Dan Stevens

Residents of the Gladewood subdivision along the Yellow Creek were seeing their main road continue to deteriorate, but when they went to the City of Freeport to see when the road was going to be redone as part of the expansive Freeport Road projects schedule that is expected to last for several years, the answer they got was one that nobody expected. “It’s not a Freeport City Street,” said City Manager Rob Boyer. “It’s a private street, so any and all repairs and maintenance are the...

Dan Stevens

They’re trying. The Freeport City Council is making an honest attempt to make their meetings more productive, even though that attempt is being twisted by the mental minority as an attempt to “shut up” the voices they don’t want to hear, and stop members from, “asking questions”. The situation had gotten well beyond being out of control. The last two finance meetings were never held because Council members simply decided not to show up – even though the meetings are mandatory ...

Four FFA Chapters from Jo Daviess County worked together to pack 15,000 meals on November 7th in conjunction with "Meals from the Heartland." FFA members from Galena, River Ridge, Stockton and Warren worked together to pack the non-perishable meals which will be donated to food centers, schools and refugee camps where they are needed the most. Meals From the Heartland began in 2007 as a way to help those who are food insecure meet their basic human needs. They packaged and donated over 21...

Dan Stevens

Over a year ago, Madie Mammoser lay writhing in pain on the floor of the Milledgeville gymnasium – not kn owing for sure if she'd ever play volleyball again. Eleven years ago, Maddie Pontius was still trying to get over the pain of having her volleyball dreams dashed by the recruiting machine known as Rockford Keith. And ten years ago, Kacy and Kaydra Wright were sitting in the bleachers, watching their older sisters playing volleyball – waiting for the day it would be their turn. Little...

Dan Stevens

The State finals did not start out too well for the Stockton Blackhawks. Going up against Hartsburg-Emden, last year's second place team, the Blackhawks were stepping out onto the Red Bird Arena floor for the very first time ... and it showed. "We thought we might have an advantage because they had never been here before," said the coach of the Staggs. "And we were right." Coach Pontius blew through her two time outs, but nothing was working, so she brought in Ireland Mensendike to try and...

Dan Stevens

It was supposed to be close. Gibson City had size, a wide-open offense, and had won state twice in 2A. So, when the Falcons recovered a Panther fumble on the second play from scrimmage at the Panther 19, an earie silence was coming from the Panther fans. But Lena-Winslow was well prepared. Head Coach, Ric Arand, had said the goal was to make the Falcons one dimensional, and said they had a tendency to throw on anything longer than third and five. So, after stuffing the first two run attempts,...

Dan Stevens

The Eastland Cougars and Lena-Winslow Panthers opened up the Girls' Basketball season Monday night with a non-conference battle that was ... well ... typical of an opening game. For the Cougars, they are sporting a lineup of six varsity players, supported by some strong JV talent for depth. And while they were strong in the paint when senior Olivia Klinefelter was on the floor, when she wasn't ... it was a bit of a free-for-all on the boards. "Don't pick on me Dan, I'm not in basketball shape...

Dan Stevens

The Warren Warriors originally told people they were only planning on playing a JV girls basketball schedule. And while that changed as more freshmen came out than anticipated, the Warriors still send out a varsity squad with zero seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen making up the roster. So, when the Warriors had to take on the powerful Galena Pirates Wednesday night at the Warren Turkey Tournament ... a blow-out was expected. But nobody told Warren's Lizzy Hartzell that....

The holiday shopping season begins in Downtown Freeport this weekend, November 23, continuing the tradition of Mistletoe Walk. In one very special day, experience all the shopping, dining, and holiday cheer the stores and businesses have to offer. Dozens of businesses, shops and boutiques open their doors with holiday music, treats and shopping specials on Saturday. Special live music appearances are scheduled throughout downtown with community carolers walking the streets to spread festive...

Natalie Henning, RN, SSM Health Monroe Hospital float nurse, is the newest recipient of the DAISY Award. The DAISY Award is an international program that celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care delivered by nurses every day. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen based on specific criteria to receive The DAISY Award. Natalie was nominated by three different individuals. One of which was Nicole, a previous patient of...

Dan Stevens

So, be honest, what does National Newspaper Week mean to you? If you are like most people, the answer is simple, “Not a damn thing.” And I won’t lie, when I got all of the emails and downloadable columns, cartoons and ads from the Illinois Press Association, I ignored them for more than a few days. Part of the reason was that it’s a lot easier telling other people’s stories than your own. And along that same line of thinking – you, the person reading this column right now – are a...

Kevin Cernak

There was a new preacher in town in need of a lawn mower. Someone in his congregation heard about it and brought him over one that was well used. When it came time to cut the grass, the preacher got the mower out and attempted to get it started. When he was unable to do so, he got on the phone and called the guy who gave it to him and explained his dilemma. “Oh,” the guy said, “I forgot to tell you that if you can’t get it going right away you have to cuss at it while you’re pulling...

Andrew Chesney

On November 5, voters across the country went to the polls at near-record numbers. Early voting and vote-by-mail participation also reached historic highs. But amid this surge in voter engagement, there remains a significant divide in how states approach one of the most fundamental aspects of our elections: voter identification. According to a 2024 review by the National Conference of State Legislatures, nine states—Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio,...

Gather your friends for an afternoon of fun as the University of Illinois Extension hosts "Holiday Centerpieces". This program is being held on Thursday, December 19 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine Street, Elizabeth, IL 61028. There will be a $30 charge to attend, and attendees will leave with two projects to take home with them. Pre-registration is required by December 14. To register or for more information visit us online at go.illinois.edu/jsw or...