RCH making changes to build on care
RUMC donates to MMDC
PAGE 3
PAGE 2
WEEKEND EDITION | WWW.ROCHELLENEWS-LEADER.COM LOCAL NEWS... LOC AL VIEWS
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2025
Vol. 106 • No. 23
$1.25
1 dead after skydiving accident in Rochelle 2nd skydiver injured, investigation indicates mid-air collision
BY JEFF HELFRICH
Female juvenile struck by train Tuesday night
MANAGING EDITOR
12U All-Stars begin tourney The Rochelle Little League 12U Baseball All-Stars opened the District 19 tournament. See Sports
SUNDAY
MONDAY
HIGH LOW
HIGH LOW
81 64 84 62
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
HIGH LOW
HIGH LOW
86 67 84 69 Today’s RNL issue sponsored by Community Unity member:
401 Cherry Ave. 815-562-5050
&
333 Lincoln Highway 815-562-4155
OBITUARIES • LINDA LOU ARJES • TERESA BOYDEN JOHNSON See page 4
INSERTS
ROCHELLE — One skydiver passed away following a Wednesday evening skydiving accident near Chicagoland Skydiving Center and the Rochelle Municipal Airport, a release from Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said Wednesday night. At approximately 6:50 p.m. the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a skydiving incident involving an uncontrolled descent in the area of 8887 S. Illinois Route 251 in Rochelle. Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject in the parking lot of the facility who had suffered significant injuries. He was transported to Rochelle Community Hospital by the Rochelle Fire Department, where he was later pronounced deceased, the release said. The individual was identified as a 40-year-old male. His name is being withheld pending family notification. A second skydiver involved in the incident was located at Koritz Field at the Rochelle Municipal Airport and was also transported to RCH with minor injuries,
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
One skydiver passed away following a Wednesday evening skydiving accident near Chicagoland Skydiving Center and the Rochelle Municipal Airport, a release from Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said Wednesday night.
the release said. Preliminary investigation indicates the two skydivers collided mid-air, resulting in canopy collapses for both individuals. Reserve parachutes were deployed, but the collision led to the uncontrolled
descent of one skydiver, VanVickle’s release said. The area of 8887 S. Illinois Route 251 is located across the road from the Rochelle Municipal Airport and Chicagoland Skydiving Center. The incident remains
Fritts, Arellano Jr. host town hall in Rochelle alongside local leadership BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
ROCHELLE — On Tuesday, July 8, a Legislative Session Recap Town Hall was hosted by State Sen. Li Arellano Jr. (R-Dixon) and State Rep. Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) at Rochelle’s City Hall. The elected officials that represent the area provided updates, insights and answers on recent state happenings. Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows made remarks to open and close the event and welcomed Fritts and Arellano, both of whom he’s worked with in the past on matters relating to the city such as economic development, infrastructure projects and the city’s municipally-owned electric utility. Arellano Jr. (37th District) and Fritts (74th District) started the event by explaining the districts and areas they represent, which recently were changed. Arellano’s district stretches down to Peoria. Both elected officials raised concerns
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
Local News.......2, 3, 5, 8-10 Obituaries............................4 Opinion................................6 Community.........................7
At its monthly meeting Wednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $68,875 bid from Royer Asphalt for parking lot paving and striping at Village Hall.
On Tuesday, July 8, a Legislative Session Recap Town Hall was hosted by State Sen. Li Arellano Jr. (R-Dixon) and State Rep. Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) at Rochelle’s City Hall.
Parking lot paving bid approved
July 8 about gerrymandering and its effect on representation and legislation. “Nobody from Dixon should be representing anyone from Peoria,” Arellano Jr. said. “Our state constitution says districts have to be compact and keep communities of interest together. They do not do that.” An overview of the state’s spring legislative session was presented. 6,745 bills were filed, with
HILLCREST — At its monthly meetingWednesday, the Hillcrest Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $68,875 bid from Royer Asphalt for parking lot paving and striping at Village Hall. The board considered three other bids from Elliott & Wood ($91,300), George Brothers Paving ($86,420) and Pavement Solutions ($84,050). The paving will also include the maintenance shed parking
416 passing. 59 bills passed that were introduced by Republicans. 216 bills passed before the final week of session, 155 were passed in the final week and 96 passed on the very last day. The state’s fiscal year 2026 budget includes $55.3 billion in revenues and $55.1 billion in expenditures. The budget is the state’s biggest ever by $2 billion. See TOWN HALL page 8
• MENARDS
INSIDE
under investigation by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with federal authorities. Further information will be released as it becomes available, the sheriff’s release said Wednesday night.
ROCHELLE — A juvenile was airlifted to an area medical center after being struck by a train Tuesday night in Rochelle, a Wednesday morning Rochelle Police Department press release said. On July 8 at 10:42 p.m. the Rochelle Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the railroad crossing on 9th Street for a train accident involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, emergency responders located a female juvenile that had been struck by an eastbound train. The victim was conscious and breathing. She was transported by medics to Rochelle Community Hospital and later flown to OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. “The preliminary investigation indicates the victim attempted to cross the tracks after the gates and signals were on when she was struck,” the press release said. The accident remains under investigation by RPD.
Is it getting etting WARM our home or inside your business? Schedule a check-up for you cooling system today!!
ANDERSON
PLUMBING & HEA HEATING, INC. 621 First Ave. • Rochelle, IL 815-562-8784
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
lot behind Village Hall. The recently-completed Priority 1A water main project saw the Village Hall parking lot torn out and not completely put back into place.
Solar
The board tabled a public hearing and vote on the renewal of a special use permit for the construction and operation of a 49-megawatt solar farm north of Twombly Road due to the representatives from the solar company being unable to attend the meeting. See HILLCREST pg 10