Week of June 17, 2026
Week of June 17, 2026
Everyone is familiar with the damage and hardships that hit Lena when the tornado struck. But what most people are not aware of, is that there are Federal funds available for anyone and everyone who was affected – not only in Lena and Stephenson County, but within any of the five other counties that surround Stephenson. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Illinois businesses, private nonprofits, and residents...
A project to expand the CTE Academy's childcare program in Elizabeth has received a $2.25 million grant. The grant will go to the CTE Academy's fund at the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County. The grant supports a long-standing partnership between the CTE Academy and the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County to increase access to vocational and technical training and increase childcare access in Jo Daviess County. The grant will provide funds for an addition to the CTE Academy...
Reckless Driving Incident On June 7, 2026, at approximately 12:25 p.m., the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office received a complaint regarding a reckless driver operating a blue Chevrolet pickup truck on Illinois Route 75 near Eggert Road. A Stephenson County Sheriff's Deputy located the vehicle and observed it committing multiple traffic violations, including passing several vehicles in no-passing zones while traveling at a high rate of speed. When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver failed to stop and instead fled from...
NUIC – North MVP – AJ Howarth, Dakota First Team AJ Howarth, Jr - Dakota Autumn Kinney, Jr - Dakota Mackenzie Lotz, Jr - Pearl City Anicka Kraft, Sr - Orangeville Emily Ball, Jr - Durand Jada Reed, Sr - Orangeville Allie Brant, Fr - Orangeville Bella Keyes, Sr - Dakota Olivia Fink, So - Lena-Winslow Olivia Johnson, So - Durand Zowie Hodgdon, Jr - Pecatonica Finley Banks, Sr - Dakota Second Team Rylie Scheuerell, So - Orangeville Jersie Banks, So - Dakota Addi Whipple, Jr - Durand Jillian Carlisle, So - Orangeville Scarlett Snyder, Jr -...
First Team AJ Howarth, Jr – Dakota Curin Oberman, Jr – East Dubuque Zoe Kunau, Jr – Fulton Kendra Kingsby, Sr – Milledgeville Second Team Bella Keyes, Sr – Dakota Autumn Kinney, So – Dakota Jade Hammer, Fr – Eastland Kerby Germann, Fr – Fulton Jessa Reed, Sr – Fulton Allie Brant, Fr – Orangeville Anicka Kraft, Sr – Orangeville Samantha Abate, Sr – Pecatonica Kinnley Ross, So - Milledgeville Allie Anderson, Sr – Morrison Bella Schachette, Sr – Morrison Sarah Winter, Sr – SM/RR Third Team Finley Banks, Sr ...
NUIC – North MVP – Luke Madigan, Lena-Winslow First Team * = Unanimous Selection *Luke Madigan, Lena-Winslow Aiden Wild, Lena-Winslow Kendall Erdmann, Forreston Kip Martens, Pearl City Brandon Hille, Pearl City Braxton Mazurkiewicz, Dakota Mickey Probst, Forreston Miles Mahon, Lena-Winslow Parker Allen, Pearl City Zecheriah Edwards, Du/Pec Koby Kearns, Lena-Winslow Brayden Larson, Dakota Second Team Connor Politsch, Forreston Brayden Cox, Du/Pec Carson Akins, Forreston Kaiden Baker, Orangeville Jaden Schubert, Lena-Winslow Brodie Goode,...
Apple River State Bank and First Community Bank of Galena recently awarded $1,000 college scholarships to six area high school graduates. Galena High School: Violet Doyle is the daughter of Gavin and Marcy Doyle. She will attend the University of Illinois and major in journalism. River Ridge High School: Samuel Rife is the son of Jerod and Kristen Rife. He will attend Marquette University and major in civil engineering. He will also participate in the Air Force ROTC program. Scales Mound High School: Lainey Frey is the daughter of Darreyl and...
I don’t know how I get myself into these situations … well, okay, maybe I do. But the latest trend in our neighborhood is to hear comments such as … “Well, I always knew you were a crappy driver, Dan. Now there’s proof.” “I don’t want a ride from Dan, he’s a (poopy) driver.” “We thought we’d have brats on the Fourth, do you know what they smell like Dan?” Okay, so let me explain. Every Thursday, I get together with the “Fat Guys With Forks” for lunch. We used to...
As a lifelong Bears fan who wants the team to stay in Illinois, I refused to vote for any bill that gave special tax breaks to a billionaire franchise while everyday Illinois taxpayers are drowning in the second highest property taxes in America. I made that promise months ago, and I kept it. The failure of the Democrats' Bears stadium schemes is a rare victory for the hardworking people of this state. But we cannot let this moment pass without exposing exactly how far the out-of-touch...
Dan; Was reading your Point To Ponder and “You won’t get anywhere waiting for a walk,” and it touched a sore spot for me. I love baseball, and to this day, I still cringe when a manager says no swing on a 3 and 0 pitch. It occurs more often than is necessary. In most cases on a 3-0 pitch, the pitcher will throw it right down the middle. So, smack the hell out of the ball and let’s score some runs. Steve Clay Orangeville Editor’s Note: Agreed, although I have been the one to scream in pain when they do swing on 3-0 and pop it up on...
God, nations, and our 250th Anniversary The following excerpt is from a book called: “A Nation Under God?” Edited by C.E.Gallivan, Word Books, Waco, TX. It was the summer of 1787. The heat in Philadelphia was oppressive and the delegates to the Constitutional Convention fanned themselves languidly and longed for adjournment. Debate had dragged on for days… that left everyone weary and querulous. The Convention faced an impasse. At this point, aged Dr. Benjamin Franklin rose and addressed...
Get ready to grab your boots and your best hat because Wednesday, July 22nd is shaping up to be one of the most exciting nights of the 2026 Stephenson County Fair! Whether you are a lifelong rodeo fan, a country music lover or just looking for a great night out with the family, this is the evening you have been waiting for. The Big Hat Rodeo rides into the ABC Supply Co. Grandstands at 6pm and it is going to be a full night of heart pounding, edge of your seat action. Rodeo is one of America's...
Downtown Freeport will come alive with horsepower, music, and car gurus on Thursday, June 18, as participants in the nationally recognized Sick Summer drag-and-drive event, make a special stop in the heart of the city. From 4-7 pm, residents and visitors are invited to gather at 126 E. Stephenson Street in downtown Freeport to experience an impressive display of high-performance street cars, meet drivers from across the country, and enjoy an evening of entertainment and local hospitality. This is a free event! Sick Summer is one of the...
Wednesday, June 17 In 1976, The American Basketball Association (ABA) officially reached a merger agreement with the National Basketball Association (NBA), absorbing four teams: the New York Nets, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs. Wednesday, June 18 In 1994, The U.S. hosted the World Cup for the first time, kicking off the tournament against Switzerland at the Pontiac Silverdome. The 1-1 tie in front of 73,425 fans marked the first World Cup match ever played indoors. Thursday, June 19 In 1969, The New York Yankees...
Apple River Michael A. Toepfer, 73 Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Toepfer, USMC (Retired) of Apple River, IL, age 73 died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI on Friday, April 24, 2026. He passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 28, 1952 at the Freeport Memorial Hospital to Mernice and Jean (Vincent) Toepfer. He was raised and educated in Stockton Illinois. He was fortunate to have played football for coach John O’Boyle. Mike and his older brothers, Vince (Class of 68) and Carson, (Class of 66) all proudly wore... Full story
