Subscriber Terms and Conditions may change at any time. The current version will supersede all previous versions. The most current version of subscription terms are posted on the website under Terms and Conditions.
Rochelle News Leader and ShawLocal.com are a division of Shaw Media.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2025
Consider this: Rochelle’s diversity is special
With this article, I’ll follow up on my last article about Rochelle.
So, what makes a great city? The citizens in it, of course. In Rochelle, like many other cities, it is the diversity of its citizens that makes it special. Whether it’s the people that own, run, cook and serve the clientele in our restaurants, or the people that own and carry out the work or services in our other businesses, it seems like the right people are in the right place at the moment.
Some would have you think that this diversity is bad. It is not what is wanted in this country.
Do you agree? Are we shallow enough to think that we can get along without a diverse citizenship?
When it comes to Rochelle, I think we would have difficulty trying to get along without it. In fact, this country, with its many types of immigrants, would have extreme difficulty trying to get along without diversity. Whether we want to admit it or not, certain groups of people occasionally do much better in certain occupations. This does not mean that any individual is meant to be in any one specific circumstance and in no other. It just means that they happen to like what they are doing at the present time. And they can make money by doing it better than most others could. They may not stay in a specific profession forever. But this is the American way. Improve, improve, improve.
So, to me, Rochelle’s diversity is special. It is what makes us strong, connected and very stable. It is what I enjoy each time I come into the city to shop, eat, have fun, exercise or sightsee.
To really enjoy the diversity, however, I start up conversations with our residents. We exchange information on our backgrounds and our views. In very few situations, I may also discuss politics or religion. Since these can be trigger points, however, I keep the dis-
COMMUNITY VIEWS
Reed Harris
cussions minimal, and general. What else does our city, and every other city in the world, have? Neighbors. Neighbors in close towns and cities. Neighbors in what are called sister cities.
The most important, however, are your next-door neighbors, or those in your city of residence. I personally feel that these people need to be treated as neighbors for us to stay connected. These connections are very important to our well-being, and our safety. Especially now that there are so many people doing so much harm.
For instance, what would you do if ICE came to town and started rounding up your favorite restaurant cooks or waitresses or even owners? How about at almost any other business? If you were at the scene, would you stand between ICE and their targets? Even when you are not sure whether they are illegal or citizens? Would you ask those ICE people who are probably targeting them because they look one way or another, if they have a warrant? Maybe, ask them for credentials which they have a habit of hiding? How about asking if they would reveal themselves if they were wearing a mask? Would you be willing to have ICE arrest you for doing any of these things?
I have always been taught to love your neighbors. Doing these things to prevent someone from being taken illegally is an act of love. It is, in my opinion, something that must be done. In today’s environment, we can no longer sit around while others are hurt. This is not possible if you truly feel as I do. That this city’s residents, and the people around you, are truly your neighbors. This country is based on laws that
should prevent this, and if they don’t, then it is up to us.
In the grand scheme of things, we are on this planet for a fleeting moment. After that, whether we feel we are religious or not, most of us feel there is something else. If there is a moral factor in determining what we do when we are gone, are we willing to roll the dice? What about those smiles we get when we do something good? Don’t we want to experience them? Don’t we want to enjoy them until we are gone, not until they are gone?
How about when we donate if we have that ability? We don’t see smiles. We don’t necessarily get thanks. But we still feel good. At least we should. So, does this mean we are going to stand up to these people that want to disrupt our lives? Does this mean we do love our neighbors? Of course we do. Deep down inside, even when we are afraid, we know what is right and how to love.
It’s no different for our military. Whether it be the National Guard or other troops, we don’t need them here or any other place in this country. At least for this type of operation. Do you feel that these people of service feel as we do? They know we don’t want them here. They know this from the moment they are called up. They are our neighbors and know of our pain. They expect to be stood up to. They wouldn’t expect anything less.
I love Rochelle. I love each resident. I love our troops. If anything happens to any one of us, will you stand with me? Will you give of yourself? That’s in the big picture. I’m sure that in everyday activities, we help our neighbors in need. Why, because we love them. Because we need them and they need us. And when that day comes when we are no longer here, we can know that we will go to a place of pure love. To those who have left before. Yes, and to help, in a different way, those that are yet to come.
Reed Harris is a longtime Rochelle resident and community volunteer.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Rochelle held its annual Old Fashioned Christmas Walk event on Friday, Dec. 5, with a stop at city hall where the annual Christmas Tree lighting was held.
Jeff Helfrich ON THE COVER
We want to hear from you.
Email us your thoughts at feedback@shawmedia.com.
Rochelle marks the season with Christmas walk
Mayor Bearrows presents Pete Alfano with Rochelle Gratitude Award
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
The city of Rochelle hosted its annual Old Fashioned Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 5, in downtown Rochelle.
The event included a lighted parade, the community tree lighting, the presentation of the Rochelle Gratitude Award, carriage rides by the Flagg Township Museum, appearances by Santa Claus, activities at the Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, and reindeer at Terri Schaefer State Farm.
“This has been an amazing night,” Mayor John Bearrows said. “There’s been a great crowd downtown despite the colder weather. I love seeing the community come together. This is the work of so many people that help put this together, from city staff to the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and all kinds of volunteers that donate their time to help out to try to make this a great night for everybody.”
Bearrows thanked city staff for their work on readying the downtown for the celebration by putting up the Christmas tree and holiday decorations, clearing snow, and helping to facilitate the parade. He enjoys bringing the community to the downtown area, which has been a priority for the city in recent years.
Downtown shops, bars, restaurants and attractions were open for the Christmas walk, and Bearrows urged the community to shop local throughout the holiday season.
The Rochelle mayor said he was “incredibly proud” of the city’s 2025 as the year draws to a close.
“I’m thankful to our city Council for being supportive of the things we’ve done,” Bearrows said, “I’m thankful for our city manager for being a leader for our departments. It’s just a great thing.”
Following the lighted parade, Bearrows led the community tree-lighting ceremony at City Hall and presented the Rochelle Gratitude Award, an annual tradition that he and his wife, Dina, started 16 years ago in an effort to give the community a person or organization to emulate for the next year.
Past recipients of the award include Lee Harris, the Rochelle VFW, the
Rochelle Area Community Foundation, Ken Wise, the From the Heart committee, the Hub City Senior Center, Dan & Deb Wyka, the Rochelle Rotary Club, Kiwanis Golden K, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Pal Colwill, Chuck & Lydia Roberts, Steve Strang, HOPE of Ogle County and Jeni Hardin.
The 2025 Rochelle Gratitude Award was presented to Pete Alfano, owner of Alfano’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant. Bearrows said Alfano honors the spirit of giving, through support of various initiatives throughout the community with financial assistance or time.
Bearrows said Alfano has impacted the lives of many young people by giving them their first jobs and teaching them the value of responsibility, commitment, loyalty and work ethic.
“His name has always been heard within our community, including in schools, support for local events, or even when tragedy strikes a family,” Bearrows said. “The youth have always learned a valuable lesson from the recip-
ient and that is: Lead by example. The youth are the future leaders of our community. Pete, you are truly an example
of what this award stands for. You’re an amazing person to set an example for our community.”
Jeff Helfrich
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus ride in Rochelle’s lighted Christmas parade on Friday.
Jeff Helfrich
A Rochelle Municipal Utilities truck drives in Rochelle’s lighted Christmas parade on Friday.
Small Business Bingo in Rochelle raises $4,680 for two nonprofits
Events have raised a total of $46,930 for various area nonprofits since inception
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
A Small Business Bingo event was held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle saw almost 300 attendees and raised $4,680 to be split between Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center and HOPE of Ogle County, event organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said.
Patrick came up with the idea of bingo nights in the community, with prizes donated by local businesses to raise money for area nonprofits, in 2023. Attendance in past years has numbered in the hundreds with more than a dozen nonprofits benefiting. Small Business Bingo has raised a total of $46,930. The Dec. 2 event was the last leg of a two-leg run in 2025 after four events a year in the past.
Tuesday’s bingo night also included a canned food drive to benefit the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, with donors receiving raffle entrees. Bingo players
braved winter conditions and a full parking lot, which Patrick said showed the community’s dedication to support the event “no matter what.”
“Overall things went really well,” Patrick said. ”It was nice to have so much volunteer help and a lot of new faces that came out to set up and do things during the event. It makes me feel good that more people want to get involved and see it continue. We had bad weather that wasn’t great for parking and we still had almost 300 people attend. We filled a lot of boxes with canned goods to donate to the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry.”
Raising a total of $10,390 over a twoevent run in 2025 is a fact Patrick is proud of, especially with the events happening after a 10-month layoff. Events are held in the winters at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hangar. The venue is the largest in town and is only available in the winters.
Patrick called raising almost $47,000 over 10 events “crazy to think about.” It was her original hope that 50-60 people would attend the first event in 2023.
“It’s very humbling to imagine that we took something so simple and made it into this,” Patrick said. “I love that See BIngo on page A8
Jeff Helfrich
FILE: Small Business Bingo Founder Ashley Patrick (right) speaks at the event on Nov. 6, 2025 at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle.
Byron Public Library offers Creative Studio sessions, composting class
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Wriggle into vermicomposting!
Wednesday, Dec. 17: Turn those kitchen scraps into nutrient rich gold for your houseplants and garden! Join Illinois Extension educator Bruce Black from 1 to 2 p.m. for a fun and informative demonstration on how to create your very own vermicomposting system. Call 815-234-5107 to register.
New
mobile App
Did you know that there is an easy way to use the library from your phone? Just download the new “PrairieCat On the Go” app to your phone or mobile device and log in with your library card number and PIN. You’ll be able to view your checkouts and holds, renew renewable materials, search the library catalog, and so much more.
Bridge
The bridge group meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m. Anyone from the community is welcome to join, from experienced players to those
OGLE COUNTY’S NOVEMBER 2025 MARRIAGE LICENSES
Ogle County recently released its marriage licenses for November 2025. They are as follows:
• Aaron Koteski of Davis Junction and Lindsey Sedols of Davis Junction.
• Derek Brown of Washington, D.C., and Allison Bergin of Leaf River.
• Edward Roman of Leaf River and Parker
Martin of Leaf River.
• Aiden Ahmer of Leaf River and Ann Marie Hendrickson of Leaf River.
• Tanner Schrock of Byron and Mattie Christian of Byron.
• Shane Reiniche of Byron and Tabitha Quirk of Byron.
• Muhamet Ajvazi of Oregon and Anna
Now Available
To request your FREE copy, simply call us at (815) 632-2566 or
address to: knull@saukvalley.com
who want to learn how to play, and no registration is required.
Creative Studio
The Creative Studio is open on Sunday afternoons and two evenings a week, so stop by for monthly crafts and to use the maker space equipment. Crafts out on the tables are free of charge, while some other projects will incur a cost depending on materials. Middle school and high school youths can use some of the materials while with an adult or during Teen Time. Creative Studio hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8
p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The studio is closed Friday and Saturday.
Special hours
In observance of the Christmas holiday, the Byron Public Library will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 and will reopen for regular hours Friday, Dec. 26.
Visit the Byron Library Facebook page, or subscribe to newsletters at byronlibrary.org, to keep up to date on library news and programs. Be sure to also check out the Byron Library and Byron Library Teen Instagram pages.
Corcoran of Oregon.
• Spencer Disimoni of Rochelle and Neona Lundgren of Rochelle.
• Ryan Hahn of Stillman Valley and Sara Booker of Stillman Valley.
• Noah Coyne of Oregon and Madison Malugen of Oregon.
• Juan Delgado Gomez of Rochelle and
Liza Anguiano Mascorro of Rochelle.
• Larry Gittleson of Steward and Veronica Elliott of Peoria.
• Conner Jacobs of Forreston and Samon Bettner of Forreston.
• Brad Rose of North Fort Myers, Florida and Julie Kohn of North Fort Myers, Florida. – Shaw Local News Network
HONORING OUR AMERICAN HERO
RTHS grad William Nye served in Vietnam
Late veteran’s brother: ‘My family takes a lot of pride in his military honors’
By JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Rochelle Township High School graduate William Gore Nye Sr. served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant junior grade from 1964-1967. He died July 11, 2024, at age 82.
Nye was born July 21, 1941, He graduated from RTHS in 1959 and then attended the University of Wyoming, graduating in 1963 with a bachelor of arts degree in history and a minor in political science.
During the era of the draft, Nye chose to enlist in the Navy after college to fulfill his service requirement. He completed two tours in the Navy and served in the Navy Reserves from 1967 to 1970, when he was honorably discharged.
During his time in the service, Nye was stationed on the USS Enterprise and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and the National Defense Service Medal.
“His duty was in codes,” said Nye’s brother, Philip Hastings Nye Jr. “He studied some mathematics in college. To everyone’s surprise, he was assigned to the admiral’s staff initially in Europe. He worked in codes and classified documents. He did that the entire time of his enlistment with the admiral. It was interesting work.”
During his service, William Nye was a staff officer on the Enterprise for Admiral James L. Holloway III, who later became chief of naval operations. Before Vietnam, he also served in Europe and in the Mediterranean Sea. He was involved in the recovery of a hydrogen bomb from the sea floor after a plane crashed while carrying it.
William Nye made the decision after his normal duty time was up to go back to serve in Vietnam for another tour. Philip Nye remembers his family being upset about that decision.
“He had a chance to get out and chose to go back,” Philip Nye said. “He never
which he was transferred to Phoenix), Continental Bank Trust Company, Valley National Bank of Arizona, and the Maricopa County Public Fiduciary.
For more than 40 years, William Nye was a member of Valley Presbyterian Church, where over the years he taught Sunday school, served as a deacon and assisted other members with transportation to worship services and appointments. Bill was married to Margaret Ann Wiese on April 11, 1974. He had four children, Joseph, William Jr., Peter and Scott, and he was grandfather to eight grandchildren.
“His service changed his personality,” Philip Nye said. “He was extremely tolerant and a mature adult. His service did him a lot of good. He loved it. The Navy paid for his law school. It set up his career. He was a successful and respected lawyer. He was a man of high character and a great father. Everyone had a lot of affection for him. He had a good sense of humor and was a lot of fun to be around.”
After his time in active duty, William Nye maintained his interest in going to sea through time in the U.S. Navy Reserves and a cruise of the Great Lakes for a number of years.
“One of the last things he told me was that part of him wished he would have stayed in the Navy as his career,” Philip Nye said. “He liked the Navy. He said his first love was the sea and ships.”
William Gore Nye Sr. was buried in Oregon with military honors.
talked much about why he chose that. I was glad to get his records later in my life to learn more about it. My family takes a lot of pride in his military honors. He really kept what he did under wraps. He was my younger brother. I was proud of him when he served and I still am.”
When William Nye was assigned to Admiral Holloway in Vietnam, he was flown from Europe to the Philippines and put on a smaller boat to the Enterprise. Crews put rope between the two
ships and sent him across in a chair.
“Hearing that story showed me that the admiral really wanted him there,” Philip Nye said. “He was scared he was going to fall into the ocean.”
After serving his country, William Nye attended the University of Colorado School of Law, graduating with a JD degree in 1970. After passing the bar in Utah, he worked for Worsley, Snow and Christensen in Salt Lake City. He continued his career working for the First National Bank in Chicago (from
“We talked 2-3 times a week in his later years,” Philip Nye said. “I miss hearing how he’s doing and how things were going. I’m glad I still have a good relationship with his sons. I miss him every day.”
Honoring our American Hero is a feature on local veterans that runs twice a month in the Rochelle NewsLeader. To submit a veteran or service member for consideration, please email Jeff Helfrich at jhelfrich@shawmedia. com.
Photo provided by Philip Nye
Rochelle Township High School graduate William Gore Nye Sr. served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant junior grade from 1964-1967.
people love it and that they’ve shown how dedicated they are to it. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without everyone’s help to make it happen.”
Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center works with families and children in Ogle and Lee counties who have been victims of child abuse. The work is done alongside law enforcement, prosecutors, DCFS and medical providers when there’s been allegations of severe physical or sexual abuse or kids that have experienced violent crimes, domestic violence or child deaths in the home.
As the area’s domestic violence support agency, HOPE of Ogle County provides free and confidential services including counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and a 24/7 hotline.
The Rochelle Christian Food Pantry is open from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and gives food to those in need and has seen record need in recent months.
“I think spreading awareness of nonprofits is one of my main goals with these events,” Patrick said. “Maybe people don’t understand what these non -
people asking her throughout the year when the events will return “fuels the fire” to keep hosting them, she said.
As far as a 2026 return for Small Business Bingo, Patrick said she has a desire to bring it back if she’s able to secure sponsors for venue costs.
“The biggest challenge is venue sponsorship,” Patrick said. “If we can figure that out, I am willing to keep it going. If the people are going to show their dedication to keep showing up no matter what, I want to continue to provide it. I am really hoping to do it next year.”
OBITUARIES
DAVID SAMP
David Samp, 87, of ROCHELLE, passed on 12/07/2025.
Arrangements entrusted to Unger Horner Funeral Home, ROCHELLE.
ABEL MARTINEZ
Abel Martinez Sr., 77, of ROCHELLE, passed on 12/07/2025.
profits do or they’ll support it more if they have a better understanding of what they do. Or maybe someone that needs their services finds out about them. I think it’s very important. Their services are so needed.”
Patrick said she enjoys seeing bingo players that have become regulars over Small Business Bingo’s 10 events. Many regular players have become volunteers that help with the events, which saw a lot of new players in its latest run, she said.
With 8 to 10 months between each run of Small Business Bingo, Patrick has wondered in the past if crowds will return. The fact that they have has shown the community’s dedication, and
What started as an idea with hopes to attract 50 to 60 bingo players has grown into a tradition that has raised almost $47,000, filling Rochelle’s largest venue time and time again. But the model hasn’t changed.
“I feel like I’ve stayed true to my original goal of making it community-minded,” Patrick said. “I want people to feel the connection of coming together as businesses and community members for a good cause.
“It’s a small idea. Giving doesn’t have to be a big gesture. People can now see that their $15 to play makes a huge difference. I love that we’ve been able to take something simple and make it into such an impactful thing. Small things can make a big difference.”
Arrangements entrusted to Unger Horner Funeral Home, ROCHELLE.
VERNA HORN
Verna Mae Horn, 91, of Rochelle, passed on 12/06/2025.
Arrangements entrusted to Unger Horner Funeral Home, Rochelle.
COMMUNITY BOARD
Photo provided by Ashley Patrick
Dec. 1-5, 2025
Warranty deeds
• Jason R. Penticoff and Kimberly S. Penticoff to Michelle M. Allen, 1 Parcel: 1427&1431 Crimson Ridge Ln, Byron, $290,000
• Donna J. Hayenga to Marc A. Personette, 2 Parcels: 8538 N Valley View Dr, Byron, and 8518 N Valley View Dr, Byron, $282,000
• Sandra L. Helton to Ryan Zwettler and Nicole Zwettler, 1 Parcel: 512 N Franklin Ave., Polo, $137,000
• Diane M. May and Sean P. Tracy to Christine Wegrzyn, 1 Parcel: 7522 N River Rd, Byron, $215,000
• Carlos Calderon and Olga L. Calderon to Alfonso Hernandez-Rojas, Alfonso Hernandez-Rojas, Marisol Garcia-Belmonte, and Marisol Garcia-Belmonte, 1 Parcel: 925 N 15th St, Rochelle, $130,000
• Naf Cash Llc to David Oliver and Reema B. Oliver, 1 Parcel: 10282 E Clara Ave., Rochelle, $495,185
• Aaron R. Roe and Rachel Schupbach Roe to Michael Mascio, 1 Parcel: 505 E King St., Polo, $176,000
• Cynthia Raye Hatch to Linden Petre and Krystal Petre, 2 Parcels: 7029 W Penn
Corner Rd, Polo, and 7029 W Penn Corner Rd, Polo, $180,000
• Bradley L. Barker, Kaitlyn P. Barker and Kaitlyn P. Anderson to Theodore W. Morris Jr. and Carol D. Morris, 1 Parcel: 118 N Prairie Dr, Forreston, $335,000
• Cornerstone Contractors Of Florida Llc to Brandon Dejonge, 1 Parcel: 114 River Rd, Oregon, $240,000
• Danny S. White and Danae D. White to Jose Odilon Reyes, 1 Parcel: 113 Janet, Rochelle, $178,500
• Gregory D. Bennett Jr. and Heather M. Bennett to Brandon A. Huddleston and Angel S. Huddleston, 1 Parcel: 217 W Merchant St, Byron, $170,000
• Mary E. Bushland to Seth A. Stevens, 1 Parcel: 2308 N Leaf River Rd, Mt. Morris, $90,000
• Robert C. Colwell and David J. Didier to Grandpa’s Dirt Llc and Grandpas Dirt Llc, 3 Parcels in Lafayette Township: 23-07-300003, 23-18-100-005, 23-18-100-006, $0.00
• Tracey Renee Anders to Robert B. Borgen Trustee and Robert B. Borgen Rev Tr., 1 Parcel: 207 S Division Ave, Polo, $50,000
• Contry Homes Group Llc to Andrew J. Szychilinski and Nancy J. Szychilinski, 1
Parcel: 203 Autumnwood Ln, Davis Junction, $262,205
Quit claims
• Debra Barron to Daniel S. Barron, 1 Parcel in Rockvale Township: 09-05-200003, $0.00
• Sarah A. Harshman to Sarah Harshman and Benjamin A. Harshman, 1 Parcel: 311 S 4th St, Oregon, $0.00
• Kristi Bowman to Kenneth J. Mrozek Ii and Kathy M. Mrozek, 1 Parcel: 229 S Franklin St, Byron, $0.00
• Gustavo Esquivel to Vicente Silva Nunez and Christian Silva, 1 Parcel: 148 Wayne Rd, Rochelle, $0.00
• Renee Barnhart to Nancy Loput and Joseph Rovira, 1 Parcel: 809 Franklin St, Oregon, $0.00
• Donald W. Lund to Donald W. Lund Trustee and Donald W. Lund Tr101, 3 Parcels: 1248 N Lynnville Rd, Lindenwood; 1144 Lynnville Rd, Lindenwood; and one parcel in Lynnville Township: 19-08-300010, $0.00
• Kyle A. Johnson to Lisa K. Johnson, 1 Parcel: 21208 Tilton Park Dr, Rochelle, $0.00
• Scott W. Roberts and Ellie L. Roberts to Richelle L. Lumpkins, 1 Parcel in Buffalo
Township: 14-16-327-024, $0.00
• Martin Brennan and Sarah Gale Brennan to Martin Brennan Trustee, Martin Brennan 2025 Declaration Tr, Sarah Gale Brennan Trustee, and Sarah Gale Brennan 2025 Declaration Tr, 1 Parcel: 1247 Tilton Park Dr, Rochelle, $0.00
Trustees deeds
• Jerry R. Funk Trustee, Lynn D. Genandt Trustee, and Robert & Johanna Funk Tr. to Lori K. Gipper, 1 Parcel in Forreston Township: 02-08-100-007, $0.00
• Vicki A. Wine Trustee and Luan B. Wine Tr to Nicki Como, 1 Parcel: 1060 Westview Dr, Rochelle, $140,000
• Old National Bank Trustee and Patricia D. Best Tr. to Peter Todd Stofflet, 2 Parcels in Flagg Township: 24-24-106-023 and 24-24-106-024, $30,000
• Lindsay B. Mitchell Trustee, Ashley B. Adams Trustee, and Roger L. Adams Tr to Lindsay B. Mitchell, 1 Parcel in Leaf River: 04-33-300-008, $0.00
• Lindsay B. Mitchell Trustee, Ashley B. Adams Trustee, and Roger L. Adams Tr to Lindsay B. Mitchell, 1 Parcel: 370 Creekside Dr, Byron, $0.00
– Shaw Local News Network
AFC Community Matters
Shop Local & Support Small Community
Businesses
TIPS TO REDUCE NUTRIENT LOSS WHILE COOKING
It’s not unheard of for people to turn over a healthy leaf at the start of a new year. After a holiday season filled with social engagements and diet-busting meals, it’s no surprise many celebrants view January as a time to right the dietary ship.
Home cooking provides an opportunity for people to gain greater control over what they eat, and it’s well known that certain methods of cooking are healthier than others. But Healthline notes that nutrient content is often altered during cooking. For example, a 2017 study published in the journal Food Science and Biotechnology noted that vitamin C is a water-soluble and temperature-sensitive vitamin, which means it is easily degraded during cooking. As a result, researchers behind the study noted that elevated temperatures and long cooking times have been found to cause substantial losses of vitamin C.
Such knowledge is undoubtedly useful, but individuals may wonder what they can do to ensure the meals they prepare remain as nutritious as possible, even after they’ve been cooked. When preparing meals, individuals looking to maximize the nutritional value of each meal can consider these tips.
• Consume the liquid left after cooking vegetables. It’s commonplace to drain pots and pans of water after using them to cook vegetables. However, when doing so, individuals might literally be pouring nutrients down the drain. In a 2016 interview with CNN, registered dietitian and author Elaine Magee noted that boiling vegetables causes water soluble vitamins like vitamin C, B1 and folate to leach into the water, thus denying people some of the nutritional content of these healthy foods. Though it might seem unusual, consuming the water that vegetables are cooked in can ensure no nutrients are poured down the drain of a kitchen sink.
• Consume cooked vegetables within a day or two. Healthline notes that exposure to air after cooking can decrease the vitamin C content of vegetables. This is something for people to keep in mind, particularly if they like to prepare meals in advance due to hectic schedules that leave little time for daily cooking. Consume cooked vegetables within a day or so of preparing them to avoid losing out on nutrients.
• Avoid pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Some grocery store produce aisles feature an array of pre-cut fruits and vegetables. Though such offerings are undeniably convenient for time-pressed individuals who want to eat healthy, they also might not be as nutritious as shoppers hope. According to Verywell Fit, heat, oxygen and light are the three factors that lead to nutrient loss. When produce is uncut, the interiors are of the food are protected from oxygen and light. Once cuts are made, such as when apples are sliced, then nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E might be lost.
Healthy eating is a common New Year’s resolution. It’s important individuals aspiring to eat healthy recognize that how foods are cooked and cut may affect their nutritional value.
FUN&GAMES
Archie
B.C.
Pearls Before Swine
Frank & Ernest
Beetle Bailey
Blondie
Monty
Baby Blues
Arlo & Janis
Zits
ROCHELLE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
2025 LADY Hubs
GIRLS Basketball Team
VINCE’S PIZZA
1071 N. 7th Street, Rochelle 815-562-7300 vincespizzainrochelle.com
420 N. 6th Street, Rochelle 815-562-6161 cityofrochelle.net
1071 N. 7th Street, Rochelle 815-562-7300 vincespizzainrochelle.com
6342 S. Westwood Ave, Rochelle 815-561-7131 lifeworksphotographystudio.com
HOW TO PLAY
Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition.
Pickles
Wizard of Id
Alley Oop
Garfield
Hagar the Horrible
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Daddy Daze
JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU
THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
President Trump, immigrants, and the behavioral immune system
President Trump’s language is plain and clear when he speaks of immigrants. They’re criminals, rapists, drug dealers, murderers. Foreign governments have sent them to us from their prisons and mental institutions. They’re poisonous snakes, robbing Americans of public benefits and jobs.
He’s made these claims hundreds of times, according to the Marshall Project, at themarshallproject.org. Their factchecks indicate that all are misleading at best and more often simply false. Crime rates for immigrants, legal and otherwise, are, for example, far lower than for native-born Americans.
But statistics sometimes lose when they’re up against human nature. Distrust and fear of strangers is strong among us Homo sapiens, as well as many other animals. We can trace it in part to the prehistoric past, as cognitive scientist Mark Schaller explained in the Dec. 12, 2011, issue of the British journal, Royal Society.
We have since the earliest times felt disgust toward feces, rotten food, and anything else that could expose us to dangerous viruses and other germs, and have instinctively avoided them. Likewise for strangers from outside the community. They could carry new diseases to which local people had no immunity, and they might not follow local customs for
IT’S YOUR WRITE
Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K thanks community for Peanut Days support
The Kiwanis Gold K Club of Rochelle would like to extend a sincere thanks to the Rochelle community for making our
Lowell Harp VIEWS
cleanliness and disease prevention.
People who are vulnerable to disease, or at least think they are, are likely to be especially fearful of outsiders. It happens to pregnant women during their first three months, when their immune systems weaken to avoid mistakenly attacking the fetus. Surveys reveal heightened feelings of xenophobia, which dictionaries define as “the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything foreign or strange,” during this time.
The behavioral immune system, as scientists call it, errs on the side of caution. It reacts against people who don’t really present health hazards as well as those who do, crossing over from reasonable carefulness to bigotry and xenophobia. President Trump capitalizes on this when he talks about immigrants.
He appeals to our sense of disgust for rotten meat, feces, and other pollutants when he says that immigrants are poisoning the nation’s blood, have bad genes, and eat dogs and cats. He pulls on the same feelings when he compares them with Hannibal Lecter and his fond-
ness for human meat. Calling them animals, criminals, and mentally ill magnifies our sense of how different, and therefore how dangerous, they are.
The president and his allies multiply the persuasive power of these claims by relentlessly repeating them. Scientists call it the Illusory truth effect. Aumyo Hassan and Sarah J. Barber at cognitiveresearchjournal.springeropen.com on May 13, 2021, reported on their research, and that of others, revealing that the more often people hear a statement, the more likely they are to believe it, whether it’s true or not.
We can, once we’ve become convinced that immigrants are enemies who are less than fully human, justify treating them in ways we would otherwise oppose as un-American. Denial of due process, racial profiling, and inhumane detention conditions can now seem necessary, even desirable.
Mr. Schaller doesn’t claim that our instinctive fear of disease is the only influence on our attitudes toward immigrants. Our customs, beliefs and experiences also play a critical part. They can intensify our natural wariness toward outsiders or, instead, encourage an equally natural curiosity and attraction to them.
A balanced view avoids going to an extreme in either direction. It realizes the
benefits as well as the risks of immigration. The president’s language represents, instead, a deep hostility toward immigration and immigrants, as seen in his reaction to the recent attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Schaller cites evidence that the behavioral immune system no longer serves as an effective defense against disease. The president has nevertheless found it to be a persuasive political strategy with many Americans – but not all. A Pew Research survey, at pewresearch. org on June 17, 2025, reveals that majorities oppose many components of his immigration policy, such as workplace raids and suspension of most applications for asylum.
Most Americans aren’t persuaded by the president’s talk of pollution, disease, and disgust. They realize that immigrants are an important part of a healthy economy and society. This presents Democrats with an opportunity to claim the middle ground by offering a moderate alternative to the president’s anti-immigrant policies, one that balances the benefits of immigration with effective controls.
• Lowell Harp is a retired school psychologist who served school districts in Ogle County.
recent annual Peanut Days an outstanding event. With your support we can continue our mission of providing student scholarships as well as funding many local youth activities.
We would like to especially thank the City of Rochelle and Walmart for allowing
us to take donations at their places of business.
The following businesses and individuals provided additional support: Anderson Plumbing & Heating, Berg-Johnson Electric, Bingham Construction, Edward Jones - Brad Stojan, Holcomb Bank, McK-
ibben
Stillman Bank.
Again, thank you for all your continued support. It is appreciated!
Chet Olson, Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Peanut Days chairman
family, Rochelle Chiropractic Clinic, Schaefer Insurance & Financial Services and
Prep Bowl was biggest thing in state football in 1937
With the Class 5A to 8A state championships concluding Dec. 2 and 3, it’s time to put a wrap on the high school football season.
This was the latest the playoffs ever went because the weather Nov. 29 forced postponements. The 5A and 6A state title games were held at Illinois State University and the 7A and 8A state title games were played at Norther Illinois University.
There has been high school football played in December in the past. Before the state playoffs were instituted in 1974, there was a postseason playoff between Chicago public and Catholic schools called the Prep Bowl, usually held at Soldier Field.
It’s still held, but it’s a shell of itself. In its day, the Prep Bowl was the biggest thing in Illinois football, with crowds as high as 120,000 filling Soldier Field. I’m not making that up.
That is how many showed up in 1937 to watch Leo and Austin in the championship game. It remains a national record for attendance at a high school football game.
You might be saying, how could that be possible with Soldier Field’s capacity the smallest in the NFL at 61,500.
Before the era of luxury boxes, safety codes and bleachers instead of seats, the stadium had a much different configuration. People also were smaller than today and did not take up as much space.
The city of Chicago sponsored the
Continued from page 24
little bit under the pressure late in the game,” Thompson said. “We just couldn’t make a play, couldn’t get the ball where we needed to. I thought Brody had a great game and late in the game we just couldn’t get him enough touches.”
Bruns attempted one shot in the fourth quarter.
In the girls’ game, the Spartans never trailed. After going up 11, the Hubs scored eight straight in the second quarter.
Sycamore got it back up to 30-20 in the third and it was never in single digits again.
Sycamore coach Adam Wickness liked the way his team got the ball up the court, especially when it was growing its lead.
“Our transition game looked pretty good,” Wickness said. “I thought we ran
Andy Colbert SPORTS VIEWS
Prep Bowl until Mayor Richard J. Daley died in 1976. He was a huge proponent of it and interest began to wane afterward. Plus, the Catholic schools were hammering the public league schools on a regular basis and the IHSA postseason was becoming more important.
Compared to last year with seven state titles, the Catholic League settled for five with championships in 4A through 8A. Lena-Winslow, Wilmington and Byron took 1A, 2A and 3A, respectively.
Those three juggernauts will be at or near the top in 2026. They always are and long playoff runs give them an advantage of getting so much more practice time than everyone else.
Lena-Winslow has the bulk of its large physical line returning and simply will reload at the skilled positions. Similar to this season when it scheduled Rochelle, Lena-Winslow (230 enrollment) has scheduled Class 2A state champ Wilmington (400 enrollment) and Wisconsin state champion Darlington (260 enrollment) for nonconference games.
With Durand-Pecatonica moving to the Big Northern Conference for football, Byron isn’t able to schedule a nonconfer-
our lanes really well. We got some easy buckets early on.”
The Spartans ran into foul trouble at the end of the third quarter, but the Hubs were unable to capitalize. They were 6 of 13 in the quarter, missing four straight at one point when they trailed by 11.
“It’s a little deflating I think when we had so many opportunities, I think and then the ball wouldn’t go in,” Rochelle coach John Gehm said. “Jayden Dickey is a great free-throw shooter but for whatever reason tonight, ball is just not going in.”
Gehm said it was an uncharacteristic flaw in an otherwise characteristically great night for Dickey, who finished with a game-high 17 points along with nine rebounds and three steals.
“No matter if she’s making or missing every night she’s playing as hard as she possibly can defensively,” Gehm said. “She prides herself on defense. That’s something she carries with her every game.”
ence foe. The Tigers have loads of young talent coming through the program and will be the preseason No. 1 team in 3A, with IC Catholic also up there.
Of course, there is a ridiculous nature to preseason polls. In college football, Texas was No. 1 and Penn State was No. 2. Within a few short weeks, both dropped out of the top 25 after multiple losses.
When the regular season ended, half of the teams ranked in the poll fell out of the top 25, though Texas did return.
A better idea would be to scratch the concept and begin the polls partway through the season. Otherwise, it is just guesses based upon how a team did the previous year.
The biggest disappointment of the IHSA finals was East St. Louis being upset by Chicago Fenwick. Talented, speedy and big, East St. Louis is one of the least disciplined teams you’ll ever see.
In 8-man, Amboy has lots of players coming back and it’s possible we could see Polo and the Clippers in a repeat championship game. Polo’s tradition is such that it always will be there at the end.
On to basketball, bowling and wrestling.
An early basketball game between two of the top teams in the area took place Dec. 1 between Eastland and Forreston. In Robert DeVries’ first game as head coach, the Cardinals nearly beat
the No. 7 team in Class 1A on Eastland’s home court, losing in overtime after holding an eight-point lead in the second half.
Forreston hasn’t beaten Eastland since 2015 when DeVries was a senior on the team that took fourth downstate. Do you remember the other starters? Wyatt Kerchner, Ethan Groom, Kaleb Reining and Aaron Shelton.
Polo, which was in the midst of its remarkable seven-year run of 20-plus wins, gave the Cardinals all they could handle in the regional finals that year, losing 56-46.
The top streak of 20-win seasons in the area is 18 years by Rockford Boylan (1991-2008). Lately though, Boylan is taking it lumps in both basketball and football.
With an enrollment down to 558, it was 2-7 in football and 6-27 in basketball. Twenty years ago, there were 1,300 students.
Oregon has been one of the best small-school bowling teams in the state and this year in no exception. In November, RJ Keene set a school record with a 795 (247-290-258) series against Sterling, including 11 strikes in a row.
Those who bowl recreationally can relate to how big of a deal that is. Congratulations RJ.
• Andy Colbert is a sports writer for Shaw Local covering high school sports in Ogle County.
Mark Busch
Rochelle’s Mason Ludwig shoots over Sycamore’s Josiah Mitchell on Friday, Dec. 5, during their game at Rochelle High School.
Rochelle High School competition cheer team places 1st
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Rochelle Township High School competition cheer teams both placed on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the J-Hawk Competition in Rockford.
Varsity took home a first-place finish and junior varsity took home second place. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the junior varsity team took first place at the Barrington JingleFest Competition.
Photos by Photo provided by Marcy DeLille
LEFT: The Rochelle Township High School competition cheer teams both placed on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the J-Hawk Competition in Rockford. Varsity took home a first-place finish and junior varsity took home second place. RIGHT: On Sunday, Dec. 7, the junior varsity team took first place at the Barrington JingleFest Competition.
Rochelle sophomore boys basketball vs. Sycamore
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Here are Robin Rethwill’s photos from the Rochelle sophomore boys basketball game against Sycamore. Rochelle won the game 63-56 in overtime.
Photos by Photo provided by Robin Rethwill
TOP LEFT: Rochelle’s Braxton Bruns fights for a loose ball during the Hubs’ sophomore game with Sycamore.
TOP RIGHT: Rochelle’s Holden Liebhaber scores and gets fouled, converting the three-point play, during the Hubs’ sophomore basketball game with Sycamore. ABOVE: Rochelle’s Braxton Bruns goes up strong for two of his nine points during the Hubs’ sophomore basketball game with Sycamore. LEFT: Rochelle’s Sebastian Albertson hits a 3-pointer during the Hubs’ sophomore game with Sycamore.
SPORTS
Sycamore boys, girls snag wins at Rochelle
Boys win thriller with comeback, while girls get 30 combined points from Lang, Carrier
By EDDIE CARIFIO ecarifio@shawmedia.com
For the better part of 29 minutes, the Rochelle boys basketball team’s offense could do no wrong.
For the last three minutes, the Hubs couldn’t manage a shot against the Sycamore defense as the Spartans completed the comeback for an 84-78 win on Friday in the Interstate 8 opener for both teams.
“We’re rolling in hot,” said Sycamore guard Marcus Johnson, who finished with a team-high 22 points, six rebounds and three steals. “It gives us the confidence ... to dominate the conference. We’re ready to keep winning games.”
It was a Sycamore sweep in Rochelle, as the Spartans also won the girls game, 58-39, behind 16 points and 11 rebounds from Sadie Lang. Quinn Carrier added 14 points and six rebounds in the win.
In the boys game, the Hubs (2-3 overall, 0-1 conference) led most of the way, including by as much as 13 in the first half.
Every time the Spartans (4-0, 1-0) got close, the Hubs stretched the lead back out. Sycamore tied it up at 51, Rochelle scored the next eight. Sycamore cut the lead to 67-66, Rochelle rattled off six straight.
“This season means too much to us,” Johnson said. “We just have to keep punching. As much effort as we can put in, we just have to give it our all. That’s how we did it. That’s how we got a win.”
The Hubs pushed the lead to 76-70 on a layup by Warren Schweitzer with 3:39 left. It was their last field goal of the game and Sycamore would score the next 12 points before Rochelle scored again.
Johnson had the chance to tie the game at 76 with a pair of free throws but missed the back end. Isaiah Feuerbach grabbed the offensive rebound, and
eventually Johnson found his way back to the line. He made both, putting the Spartans ahead 77-76 with 2:05 left.
“We just preached to play the whole 32 minutes,” Sycamore coach Ethan Franklin said. “We were getting the looks we were wanting on offense and we were converting. It was just a matter of if we were going to put stops together. So the one stretch we were finally able to put stops together, we created a little bit of separation and finished out the game.”
A Feuerbach steal on the next possession led to a layup for Xander Lewis, who finished with 11 points. Lewis got a steal on the next possession and Johnson made a free throw to extend the lead to 80-76 with 47 seconds left. After another Rochelle turnover, Lewis hit two free throws with 29.4 seconds left.
Feuerbach finished with 18 points and six steals. Josiah Mitchell had 20 points. Brody Bruns had 28 points and
six rebounds for the Hubs. Bruns just crossed over 1,000 points for his career earlier this week and had the night he did despite being under the weather, Rochelle coach Tim Thompson said, adding he expects a big year out of him.
The Hubs turned the ball over 24
times in the game, including 11 in the fourth quarter. They went 7:34 before their first turnover in the second half, but 0:09 before their first turnover of the fourth quarter.
“I thought we just kind of crumbled a
Mark Busch
Sycamore’s Josiah Mitchell goes to the basket against Rochelle’s Van Gerber on Friday, Dec. 5, during their game at Rochelle High School.
Sycamore’s Sadie Lang shoots over Gianna Olguin on Friday, Dec. 5, during their game at Rochelle High School.
