The City of Rochelle is seeking proposals from area artists to provide art, in any form, to public spaces in the community. Proposals are due May 21 by 4 p.m.

Renee Page is known as an important advisor, problem solver, imaginative thinker and integral part of the Northern Illinois University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) team. With nearly three decades of service to the university, the administrative assistant to the dean is a trusted resource for faculty, staff and students in college and a deserving recipient of the 2024 Board of Trustees (BOT) award.

Rochelle Community Hospital recently announced the revealing of its new employee recognition award as well as its first recipient. The first quarter recipient of the RCH Pillar of Excellence Award was presented to Christina (Tina) Neale, RN, of the Medical/Surgical department.

Girl Scouts from the Southern Ogle County Service Unit helped plant a tree at the Flagg Township Museum on April 23. Scouts from Troops 409, 1870, 2122, and 1168 took part in the tree planting ceremony.

Foundation for Focus House recently released the names of three area students that will each be receiving $1,000 scholarships from its 2024 application cycle.

Prom week is underway at Rochelle Township High School and 2024 Prom Court nominees were recently named.

The Ogle County Republican Party Precinct Committeemen met in Oregon on Wednesday night, April 17, to hold their biennial County Convention in the old Ogle County Courthouse building’s County Board meeting roo

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation (RACF) is delighted to announce, “Granting Futures: A Community Celebration”, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 24. The event will be held at Luna, formally known as Salt 251, located at 531 S. 7th St., Rochelle, from 4-6 p.m., with the formal presentation to commence at 4:30 p.m.

Recipients of the 2024 Rochelle Community Hospital Auxiliary $1,000 healthcare scholarships have been announced. Five students received scholarships which included the Ward A. and Mabel T. Miller Award.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Carol Weidmann on May 5 at the Lincoln Arts Center at 108 S. Main St. in Rochelle from 4-6 p.m.

On Friday, April 12, Seth Gelander, president, and Dave Gerber, treasurer, of the Rochelle Wildlife Conservation Club, made a heartfelt contribution to the Shriner’s Hospital in honor of Donald Vogeler.

On Saturday, April 13, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) hosted his art show reception and announced the winners of the 2024 16th Congressional District Art Competition. The 16th Congressional District Art Competition is an annual opportunity to showcase artistic high schoolers in central and northern Illinois. Rochelle Township High School’s Denia Rincon earned an honorable mention recognition for her piece “Motor Garden.”

The community is encouraged to attend a tree planting at the Flagg Township Museum. The museum lost a tree on the west side of the building in 2023 and Girl Scouts from Troop 409 along with other Girl Scouts from Southern Ogle Service Unit will be planting a new tree at the museum on Tuesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Kishwaukee College seated Aiyanna Washington as the new student trustee on the College’s Board of Trustees at the April meeting. Washington was elected by her peers to the position and took over the role of outgoing Student Trustee Perla Gonzales.

Rochelle Township High School’s Cash Budde was recently named as the recipient of the Rochelle Rotary Service Above Self Award for March.

Serenity Hospice & Home is delighted to introduce its new medical director, Dr. John Plescia. Active in the Mt. Morris-Oregon area for several years, Dr. Plescia has demonstrated care for all in need since joining Serenity in the fall of 2023. Many have heard the name Dr. Plescia in his professional roles at KSB’s Oregon Health Clinic and Allure of Pinecrest in Mt. Morris.

For his March 2024 local business highlight, State Rep. Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) chose to highlight Kennay Farms Distilling in Rochelle.

The 2024 Rochelle-area American Legion Essay Contest is complete. The topic was “What does freedom mean to me?”

The Ogle County Republican Party recently hosted their Annual “Draw Down” at The Rivers Edge Experience in Oregon, right before Easter weekend on Thursday, March 28, and it was a huge success. 

On Tuesday, demolition of the former site of Vinny’s Barber Shop at 517 W. 4th Ave. began. The city purchased the building in October after the building had previously been condemned

Arabella M. has been a Girl Scout for seven years with Troop 1168 in Rochelle. Her goal this year was to sell Girl Scout cookies to all 50 states. With the help of videos and photos shared to social media and all the texts and emails sent to family and friends, she achieved her goal.

Rochelle Middle School recently congratulated its seventh-grade students for their efforts in the RMS speech meet on March 5.

Ogle County Farm Bureau leaders are excited to call the Ogle County Board an “Ally in Agriculture” after the board’s adoption of a pro-agriculture resolution, demonstrating local elected officials’ support for farmers.

The Flagg Township Museum will host a series of informal talks – Chautauqua – on March 25 through March 28 from 7-8 p.m. at the museum and it’s all about birthdays – birthday toys, the 95th birthday of a local organization, birthday cakes, and even ideas about how to save your birthday memories.

St. Paul Lutheran School in Rochelle recently released its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2023-2024 school year.