Alex T. Paschal

Sterling’s Police and Fire departments manned buckets at Sterling Walmart Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, for bragging rights and the City Trophy for who can collect the most money for the Salvation Army.

Along with the visit from Santa, children also got to enjoy crafts, Christmas cookies and lemonade.

Sterling's Police and Fire departments manned buckets at Sterling Walmart Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 for bragging rights and the City Trophy for who can collect the most money for the Salvation Army.

Santa puts his busy schedule on hold to make a visit to swimmers Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at the Dixon YMCA. Along with the visit from Santa, kids also got to enjoy, crafts, Christmas cookies and lemonade.

Princeton comes into Sterling to take on Newman Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in girls basketball. Princeton took the tightly contested game 56-50.

Stillman Valley heads into Dixon for a boys basketball contest Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

In his weekly column, SVM photographer Alex Paschal writes about what he describes as on one of the coolest stories he's ever worked on. It was about a group of friends/musicians who rehab donated musical gear and give instruments away to future rock stars.

Scooter's, a coffee/smoothie restaurant, opened its latest location on Monday in Rock Falls. The store is planning a Dec. 22 grand opening.

The Grace Point church Legacy Builders club sponsored and delivered gift bags to the residents of Heritage Woods of Sterling.

Lyle Reap has a hidden gem at his Polo Farm, two rooms of his colorful and unique fishing lure collection.

Rock Falls travels to Oregon for a boys basketball match Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Rock Falls won 73-42.

Scooter's, a coffee/smoothie restaurant, opened their latest location on Monday in Rock Falls. The store is planning a Dec. 22 grand opening.

Tampico got in on the Christmas spirit with their Christmas in the Country event Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 held at the Reagan Community Center.

With donations from the community, Sterling police treated 15 children to a Christmas shopping experience Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Walmart as part of their Shop with a Cop program.

Tampico got in on the Christmas spirit with their Christmas in the Country event Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 held the the Reagan Community Center.