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Unger-Horner Funeral Home owners of Rochelle purchase Merritt Funeral Home of Mendota

The owners of Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle recently purchased Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota. From left to right: Derek Horner, funeral director/owner; Bob Merritt; Don Horner and Chad Horner, funeral director/owner.
Derek and Chad Horner, co-owners of Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle, recently closed on the purchase of Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota. The business will now be known as Horner-Merritt Funeral Home. 
Community
Foundation for Focus House: Stillman Bank Retail Office Manager Ryan Spradlin (center), Universal Banker Jasmin Galvan (second from right), and Teller Colleen Roberts present the $2,500 check to Foundation for Focus House Treasurer Lance Charnock (left), Foundation for Focus House Vice President Russell Crull (second from left) and Foundation for Focus House Executive Director Jeni Hardin (center).
Stillman Bank donates $15,000 with Purchase with a Purpose campaign
Stillman Bank recently ended their “Purchase with a Purpose” Debit Card campaign in which a $1 donation was made to local charities with every Stillman Bank Debit Card transaction up to $15,000.
Students from Carroll and Ogle counties learn about careers in the agricultural field from John Heisner of FCAE, at Ag Awareness Days.
Students harvest knowledge about agriculture at Ag Awareness Days
Three hundred thirty-eight Ogle and Carroll County fourth and fifth graders descended upon the Ogle County Fairgrounds on Sept. 5 and 6 to harvest information about modern agriculture and its influences on daily living.  Hosted by University of Illinois Extension, Ag Awareness Days 2024 took youth on a fast-paced, interactive, guided tour of the science, engineering, and technology that drives today’s farm operations.  
This week, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) awarded Midwestern Clothing Company a grant of $15,000 through its Community First Accelerate Grants for Small Business program. FHLBank Chicago offers grants of up to $30,000 to eligible small businesses to advance economic opportunity in the communities it serves.
Midwestern Clothing Company of Rochelle awarded $15,000 Community First grant
This week, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) awarded Midwestern Clothing Company a grant of $15,000 through its Community First Accelerate Grants for Small Business program. FHLBank Chicago offers grants of up to $30,000 to eligible small businesses to advance economic opportunity in the communities it serves.

Boys Soccer: Ball control highlights Rochelle's win over Johnsburg

Senior Bryan Garcia races Johnsburg's Blake Bowers for the ball during the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer match against Johnsburg on Monday.
Senior midfielder Fernando Diaz scored two goals for the second consecutive match on Monday evening, when the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team faced Johnsburg.

Golf: Rochelle's strong season continues against Sycamore

Senior Chris Hickey drains a putt during the Rochelle Hub varsity golf match against Sycamore on Tuesday.
A memorable season could be brewing for the Rochelle Hub varsity golf team, which continued its recent hot streak and remained unbeaten in the Interstate 8 Conference after outshooting the Sycamore Spartans at Fairways Golf Course on Tuesday evening.

Football: Hubs roll through Morton for second straight win

Senior Grant Gensler follows a block from lineman Markell Pogue during the Rochelle Hub varsity football game against Morton on Friday.
Dylan Manning was a breakout star for the Rochelle Hub varsity football team last year, when he became the starting wingback halfway through the season and rushed for over 700 yards and 11 touchdowns enroute to earning First-Team All-Interstate 8/KRC honors.
Sports
Senior Jacob Ost chips onto the ninth green during the Rochelle Hub golf match against Forreston on Thursday.
Golf: Forreston ends Rochelle's eight-match win streak
The Rochelle Hub varsity golf team saw its eight-match win streak come to a close on Thursday, when the purple and white hosted Forreston at Fairways Golf Course.
Girls Tennis: Seniors lead Lady Hubs to Interstate 8 win at Kaneland
Seniors were the stars of the show on Tuesday evening, when the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity tennis team swept all three doubles matches and claimed three singles matches against Kaneland enroute to its first Interstate 8 Conference victory of the season.
Golf: Hubs extend win streak with victory against Kaneland
The Rochelle Hub varsity golf team is now one win away from concluding the Interstate 8 Conference schedule with a perfect record.
Volleyball: Lady Hubs net three-set win over North Boone
Junior Meredith Bruns dished out 34 assists and senior Taelynn Rodeghero notched 20 kills to lead the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity volleyball team during its nonconference road matchup against the North Boone Lady Vikings on Tuesday evening.
Freshman Tyson Pavlak runs toward the outside during the Rochelle Hub fresh-soph football game against Belvidere on Monday.
Football: Fresh-Soph Hubs shut out Belvidere
The Rochelle Hub fresh-soph football team continued its perfect start to the season Monday evening, shutting out the Belvidere Bucs for a 32-0 win in nonconference play.
Seniors Natalie Wagner (left) and Sydney Carmichael (right) medaled in second place at No. 4 doubles during the Harlem Invitational on Saturday.
Girls Tennis: Lady Hubs medal at Harlem Invitational
The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity tennis team traveled for the Harlem Invitational this past weekend.
Opinion
Reed Harris

Consider this: The 2nd amendment

We are always discussing Amendment II to the United States Constitution and the right to bear arms.  Especially, after horrific events take place like the recent school shooting in Winder, Georgia.  There are, of course, too many of these shootings and something must be done to prevent them.  The discussion, therefore, centers around how to restrict the ability of these shooters to obtain guns.

Suicide prevention and drug education save lives and help local communities

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, prevention organizations, survivors, mental health advocates, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention and awareness.
We had a fabulous summer at the library!  The last few months have flown by and now everyone is back in school.  We will be jumping into fall programming starting this month.
The talk of the college football world this week? Northern Illinois University, of course.
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Obituaries
Obituaries
Helene Louise Timm
Helene Louise Timm
Helene Louise Timm, 88, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at her home in Rochelle, Illinois.  Helene was born on October 22, 1935 to Alfred and Minnie W. (Stiefel) Schumacher in Davis Junction, IL.  
John William Montgomery
John William Montgomery
John William Montgomery, 76, of Mount Pleasant, IA passed away on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, at 10:45 PM.
Richard Frank Pelka
Richard Frank Pelka
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Richard Frank Pelka (Dutch), 89, of Rochelle, Illinois, on September 4th, 2024, at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, Illinois, with his family by his side.
Leonard Edwin Dewey
Leonard Edwin Dewey
Leonard Edwin Dewey, 68, of Rochelle, passed away peacefully at home on August 30, 2024, after a long illness.
John E. ‘Sam’ Stover Jr.
John E. ‘Sam’ Stover Jr.
John E. "Sam" Stover Jr. age 87 of Rochelle formerly of Ashton passed away on Tuesday Aug. 28, 2024 at Rochelle Rehab and Healthcare in Rochelle, IL.
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