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DIXON – Lee County Farm Bureau recently joined forces with Lee County Ag in the Classroom, Regional Office of Education #47, and Facilitating Coordination in Agriculture Education to highlight agriculture and educational opportunities during the 2025 Cultivating Connections in Agriculture workshop.
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Trump administration cuts funding for grants supporting Illinois farmers, food banks

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) can no longer operate in Illinois due to the Trump Administration cutting funding for the programs.

Snoop Dogg scheduled for State Fair

SPRINGFIELD – American rapper, singer and songwriter Snoop Dogg will perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Wednesday, August 13.

Sublette Fire trains the next generation

SUBLETTE – The Sublette Fire Department always has a mission.

Rep. Fritts honors Dinges Fire Company for February Local Business Highlight

DIXON – For his February 2025 local business highlight, State Representative Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) chose to highlight Dinges Fire Company in Amboy.
Obituaries
OBITUARIES
Connie A. Broderick
DIXON – Connie A. Broderick, 85, of Dixon and formerly of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, passed away peacefully at Morningside of Sterling on March 13, 2025.
Donna M. Sharkey
BETTENDORF, IA – Donna M Sharkey, 88, formerly of Dixon, died Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA.
Ronald "Ron" Leffelman
OREGON – Ronald “Ron” Charles Leffelman, 80, of Dixon, passed away on Friday March 7, 2025, at Serenity House, in Oregon, IL surrounded by family.
Daryl S. Sand
AMBOY – Daryl S. Sand, 63, of Amboy, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
James Arthur Gray
OREGON – James Arthur Gray 76, of Sublette, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, left us on March 1, 2025, at the Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon, IL after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s.
Karen E. LeFevre
DIXON – Karen E. LeFevre, 74, of Dixon, passed away on Tuesday March 4, 2025 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
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Community
local news/COMMUNITY
Amboy High School Report 3-19-25
End of the third quarter is upon us, and we are entering the final stretch.
Still time to reserve table at Best of Dixon Gala
DIXON – Come experience the feel-good community vibes and celebrate the winners of Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year, 4 Under 40, and Volunteer of the Year at the annual Best of Dixon Awards Gala on Friday, April 4, 2025 at the Dixon Elks Lodge, 1279 Franklin Grove Road.
Amboy High School Report 3-12-25
Get ready for the Amboy High School spring musical, “Into the Woods, Jr” as the student-actors will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16.
Tyler Huggins earns AHS, First National Bank in Amboy Student of the Month honors
AMBOY – Tyler Huggins, son of Jeffery and Michelle Huggins and senior at Amboy High School, is The First National Bank in Amboy Student of the Month for March.
Amboy High School Report 3-5-25
Get ready for the Amboy High School Spring Musical.
Sports

Boys Basketball: Jones makes NUIC South First Team; Leffelman, Parker honorable mention

AMBOY – Senior Eddie Jones not only set a milestone of scoring 1,000-plus career points by finishing fifth in Amboy boys basketball history with 1,192 points, but he also made some noise in the conference.

Wrestling: Heath places fourth at IWCOA State Championships

SPRINGFIELD – Amboy sophomore Caiden Heath and freshman Aden Spinelli had the opportunity to wrestle Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16 at the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown of the state capital in part of the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

Opinion
Special Sections
Web Extras

From catfishing to catphishing: The evolution of a romance scam

Spokeo explains how catfishing + phishing leads to catphishing, which happens when the grift goes from messing with your heart to messing with your identity, and maybe even your bank account.

Healthy Foods, Redefined – The Power of Salmon

(BPT) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated the nutrition requirements on the claim of using the word "healthy" on food packaging. This updated definition helps consumers cut …

OnCore Golf: Innovating the Game with Advanced Ball Technology

OnCore Golf: Innovating the Game with Advanced Ball Technology

(NewsUSA) - At first glance, a golf ball may seem simple, but OnCore Golf has proven there's much more to it than meets the eye. This innovative startup has revolutionized golf ball technology in ways that larger companies haven't been able to.Founded by longtime friends and business partners Bret Blakely and Steve Coulton, OnCore Golf was born out of a desire to bring innovation to golf ball design. Their proprietary perimeter-weighting technology minimizes unwanted sidespin—helping golfers achieve straighter shots, even in challenging conditions.But OnCore's journey wasn't just about physics; it was also about breaking through barriers in the traditional golf industry. As newcomers introducing cutting-edge technology, they faced resistance. However, their perseverance paid off when, after a two-year appeal, the U.S. Golf Association approved OnCore balls for use in professional tournaments."OnCore represents those who embrace their differences and use them to shape a unique vision for what golf can be," Blakely shared in an interview. "We don't just sell products; we inspire individuality and drive through our approach and messaging."A Golf Ball for Every PlayerOnCore offers a lineup of balls tailored to different skill levels:Beginner-Friendly: The Avant 55 is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds, offering a soft feel and enhanced distance.Intermediate & Advanced: The Elixr and Elixr 2020 feature a urethane blend that enhances distance and accuracy for skilled players.Tour-Level Performance:Vero X1 (85 compression) is crafted for serious golfers seeking precision.Vero X2 (95 compression) provides advanced players with exceptional control and responsiveness.Smart Tech Meets Golf: The Genius BallOnCore isn't stopping at traditional golf balls—the company is pioneering smart technology with its upcoming Genius Ball. Equipped with microelectronics and AI-driven analysis, this revolutionary ball tracks data to help golfers refine their game.Initially designed for chipping and putting, the Genius Ball provides real-time feedback to improve technique. A full-course version is also in development, though it will be a training aid rather than a tournament-legal ball.For more details, visit oncoregolf.com. 

3 Tips for Surviving Pothole Season

(BPT) - When the beauty of spring begins to blossom, roads often become ugly.That's because early spring's freeze-thaw cycle wreaks havoc on road surfaces as conditions warm, opening up potholes that …