Local News

Staff Report ROCKFORD - While people may be thinking of growing vegetables this season, they might want to consider fruit trees as an addition to the backyard. “Fruit trees can be great for the backyard in Northern Illinois,"…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Rockford man is charged with weapons offenses after a woman suffered a gunshot wound on the city's southeast side Tuesday. Police say the incident unfolded around 8 p.m, in the 1900 block of South…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Rockford Public Library will launch "Virtual Lunch and Learn" this week, a six-part Webex series inspired by its live adult programs. The series begins at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, with “From Bootleggers…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Demolition of the former Magna grocery store, 3915 E. State St., will begin at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 30, the city announced Wednesday. The building has been vacant for more than 20 years. The city recently…

By Jim Hagerty Report ROCKFORD - State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, on Wednesday, officially filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, challenging the governor's stay-at-home edict meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Thanks for a partnership between the City of Rockford and Gorman & Company, Founders Landing, in the center of Davis Park, will get makeover. With the city-owned Rockford Conference Center and Gorman &…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - A Rockford nursing home is first on a list of 40 facilities that will be picketed by a health care union May 8. Representatives from SEIU Healthcare Illinois say they will strike at Alden Debes Manor, 550. S.…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Winnebago County Forest Preserve will open its gates on May 1 for limited daytime activities. Forest preserve properties, including its three golf courses, will be open from 7 a.m. until a half-hour after…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Winnebago County Jail inmate with COVID-19 is in isolation and precautions to stop the spread of the disease are being taken, Sheriff Gary Caruana said Sunday. The detainee is a man in his 40s…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter LOVES PARK- The City of Loves Park is halting a project to reconstruct a portion of River Lane and suspending its annual residential road resurfacing plan because of coronavirus shutdowns. "The pandemic has put…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - The Rockford Art Museum on Wednesday announced that in addition to the extension of featured exhibit, "Sonic Disruptions: Buisch + Hogin," it has rescheduled several events because of the  COVID-19 stay-at-home…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - Four people, including two juveniles, have been charged with an array of offenses after police respond to an armed robbery on the city's south side Tuesday. At around 10:35 p.m., Rockford patrol officers…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continue to address cries to reopen nonessential businesses as the state trudges through the outbreak of COVID-19, the respiratory disease…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - Three Boone County residents are among the state's latest COVID-19 fatalities, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported Tuesday. Officials say the Boone County deaths include a man in his…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara on Monday announced that he is assembling working groups to help him wade through the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. McNamara said the 10 groups of local experts…