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Bob Peters Jr., the owner of the Railside Bar in Lena, and his sister Becky Peters, might come across as loving people, but few people know the nightmare that continues to haunt them both. On November 12, 1992, their father, Bob Peters, was brutally murdered during a robbery at his store in downtown Freeport, Bob's Gun Shop. The three men who committed the crime were caught, William Keene, Michael Hoover and Anthony Ehlers, were convicted in court and sentenced to the death penalty. But when...
You can save a life at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on February 8 from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Scales Mound School Ag Building, located in the parking lot behind the school. For the best service, please make an appointment at 800-733-2767 or at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. As a bonus for your time, donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card and the Food Science class will be serving soup and snacks following the donation. There is currently a significant shortage of blood product available in the U.S. Current...
Sitting in on the Freeport City Council Meeting Tuesday night was a chore. In fact, roughly an hour into the meeting, the famous quote from the movie Billy Madison refused to leave my brain. "At no point in your rambling, incoherent response, were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." I've been to thousands of council or board meetings,...
With the start of the new year in Illinois, State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is launching his first annual "Valentines for Seniors" card drive. To brighten the days of seniors and make sure they know they are a valued part of the community, Senator Chesney is asking students from public and private schools, church groups, scouting organizations, and other groups to create homemade cards that will be delivered to assisted living centers, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities acros...
The Daily Drawing is a drawing for 366 daily cash prizes from October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 to those donating for a ticket. Over $21,000 is paid out to ticket holders during the drawing year. Cash prizes vary between $50 and $250. A ticket may win multiple times as each ticket remains in the drawing each day for the entire year, no matter how often it may be drawn. Sponsoring organizations from Jo Daviess, Carroll & Stephenson County include: Caring Community of Elizabeth, East Dubuque Music Boosters, Eastland Music Boosters, Galena...
Several different topics were discussed at Monday's Freeport City Council meeting of the whole, but the argument could be made that the most pertinent one revolved around the City's goal to fix all of the roads in desperate need of repair. It is important to point out that the entire road repair issue is not the fault of the current council or administration – years of neglect, and putting it off until later – by previous boards and administrations are finally getting to the point where...
Following its decades-long tradition of providing citizens with information that helps them be an informed electorate, the League of Women Voters of Freeport and the NAACP Freeport Chapter are co-hosting a Candidate Meet and Greet on Tuesday, January 23 at 6 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library. This year’s program is being co-sponsored by NAACP Freeport Branch #30399. Candidates in local races in the March 19 Illinois Primary Election have been invited to introduce themselves at a January 23 event that leaves time for attendees to mingle,...
The only thing worthy of note at the final Stephenson County Board meeting of 2023 was the Chairman’s Report and read by Scott Helms. So, we asked for a copy of it, and release it below: As I sit here tonight, providing the final Chairman’s report for 2023, It would be very easy to lament on what we were not able to complete. Instead, I wish to acknowledge the positive changes that we, as a board, were able to accomplish. I want to thank you, my fellow board members for coming together on a great many issues, opportunities, and priorities...
As the calendar turned over to 2024, we once again look back at the stories that stood out from the year that was – 2023. #10 – Queen Of Hearts For years, the biggest possible life changing windfall people thought about was the Power Ball or Mega Millions, but the new fund raiser that made a lucky few a whole lot of money – not to mention a ton of money for the non-profits who sponsored them – was the Queen of Hearts raffle. How big has it gotten? Well, the one at Little John's Tap...
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Illinois State Director Betsy Dirksen Londrigan today announced four Housing Preservation Grants that will improve infrastructure, housing, and economic conditions for underserved rural Illinois communities. “These housing preservation investments help single families, and the elderly remain in their homes”, Dirksen Londrigan said. “One of President Biden’s key initiatives is to empower rural communities, and this program is one way Rural Development can help”, she continues....
The holidays are a time for caring and sharing, which is why the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to spread the word about the dangers of impaired driving with a “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI.” enforcement campaign. From Dec. 15 through Jan. 2, law enforcement across Illinois will show zero tolerance for alcohol- and drug-impaired driving to keep our roads safe and help ensure a happy holiday season. “If you’ll be celebrating with...
The Stephanie Broshous embezzlement trial that was scheduled for a potential plea deal on Friday, December 15th got pushed back yet again as the defense asked for a continuance. “There’s still one more thing we’re trying to work out,” said Assistant State’s Attorney, Christine Awender. The next hearing is now scheduled for Friday, January 26th at 9:00 am....
While the Speech season opened throughout Illinois back in November, most area teams don’t begin competition until December due to football and participation in other Fall activities. And while some kicked off at the DeKalb Corn Classic on December 2nd, the bigger competition for Northwest Illinois was held December 9th at the Rochelle Invitational. The larger schools dominated the overall team scores, with the only thing worthy of note being that Freeport – a traditional power – was not...
SSM Health Monroe Eye Care team members know that quality sight truly improves community members' lives. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to receive eye care items they need – including eyeglasses – due to cost or other factors. To help make a difference, Eye Care team members presented the Monroe Lions Club with 175 pairs of used eyeglasses on November 21. The frames were collected during a special three-week drive, and an additional 200 pairs of eyeglasses collected during COVID-19...
The Northwest Illinois Daily Drawing (a cooperative fundraiser) November winners. The Daily Drawing is a drawing for 366 daily cash prizes from October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 to those donating for a ticket. Over $21,000 is paid out to ticket holders during the drawing year. Cash prizes vary between $50 and $250. A ticket may win multiple times as each ticket remains in the drawing each day for the entire year, no matter how often it may be drawn. Sponsoring organizations from Jo Daviess, Carroll & Stephenson County include: Caring...
Christmas came early this year for the Scales Mound High School Trap Team, when State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) surprised the students and coaches on December 5 with a $500 scholarship to help support the program. The scholarship was made available by the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus. "The Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus works to protect and advance policies that promote hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife management. As a member, this year I was able to...
Attention Veterans! The American Legion Fickbohm-Hissem Post 193, Galena, meets the 3rd Tuesday each month. Time: 1200 lunch followed by the meeting. Place: VFW Club, 2nd floor, 100 South Main Street, Galena, IL. Next meetings are December 19, January 16 and February 20. All Veterans are welcome to join us! For more information about our American Legion meetings or about membership, please contact Commander Jerry Howard (815-990-4641). Royal Scots Holiday Concert Join the Royal Scots and Chamber Singers for an evening of seasonal music from...
There were few expectations when sitting down to cover the Stephenson County Board Thursday night. The meeting was the big fight over ARPS funds – the extra millions of dollars the County had been given that needed to be distributed. And while the vast majority of the money was already "claimed," there was still a million dollars sitting in the Highway Fund that everyone had their eyes on. And, with no other major business to attend to, the "fun" was expected to start right out of the gate....
In a heartwarming display of community support, Rise Real Estate successfully donated 15 Blessing Baskets filled with Thanksgiving meals and additional goodies to local families in need. With the help of generous community members and the dedication of our school guidance counselors, we were able to make this Thanksgiving a truly special and memorable one for those less fortunate. The initiative, led by Rise Real Estate, aimed to provide Thanksgiving meals with all the fixings, along with gift...
Stephenson County Sheriff's Office K9 Ralf will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ralf's vest is sponsored by Lambert Ezell Durham Architecture, LLC of Florence, AL and will be embroidered with the sentiment "This gift of protection provided by LED Architecture". Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission...
Personal Injury Accident On Monday, November 20, 2023, the Jo Daviess County 911 Center received multiple reports of a single vehicle accident with unknown injuries. Upon arrival, Deputies learned a vehicle traveling westbound on HWY 20 just west of W. Mitchell Rd., was driven by Luz Perez-Cross, 46 of Galena. Luz was negotiating a curve on HWY 20 when she lost control of her vehicle due to wet pavement. The vehicle then left the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree before coming to a rest. Luz and her passenger, Dorian Velazquez-Perez, 22...
Gather your friends for an afternoon of decorating fun as the University of Illinois Extension hosts “Hort for the Holidays – Jo Daviess County Edition”. This program is being held on Wednesday, December 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Jo Daviess County Extension Office, 204 Vine St. 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 13 to attend. To register or for more information visit us online at go.illinois.edu/jsw...
Juliet Moderow is a recent recipient of the National Audubon Society William Dutcher Award. She attended the National Audubon Leadership Conference held in Estes Park, Colorado from Nov. 2-5, where she accepted the award. Moderow is a Biology instructor at Highland Community College, and is active with the local Northwest Audubon Society. She has been a board member in different capacities over the past 10 years ranging from Education chair, Publicity, Vice President, and President for two...
As we kick-off our Red Kettle Season- first and foremost we need BELL RINGERS! Please consider signing up at www.RegisterToRing.com Every single time we have a ringer at a kettle, the donations skyrocket. Those dollars go straight back into our community to purchase food for pantries and lunches, hygiene items that are such a luxury to most and toys for so many children for Christmas! TOYS TOYS TOYS Toys are such a huge need again and we are asking for your help. The number of parents that are...
On Saturday, December 2, Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is partnering with the Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport for a Pet Rescue Fair. Visitors at the event will be able to interact with pets available for adoption and enjoy half-price adoptions for cats. "People searching for the perfect pet do not need to look any further than their local animal shelter," said Chesney. "Rescued pets are so grateful when they are adopted. They make wonderful companions." Senator Chesney's Pet Res...