Latest news with #WhitesideCounty
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Sterling man tied to bank robbery by receipt with his signature on front, money demand on back: Prosecutor
Jul. 7—MORRISON — A Whiteside County prosecutor says a Sterling man charged with robbing a Morrison bank on Saturday was tied to the robbery after police received a restaurant receipt that bore his signature on the front and a written demand for the bank's cash on the back. Ryan D. Hicks, 37, of Sterling, was arrested Saturday after being found in Sterling with a lot of cash, a bike, computer equipment, multiple cellphones and liquor that he had just bought at the Sterling Walmart store, Whiteside County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Simon said during Hicks' court appearance Monday. Hicks is charged with one count each of robbery, threatening the use of force, and theft by threat. Hicks is accused of producing a note at Community State Bank, 220 E. Main St., about 11 a.m. Saturday, demanding money and threatening to kill the teller if she did not provide it, Simon said during Monday's hearing. Simon said Hicks made off with $2,000 before police arrived. Simon said the note linked Hicks to the robbery as did a report of an abandoned cellphone found at the same restaurant that the receipt came from. A waitress reported to police that she found the abandoned cellphone, which Simon said belonged to Hicks. His image also was captured on bank surveillance video, Simon said. Hicks was found later Saturday with cash on him and several items he had bought at Sterling's Walmart store, including a new bicycle, multiple cellphones, earbuds, computer equipment that included a new laptop, and liquor, Hicks said. Hicks denied being in Morrison, but police said they think he had been staying at a house in Morrison on Friday night and had been kicked out. Hicks told police he had been drinking moonshine overnight, still was drunk and wanted an attorney. Simon sought to have Hicks remain jailed pretrial in light of the alleged threat and his previous criminal history, which includes convictions for theft, possessing a stolen credit card and writing bad checks. [ Rock Falls felon makes a deal in 13 felony cases filed in Whiteside court ] Whiteside County Assistant Public Defender Jessica Deets, who represented Hicks in court Monday, said Hicks does not work because he is on disability, but volunteers by picking up branches and trash near the canal. She said substance abuse treatment, not jail, would be beneficial for Hicks. After hearing arguments, Whiteside County Associate Judge Magen Mertes ordered that Hicks remain detained at the county jail, agreeing with Simon that Hicks' criminal activity appears to be escalating. At that same hearing, Simon detailed a methamphetamine charge filed against Hicks accusing him of possessing 1.6 grams of meth when Rock Falls police arrested him on a Lee County contempt warrant June 16 at the Walmart in Rock Falls. Hicks will next appear in court at 1:30 p.m. July 21 for a preliminary hearing. The robbery and theft charges are felonies that carry possible prison terms of 2-5 years upon conviction.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Newman Central Catholic High School completes pasta drive to help kids
Newman Central Catholic High School has announced the successful completion of a pasta drive organized by its student clubs to support the Let's Feed Our Children program, an initiative by the United Way of Whiteside County aimed at addressing childhood food insecurity during thesummer months, a news release says. The Mary Shelly Club took the lead in this community effort, partnering with Mardi Ybarra from United Way of Whiteside County to collect donations of individually packaged pasta meals—including Easy Mac, Chef Boyardee, ramen noodles, and chicken noodle soup. These donations contribute directly to the nearly 15,000 servings of pasta needed to provide free summer meals to children throughout Whiteside County. 'Newman's students and staff are committed to serving the community, and this pasta drive is a wonderful example of that dedication,' said Paula Passini, director of advancement at Newman Central Catholic High School. 'We are grateful to the Mary Shelly Club and all participants who helped support this vital program to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer.' The Let's Feed Our Children program will continue distributing grab-and-go meals across 20 locations in Whiteside County throughout the summer, providing four free sack lunches weekly to any child 18 years or younger. For more information about the program or to get involved, contact Mardi Ybarra at United Way of Whiteside County by phone at 815-625-7973 or email mybarra@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Newman Central Catholic High School announces pasta drive results
May 31—STERLING — Newman Central Catholic High School recently announced the completion of a pasta drive to support United Way of Whiteside County's Let's Feed Our Children program. The pasta drive was organized by the school's student clubs. The Mary Shelly Club partnered with Mardi Ybarra, the United Way of Whiteside County program coordinator, to collect individually packaged pasta meal donations. The donations will provide about 15,000 pasta servings for children's free summer meals. "Newman's students and staff are committed to serving the community, and this pasta drive is a wonderful example of that dedication," Newman Central Catholic High School director of advancement Paula Passini said in a news release. "We are grateful to the Mary Shelly Club and all participants who helped support this vital program to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer." The Let's Feed Our Children program will distribute grab-and-go meals during the summer across 20 Whiteside County locations. The program provides four free sack lunches to children ages 18 and younger each week. For more information, call 815-625-7973 or email mybarra@
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sterling man pleads guilty, sentenced to 40 years for fatal 2024 CGH parking lot stabbing
May 10—MORRISON — A Sterling man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to fatally stabbing a man found severely injured last August in a hospital parking lot. Robert A. Ager, 40, pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 7, in Whiteside County Circuit Court in connection with the Aug. 11 death of Roy S. Chavez, 41, according to court records. Chavez was found in his vehicle, badly injured, at 12:03 a.m. that morning after the vehicle crashed in the CGH Medical Center parking lot at 100 E. LeFevre Road, Sterling. According to court records, the investigation indicates Chavez was the driver of the vehicle and was stabbed numerous times as he was driving. Chavez was given aid and medical treatment but later died from his injuries at CGH Medical Center, police said. Officers had found Ager in the area of CGH Medical Center. Ager was arrested and booked into the Whiteside County Jail about 6 a.m. Aug. 11. He was formally charged Aug. 12 with two counts of murder/intent to kill or injure and one count of murder/strong probability of killing or injuring in connection with Chavez's death and was denied pretrial release due to the threat posed to the community and his past criminal history. As part of that history, according to Whiteside County court records, Ager pleaded guilty in January 2003 to burglary and was sentenced to three years in state prison. He pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges in February 2006 and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was sentenced in June 2007 to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to a robbery charge, was sentenced to 30 days in jail in April 2014 after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm, and was sent to prison for two years after pleading guilty in November 2017 to committing a hate crime, according to court records. Ager's case accusing him of murder was moving toward a May 20 trial date, when a 402 conference was scheduled for Wednesday. A 402 conference is where attorneys and a judge discuss relevant information regarding the case and a potential outcome. A pretrial conference also was set for Wednesday, when the plea agreement was accepted. Under that agreement, two counts of first-degree murder were dismissed and Ager was ordered to serve three years of mandatory supervised release after he has completed his prison sentence. He also was given credit for 271 days served and ordered to pay $954, which includes a $75 fine, court costs and fees.
