, compared to 58 in 2024, according to Sterling Police Chief Pat Bartel.

Here's a schedule of Memorial Day observances taking place Monday in the Sauk Valley.

Montmorency Community School District in Rock Falls recently announced its eighth grade awards honorees.

The Reagan Run welcomes runners and walkers of all experience levels and continues to draw participants from throughout the Sauk Valley and beyond each Independence Day.

BELZER: Winning the Reagan Run Scholarship is an incredible honor, and it has given me a chance to reflect on what this race, and this community, really mean to me as I get ready to graduate.

Forreston-Polo's 4x400 meter relay broke its own school record as F-P took second as a team at the Class 1A Oregon Sectional boys track and field meet on Friday. Oregon also had state qualifiers at the sectional.

Sterling and Newman both had boys tennis players qualify for state after reaching the semifinals at the Class 1A Geneseo Sectional. Milledgeville's Loren Meiners had the regional-title-winning hit against Eastland in extras, and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Fulton softball won back-to-back regional titles for the first time in school history after beating top-seeded Morrison 9-5 in Friday's Class 1A Newman Regional final. 'Everyone put together something that was so special and really made a difference.'

It's race week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as fans gear up for the Indy 500, but Sterling Police Chief Pat Bartel is waving a caution flag for drivers using Sterling's newest stretch of pavement, Second Street.

OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center has been recognized as one of the nation’s cleanest hospitals, earning a 5‑star cleanliness rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Summer is almost here, and that means it's festival season across northern Illinois.

Dixon city officials selected a different contractor for a water tower paint project Monday after the previously recommended contractor indicated they’d be unable to comply with an Illinois employment law if it were to go into effect.

The new initiative's goal is to create a more informed and inclusive community for people living with dementia.

Newman, Forreston, Bureau Valley, Oregon, Fulton and Amboy had girls advance to Saturday's state track and field finals. Bureau Valley softball advanced in the postseason, Sterling baseball won twice and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The Red, White, & Blue Ball on June 27 at Loveland Community House in Dixon will be an evening of patriotism, music, and community held in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Morrison boys track and field took third at the Class 1A Erie Sectional, and Erie-Prophetstown was fifth as area athletes qualified for the state meet next week.

Newman Central Catholic High School’s Class of 2026 graduated Wednesday, May 20, 2026, during a ceremony in the high school’s gym in Sterling.

While the Sterling Police Department‘s calls for service were up in 2025 when compared with the prior year, its police chief said criminal activity has lessened.

A Lee County judge issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for a Downers Grove man accused of felony charges related to vehicle theft.

Rock Falls American Legion Post 902 is inviting the community to attend Memorial Day services Monday, May 25, to honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives while serving the nation.

A morning of fun activities and games, a petting zoo, and costumed characters await Saturday, June 6, at Discover Dixon’s Summer Block Party at Plaza North Shopping Center.

Let’s Feed Our Children, the free summer meal program that has grown into one of the most far-reaching child hunger programs in the area, begins its 2026 season on Wednesday, May 27, and runs weekly through Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Cash prizes are up for grabs for the winners of Woodlawn Arts Academy’s 18th annual Juried Art Exhibit. The academy is now accepting fine art and photography entries from adults as well as children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Dixon boys track and field team used its depth to win a sectional title for the first time since 2002. Rock Falls and Sterling also had state qualifiers at Rochelle.

Oregon sophomore Izzy Berg struck out 14 in a one-hitter as the Hawks shut out Somonauk 6-0 in their Class 2A Oregon Regional semifinal on Wednesday at Oregon Park West.