Todd Mckenna
Sauk Valley Media
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Past articles by Todd:
All roads lead to roam: People from all around are flocking to Nachusa Grasslands to see their favorite rock stars
FRANKLIN GROVE – After 5 years roaming the prairie, the bison at Nachusa Grasslands seem to like their home. → Read More
Making a world of difference: A group from KSB is on a mission to bring health care and education to the people of Peru
DIXON — It feels good to help somebody, and it feels even better when you know they appreciate it. → Read More
Local teacher has his head in the stars
It’s a fancy designation that unfortunately comes with no pay, but he knows that, too. A friend sent him an application to the program, and he found out on his birthday, Dec. 22, that he was selected. “I’ve always been a wee bit of a nerd and into science,” Ripley said. “As a young kid, who didn’t want to work for NASA and be an astronaut?” At 48, he’s not a kid any longer, but that doesn’t mean… → Read More
Street crews gear up for busy repair season
It’s an ambitious list, but, weather permitting, Sterling Public Works Superintendent Brad Schrader said he hopes to get all of them completed this season. “It’s a big list, but we’re pretty proud of what we’re getting done this year,” Schrader said. “A lot of these streets need it, and the winter is so rough anymore. With all the plowing that’s done, they just don’t hold up.” The streets that… → Read More
City taking a budget breather
No major projects this year as officials gear up for Main Street work to come → Read More
Bicycle path plan supporters now seek funding
A key piece was getting city approval of the plan, which happened at the recent council meeting. “The next step forward will include pursuing access to an existing easement to connect to the sports complex,” said the Foundation’s Ann Slavin. “That’s the number one priority.” As most projects do, it all comes down to funding, so the group will now go in search of finances to make $262,000 path a… → Read More
Overall reported crime down in the city
There were no homicides reported in Sterling in 2018. Also, 2,642 misdemeanor offenses were reported, which is a decline of 164 from 2,806 the previous year. These crimes include disorderly conduct, which topped the list at 985 reports and 211 cases of criminal damage to property. There were 477 adult arrests in 2018, of which 313 were on outstanding warrants. The total number is down slightly… → Read More
Record crowd at annual egg hunt
Kodi Wright and her husband, John, host an event that in 12 years has grown from only a few family members to thousands of people in attendance. Plans already are in the works to begin organizing next year’s hunt, on April 11. After taking a day off to recuperate, Kodi sat down with all of the registration forms and began to calculate just how many people traveled to Lyndon Saturday. An… → Read More
Sterling City Council approves budget; new officers hired
STERLING – Help is on the way for the Sterling Police Department, which has hired two new officers. → Read More
City Council passes budget, plans sewer work
ROCK FALLS – With heavy hearts, the City Council members and administration staff gathered for their first meeting after the death of City Clerk Eric Arduini. → Read More
Gonorrhea cases up dramatically
There seems to be no common reason for why cases have soared, either. "There's not any specific causes. We ask them for partner information, and they say they were at parties having anonymous sex," Davy-Gonzalez said. "It's hard to follow up then, because they don't know anyone's name or contact information." Twenty-one cases have been reported to the health department this year; the average for… → Read More
Beating the odds: Rock Falls boy isn’t letting a one-in-a-million illness keep him down
The Rock Falls boy was diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, which doctors describe as “our generation’s polio,” since the symptoms and effects resemble that illness. The odds of contracting AFM are 1 in 1 million, experts say. While he showed signs and symptoms of AFM in September, Hudsyn wasn’t diagnosed officially until January. He has not been able to use his left arm, and has difficulty… → Read More
Funeral services set for Sterling MIA soldier
That changed in December, when remains found in 1951 were identified as Krebs through dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Krebs will have a proper military funeral with an Army firing squad performing a 21-gun salute and a bugler playing Taps at 1 p.m. May 17 with burial in Calvary Cemetery, next to his twin… → Read More
Food Truck Fridays loads up a full menu of activities
Popular event kicks off its second season on May 3 → Read More
Durbin: Thomson prison is hiring
THOMSON – The goal: more than 800 inmates and 500 workers by the end of the year. → Read More
Dixon native promoted to brigadier general
Dixon will transfer to Colorado for next assignment → Read More
Group looks for raise money for bike path
Friends of the Parks Foundation in Morrison commissioned a study from Ride Illinois to develop a comprehensive plan not only for a path to the sports complex, but also in others areas of the city as well. “The first one is the path from town to the sports complex,” the foundation’s Ann Slavin said. The Ride Illinois plan was presented at the April 8 City Council meeting; the group will go to the… → Read More
Donated wigs help ease cancer effects
Former Rock Falls resident honors mom with generosity → Read More
Collectors offer trip back in time at museum exhibit
Historic Center hosts first ever personal exhibit day → Read More
Stars will come out for Sterling movie premiere
Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films in Moline made the movie, which is based on the play of the same name. It tells the true story of the 1834 Lane Theological Seminary anti-slavery debates in Cincinnati. The debates were the first to publicly discuss the end of slavery in America, and Harriett Beecher Stowe's involvement in them led her to write "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The Rundles are… → Read More