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GOVERNMENT
Mysterious ‘tornado’ prompts sirens to be sounded in Footville, Janesville
JANESVILLE – Janesville and Footville were buzzing Tuesday afternoon about strange funnel cloud spottings. According to police scanner traffic, the Footville Fire Department spotted a funnel cloud shortly after 1 p.m. Then, at approximately 1:43 p.m., an officer reported on the scanner traffic seeing debris near the area of Highway 14 on the east side of Janesville resembling that resulting from a tornado touching down. ...
What does this mean for Rock County residents?
Nothing is going to change for residents of Rock County, other than the fact that they may get more federal money now that they are considered part of the large metro area of Sioux Falls. The estimated population for the new MSA is expected to exceed 500,000 residents by 2050.
Evansville gets hit hardest in latest storms, funnel clouds reported around Rock County
When it comes to this year’s severe storms, Evansville keeps getting hit…and keeps picking up the pieces. This time, it was 3,500 customers of the city of Evansville’s electric utility who caught the brunt of things as Evansville yet again found itself in the epicenter of a major storm Monday night that officials said may have included touchdown of a tornado.
Rock County Board awards contracts for improvements at UW-Whitewater at Rock County
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater at Rock County is getting upgrades. The Rock County Board of Supervisors voted last week to award three contracts for work happening at the campus in Janesville. Dean and Assistant Vice Chancellor Tricia Clasen says a roof replacement and theater rigging upgrades were...
Legal group: Beloit Schools has shelved race-based teaching scholarship program
Beloit Schools is apparently yanking a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-based scholarship program for budding teachers. It comes as the district faces legal threats from a statewide legal group over claims the program promotes racial discrimination. Cara Tolliver is a lawyer for the conservative legal advocacy group Wisconsin Institute for Law...
It’s a busy summer at Rockport Pool in Janesville
Unlike years past, the City of Janesville doesn’t appear to be having any trouble staffing its pools this summer. Aquatics Supervisor Marcus Porchia says through returning lifeguards and word of mouth, they’ve been able to fully staff Rockport Pool this summer. There have been days its been at capacity.
Milton site rezoned for car wash, dog wash
MILTON — The Milton Common Council on Tuesday night rezoned a site along Sunnyside Drive as business use, for a car wash and pet wash. The council also approved a conditional use permit. The city allows car washes under business zoning only with a conditional use permit. Owner Nick Rogers, according to paperwork attached to Tuesday’s common council meeting agenda, intends on constructing a 3,400 square-foot building for Red Hawk...
Former Janesville politico weighs in on GOP convention
MILWAUKEE — Although he has been absent from Republican Party activities for years, former Janesville resident Steve King remains a keen observer of the political landscape. He is attending this week’s Republican National Convention, but in no official capacity. “I guess you could call me the state party chair emeritus,” King said during an interview at the Pfister Hotel where he is staying. “I have a lot of ‘formers.’” ...
City of Janesville: Water rate hike coming this fall
City of Janesville residents will see their water utility rates climb a couple of bucks starting this fall. The city announces a 4.1% water rate increase. Water superintendent Dave Botts says the change will cost the average resident an extra $2 on their quarterly water bill. That four-percent increase only...
Rockton’s 2nd Summerpalooza of year finishes, next on way
ROCKTON, Ill. (WIFR) - Downtown Rockton finishes its second Summerpalooza event of the year, but more is in stock. “Anything that brings people down is good, you know, you get more foot traffic,” said Tierra Polfliet, owner of Inkwell Books and Threads in Rockton. “People who might not just normally be coming to Rockton might come for the event, and then we stay open late so they can check us out.”
Downtown & Outgoing Main Street Sweeping Planned for July 18 - 19
The City of Janesville performs street sweeping several times each year. The fifth cycle of downtown and outgoing main street sweeping is planned to begin early Thursday morning, July 18, and be completed on Friday, July 19. The work is scheduled to begin early in the morning on each day when traffic and street parking is minimal. On the first day of the cycle, City crews will sweep downtown streets and parking lots. On the second day of the cycle, City crews will sweep main arterial streets.
River levels climb across northern Illinois due to recent rainfall
With how much heavy rain northern Illinois endured since Saturday afternoon, expect river levels to slowly rise over the next few days. Flood warnings remain in place for multiple spots along the Rock including Como, Byron, Latham Park, and Rockton. The Pecatonica in Freeport and Shirland as well as the Kishwaukee near Perryville are also under a flood warning.
Stateline parks and recreational areas closed due to severe weather
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - In preparation for severe weather on July 15, the Rockford Park District and Riverside Park in Roscoe close facilities and cancel activities. The Rockford Park district has closed the following facilities for the evening:. Alpine Pool and Sand Park Pool. The bike path north of...
City of Milton announces proposed development by concrete company
The city of Milton aims to help a concrete company get comfortable in the city’s Crossroads Business Park. On Tuesday, Milton City Council will take a look at a proposed sale of 14 acres in the city’s east side industrial park. The city says the deal would bring a development by concrete contractor Advanced Concrete near what’s now Putman Parkway’s east end.
Municipal meetings this week in South Beloit, Rockton, and Roscoe
Three communities in farthest northern Illinois are holding public meetings this week. The Village of Rockton’s Board of Trustees met at Rockton Village Hall at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The meeting was scheduled to include public comments from Julia Scott-Valdez, Director of Management Services for Four Rivers Sanitation Authority, and reports from village officials, including Mayor Peterson and the village attorney. The zoning section of the meeting was to include a public hearing and the approval of three ordinances related to the annexation and zoning of 11818 Wagon Wheel Rd. Trustees approves special events applications for “Blues & BBQ” and “Rockton Lions Last Roar Car Show,” and a purchase requisition for street name signs and hardware.
Winners of the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Essay Contest announced
Eleanor Jones-Sato and Bree Stalsberg have a way with words. The Wisconsin grade school students were selected as state winners in the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom essay contest. The entries submitted by Eleanor and Bree were chosen from among 1,400 entries submitted by Wisconsin fourth and fifth grade students tasked with writing a 500-word essay with the theme, "Wisconsin Agriculture is Fruit-full!"
Transportation Builders Association: Milton teen awarded June Work Zone Safe scholarship
MADISON, Wis. – A south-central Wisconsin teenager is the latest young driver to dedicate his. time and attention to ensuring the men and women working behind orange barrels in work. zones make it home safely to their families every night. Monday, the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA) awarded Dakoda...
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