More local news

77 to lose jobs after Starved Rock Wood Products announces closure

MENDOTA – Starved Rock Wood Products (SRWP) officials have regretfully announced the upcoming closure of its wood products manufacturing facilities in Mendota.

SOS Giannoulias lays out the facts about REAL ID

SPRINGFIELD – With the REAL ID May 7 enforcement date approaching, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to get the facts about REAL IDs as many scramble to get one.

Measure threatens to dissolve Illinois' rural townships, sparking opposition

SPRINGFIELD – Opponents say Senate Bill 2217 will be detrimental to rural Illinoisans by dissolving townships that have population sizes less than 5,000.

The Mendota Reporter - Wednesday, April 16, 2025

View this issue

Browse other issues

Wrestling: Ogle County athletes medal at IWCOA Fresh/Soph & Girls Sectional

Oregon High School sent seven wrestlers to the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls Sectional in Sterling.

Ogle County athletes earned medalist honors during the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls Sectional at Sterling on Sunday. Wrestlers from Byron, Oregon, Rochelle, Polo and Stillman Valley advanced to the IWCOA Fresh-Soph & Girls State Championship meet.

Wrestling: Ogle County middle-schoolers medal at IESA State Championship

Oregon's Jacksyn Windham finished first in the IESA State Championship at NIU's Convocation Center this past weekend.

Ogle County was well represented during the 2025 IESA State Championship at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center over the weekend, when middle-schoolers from Byron, Oregon, Stillman Valley and Polo earned medalist honors for their wrestling skills.

Wrestling: Ogle County youth athletes medal at IKWF State Championship

Eight members of the Stillman Valley Wrestling Club competed in the 2025 IKWF State Championship at the Peoria Civic Center over the weekend. Four athletes earned medalist honors and Evan Ross brought home a state championship in the Boys Intermediate 55 Division.

Byron's Caden Considine avoids the outstretched hand of defender Gavin Lanham during the IHSA 2A Sectional Semifinal against Princeton on Wednesday.

Boys Basketball: Princeton holds off Byron in IHSA 2A Sectional Semifinals

The Byron Tigers looked to be in full control after taking a 10-point lead during the third quarter of the IHSA 2A Marengo Sectional Semifinal against Princeton on Wednesday.

The Stillman Valley Cardinals take the floor before their IHSA 2A Super Sectional against Peoria Notre Dame on Monday evening.

Girls Basketball: Stillman Valley's record-setting season concludes in IHSA 2A Super Sectional Championship

The Stillman Valley Cardinal basketball team saw its record-setting season come to a conclusion during the IHSA 2A Super Sectional at Bureau Valley High School on Monday.

The Stillman Valley High School varsity girls basketball team won the IHSA 2A Rock Falls Sectional Championship on Thursday, defeating Byron 47-45. The team includes Olivia Voltz, Joslyn Nanni, Nola Ivy-Friberg, Lillian Green, Amelia Dunseth, Taylor Davidson, Emma Withers, Abby Gilliam, Addisyn Faerber, Alyvia Bagg, Dailene Wade, Brooklyn Lee and Brooke Jordal. The team is coached by Bobby Mellon.

Girls Basketball: Stillman Valley outlasts Byron to claim IHSA 2A Sectional Championship

An emotional Taylor Davidson said it felt like a dream as she and her Stillman Valley teammates celebrated their IHSA 2A Rock Falls Sectional Championship win Thursday.

Stillman Valley's Davidson named to 2025 IHSA Academic All-State team

Congratulations to Ms. Taylor Davidson for being selected to the All-State Academic Team.

Boys Basketball: Byron Tigers win IHSA 2A Regional Championship

The Byron High School varsity boys basketball team took down Rockford Lutheran 64-51 on Friday to claim the IHSA 2A Regional Championship at Marian Central Catholic.

The Oregon High School wrestling team defeated Sterling Newman 39-30 during the IHSA 1A Dual Sectional at the Blackhawk Center on Tuesday.

Wrestling: Oregon holds off Sterling Newman to win IHSA 1A Dual Sectional

The Oregon High School wrestling team built a large lead at the lighter weights and fought off a late surge at the heavier weights Tuesday evening, when the Hawks faced Newman Central Catholic during the IHSA 1A Dual Sectional at the Blackhawk Center.

Find us on Facebook

Facebook

Obituaries

John M. Littlewood

La MOILLE – Burial of John M. Littlewood's ashes will take place at Greenfield Cemetery in La Moille at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, followed by a fellowship luncheon and sharing of remembrances at the Community United Methodist Church in La Moille.

Michael S. Kelly

EARLVILLE – Michael S. Kelly, 67, of Earlville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, with his loving family by his side.

John M. Hasse

MENDOTA – John M. Hasse, 66, of Mendota, passed away April 11, 2025, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Betty J. Phalen

MENDOTA – Betty J. Phalen, 92, of Mendota, passed away Friday, April 4, 2025, at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota.

Norma J. Schultz

MENDOTA – On April 6, 2025, Norma Jean Schultz, 78, got her wings and went to walk with the angels after a hard fought 10-year battle with breast cancer. She passed peacefully surrounded by her four daughters.

More obituaries

Opinion

Thank you Pam Herrera, rest in peace

If I were to write a pros and cons list of being a journalist in your hometown, the pros would outweigh the cons in terms of number of items on the list, but there is a con which may hit home the hardest.

More opinion

This week's print ads