Woodward’s $200 million Loves Park expansion to bring 660 jobs, double workforce by 2021

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — A Rockford original, aerospace company Woodward, Inc., announced Aug. 23 its Loves Park plant
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Rockford’s unemployment rate at 11.8 percent in July

Online Staff Report The Rockford metropolitan area again had the highest unemployment rate in the state in July — 11.8 percent
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ACT scores remain below state average in Rockford’s public schools

Online Staff Report Graduates of Rockford Public Schools (RPS) in 2012 who took the ACT test in their senior year had
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Road construction begins Aug. 27 on East State Street between Alpine and Mulford

Online Staff Report Construction crews will begin making pavement repairs on East State Street between Alpine and Mulford roads Monday, Aug.
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Wild Things blow out RiverHawks 9-1

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Washington Wild Things took the lead in the third inning Wednesday, Aug. 22,
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Sensata workers protest at Romney campaign event in Bettendorf, Iowa

Online Staff Report Workers facing outsourcing by Bain Capital at the Sensata Technologies plant in Freeport, Ill., and supportive community members
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July home sales in Illinois up 25.5 percent, statewide median price at $148,000

Online Staff Report SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Home sales in the state surged 25.5 percent over previous year levels, with data released
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RiverHawks drop opener to Wild Things, 3-1

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks committed three errors Tuesday, Aug. 21, and fell 3-1 to the
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Rockford man arrested on meth, child endangerment charges

Online Staff Report On the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 20, deputies of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police Metro Narcotic Unit,
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Orange Julius smoothies, originals available at Rockford-area Dairy Queens

Online Staff Report In a merger of two iconic brands, the Dairy Queen system has added Orange Julius Premium Fruit Smoothies
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Sensata workers to rally Aug. 21 at Bain Capital offices in Evanston, Ill.

Online Staff Report Tuesday, Aug. 21, workers facing outsourcing by Bain Capital at the Sensata Technologies plant in Freeport, Ill., will
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Last of co-defendants in 2010 kidnapping, beating sentenced to 25 years

Online Staff Report Juan Gilbert, 25, was sentenced Aug. 17 by Judge John Truitt to 25 years in the Illinois
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Governor signs strip club surcharge, law goes into effect January 2013

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon (D) issued the following statement Aug. 18 regarding Gov. Pat Quinn’s
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Rockford schools to cut ribbon on two renovated high school football stadiums Aug. 21

Online Staff Report Rockford Public Schools will host ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the completion of major renovations to Wyeth Stadium —
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IEPA calls for factory farm to cease waste spraying, cleanup spill following contamination of Hooper Branch and Beaver Creek

Online Staff Report BEAVERVILLE, Ill. — Illinois waterways and wildlife have again been polluted by alleged improper manure waste management
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Key error sinks RiverHawks in series finale

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — A key Rockford blunder in the sixth inning Thursday, Aug. 16, allowed the Florence
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Sensata workers to take campaign against outsourcing to Republican National Convention

• Send-off potluck barbecue set for 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23, at Freeport’s Krape Park Online Staff Report FREEPORT, Ill. — Workers facing
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Manufacturing drives private-sector July job growth in Illinois

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois added 800 private-sector jobs in July and the unemployment rate inched upward 0.2 to 8.9
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Man faces meth, marijuana charges after search of Machesney Park residence

Online Staff Report At approximately 3 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, members of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police Metro Narcotics Unit,
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Rockford City Market receives agri-tourism award

Online Staff Report Rockford City Market was recognized as a leader in agricultural tourism by the Illinois State Comptroller’s office. The
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Three arrested on heroin charges after narcotics investigation at Winnebago and Montague

Online Staff Report Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, Rockford police detectives conducted a narcotics investigation at Winnebago and
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RiverHawks strand 11 in 5-2 loss

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks lost 5-2 to the Florence Freedom Wednesday, Aug. 15, in a
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Rockford housing market third most affordable in the U.S.

Online Staff Report The median home price as a percentage of median annual income ranks Rockford as the third most affordable
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Drought and the Illinois corn crop: Comparing 1988 and 2012

By Susan Jongeneel Media/Communications Specialist, University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences URBANA, Ill. — Many producers are wondering
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Consumer alert: Bumbo baby seats recalled

Online Staff Report CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) alerted Illinois parents and caregivers Aug. 15 to a recall
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Van Horn’s single gives RiverHawks comeback win

Online Staff Report LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks furiously rallied back from an eight-run deficit, and Greg Van Horn
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Man sentenced to 10 years for August 2011 armed robbery of Check ’n’ Go Cash Store

Online Staff Report Karl Fort Jr., 19, has been sentenced by Judge Rosemary Collins to 10 years in the Illinois
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Man sentenced to 60 years for battery to a peace officer, battery to a person 60 or older

Online Staff Report Kylie Mathis, 34, pled guilty and was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections
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Man sentenced to 10 years on drug charges

Online Staff Report Rodrigo Gonzalez-Noveron, 28, pled guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections
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Two mosquito batches in Winnebago County positive for West Nile virus

Online Staff Report Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) announced Aug. 13 that two mosquito batches found in the 61073 and 61108
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Nicholas Conservatory closed through Aug. 27 for annual maintenance

Online Staff Report Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford, will be closed for annual maintenance from Monday, Aug.
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July 2012 marks hottest month on record

By Jillian MacMath Staff Writer, AccuWeather.com STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — AccuWeather.com reports July 2012 marked the hottest month on record ever for
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Back-to-school day of community service set for Saturday, Aug. 11

Online Staff Report Going back to school in the fall is an exciting time for students, but it can also be
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Sudden fall chill expected this weekend

By Alex Sosnowski Expert Senior Meteorologist, AccuWeather.com STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — AccuWeather.com reports unseasonably cool air will sweep from the northern Plains
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Drought has large impact on cattle industry

By Debra Levey Larson Media/Communications Specialist, University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences URBANA, Ill. — The beef industry
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School board to consider new fine arts director at Aug. 14 meeting

Online Staff Report Rockford Public School leaders will recommend the appointment of Lu Ann Widergren to director of Fine Arts at
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Recycling and environmental groups urge governor to veto bag bill

By Environment Illinois CHICAGO — Fourteen pro-recycling and environmental groups delivered a letter to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) Aug. 9
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Rockford City Market welcomes new vendors Aug. 10, more to come in second half

Online Staff Report Rockford City Market will welcome two new vendors Friday, Aug. 10. Cantina Taco and Soap of the Earth will
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Aug. 14 follow-up town hall meeting to address closure of west-side driver’s license facility

Online Staff Report A follow-up town hall meeting to address the July 29 closure of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Commercial
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‘Star Wars Jr. Jedi Academy’ at Discovery Center Aug. 10

Online Staff Report Join forces with other Star Wars fans and enjoy Star Wars-themed activities, games and more Friday, Aug.
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Kaitlyn Miller Memorial Golf Outing Aug. 10 at Swan Hills Golf Course

Online Staff Report Friday, Aug. 10, Keith Country Day School and the Miller family will host the Fifth Annual Kaitlyn Mary
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Man found guilty of possession with intent to deliver cocaine

Online Staff Report Shaun J. Johnson, 30, was found guilty of the offense of possession with intent to deliver cocaine
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RiverHawks squander chances in 8-2 loss

Online Staff Report MARION, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks took minimal advantage of three bases-loaded opportunities and took an 8-2 loss
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Sensata employees to protest Boehner, Schilling at Aug. 10 fund-raiser at Forest Hills Country Club

Online Staff Report Friday, Aug. 10, workers facing outsourcing at the Bain Capital-owned Sensata Technologies plant in Freeport, Ill.,
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Adler & Hearne in Concert Conversations Aug. 15

Online Staff Report Snapshotmusic invites you to hear Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne in the latest of the Concert Conversations
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Recruitment rallies for CROP Hunger Walk set for Aug. 12, 23

Online Staff Report Recruitment rallies for the annual CROP Hunger Walk will be Sunday, Aug. 12, and Thursday, Aug. 23,
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Great Duck Race on the Rock River to benefit Alzheimer’s Association

Online Staff Report DIXON, Ill. — Buy your lucky rubber ducks today for the Fourth Annual Alzheimer’s Association Great Duck Race
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Black Stone Cherry at downtown District Bar & Grill Aug. 9

Online Staff Report Edmonton, Ky., rock band Black Stone Cherry will perform at Rockford’s District Bar & Grill Thursday, Aug.
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Man sentenced to 25 years for armed robbery, 14 years for armed habitual criminal

Online Staff Report Antawan Zills, 29, pled guilty Aug. 6 to armed robbery and armed habitual criminal, Winnebago County State’s
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Police Department hosts monthly public crime analysis forum Aug. 8

Online Staff Report Rockford Police Department will host its monthly public CompStat forum from 7:30 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 8,
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