Rampage teams win awards The Rochelle Rampage 8U and 12U teams took first and second in Sandwich. See Sports
MIDWEEK EDITION | WWW.ROCHELLENEWS-LEADER.COM LOCAL NEWS... LOC AL VIEWS
Vol. 106 • No. 28
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2025
$1.25
Grand opening held for Willis Senior Lofts Ceremony held in Rochelle on Friday, July 25
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
Today’s RNL issue sponsored by Community Unity members:
233 E. Illinois Route 38 815-562-3838
ROCHELLE — On Friday, July 25, a grand opening event was held for Willis Senior Lofts, a new 60-unit senior housing development at 410 Willis Ave. in Rochelle. The project was completed in the spring after breaking ground in November 2023. Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC) was the developer of the project, its second new construction deal in Illinois. Willis Senior Lofts is an Enterprise Green and Net Zero-certified senior housing development (55 and older). It features a double-volume community room opening up to an out-
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
The Rochelle City Council heard a presentation on stormwater detention areas that could be placed at the rear of the former site of Hickory Grove Illinois Route 251 on the north side of Rochelle.
Rochelle City Council discusses Illinois Route 251 project, stormwater detention
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
On Friday, July 25, a grand opening event was held for Willis Senior Lofts, a new 60-unit senior housing development at 410 Willis Ave. in Rochelle.
door patio, a theater room, fitness center, community laundry rooms, an indoor dog washing room, a walking path, raised community garden, and bicycle parking. The four-story building is
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR
equipped with an elevator and other accessible design features making it well-tailored to the needs of seniors. See WILLIS LOFTS page 12
ROCHELLE — At its meeting Monday, the Rochelle City Council heard a presentation from the Illinois Department of Transportation on stormwater detention areas that
could be placed at the rear of the former site of Hickory Grove to assist with drainage as the state prepares to widen and reconstruct Illinois Route 251 on the north side of Rochelle. See CITY page 3
Rain, heat aiding growing season for Ogle County farmers Farm Bureau’s Ron Kern: Movement on new Farm Bill by Congress still needed
BY JEFF HELFRICH MANAGING EDITOR 455 Illinois Route 38 815-562-7071
OBITUARIES • TERESA ABBOTT • DONNA MARIE WOOD • DANIEL TODD COUNTRYMAN • LARRY D. BROWN • BOYCE ‘BUTCH’ JUNIOR COPELAND See pages 4-5
INSERTS • RUNNINGS
INSIDE
OGLE COUNTY — Warm temperatures and timely, heavy rains have Ogle County crops growing well as the summer months roll on, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said July 23. The early spring saw a dry planting season and “a lot” of beans were planted into dry soil conditions by farmers hoping for rain, Kern said. Some Ogle County farmers even took the time and resources to replant beans. In the months that followed, rain hit county fields when it was needed. “That rain we got on June 18 was a Godsend,”
Kern said. “Corn and beans were screaming for water before that. We got two inches of rain or more. In June it seemed like every kernel of corn in the county germinated. The corn looks spectacular right now. Some of the beans are thin due to low moisture. Some bean yields may suffer a bit in the fall. With the rain we’ve gotten since July 4, corn has been tasseling and shooting ears and that’s exactly what we hope for. It looks very good right now. We still have two months to go, but it looks very good. Beans are putting on pods and showing potential.” Higher-than-usual temperatures have also aided in growth. Kern said heat
will continue to be ideal as long as moisture keeps up. Recent rains have been heavy in short windows, but Kern said he hasn’t heard of any flooding issues in Ogle County fields, with the ground likely being dry enough to soak it in. The point crops are at now makes them likely safe from mild flooding, Kern said. “I’d say we’re about on schedule for harvest with where the crops are,” Kern said, “The planting season went a bit quicker than normal.” Current work for Ogle County farmers include spraying fungicide, which is done with planes, helicopters, ground sprayers and drones. Kern extended
(PHOTO BY JEFF HELFRICH)
Warm temperatures and timely, heavy rains have Ogle County crops growing well as the summer months roll on, Ogle County Farm Bureau Manager Ron Kern said July 23.
condolences on behalf of himself and the Ogle County Farm Bureau to the family of Alexander Leamon, a 23-year-old Lena man that died in a
crop dusting plane crash near the Mt. Morris Airport on July 22. See FARMING page 2
COME SEE YOUR FR ENDS
Local News.2, 3, 6, 7, 10-12 Obituaries....................... 4, 5 Opinion................................8 Community.........................9
Brent Ohlinger
David Eckhardt
Community President NMLS #454385
Vice President/Loan Officer NMLS #454387
304 East Highway 38 firststatebank.biz l 815.562.2200
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