A Rockford Police Officer won’t be charged in the fatal shooting of a man on Christmas Eve in 2023. In a news release, Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley announced no charges will be filed against officer Michael Rhein. The shooting happened just after 12 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2023, in the 1300 block of […]
More than a year later than planned and about $7 million over its original budget, the Rockford Public Library opened a new library at 215 N. Wyman St. with spectacular views of the Rock River. The $40 million library features plenty of natural light and a view of the river from each floor. It has […]
As new Environmental Protection Agency standards limiting “forever chemicals” are implemented, water utilities across the Rockford region where they have been detected beyond the maximum threshold are already investing in new wells and treatment facilities. With about 35% of public water utilities so far reporting test results, the EPA has identified hundreds of water systems […]
One of two men shot Sunday night on Rockford’s east side has died. Shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday, Rockford police officers responded to the Hacienda San Jose restaurant at 3725 E. State St. on reports of numerous gunshots. At the same time, officers also were sent to the area of East State and Fairview Avenue […]
Rockford City Council decided to hold out for a project officials feel is better than one anchored by a giant indoor, climate-controlled self storage facility for the corner of Mulford Road and East State Street. But some officials said that better project might never come. Rockford rejected a plan to redevelop an all but vacant […]
A pop-up storm Sunday night made its way through northern Illinois, including leaving damage in Rockford. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued just before 4 p.m. Strong winds from the storms ended up knocking down a canopy at a Mobil gas station on Meridian Road by the U.S. 20 exit. The canopy at the Mobil […]
A single two-family home has stood for 15 years surrounded by empty fields in the middle of an unfinished, 6.2-acre subdivision northwest of Bell School and Mill roads. After the streets were built, fire hydrants installed, the first two-family home built and the foundations for two other duplexes poured in 2009, progress on the subdivision […]
Police have arrested two men in connection with a double stabbing on May 20 in Cherry Valley. Kyle H. Condon, 25, of Rockford, and Steven D. Mendez, 24, of Chicago, were booked Wednesday into the Winnebago County Jail on charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery use of a deadly weapon. […]
Not that drag queen artist Krystal Ball is seeking validation to be who she is, but she is beyond thrilled to be named one of four honorary grand marshals for Rockford’s first pride parade on June 1. “It feels amazing,” she said. “It feels good to see that I’m being cheered on not only by friends […]
“Why Rockford Promise isn’t our No. 1 priority is beyond my comprehension.” – Chuck Sweeny, May 20, 2017 Chuck started promoting Rockford Promise in 2012, and he was frustrated by how slowly it was growing. In 2017, when he wrote a column about the program, 10 full-tuition scholarships were awarded. The year before it was […]
A 19-year-old Chicago man faces up to 40 years in prison for murder after a jury trial this week at the Winnebago County Courthouse. The Chicago Police Department arrested Antwain D. Storey on May 14, 2021. Storey was 16 at the time. The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s office charged him with first-degree murder in the […]
National Weather Service meteorologists are warning Rockford area residents to brace for potential thunderstorms Tuesday night. A line of storms is moving through northern central Illinois and expected to impact Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane and DuPage counties among others. It will be mostly sunny and 89 degrees this afternoon, but expect […]