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🌱 Rock Falls driver injured after SUV hits loader clearing hay bales
Rock Falls, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Rock Falls! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Rock Falls driver injured after SUV hits loader clearing hay bales
- Rock Falls native joins Duke’s high-profile men’s basketball coaching staff
Also on today's calendar: Independence Day Celebration.
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 86 and low of 56 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Partly sunny and hot, temps: high: 90, low: 66.
- Friday: A shower and t-storm; breezy, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Hay Bales Lead To Crash On Route 2 Near Dixon (1023thecoyote.net) — A Rock Falls man was seriously hurt when his SUV struck a loader clearing hay bales from Illinois Route 2 west of Dixon, according to deputies. He was taken to a Dixon hospital, then transferred to Rockford, while two others were treated at the scene as the investigation continues. 
• Duke adds pair from NBA organizations to staff (on3.com subscription) — A new Duke men’s basketball assistant coach, KJ Conklin, grew up in Rock Falls, giving the city a direct connection to one of college basketball’s powerhouse programs. The story details his path from Illinois State to various college and NBA-affiliated roles before landing on Jon Scheyer’s staff, alongside a new executive director of basketball focused on analytics.
📸 Around Rock Falls
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Rock Falls
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Bellson Music Fest 2026 →
RB&W District Park, 201 E 2nd St, Rock Falls
7:00 pm
Saturday June 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Board Meeting
Rock Falls ESD 13 Merrill Elementary
6:00 pm -
Independence Day Celebration →
RB&W District Park, 201 E 2nd St, Rock Falls
4:00 pm
Wednesday June 10
Thursday July 2
📣 Rock Falls Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Storytime Art Adventures in the Park - June 3rd →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
11:00 am -
Basic Jazz Technique Workshop - Sterling, IL 2026 →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
4:00 pm -
Twin City Farmers Market OPEN YEAR AROUND! →
Sterling, IL Calendar, 2nd Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, Sterling
8:00 am -
Sterling Municipal Band →
Sterling, IL Calendar, Sterling City Hall Council Chambers 212 3rd Avenue, Sterling
5:00 pm -
Storytime Art Adventures in the Park - June 10th →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
11:00 am -
Board Meeting
Rock Falls ESD 13 Merrill Elementary
6:00 pm -
Littles with a Lens - Sterling, IL 2026 →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
9:30 am -
TLP StageCraft Studio Workshop 6/22 ONLY ... →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
2:00 pm -
Dance Convention #2 - Sterling, IL 2026 →
Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling
10:00 am
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Saturday June 6
Monday June 8
Wednesday June 10
Saturday June 13
Monday June 22
Thursday June 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Part Time RV Activity Attendant in Rock Falls. Apply here.
- Arby's - Sun Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Team Member in Rock Falls. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rock Falls here.
🗞 Nearby News
Sterling
- Rock River Hospice and Home Memorial Gathering to be Held (theradar.online)
- Dixon Chamber to Host Legislative Luncheon Featuring State Rep. BradFritts and State Sen. Li Arellano (theradar.online)
- Whiteside County property transfers for May 25 to 29, 2026 (shawlocal.com)
Dixon
- Dixon Historic Theatre announces Skip Ewing's June 6 concert to become free community event (shawlocal.com)
Ok Rock Falls! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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