Lena
LATEST NEWS
Passengers Left Stranded in Planes at Chicago O’Hare as Air Traffic Controllers Abandon Control Tower For Tornado Shelter
Passengers on several flights trying to escape Chicago O’Hare amidst severe storms and a tornado warning say they were trapped on planes on the taxiway as air traffic controllers abandoned the control tower to get to underground shelters on Monday night. The National Weather Service said that as many...
Rockford man drowns in floodwater, loved ones celebrate his life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Dean Gulbranson was trapped inside a pickup truck and pronounced dead after being swept into Keith Creek, and his loved ones are struggling with the loss. Gulbranson, 76, as described by those close to him, was a kind-hearted man who wore a smile on his face at all times. As a […]
JJ Grey & Mofro, July 27
Performing in support of their new recording Olustee, an album that Relix magazine called “a blend of reflection, raucousness, introspection, and exultation,” the talents of JJ Grey & Mofro headline a July 27 concert at Mt. Carroll’s Rhythm Section Auditorium, Relix adding that “their music encapsulates the spirit of 21st-century Southern swamp boogie, a genre which JJ Grey has been instrumental in defining.”
Trees uprooted, roofs torn off in Rockford neighborhoods hit hard by storm
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Tonya Prine heard a loud bang on the back of her house as a tree, uprooted in Monday night’s storms, fell against her house. “I thought, ‘I probably lost my porch,'” she recalled. She did, it turned out. Her neighbors lost their roof. Prine said she was in the basement with […]
YWCA Northwestern Illinois awarded $100K grant
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The YWCA Northwestern Illinois receives a $100,000 grant to create more opportunities for people in the Information Technology field. Northern Illinois Community Initiatives presented the grant on July 16 to support YWCA’s TechLab program. The TechLab is meant to increase access to digital skills for...
Investigation underway after man killed in motor vehicle accident in LaSalle County
LASALLE COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD) — A man was killed in a deadly accident Sunday in LaSalle County, Illinois. According to a press release from the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office, the coroner was called to the OSF St. Paul Medical Center Emergency Room regarding a man who had been involved in a motor vehicle accident southbound on Route 251, north of Mendota.
Residents escape from fire at Rockford apartment building
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The residents of an 18-unit apartment building all managed to escape safely after a fire broke out Tuesday morning. According to the Rockford Fire Department, around 2:08 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire alarm at 1118 Furman Street and found smoke coming from a first floor apartment. It took about 10 […]
Second suspect in Rockford’s Haskell Avenue murder captured
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police announced the apprehension of Timothy Chatman, 42, one of the suspects in the killing of Marquell Reddic, 29, on Haskell Avenue on June 26th. Authorities said officers were called to a residence in the 1000 block of Haskell around 6:11 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26th for reports of a […]
Local seniors and farmers markets benefit from Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Farmers market season is in full swing and older adults may be able to get help buying fresh, local produce thanks to a new program giving seniors greater access to healthy foods. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), a joint initiative by the Illinois Department...
Walmart introduces new elevated brand ‘Bettergoods’
Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) — We’re kicking off Ice Cream week with Walmart’s new elevated brand Bettergoods Ice Cream. Walmart created Bettergoods as a brand that is both quality and unique. They also wanted it to be affordable, so most items are priced at $5, and the most expensive item is $15.
Family-owned taqueria Marrufo’s Tacos opens in south Rockford
ROCKFORD — A local family that built a following for its California burrito and award-winning tacos has opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Marrufo’s Tacos, 3222 S. Alpine Road, fills the former Ana’s Mexican Restaurant space next to the former Subway south of Sandy Hollow Road. Owners Emily and Jesus Marrufo built a following over the past four years with Sabores Mobile Kitchen, a trailer and then food truck that twice won the title for best tacos at the annual Tamale Fest in Rockford.
Rockford moves to place historic Illinois National Guard Armory up for sale
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Rockford City Council advisory committee has approved a plan to put the historic Illinois National Guard Armory up for sale. Built in 1934, The Armory, at 605 S. Main Street, served as the headquarters for the Illinois National Guard for 60 years, and became a music venue in the 1970s, […]
‘The damage is extensive.’ Kewanee’s storm fallout in photos
The devastating impact of Monday’s storm on Kewanee residents is widespread, with many residents facing serious financial and consequential effects as a result. Within a few city blocks on the east end of Prospect Street, residents are dealing with entire trees that have fallen onto the roofs of their homes and even downed wires that make returning to their homes unsafe.
Kewanee/Wethersfield Townships Declared Local State of Emergency
The Henry County Office of Emergency Management has declared a local state of emergency for Kewanee and Wethersfield Townships. Residents in these areas who are uninsured or underinsured and do not have the physical ability to clear downed trees from their property, may request assistance from the Henry County Office of Emergency Management. The Henry County OEM has partnered with local non-profit to provide tree cutting services for qualifying residents. “This is an offer for physical assistance, and not a financial benefit.”
Accused drunken driver back in court after three years of avoidance
MOUNT PLEASANT, WI — Nearly three years after her arrest for drunken driving with two minor children in the vehicle, a 32-year-old Kenosha woman was back in court recently to face those charges. Court records show that Samira Barner initially failed to appear in court in October 2021, after...
Seebach’s Sweet Corn open for 2024 season, rain has aided growing
ROCHELLE — Seebach’s Sweet Corn kicked off its 2024 season of sales at 11594 E. Kyte Road in Flagg Center last week. The Seebach family has grown and sold sweet corn at the location for over 40 years. The tradition of selling sweet corn was started by the late Jerry Seebach, and it has since been carried on by his sons, Jeff and Scott, their stepmother, Christy and other family members and seasonal help.
Federal court issues split decision in Illinois inmates’ quest for greater mail and media access
CHICAGO (CN) — Illinois inmates at the Will County Adult Detention Facility won a partial legal victory Monday, with a federal judge in Chicago ruling that several of the jail's media and mail policies violate their civil rights. U.S. District Judge LaShonda Hunt, a Joe Biden appointee, found the...
Death notices for the Stateline: July 15, 2024
With sadness, we announce the following deaths for Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit in recent weeks:. As chief figure skating instructor at the Wagon Wheel in Rockton, Illinois, she elevated the skating school she started into one of the world’s premier training centers. July 1, 2024:. Kimberly Hudson, 66,...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.