At 12:57 p.m. on August 7th, 2026, a 911 call required the Sterling Fire Department, Rock Falls Fire Department, CGH EMS and Sterling Police Department to be dispatched for a possible structure fire.

The Sterling Police Department has arrested a Davenport, Iowa, man following an investigation into a reported criminal sexual abuse incident that occurred in Sterling.

Jason L. Erdmier, 47, of Sterling, Illinois, was arrested on July 21, 2026, in the 600 block of 8th Avenue, Sterling, Illinois, for two counts of possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, a Class 2 Felony.  

Over the past four days, Whiteside County Sheriff John F. Booker participated in the Illinois C.O.P.S. Cycle Across Illinois, a 331-mile bicycle ride honoring and supporting the families of law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A 911 call, at approximately 11:12 pm, reported a fire in a multi-story/multi-unit apartment building.

On June 28th at approximately 1:06 p.m., the Lee County Sheriff's Office was notified of a wrong-way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 88. 

On the morning of June 2, 2026, at approximately 10:58 a.m., the Sterling Fire Department, along with the Rock Falls Fire Department and CGH EMS, was dispatched to Cimco Recycling. The report was for a large outside fire.

The Sterling Police Department announces Marcella M. Dingman, DOB: 07/30/1973, is wanted for aggravated arson on a Whiteside County arrest warrant.

The Whiteside County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating multiple irrigator wire thefts occurring throughout Whiteside County.