SVM_Sterling Rock Falls Welcome Guide_062424

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The city of Rock Falls got its start in 1837, when Isaac Merrill settled along the southern bank of the Rock River in the northern section of Coloma Township.

He soon was joined by several other settlers and their families, including Edward Atkins, Daniel Brooks and Noah Merrill.

Isaac Merrill’s son, Nelson, is believed to be the first child born in the settlement, in November 1838.

Rock Falls originally was called Rapids City after A.B. Wheeler, Isaac Merrill, Atkins and Brooks laid out a mile-square area on the riverbank. Atkins must have had high hopes for growth and future residents – he built a large framed house for use as a hotel.

During that time, the state let out a contract to build a canal at Rapids City, but when the state encountered financial difficulties, the project was suspended.

Because of the financial hardship sweeping the United States, the future Rock Falls lay nearly dormant for 20 years. There were no shops or stores in operation in the township, and in 1857, the plat of Rapids City was vacated. A year later, the county map showed only 31 residents.

Schooling was not offered until 1845. The first teacher, Anastasia Sturtevant, held classes in an old store until a granary was bought and remodeled. A brick building later was built, followed by Merrill School in 1888.

Businessman and New York native Augustus P. Smith is credited with salvaging the community in 1867. Smith moved across the river from Sterling, bought 47 acres and opened a mitten factory. Then he laid out a town and called it Rock Falls.

ROCK FALLS HISTORY cont’d to page 4

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barn-door hangers.

Eureka Manufacturing organized in 1871.

Smith also bought the Sterling HydrauEarly products were school and office furnilic Co.’s water plant, which had built a dam ture. in 1854. Smith used the dam’s water power Production later was changed to carto run his factory. He spent $12,000 to riages and allied products and vehicles of improve his water supply, which promoted all types including hearses and ambuthe use of waterpower and motivated othlances. During World War II, it switched to ers to use the power, as well. The town war production, buses, ambulances and sprang up around the factory, and Smith turret baskets for tanks. It operated until was able to hire about 100 workers.

1965.

Rock Falls was incorporated in January The Sterling Manufacturing Co. began 1869, and a town government was formed. making stair rails, newel posts, church The first ordinance was a temperance act seats and butter tubs, among other things, forbidding the sale of malt liquors in less as early as 1855. By 1877, it was making than 1-gallon quantities. At the same meet2,500 butter tubs a week. ing, the town seal was ordered. It carried Many other manufacturing companies the motto, “Fundo in Tempero,” which have occupied means “I build in the south shore good time.” of the Rock River Eventually, over the years.

Rock Falls gained As early as city status.

1877, Rock Falls At that time, had one hose campaigns were company protectwaged both for ing the town. In and against 1908, the first fire annexing with wagon and team Sterling. In the was bought, and end, the voters Downtown Rock Falls was bustling with activity the horses were nixed the idea during the 1910 Corn Carnival, a once annual named Thome and Rock Falls event in the city. The Johnston Lumber and Coal and Grady, in became its own store is at right, and the First Avenue Bridge can honor of the town. be seen in the background. At left, a carnival mayor and alderA period of attraction advertises a “natural born” threeman. The departlegged calf and colt. rapid growth folment became lowed the arrival motorized in 1921. of the railroad in Rock Falls. The new form Rock Falls had several newspapers in of transportation boosted industry, and the late 1800s, many of which lasted only a numerous factories were established and couple of years. The earliest one was Rock prospered.

Falls Progress, which ran its presses by George S. Tracy and Thomas A. Galt water power. It was Republican in its beliefs bought water rights and land in Rock Falls and was published for about 7 years. from Smith after their Sterling factory was The Rock Falls Methodist Church is the destroyed in 1867. Keystone Manufacturing oldest in the township. It was organized by Co. was organized between 1870 and 1877, the Rev. J.H. Alling in 1869. built 10 more buildings, and concentrated Many service clubs and special interest on making agricultural machinery. groups also were organized more than 100 Others who played a role in the develyears ago. opment of Rock Falls were brothers John H. The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Sociand Edwin F. Lawrence, prosperous manuety was chartered in 1959, and in 2017, Rock facturers who started with a patent for two Falls celebrated its sesquicentennial. n

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The Rock River and Elkhorn and Sugar creeks combined with woodlands and prairie to make the Sterling area attractive to settlers in the early 1900s.

The area was one of the last to be settled in Illinois, with the first settlers arriving in the region about 1832, after the Black Hawk War. Prior to their arrival, the territory was occupied by Fox and Sauk Indians.

Hezekiah Brink was the first person to build a cabin in the area, in 1834. He soon was joined by other settlers, and 2 years after Brink built his cabin, he and his wife had a daughter, the first child born in the township.

Steamer pilot Capt. D.S. Harris delivered a load of supplies to the settlers via the Rock River in 1836, with the majority of merchandise for Brink. In return, Harris received a half interest in a community that was named Harrisburg in his honor.

Around the same time, William Kirkpatrick laid claim to property near Harrisburg that would come to be known as the settlement of Chatham.

Soon the residents of Harrisburg and Chatham became rivals, competing for possession of rented office space and a post office called the Rock River Rapids.

By 1838, though, the two settlements made peace and merged in hopes of becoming the county seat. They united under the new name of Sterling, named after Maj. James Sterling, who participated in the Black Hawk War. In 1842, believing they were victorious in becoming the county seat, the settlers began building a courthouse. The building was used for only a short time before the county seat was moved to Morrison, where it remains today. Religious groups and other organizations used the building in Sterling until it was razed for its bricks in 1881.

One of the settlers’ other hopes was to use the Rock River as a navigational route. This plan, however, never worked out because the river had too many rapids. Instead, the settlers learned how to harness the river’s power to run saw and grist mills.

Because navigating the Rock River was not an option, the state authorized construction of a canal in 1839. It was to run along the south side of the river and bypass the shallow waters.

STERLING HISTORY cont’d to page 8 Left: The CN&W Depot in downtown Sterling, circa 1909. In the background is the Simpson and Co. Coal & Wood. Below: A train pulls into the CB&Q passenger station in downtown Sterling.

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rated under the laws of the state.

The first bank in Sterling opened in Financial problems, though, caused 1852, when Hapgood and Miles S. Henry this project to be abandoned, as well. went into business together. The firm disWhile Brink was somewhat successful solved in 1861, and other banks were in running a ferry service on the Rock started.

River to attract travelers, other means for The Sterling Gas Co. was organized in crossing the river were unsuccessful.

1873 to provide gas for domestic purposes Work on the first bridge was done from and street illumination. Eventually, the com1856-57, but never was completed and pany changed its name and provided both eventually the bridge washed away before gas and electricity after a period in which it could be used. Other bridges were built Sterling had many service companies. and destroyed by the elements, including

By July 1889, the installation of a sysa toll bridge in 1863 and one in 1904. It was tem to light the city with electricity and the predicted to last forever, but it fell to ruins building of an electric railway progressed in 1906. simultaneously.

In 1854, SterHowever, the ling Hydraulic project of electric Co. built a dam transportation across the river was complicated to encourage and and dormant for support other 10 years. industry in the One of the area. few electric lines Not all factoto be successful ries, though, were was the Sterling, dependent on Dixon and Eastwater power. ern Electric RailIndustrial way. The SD & expansion The “New Lawrence Building” in downtown EER ran a trolley increased draSterling is seen here, circa 1910. On the corner service between matically after the of the building is a sign advertising a suit sale at Sterling and Civil War. One of M&K, and on the ground floor facing First Dixon from 1904 the first factories Avenue is a restaurant. to 1925. was the mitten Around 1930, factory owned by A.P. Smith, the founder some of the streetcars were remodeled of Rock Falls. Keystone Co., Northwestern into tourist cabins and moved to Morrison.

Steel and Wire Co. and Eureka ManufacSchools developed slowly in Sterling, turing Co. all were begun between 1870 with the first constructed in 1856. The early and 1879. schools were frame structures, but later The arrival of the first train in Sterling, in ones were constructed of brick. Lincoln School originally was called First Ward July 1855, caused great celebration and was School, and Central School was called Stera progressive step for the town. U.S. Sen. ling School.

Stephen A. Douglas and Gov. Joel Matteson In 1877, Sterling Business College was were among the 3,000 people in attendance. started by Harry Aument. He claimed to Sterling didn’t become a city until 1857, when it received a special charter from the have the first business college in the world to include shorthand in its curriculum.

General Assembly. An election of officers The Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Sociwas held and Lorenzo Hapgood was choety was founded in 1959 by individuals sen as first mayor. In 1869, the charter was interested in preserving the historical herirevised and Sterling was governed under tage of both cities. n amended provisions until it was incorpo-

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People helping people is what Rock Falls is all about. Since its founding in 1839, residents have pitched in and worked together to make things happen in Rock Falls. They built the city’s first shops, homes and industries. They built the first schools and churches. They built a library, parks and more businesses.

Today, the city’s 9,000 residents continue to work together to build what they need, whether it be a walking bridge across the Rock River or a riverfront development project.

City leaders also work together to bring in new business and strengthen existing ones.

Work is moving forward on the newest member of the city’s public utilities family: a fiber network. Rock Falls can now boast that it’s a gigabit city, and the city is working on connecting residents to its broadband service, which can provide speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second.

Rock Falls is focused on developing its riverfront, cleaning up empty factories and redeveloping them for commercial use. In recent years, the city has finished the second phase of the RB&W District, turning a former industrial site into a RB&W Park, complete with an entertainment venue, a trail, Art in the Park sculpture display, and restrooms.

Other proposals being considered along the riverfront would include a path under the First Avenue bridge for safer and easier access to RB&W Park.

“We’re going to be looking at putting a path in underneath the bridge so people can park on the west side of First Avenue in our parking lots over there; [and] to get to events you won’t have to cross First Avenue,” City Administrator Robbin Blackert said during a December 2023 City Council meeting.

The city also hopes to see new development along state Route 40 and Interstate 88, and has partnered with the neighboring towns of Dixon and Sterling, as well as economic leaders from Lee and Whiteside counties, to attract industry to the I-88 West Corridor.

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ROCK FALLS TODAY cont’d from page 9 In March 2024, Rock Falls native Amber (Morris) Hoffman, a residential and commercial real estate contractor, announced plans to develop two new subdivisions that would bring 138 single-family homes to the city, and to redevelop the downtown building at the corner of Second Street and First Avenue, which has been sitting vacant since 2007.

Plans call for one subdivision to be built in the Marsha Lane area, off Dixon Avenue, with the other subdivision built at the south end of state Route 40 at Fourth Street, near the Hennepin Canal.

Hoffman, owner of Rock River Establishments, wants to convert the downtown building owned by local attorney Louis Pignatelli into a business that would house a bar, restaurant and food court area on the first floor, and a cigar lounge and outdoor patio upstairs, with a view of the Rock River. If all goes as planned, she’d also like to build a brewery along the riverfront, followed by up to seven commercial buildings and a fourstory condo with garages by the Lower Dam. Along with recent development that included the addition of Ollie’s, the new OnCall Imaging that offers advanced noninvasive imaging, and planned redevelopment of the MicroIndustries building downtown, Rock Falls could also become the home of a new shared firefighting training facility. Members of the Rock Falls and Sterling fire departments want to bring such a facility to enhance scenario-based training.

The Garrett Ramos Training Facility Cooperative — formed after the December 2021 onduty death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos, who fell through the floor of a burning home in rural Rock Falls — was formed between Sterling and Rock Falls “in an effort to construct the proper facility for our organizations,” said Rock Falls Fire Department Capt. Kyle Sommers, co-chairman of the cooperative’s committee. If plans pan out, the facility would be located in the Rock Falls Industrial Park on Beltway Drive. Sommers said he expects the project, which is planned to be completed in phases, will take about five years. n

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The master plan for Sterling’s Riverfront Reimagined project. Among the proposed features: an amphitheater, trails and paths, playground, skating rink, water feature, and river overlook areas. Go toriverfrontreimagined.com for more information.

Sterling is a city built on the strength of its residents. That strength led to the development of industry, with the city’s first factories being built in the 1850s, some along the banks of the Rock River, so the water could help power them.

Over time, more factories were built, many that manufactured hardware. So much hardware was produced in Sterling that the city was dubbed the Hardware Capital of the World at one point. Though the city is no longer the world’s hardware capital, it’s economic landscape has changed with the times and it’s matured and diversified, giving rise to a balance of industry, commerce and retail business.

In recent years, Sterling has seen a flurry of economic activity throughout the city.

Northland Mall welcomed a new anchor store in 2024 when Hobby Lobby moved into the space formerly occupied by Bergner’s; and just down the road, in Pine Tree Plaza, Harbor Freight moved in to space formerly occupied by Staples.

Meanwhile, a business incubator consisting of six small, free-standing storefronts was built downtown to help online, in-home or even brand-new startups eventually migrate to their own brick-and-mortar stores.

The Sterling Main Street project, The Shoppes at Grandon Plaza, was built in an empty lot at 310 Second Ave that was donated by Sterling Today Inc., a nonprofit economic development group.

To help spur new growth, the city created the Greater Sterling Development Corp., which works to recruit new business to the area. In turn, those new businesses can help attract more people to Sterling and spur the construction of new housing.

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STERLING TODAY cont’d from page 12 In January 2024, Ashley and Ryan Nares, owners of Nares Event Co. and ‘Til Death Photo and Film, announced plans to lease the first and second floors of the three-story, historic Mercantile Building at 117 W. Third St. and turn the first-floor ballroom into a venue for weddings and other events, and the second floor into the headquarters for their photography/videography and wedding planning business.

The Mercantile Ballroom & Cocktail Lounge will feature a standalone bar and a kitchen that serves globally inspired food, Thursday through Sunday for starters, Ashley said.

On the east end of town, in the Sterling Crossings plaza (the former Kmart on East Lincolnway and a neighboring building) were transformed into a shopping center that’s home to an Old Navy, Five Below, Marshalls’s and Shoe Sensation, and two stores that moved from the Northland Mall: Maurices and Bath and Body Works.

Elsewhere downtown, it was announced in 2022 that a restaurant, new retail and/or office space and five new apartments are in the works in the Haymarket Tap building on the corner of East Third and Second Avenue, and the Beans, Books & Beliefs building right next door, at 121 E. Third.

Sterling’s leaders also want to improve the quality of life for residents.

In April 2023, Sterling’s Riverfront Commission unveiled the concept plan for the Lawrence Bros. and National sites, part of the $300-million-plus Riverfront Reimagined Project, during an open house.

The plan is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to reinvent and reclaim land along the riverfront, a former industrial hub in the city that was home to a number of factories. As times changed and the factories closed, the city made one of its fundamental goals to capitalize on prime real estate along the Rock River, reestablishing the riverfront as an amenity and destination.

The main components of the master plan focus on the two former factory sites and call for apartments, a hotel and events center, and a rooftop bar/restaurant for the four buildings at the Lawrence site, which would be developed first if plans are undertaken.

Plans for the National site call for 127 income-based, workforce housing units in buildings 1, 2 and 5, and mixed-use development in building 3, 4, 6, and 7 that could include shops, bars, restaurants and other businesses.

More information on the Lawrence and National sites can be found at riverfrontreimagined.com.

Work wrapped up in 2024 on a $6.3 million reconstruction of Locust Street/ state Route 40, from 14th Street to a little south of 25th Street. The project, in the works for several years, completely rebuilt Locust from LeFevre to Lynn, with the pavement replaced and the road widened to three lanes to include a left turn lane.

Another priority in Sterling is maintaining excellent schools. Six schools and a career center are included in the Community Unit 5 school system, and Sterling has three private schools. Upon graduation, students can advance their education at Sauk Valley Community College, just a few miles east of town on state Route 2.

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STERLING TODAY cont’d from page 13 The Sterling Park District maintains several parks, an indoor fitness facility and an 18-hole golf course. Central Memorial Park downtown received a number of upgrades recently, with a splash pad opening in 2023, and work wrapping up on a concession stand/restroom facility. Other work at the park includes new wiring and light fixtures, replacing band shell benches and creating a walking path around the parks’ perimeter.

The city also worked with Rock Falls to build a footbridge over the Rock River, allowing residents to hike and bike along the Hennepin Feeder Canal in Rock Falls.

The river offers great recreational opportunities each summer for boating, waterskiing and fishing.

For those who enjoy the arts, there’s the Woodlawn Arts Academy, a nonprofit created to provide educational opportunities for children and adults in all areas of the arts. Classes vary from visual arts to music and the literary arts to the performing arts.

Residents also can take advantage of the entertainment and recreational opportunities available in many of Illinois’ biggest cities, as Sterling is just a 1- or 2-hour drive from Chicago, Rockford, the Quad Cities and Peoria.

The city’s easy access to these other major economic centers also makes it more convenient to do business there, which is why Sterling has partnered with Dixon and Rock Falls, and Lee and Whiteside counties to develop the I-88 West Corridor.

Together, they’re bringing new business to the Sauk Valley, making it even more attractive to live here. n

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American Legion Post 902 — 712 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815-6263862; legion.org and on Facebook American Legion Post 296 — 601 First Ave., Sterling; 815-625-1212; legion. org and on Facebook Beta Sigma Phi women’s service organization — 888-238-2221; bspinternational.org Boy Scouts of America, Blackhawk Area Council, White Eagle District — 815-397-0210; blackhawkscouting.org Carpenters Local 790 — 1008 Seventh Ave., Rock Falls; 815-626-1533; local790. com/ CGH Medical Center Auxiliary — 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling; or 815-625-0400, ext. 4642; cghmc.com Church Women United — 210 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; churchwomenunitedillinois.org/ Crossroads Youth Ministries — 1800 Prophet Road, Rock Falls; 815-625-4371; Facebook Daughters of the American Revolution, Rock River Chapter — ildar.org/ chapters/rockriver/ Eagles Club 2783 — 321 W. Second St., Rock Falls; find “Rock Falls Eagles Club” on Facebook Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois — 229 First Ave. Rock Falls; 844-4764463; girlscoutsni.org/ 4-H, University of Illinois Extension Office for Lee, Carroll and Whiteside counties — 12923 Lawrence Road in Sterling; 815-632-3611; https://extension. illinois.edu/clw/4-h-whitesidecounty and on Facebook Jaycees-Sterling/Rock Falls — P.O. Box 705, Sterling; find “Sterling-Rock Falls Jaycees” on Facebook Kiwanis of Sterling — P.O. Box 44, Sterling; sterlingkiwanis.org; on Facebook.

Knights of Columbus No. 662 — kofc. org or call the nearest Catholic church Latin American Social Club — meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of the month at Sterling Public Library; 815-626-8290; Facebook Masonic Lodge Rock River 612 — 113 1/2 W. Third St., Sterling; 612-il.ourlodge-

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page.com Moose Lodge 726 — 2601 E. Lincolnway, Sterling; 815-625-3619; mooseintl.org/ location/726-sterling/ and on Facebook Optimist Club-Rock Falls — optimistofrockfalls@gmail.com; optimist.org/ member/clubdirectory/clubdetail. cfm?club=12302 and on Facebook Optimist Club-Sterling — sterling.optimist@gmail.com; optimist.org/member/ clubdirectory/clubdetail.cfm?club=12328 and on Facebook PEO Sisterhood Chapter CC — peoillinois.org Rebekah Lodge 202 Rock Falls — ioof-il. org/lodge-directory/rebekah-lodges/ Rock River Human Resources Professional Association — P.O. Box 962, Dixon; rrhrpa.shrm.org Rock River Road Runners Running Club — on Facebook Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus — rockrivervalleychorus.org and on Facebook Rock River Valley International Fellowship — 802 W. Third St., Sterling; immanuelrockfalls.org/the-rock-river-valley-international-fellowship/ and on Facebook Rotary Club, Twin City Sunrise — https://rotary6420.org/clubinfo/twincities-(rock-falls-sterling) and on Facebook Rotary Club of Rock Falls — rockfallsrotary.org and on Facebook Sterling Noon Rotary — sterlingilrotary. com Sauk Valley Association of Realtors — 2605 Woodlawn Road No. 4, Sterling; 815-626-8148 Sauk Valley Landlord Association — P.O. Box 401, Rock Falls; svla.org Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society — 1005 E. Third St., Sterling; 815-6226215; srfhs.com and on Facebook United Methodist Women of Rock Falls — 210 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815625-0114; rockfallsumc.org/ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5418 — 217 First Ave., Rock Falls; 815-626-3513 Whiteside County Genealogists — genealogytrails.com/ill/whiteside Yak Yak Sisters, kayaking club for men and women — on Facebook

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As the nation struggled through a Great Depression, a group of Rock Falls residents joined together to help bring the city its first library.

The Rev. James R. Uhlinger, with support from the Rock Falls Womens Club and other residents, worked with the W.P.A. (Works Project Administration) to turn the idea of a library into reality. Its first chapter began in the old Rock Falls National Bank building before moving to the Cruse Building and later, Merrill School. In the midst of a World War, the library continued to grow and in September 1943 moved into the Johnston Building on First Avenue, where it remained for 22 years.

In November 1965, the Coloma Township Library merged with the city of Rock Falls and formed the Rock Falls Public Library, which was then housed in the north wing of the Municipal Building, where it remained for three decades.

In the 1990s, the non-profit group K.I.D.S.S (Knowledge Increases Developing Skills for Success) was formed to raise money to build a new library. Thanks to the contributions of local residents and businesses, including former Rock Falls resident Dr. Louis Rubin, the new library became a reality. The Joseph and Dora Rubin Library Building, dedicated to Dr. Rubin’s parents, opened in February 2001.

In addition to a sizable book collection for all ages, the library subscribes to several newspapers and dozens of magazines. It also loans out audio books, CDs and DVDs. Patrons can access the Internet from any of several computers, and computers also are available for children. Special reading programs for children and adults are available, and the library offers a book club, a craft club and other activities.

Library cards are free for Coloma Township residents or those who pay taxes on property within Coloma Township. Patrons outside of Coloma Township pay $60 a year per family.

LIBRARY cont’d to page 18

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LIBRARY cont’d from page 17 Each summer, the library organizes crafts and other programs for children, and offers short-term, discounted library cards for children who live outside the township.

Library cards can be used at other Illinois public libraries. Rock Falls has joined its collection with Dixon and Sterling public libraries, and with Sterling Public Schools, and Newman Central Catholic, Rock Falls and Dixon high schools, to form the Rock River Library Consortium. n

More info Rock Falls Public Library 1007 Seventh Ave. 815-626-3958 Online: rockfallslibrary.com and on Facebook Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MondayThursday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

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These magazines are totally free and will be sent to you in the mail.

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To request your FREE copy, simply call us at (815) 632-2566 or email your requests and address to: knull@saukvalley.com A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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Additional information can be found at https://www.igb.illinois.gov/selfexclusion

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A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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Sterling Public Library, established in 1878, has grown and progressed along with the city. To keep up with this growth, the library has had several homes within the community as its collection of reading materials and number of patrons has increased. The current building was opened in November 1905, thanks to a donation by Andrew Carnegie. It was expanded in 1985, and again in 1995.

Three main departments serve Cards can be used at other Illinois patrons of all ages. The library even public libraries. Sterling has joined its offers items in Spanish, and has extencollection with Dixon and Rock Falls sive local history and genealogy public libraries, and with Sterling Public resources. There is a community room Schools, St. Mary’s School in Sterling, and Newman Central Catholic, and small study room available for public use.

Rock Falls and Dixon high schools, to The library houses about 57,000 form the Rock River Library Consortium. items in In addition, people many formats: print, with a valid audio, DVD, library card and elecfrom other tronic public books. libraries in NewspaIllinois can pers, periregister odicals, their card public comwith the puters with Sterling Internet library for access, circulation wi-fi, and privileges. microfilm of The More info local newslibrary also Sterling Public Library | 102 W. Third St. papers is offers more 815-625-1370. also availthan just Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday & Tuesday; 9 a.m. to able. books. Peo5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. ple can The Online: On Facebook or go to sterlingpubliclibrary.org make coplibrary offers ies or use a a host of self-service scanner to scan documents digital library services on its website into a PDF file. A notary public is on There is a summer reading program staff, and adult patrons can check out for children and adults, and weekly story general admission passes to the Putnam time for preschoolers year-round.

Museum in Davenport.

Library cards are available at no In addition, the library has an extencharge to residents within city limits, sive local history and genealogy collecand for a fee to people outside city limits tion supported by a part-time genealo— contact the library for cost. Cards are valid for 2 years. People who live outside gist. The collection includes periodicals, books, genealogies and microfilm. It also the city limits, but own property within has subscriptions to several internet the city limits, can get a free, 1-year databases that patrons may use on the library card with proof of property ownership. library’s computers. n

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A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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CGH Medical Center has been caring for patients since 1909, and today has more than a dozen area offices and clinics, including a bigger and better clinic in Rock Falls.

The hospital, which merged with the Sterling-Rock Falls Clinic, now the CGH Main Clinic, in December 2010, has facilities in Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, Milledgeville, Morrison, Mount Carroll, Polo, Prophetstown, Tampico and Walnut. Its service area encompasses 105,000 people, and it employs more than 1,400 people, with a staff of 140 physicians specializing in 35 different fields.

In 2023, CGH announced a major renovation project designed to enhance and modernize the most dated parts of the hospital: the entrance, lobby, Admitting department, Auxiliary Gift Shop, and the CGH Café. The project will involve 20,000 square feet of the facility and will improve patient flow and create a more welcoming lobby with expanded, comfortable seating; create a confidential admitting/discharge experience and a new reception area; improve security surveillance; add family patient consultation rooms, and make upgrades to the CGH Cafe and cafeteria seating area.

“This project is really about ensuring that our patients have the best experience we can possibly provide from the minute they walk in our doors,” Cindy Zander, CGH Vice President of Support Services, said in a news release. “We want them to feel welcome and relaxed in an environment that reflects the high quality of care and service we offer.”

The project is being done in two phases, and was on track to be completed by the middle of 2024.

HEALTH CARE cont’d to page 22

Rock Falls Electric Utilities

Est. 1895

Solar Field: Belt way Dr.

Nationally recognized Municipal Electric Agency One of only Three Communities in Illinois

Hydro Plant: E 2nd St.

Rock Falls provides green, affordable, and reliable power to consumers and is transitioning our generation to a cleaner, more diverse portfolio in a responsible fashion while ensuring reliable supply and proving stable costs to our customers A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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In 2023, CGH announced a major renovation project designed to enhance and modernize the most dated parts of the hospital, including the main entrance. Above: An artist’s rendering of the finished entrance project

HEATH CARE cont’d from page 21 The project is part of CGH’s ongoing efforts to meet the ever-changing demands of people’s health care needs.

CGH’s inpatient services include a 36-bed medical unit, a 28-bed surgical unit, 10 birthing center suites, six pediatric beds, and 18 CCU/ICU/Biotelemetry beds. Outpatient services include the state-of-the-art Cath Lab and an accredited laboratory.

Diagnostic imaging services include a 64-ring CT scanner, nuclear medicine with SPECT scanning, ultrasound, dedicated mammography including digital mammography and an in-house, high field MRI. Other departments and services include a neurology laboratory, a GI laboratory and nutritional support, pain management, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy.

In addition, CGH offers an ambulatory surgical center, a digestive health center, physical and occupational therapy, a diabetic education department, a wound care center, and a 24-hour trauma ready emergency department.

It also operates its own day care center adjacent to the campus.

CGH and its satellite facilities provide tens of millions of dollars in free and discounted care yearly, and also gives back to the community through community sponsorships; donations and support; community partnerships; and supplementation of Community Services and Foundation programs, which provide for the health and wellness of community members.

Since 2013, CGH has received high grades for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, including the A Safety Rating. The Leapfrog Group collects and reports data to empower patients to choose the right hospital.

“CGH Medical Center is honored to provide ... the very best care,” Dr. Paul Steinke, the medical center’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “We are proud of these achievements and believe it is a direct result of our physicians’, nurses’ and staffs’ dedication to outstanding care.” n

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MORE INFO CGH Medical Center 100 E. Le Fevre Road, Sterling 815-625-0400 Email: info@cghmc.com Online: cghmc.com and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Go to cghmc.com/ locations for a list of CGH’s satellite locations.

HEALTH CARE OPTIONS Residents of Sterling Rock Falls are also served by two other area hospitals, Morrison Community Hospital and KSB Hospital in Dixon.

Morrison Community Hospital 303 N. Jackson St., Morrison Main phone: 815-7724003 (for other numbers, go to morrisonhospital. com/contact-us) Online: morrisonhospital. com/ and on Facebook KSB Hospital and Medical Group 403 E. First St., Dixon 815-288-5531 Online: ksbhospital.com/ and on Facebook

A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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East Coloma-Nelson Consolidated Elementary District 20

East Coloma-Nelson School serves grades K-8. It has about 280 students, with about 15 in each class. K-5 students stay in self-contained classrooms, while 6-8 students rotate classes in preparation for high school.

East Coloma-Nelson School 1602 Dixon Ave. 815-625-4400 Online: ecoloma.net Principal: Andrew Blackert

Rock Falls Elementary District 13

District 13 has a preschool, two grade schools, Merrill and Dillon, and Rock Falls Middle School. It has about 1,000 students in its four buildings.

602 Fourth Ave. 815-626-2604 Online: rfsd13.org

Dillon School

1901 Eighth Ave. 815-625-3356 Online: http://rfsd13.org/index.php/ our-district/schools/dillonelementary-school Grades: K-2 Enrollment: About 300 students, with an average of 22 in each class Principal: Roy Calkins

Merrill School

600 Fourth Ave. 815-625-4634 Online: http://rfsd13.org/index.php/ our-district/schools/merrillelementary-school Grades: 3-5 Enrollment: About 330 students, with an average class size of 26.

Principal: Brody Rude

Rock Falls Middle School

1701 12th Ave. 815-626-2626 Online: http://rfsd13.org/index.php/ our-district/schools/rfms

Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: About 300 students, with an average class size of 20 Principal: Kyle Ackman

Riverdale Preschool

3505 Prophet Road 815-625-5280 Online: https://rfdist13.org/index.php/ about-riverdale Enrollment: About 160 students with an average class size of 20 Principal: Chelese Palmer

Montmorency School District 145

Montmorency School serves grades K-8. It has about 350 students, with an average class size of 18

Montmorency School

9415 Hoover Road 815-625-6616 Online: sites.google.com/a/mgs145. net/montmorencyschooldistrict145/ home Principal: Megan Dillon

Rock Falls Township High School District 301 Rock Falls High School

101 12th Ave. 815-625-3886 Online: www.rfhs301.org Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: About 670 students, with an average class size of 15 Principal: Mike Berentes

Parochial School St. Andrew Catholic Grade School

701 11th Ave. 815-625-1456 Online: https:// standrewsgradeschool.org/ Grades: Pre-K through 8 Enrollment: About 112 students, with an average class size of 16 Principal: Katie Blakeslee

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Community Unit School District 5

410 E. LeFevre Road 815-626-5050 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org Community Unit School District 5 encompasses four grade schools, a middle school, and a high school. The grade schools are part of an attendance center format.

Sterling High School

1608 Fourth Ave. 815-625-6800 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/shs Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: About 1,000 students, with an average of 16 in each class.

Principal: Jason Austin

Challand Middle School

1700 Sixth Ave. 815-626-3300 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/cms Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: About 760 students, with an average of 23 in each class.

Principal: Lindsy Stumpenhorst

Franklin Elementary School

1510 E. 25th St. 815-625-5755 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/fes Grades: Preschool through second Principal: Brooke Dir

Jefferson Elementary School

806 E. LeFevre Road 815-625-6402 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/jes Grades: Preschool through second Principal: Heather Wittenauer

Lincoln Elementary

1501 E. Sixth St. 815-625-1449 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/les Grades: 3-5 Enrollment: About 360 students, with an average of 26 in each class.

Principal: Cindy Frank

Washington Elementary

815 W. LeFevre Road 815-625-2372 Online: sterlingpublicschools.org/o/wes

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Grades: 3-5 Enrollment: About 375 students, with an average of 25 in each class Principal: Liz Engstrom

Vocational school

Whiteside Area Career Center

1608 Fifth Ave. 815-626-5810 Online: wacc.cc/ Whiteside Area Career Center was the first of only 23 career and technical education centers in Illinois. It serves students from 16 member school districts and four parochial schools. About 600 students are enrolled in its 12 programs that provide technical training in several areas, including business and related technology, consumer services, industrial technology and transportation services. Specialized career and technical skills are taught in a variety of occupations. Workbased learning programs also are offered.

Parochial schools Newman Central Catholic High School

Newman serves parishes in Lee, Bureau, Ogle and Whiteside counties.

1101 W. 23rd St. 815-625-0500 Online: newmancchs.org Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: About 250 students, with an average of 20 in each class.

Principal: Jennifer Oetting

St. Mary’s School

6 W. Sixth St. 815-625-2253 Online: smsterling.org/ Grades: Pre-K through 8 Enrollment: About 180 students, with an average of 18 in each class.

Principal: Melanie Selmi

Christ Lutheran School

2000 18th Ave. 815-625-3800 Online: christlutheranschool.com Grades: Pre-K through 8 Enrollment: About 150 students, with an average of 15 in each class Principal: The Rev. Kevin Koester

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Abiding Word Christian Center Food Pantry — 806 E. Lynn Blvd., Sterling; 815626-1827; abidingwordchurch.org Alzheimer’s Association, Rock River Branch — 93 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon; alz. org; 815-285-1100 American Cancer Society — 4312 E. State St., Rockford; 815-229-1287; cancer.org American Red Cross of Northwest Illinois — 727 N. Church St., Rockford; https://www. redcross.org/local/illinois/about-us/locations/northwest-illinois.html; 815-963-8471 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Whiteside County — 506 W. Fourth St., Suite 27, Sterling; 815-716-8987; bbbsmv.org or find “Big Brothers Big Sisters of of the Mississippi Valley-Whiteside County” on Facebook Department of Human Services — 2605 Woodlawn Road, Suite 4, Sterling; 815632-4045; www.dhs.state.il.us/ First Church of the Nazarene “Helping Hands” — 1208 E. Fourth St., Sterling; 815-625-1146; sterlingnaz.com/ministries/ helping-hands/ and on Facebook F.I.S.H. Food Pantry — 902 E. Fifth St., Sterling; 815-626-1734

Happy Tails Humane Society — 1408 McNeil Road, Rock Falls; 815-626-2994; happytailsanimalshelter.org and on Facebook Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center — 1637 Plock Road, Dixon; 815-288-4673; homeofhopeonline.org and on Facebook Rock River Hospice & Home — 2706 Ave. E, Sterling; 815-625-3858; hospicerockriver.org and on Facebook Lutheran Social Services — 1901 First Ave., Sterling; 815-626-7333; lssi.org March of Dimes — 5411 E. State St., Suite 8, Rockford; 815-397-0097; marchofdimes.com Marine Corps League, Sauk Valley Detachment 913 — Rock Falls American Legion, 712 Fourth Ave., Rock Falls; 815441-2243 Northwest Illinois Workforce Investment Board — 815-625-9648; illinoisworknet.com/WIOA/Pages/IWIBGuide.aspx Prairie State Legal Services — 1600 Fourth Ave., Suite 200 Rock Island, (serving Henry, Lee, Mercer, Rock Island, and Whiteside counties); 309-794-1328, 800322-9804; pslegal.org

SERVICE AGENCIES cont’d to page 26

Dixon Tire Center

1110 E. River Road (Hwy 2 North) • Dixon 815-284-3324

M-F 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-Noon

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SERVICE AGENCIES cont’d from page 25 Project VITAL (adult literacy program) — 173 state Route 2, Dixon; 815-835-6363; svcc. edu/community/adult-education/vital Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce — 601 W. 10th St., Rock Falls; 815-625-4500; rockfallschamber.com and on Facebook Rock Falls Rotary Club — P.O. Box 902 Rock Falls; 815-325-4120; www.rockfallsrotary.org Salvation Army — 409 Ave. F, Sterling; 815625-1622; salvationarmy.org and on Facebook Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce — 211 Locust St., Sterling; 815-6252400; saukvalleyareachamber.com and on Facebook Sauk Valley Food Bank — 1801 Plant Road, Sterling; saukvalleyfoodbank.org/; 815-625-4556 Sauk Valley Friends of Ferals — 601 W. Route 30, Rock Falls; 815-590-3290; on Facebook Self Help Enterprises — 2300 W. LeFevre Road, Sterling; 815-626-3115; selfhelpenterprises.org and on Facebook Sinnissippi Centers — 2611 Woodlawn

Road, Sterling; 815-625-0013 or 800-2427642 (24-hour emergency hotline); sinnissippi.com Society of St. Vincent De Paul Society — 7 W. Sixth St., Sterling; 815-625-0311; svdpsaukvalley.org Tri County Opportunities Council — 405 Emmons Ave., Rock Falls; 800-3235434; tcochelps.org and on Facebook Trinity United Methodist Church Food Pantry — 205 E. 10th St., Sterling; 815-626-7777 Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter — 111 E. 29th St., Sterling; 815-626-2210; twincitiespads.org and on Facebook United Way of Whiteside County — 502 First Ave., Sterling; 815-625-7973; unitedwayofwhitesidecounty.org and on Facebook Whiteside County Senior Center — 1207 W. Ninth St., Sterling; 815-622-9230; wcseniorcenter.org and on Facebook White Oak Women’s Clinic — 1503 1st Ave, Suite C, Rock Falls; myfutureapproved. com/white-oak-clinic/; 815-408-0793 YMCA Sterling-Rock Falls — 2505 Ave. E, Sterling; 815-535-9622; srfymca.org/ and on Facebook

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING | CLEAN AIR | PLUMBING COMFORT | ELECTRIC | AMBIANCE | REFRIGERATION

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815.625.HVAC | loescherhvac.com PROVIDING HONEST & RELIABLE SERVICE FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

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Rock Falls The Coloma Township Park District was formed in 1925 and is governed by an elected five-member board of commissioners who serve six-year terms without compensation. It is the second largest park system in Whiteside County, serving the residents of Coloma Township and adjacent unincorporated areas.

More information: colomatownshipparkdistrict.com, find it on Facebook, call 815-625-0272.

Bennett Park — West Bennett Drive; playground and picnic area Bowman Family Park — downtown riverfront; fishing, pavilions and scenic area Centennial Park — Avenue D and East 11th Street; ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground, canoeing and paddleboating, fishing, ice skating, monument, pavilions, picnic area, and scenic area Dillon Park West — 19th Street and 11th Avenue; ball diamonds, playground, and picnic area Joshua Park — U.S. Route 30 and Riverdale Road; ball diamond, basketball court, disc golf course, playground, picnic shelter, and restrooms Kiwanis Park — West 12th Street and Seventh Avenue; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area Liberty Bell Monument Park — junction of Route 88 and Second Avenue; replica of the Liberty Bell Logan Memorial Park — East U.S. Route 30; playground, picnic area, and scenic area Lower Dam Park — downtown riverfront; boat ramp and fishing, excellent for Eagle watching Nims Park — East Third Street and Avenue E; ball diamonds, basketball court, disc golf course, playground, pavilions, and picnic area Optimist Park — 14th Avenue and Prophet Road; ball diamonds, playground, and picnic area RB&W District Park — East Second Street, on the riverfront downtown.; green space area includes entertainment

venue, water feature, parks, a trail, and restrooms Rotary Park — East Minkle Road; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area Seward-Riverside Park — East Second Street and Avenue C; fishing, playground, boat launch, picnic area, and scenic area A.V. Sieglinger Park — Ninth Avenue and 22nd Street; ball diamonds, playground, pavilions, and picnic area Veterans Memorial Park — West Fifth Street and Galt Avenue; bandshell and monument Wallingford Park — East Eighth Street and Avenue C; ball diamonds, basketball courts, playground, pavilions, and picnic area

Sterling The Sterling Park District encompasses 596 acres featuring 5 facilities, 14 park sites, 8.5-miles of bike paths. For more information, go to sterlingparks.org, find it on Facebook, or call 815-622-6200.

Dillon Home Museum — 1005 E. Third St.: Constructed in 1857, the Dillon Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Douglas Park — 2100 Chestnut Ave.: Basketball courts and playground equipment.

Duis Recreation Center — 211 E. 23rd St.: Gymnastics Center, swimming pool, party rentals.

Eberley Park — 2699 West LeFevre Road: 1.5-mile soft surface walking path.

Emerald Hill Golf Course — 16802 Prairieville Road: 18-hole golf course and driving range.

Frasor Administrative Office — 1913 Third Ave.: Home of the Park District’s administrative offices and park maintenance operations.

Gartner Park — 212 W. LeFevre Road: Eight baseball diamonds.

Harry Kidd Field — 1219 W. Seventh St.: Full-size football field.

PARKS cont’d to page 28

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PARKS cont’d from page 27 Hoover Park — 3807 Woodlawn Road: Playground, picnic area, open play area, bike path access.

Kilgour Park — 400 W. 15th St.: Basketball courts, tennis courts, Imagination Station playground, 9-hole disc golf course, picnic area, open play area.

Lawrence Park — Avenue G Island: Boat Launch, fishing, horseshoe courts, picnic area, open play area.

Martin’s Landing and Sinnissippi Dam Walkway — Broadway and East Second Street (behind the Dillon Home): Fishing, trail connection to the Hennepin Canal Parkway Trail, bike path access.

Oppold Marina — 523 Stouffer Road: Boat Launch, boat slip rental, fishing, picnic areas, playground area, open play areas.

Propheter Park — 506 E. Sixth Street: Basketball courts, playground, open play area.

Redfield Park — 14th Ave. and East Second Street: Playground, open play area, bike path access.

Scheid Park — 1102 Woodburn Ave.: Basketball courts, soccer fields, playground, open play areas.

Sinnissippi Park — Sinnissippi Road: 27-hole Disc Golf Course, bike path access, picnic areas, open play areas, sled hill, playgrounds, national historic site.

Thomas Park/Dogwood Acres Dog Park — 2301 12th Ave.: Pickleball courts, basketball courts, fishing, playground, bike path access.

Westwood Fitness and Sports Center — 1900 Westwood Drive: Three buildings; over 40,000 square foot of fitness equipment; functional training space; boxing equipment; indoor fitness turf; 200-meter indoor track; indoor basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, racquetball/wallyball court; plus, an indoor batting cage, indoor baseball/softball turf practice area and a 60-yard indoor soccer/football field. Also, the home of the Westwood Smoothie Co., and Kids Gym. Outside on the Westwood grounds, includes softball diamonds, tennis courts, soccer/football fields, and bike path access. n

New to the area? Unsure of where to go or what’s available?

Start

YOURHereJOURNEY at the 28

Use the QR code, call 815-622-6201 or visit sterlingparks.org

FITNESS

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Rock Falls APOSTOLIC

New Life Tabernacle — 920 Ave. D, 815-718-6657; find “New Life Tabernacle Church” on Facebook

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Rock River Christian Center — 1800 Prophetstown Road; 815-625-4371; rrccag.org and on Facebook

BAPTIST

Liberty Baptist Church — 2002 Ninth Ave.; 815-625-4101; givemelibertybaptist.org and on Facebook Maranatha Baptist Church — 2103 Walter St.; 815-625-8978; sinnissippibaptist.org/maranatha-rock-falls

CATHOLIC

St. Andrew Catholic Church — 708 10th Ave.; 815-6254508; standrewrockfalls. org and on Facebook

CONGREGATIONAL

First Congregational United Church of Christ — 905 Dixon Ave.; 815625-3314; find “First Congregational Church of Rock Falls” on Facebook

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

First Christian Church — 506 Fifth Ave.; 815626 2271; fccrockfalls.blogspot.com or find “First Christian Church Rock Falls, IL” on Facebook

EVANGELICAL

Evangelical Congregational Church — 1602 13th Ave., 815-625-5360; on Facebook

FOURSQUARE

Foursquare Church — 1501 11th Ave.; 815-625-5040; foursquare.org/ churches/31679 or find “Rock Falls Foursquare Gospel Church” on Facebook

LUTHERAN

Martin Road; 815-625-3376; gslcrf. org and on Facebook Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran — 501 Eighth Ave.; 815-6253575; immanuelrockfalls.org and on Facebook

METHODIST

Rock Falls United Methodist Church — 210 Fourth Ave.; 815-6250114; rockfallsumc.org and on Facebook

NONDENOMINATIONAL

Harvest Time Bible Church — 1802 Dixon Ave.; 815-626-1234; htbc. info and on Facebook

OPEN BIBLE

First Open Bible Church — 2105 E. Rock Falls Road; 815-6251957; fobrf.org and on Facebook

Sterling BAPTIST

Emmanuel Baptist — 1904 18th Ave.; 815-625-0351; ebcsterling.com and on Facebook Faith Baptist — 2005 Freeport Road; 815625-7690; faithbaptiststerling. com and on Facebook First Baptist Church — 1705 Sixth Ave.; 815625-1288 Macedonia Baptist Church — 1313 Woodburn Ave.; 815-625-6473: on Facebook New Hope Baptist Church — 25059 Como Road; 815-625-8492; newhopecomo.org/ or find “New Hope Baptist Church Como” on Facebook

CATHOLIC

Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 2224 Ave. J; 815-625-1134; sacredheartparish.net and on Facebook St. Mary Catholic Church — 600 Ave. B; 815-625-1684; https://www. stmarysterlingil.org/ and on Facebook

Good Shepherd Lutheran — 435 CHURCHES cont’d to page 30 A Shaw Media Publication | Get To Know Us: Sterling/Rock Falls | 2024-25

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CHURCHES cont’d from page 29 CHURCH OF CHRIST

16th Avenue Church of Christ — 1902 16th Ave.; 815-625-2251; 16avechurch. com/ and on Facebook

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — 2709 16th Ave., 815-6251229; https://local.churchofjesuschrist. org/en/us/il/sterling/2709-16th-avenue and on Facebook

CONGREGATIONAL

METHODIST

East Jordan United Methodist — 22027 Polo Road; 815-626-0104; eastjordanchurch.org and on Facebook First United Methodist Church — 501 Broadway Ave.; 815-625-0244; on Facebook Trinity United Methodist — 205 E. 10th St.; 815-626-7777; find “Sterling Trinity” on Facebook Wesley United Methodist Church — 2200 16th Ave.; 815-625-1968; sterlingwesley.org and on Facebook

Big Red Church — 311 Second Ave.; 815-625-5112; www.thebigredchurchsterling.org/ and on Facebook

NAZARENE

First Christian Church — 3400 N. Sixth Ave.; 815-625-6851; firstchristianchurchofsterling.org and on Facebook

NONDENOMINATIONAL

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

EPISCOPAL

Grace Episcopal — 707 First Ave.; 815-625-0442; episcopalgrace.org and on Facebook

JEWISH

Temple Sholom — 510 E. 10th St.; 815625-2599

LUTHERAN

First Lutheran Church of Jordan — 20314 Hickory Hills Road; 815-6255407; on Facebook Messiah Lutheran Church — 1601 Ave. F; 815-625-2284; mlcsterling.org/ and on Facebook New Life Lutheran Church — 702 W. Lynn Blvd.; 815-499-6552; nllutheran. com and on Facebook Our Savior Lutheran — 21496 Hazel Road, 815-772-4345; and on Facebook St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran — 703 Third Ave; 815-625-2634; stjohnssterling.org and on Facebook St. Paul Lutheran — 1701 16th Ave.; 815-625-3069; stpaulsterling.com and on Facebook

MENNONITE

Science Ridge Mennonite Church — 1702 E. 37th St.; 815-626-0538; www.scienceridgechurch.org/ and on

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Facebook

First Church of the Nazarene — 411 13th Ave.; 815-625-0864; sterlingnaz. com and on Facebook Abiding Word Church — 806 E. Lynn Blvd.; 815-626-1827; abidingwordchurch.org and on Facebook Amazing Grace of Sterling — 512 Second Ave., 815-625-9300; revivalfires.net and on Facebook Faith Family Fellowship — 417 E. Third St.; 815-626-2577; faithfamily. faithweb.com Firehouse of God Ministries — 306 Fifth Ave.; 815-622-9490; on Facebook Full Gospel Assembly — 3807 River Road; 815-535-2049; on Facebook Shalom Assembly of Yahweh — 26477 Fulfs Road; 537-8086435; forhisname.org and on Facebook The Living Bread — 1003 Griswold Ave.; 815-626-6941; on Facebook

PRESBYTERIAN

First Presbyterian Church — 410 Second Ave.; 815-625-0452; firstpresbyteriansterling.org and on Facebook

REFORMED

Bethel Reformed Church — 230 E. 23rd St.; 815-626-1816; bethelreformed.org and on Facebook

SALVATION ARMY

Salvation Army — 409 Ave. F, 815625-1622; tsasterling.org or find “The Salvation Army Sterling/Rock Falls IL” on Facebook

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GARBAGE PICKUP

AM Disposal —P.O. Box 915, Sterling; 815-973-4626; Online: amdisposal.net Midwest Disposal — P.O. Box 585, Dixon; 815-288-1089 Email: inbox@ midwestdisposalllc.com; Online: midwestdisposalllc.com/ Republic Services — 815-625-1281; Online: republicservices.com

GOVERNMENT

Rock Falls City Hall — 603 W. 10th St.; 815-622-1100; Online: rockfalls61071.net/ Sterling City Hall — 212 Third Ave.; 815-632-6621; Online: ci.sterling.il.us/ Whiteside County Clerk — 200 E. Knox St., Morrison; 815-772-5189; Online: www.whiteside.org/ departments/county-clerk.html Whiteside County CollectorTreasurer — 200 E. Knox St., Morrison; 815-772-5196; Online: www. whiteside.org/departments/collectortreasurer.html Whiteside County Assessor — 200 E. Knox St., Morrison; 815-772-5195; Online: www.whiteside.org/ departments/assessor

HEALTH CARE

CGH Medical Center — 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling; 815-6250400; Online: cghmc.com/

INTERNET

Surf Internet — 888-274-6381 Email: hello@surfinternet.com; Online: surfinternet.com Comcast (cable & internet) — 800226-2278; Online: comcast.com

LIBRARIES

Rock Falls — 1007 Seventh Ave.; 815626-3958; Online: rockfallslibrary.com/ Sterling — 102 W. Third St.; 815-6251370; Online: sterlingpubliclibrary.org/

OTHER

Drivers License Station — 1224 W. Fourth St., Sterling; 815-626-2825; Online: ilsos.gov/ Sauk Valley Media (news outlet) —

113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon; 815-6253600; Online: saukvalley.com

POST OFFICES

Rock Falls — 210 Second Ave.; 815626-0514; Online: usps.com Sterling — 408 Third Ave.; 815-6250812; Online: usps.com

PUBLIC SAFETY (EMERGENCY? CALL 911)

CGH Emergency Services — 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling; 815-6260400; Online: cghmc.com/ Advance EMS Ambulance Services — 661 Reynoldswood Road, Dixon (serving Dixon, Sterling and surrounding areas); 815-288-6898; Online: https://advems.com Rock Falls Fire Department — 1013 Seventh Ave.; 815-622-1135; Online: rockfalls61071.net/departments/firedepartment/ Sterling Fire Department — 110 W. Fifth St.; 815-632-6680; Online: sterling-il.gov/169/Fire Rock Falls Police — 1013 Seventh Ave.; 815-622-1140; Online: https:// rockfalls61071.net/departments/ police-department/ Sterling Police — 212 E. Third St.; 815-632-6640 Online: sterling-il. gov/174/Police Whiteside County Sheriff — 400 N. Cherry St., Morrison; 815-772-4044; Online: whiteside.org

UTILITIES

Nicor Gas — 888-642-6748; Online: nicorgas.com Illinois American Water Co. (Sterling) — 800-422-2782; Online: amwater.com Rock Falls Water Department — 603 W. 10th St.; 815-622-1100; Online: rockfalls61071.net/utility-services/ water-services ComEd (electricity, Sterling) — 800334-7661; Online: comed.com Rock Falls Electric Department — 603 W. 10th St.; 815-622-1100; Online: rockfalls61071.net/utility-services/ electric-services

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THANK YOU

FOR VOTING CGH MEDICAL CENTER YOUR TOP WORKPLACE IN THE SAUK VALLEY! • FIRST PLACE • FIRST PLACE • FIRST PLACE

Health Care Facility Large Employer (100+ Employees) Company That Gives Back to the Community • FIRST PLACE Nonprofit Organization • FIRST PLACE Workplace for Seniors • TOP 3 Workplace for Veterans

At the start of each day, our hospital and clinics begin with one purpose: to deliver exceptional patient care with outstanding skill and heartfelt compassion.

At the end of the day, that makes CGH a great place to work!

THANK YOU to all of our physicians, healthcare providers, staff members and volunteers for contributing to our success!

THANK YOU to all of our patients for choosing CGH Medical Center - your local hospital and clinics - for your healthcare needs.

If you are looking for a career in healthcare, and would like to join the TOP WORKPLACE in the Sauk Valley, visit www.cghmc.com/careers today!

• Sign-on Bonus for Select Positions • Tuition Reimbursement • IMRF & DC Retirement Plan • Hospital RNs starting at $32/hr, Clinic RNs starting at $26.84/hr • Flexible Scheduling • Day One Benefits

100 E. LeFevre Road • Sterling, IL • 815.625.0400 • www.cghmc.com

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