Local

Rockford's Frank Lloyd Wright designed Laurent Home celebrated as veterans' gran...

May 28, 2023 @ 3:54 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Congressmen and other national and local dignitaries stopped in Rockford on Sunday...

Rockford Park District breaks ground on new indoor equestrian center at Lockwood...

May 25, 2023 @ 12:59 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The Rockford Park District broke ground on Wednesday on a new indoor...

Former Elliot Golf Course eyed for future nature education center as Severson De...

May 25, 2023 @ 5:30 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app CHERRY VALLEY — Severson Dells Nature Center is exploring the option of leaving Severson...

Rockford to continue its Neighborhood Improvement Initiative for a second summer

May 24, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A city initiative aimed at flooding neighborhoods plagued by high rates of...

National lifestyle publication names Rockton one of the 11 most charming small t...

May 23, 2023 @ 1:48 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKTON — A national lifestyle publication has named this village in northern Winnebago County...

Mayor McNamara to deliver his sixth State of the City address next week

May 22, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Mayor Tom McNamara will deliver his sixth State of the City address...

Donations needed to keep Rockford's Fourth of July fireworks booming

May 19, 2023 @ 1:45 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The committee that puts on the city’s annual Fourth of July festivities...

Rockford Public Library's progress shows off its 'stunning' side, but a $6M cost...

May 19, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The view from the crest of the Jefferson Street bridge shows off...

Crusader Community Health looks to clean up blight near busy Broadway clinic in ...

May 18, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Crusader Community Health plans to purchase and demolish a vacant and blighted...

Think Big awards nearly $25K in mini-grants to 11 minority- and women-owned busi...

May 16, 2023 @ 2:40 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Think Big has awarded nearly $25,000 in mini-grants to 11 minority-owned and...

Alpine Kiwanis Club awards $30K in scholarships to 10 Rockford-area students

May 8, 2023 @ 5:45 am

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Alpine Kiwanis Club has awarded $3,000 scholarships to 10 high school seniors...

Dairyhaus, a Rockton staple for 40 years, earns state tourism honor. Here's how ...

May 5, 2023 @ 2:56 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKTON — A handmade ice cream shop that’s been part of the fabric of...

New nonprofit brings in Top Gun to honor Rockford's brightest diamonds

May 5, 2023 @ 11:38 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A newly formed nonprofit designed to celebrate excellence in the Rockford region...

New dog walk turns Midtown Rockford into a delightfully ruff neighborhood

May 4, 2023 @ 7:04 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new monthly event that debuted Thursday has turned Midtown into a...

Rockford Speedway incentive package could be worth millions with successful deve...

May 4, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK — City Council members have approved a pay-as-you-go incentive package that could...

Judge Joe McGraw, who served as 17th Circuit chief judge for 5 years, to retire ...

May 3, 2023 @ 4:35 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Circuit Judge Joe McGraw announced on Wednesday his plans to retire July...

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to award $430K in scholarships this ye...

May 3, 2023 @ 12:33 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will award $429,677 in scholarships to...

Exquisite cuts and shaves barbershop moves into former restaurant in downtown Ro...

May 1, 2023 @ 7:24 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new barbershop has opened inside the former Kuma’s restaurant space in...

Rockford arts icon Tom Heflin, whose work captured the beauty of the Midwest, ha...

May 1, 2023 @ 3:09 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The leap of faith Tom Heflin took to become a full-time artist...

Nearly $1M in building purchases sets the stage for Rock Valley College to grow ...

April 28, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rock Valley College is purchasing a cluster of buildings and parking lots...

Want to see this new Rockford mural on a T-shirt? There's a plan in the works

April 27, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Andrew Vowles has seen a new energy outside of Ernie’s Midtown Pub...

Symbol, Rockford's red riverfront art monument, to get its first facelift in a d...

April 26, 2023 @ 6:20 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Symbol, the one-of-a-kind sculpture that towers above the Rock River Recreation Path,...

Martesha Brown named new president of Rockford Park District board

April 26, 2023 @ 12:31 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford Park District commissioners have selected Martesha Brown to serve as the...

A regional police training facility could be built inside the Public Safety Buil...

April 26, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Winnebago County is developing plans to renovate the downtown Public Safety Building...

Rescue workers, medical team reunite with Mendota man they saved from a widowmak...

April 25, 2023 @ 2:41 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Mark Pohl’s condition did not initially look severe when he started to...

Rockford to replace century-old bridge to create safer connection to neighborhoo...

April 25, 2023 @ 10:46 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The city plans to replace a more than century old neighborhood bridge...

Perryville recreation path to extend north to Roscoe's Porter Park

April 24, 2023 @ 1:43 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROSCOE — Plans are moving forward to extend the Perryville Path farther north, where...

New Midtown mural spells out Rockford's sports, industrial and arts history

April 21, 2023 @ 5:34 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Midtown‘s newest mural is a tribute to Rockford sports, industry and history...

Late Rockford Speedway owner Jody Deery's final bequest creates family's '9th an...

April 21, 2023 @ 2:46 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK — Late Rockford Speedway owner Jody Deery’s final bequest to the community...

Youth workers help give Rockford housing residents easier access to health care

April 19, 2023 @ 12:29 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Residents of a public housing apartment complex on the city’s northwest side...

As Hard Rock Casino rises in Rockford, contractors and tradesmen highlight safet...

April 18, 2023 @ 5:01 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino’s construction leaders have signed a partnership with federal and...

Rockford University adds cybersecurity major, announces new tuition grant progra...

April 18, 2023 @ 11:24 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford University has launched a new cybersecurity major to help students prepare...

Rockford City Council OKs demolition of nearly 130-year-old Church School

April 17, 2023 @ 6:49 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — City Council members on Monday approved plans to demolish a nearly 130-year-old...

'An investment for our future': Harlem High School breaks ground on career and t...

April 17, 2023 @ 11:34 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app MACHESNEY PARK — Harlem High School broke ground on Monday on an expansion designed...

Pinwheels outside College of Medicine Rockford signify severity of child abuse a...

April 14, 2023 @ 3:45 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — More than 400 blue pinwheels were stuck into the earth outside the...

Iconic Energy aims to bring 'heartbeat' to downtown with revamp of former News T...

April 14, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — One of downtown’s most iconic buildings is now the Iconic Building. But...

New Boys & Girls Club of Rockford program aims to help kids take video games fro...

April 13, 2023 @ 3:55 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new program through the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford aims...

There's a push to bring ranked choice voting to presidential primaries in Illino...

April 13, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Illinois lawmakers are weighing a change to how presidential primaries are conducted...

Rockford Park District to appoint new board member to fill President Scott Olson...

April 12, 2023 @ 7:58 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The Rockford Park District is looking to fill a vacancy on its...

Klehm Arboretum in Rockford installs solar panels designed to offset nearly all ...

April 11, 2023 @ 6:38 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden has activated a new solar panel system...

City plans to demolish blighted, nearly 130-year-old school in Rockford

April 11, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The city plans to raze a nearly 130-year-old school that building officials...

From Davis Park to Times Theater, $1.4M in state funds supports Rockford tourism...

April 7, 2023 @ 3:32 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The state is sending $1.4 million here to support five projects designed...

Hard Rock Casino Rockford construction goes vertical with first steel beams

April 7, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The first steel beams went up on the future Hard Rock Casino...

An unexpected phone call gave way to thousands in 'forgotten money' for 93-year-...

April 6, 2023 @ 2:53 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK — It started with a phone call that seemed too good to...

Rockford-area Realtors group offers $25K in grants to help provide relief after ...

April 6, 2023 @ 1:02 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The NorthWest Illinois Alliance of Realtors is making $25,000 in grants available...

Close-knit farming community rallies to help Rockford-area family after tornado

April 6, 2023 @ 10:12 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app CHERRY VALLEY — A tornado delivered the worst, but in the aftermath it brought...

Injured Rockford-born peregrine falcon to become part of Hoo Haven's education p...

April 6, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app DURAND — A young peregrine falcon rescued by Hoo Haven after suffering an injury...

National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado struck Rockford on Friday

April 5, 2023 @ 8:56 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The National Weather Service has now confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck...

Perryville Road bridge replacement sets the stage for wider Interstate 39 in Roc...

April 4, 2023 @ 3:08 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app CHERRY VALLEY — Work is underway to replace the Perryville Road bridge over Interstate...

Boone County firefighter responded to The Apollo, then returned to devastation a...

April 4, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app POPLAR GROVE — Less than a year into his service as a volunteer firefighter,...

National Weather Service confirms 12 tornadoes, including in Belvidere and Mache...

April 2, 2023 @ 11:46 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app BELVIDERE — The National Weather Service has confirmed 12 tornadoes moved through northern Illinois...

Damage surveying, cleanup continues after powerful storm rips through Rockford r...

April 1, 2023 @ 10:23 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Damage assessment and cleanup work is ongoing after a powerful storm ripped...

Auburn High School celebrates Scholastic Bowl state championship as team prepare...

March 31, 2023 @ 6:22 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Auburn High School’s state-championship winning Scholastic Bowl team got the chance to...

Freeport Police Chief Matthew Summers to retire next month

March 29, 2023 @ 10:48 am

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app FREEPORT — Freeport Police Chief Matthew Summers will retire next month after 28 years...

Youth hockey scholarship honors the life and legacy of former Rockford coach Eri...

March 28, 2023 @ 7:12 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new youth hockey scholarship will honor the life and legacy of...

Forward for Fun, which helped launch new events across Rockford, returns in 2023

March 28, 2023 @ 10:41 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A program that helped create block parties, neighborhood celebrations, food festivals and...

Rebuild starts April 3 on 'one of the worst roads in the entire city' of Rockfor...

March 27, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Construction begins next week to overhaul a roughly half-mile stretch of Charles...

Rockford Family Eye Care to end operations inside Crusader Community Health in R...

March 24, 2023 @ 1:04 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford Family Eye Care will end its practice inside Crusader Community Health,...

RVC President Howard Spearman recognized by Honor Society for support of student...

March 21, 2023 @ 12:47 pm

From news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rock Valley College President Howard Spearman will be honored by the Phi...

Fred VanVleet Family Foundation donates $35K to allow youth to tour historically...

March 17, 2023 @ 1:03 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — When the Wabongo Leadership Council accepted a $35,000 donation Friday from the...

Camera Craft, Rockford's last locally owned camera store, will close in April

March 17, 2023 @ 8:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Camera Craft, the last independently owned camera store in the region, will...

Parks Chamber leader to retire next month, successor named lead it 'into the fut...

March 17, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK — Tonya Lamia will retire next month as the leader of the...

World-renowned architect Jeanne Gang to design future Women's Baseball Center in...

March 17, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — World-renowned architect and Belvidere native Jeanne Gang will design the future International...

Hard Rock gifts $2K to African-American Resource Center at Booker in Rockford

March 14, 2023 @ 4:43 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act and its customers donated $2,000...

Millennium Fountain in Rockford was never designed for people to play in. That's...

March 14, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Millennium Fountain in the city’s downtown is a popular spot to beat...

Life-changing Rockford baseball program featured in national Dick's Sporting Goo...

March 13, 2023 @ 4:38 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new commercial from Dick’s Sporting Goods sets out to highlight how...

This Rockford violinist was born deaf, here's how 'music became her voice'

March 8, 2023 @ 4:32 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Sarah Pearl Anderson’s first violin was gifted to her as a tool...

YWCA's Women of Achievement Awards honor inspirational leaders and difference-ma...

March 6, 2023 @ 4:06 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app CHERRY VALLEY — The YWCA Northwestern Illinois on Monday honored seven women for their...

Riverfront luxury lofts coming to Beloit, future tenants can pre-lease now

March 1, 2023 @ 3:47 pm

Rock River Current Get our mobile app BELOIT, Wis. — Hendricks Commercial Properties announced Wednesday that it is pre-leasing for future tenants of its...

Machesney Park to use $500K state grant to acquire and demolish flood-prone prop...

March 1, 2023 @ 3:03 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app MACHESNEY PARK— The village was awarded a $506,150 state grant on Wednesday to continue...

Chocoholic Frolic posts another year of sold-out sweets to benefit The Arc of Wi...

February 24, 2023 @ 5:25 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app CHERRY VALLEY — Cravings for chocolate treats were satisfied this week at a sweet...

YMCA in Rockford launches new strategy to support boys and young men of color

February 23, 2023 @ 9:00 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The YMCA of Rock River Valley is joining a national movement to...

Vote early, get free coffee at Inzombia in Rockford

February 23, 2023 @ 12:09 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — If you cast your vote early in the April election, you can...

Rockford's 5 independent bookstores team up to boost each other's business with ...

February 23, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — When Dave Pedersen opened Maze Books last summer, one of his earliest...

Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to expand across Rockford region, offer career grow...

February 22, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to open its first restaurant in the city...