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CRIME & SAFETY
1 dead, 1 seriously injured after motorcycle crash in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Rockford police give an update on an early morning crash on Rockford’s east side. According to police, a 27-year-old man has died from the injuries he sustained in this morning’s crash. The condition of his female passenger is unknown. Around 4:30 on July 27,...
Rockford police report ‘unfound bomb threat’ at Woodman’s Markets
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Residents report a large police presence outside of Woodman’s on McFarland Road Saturday afternoon. According to police, an “unfound bomb threat” was called from the market. Customers were evacuated from the store for a short period of time. Woodman’s is now open.
Rockford man accused of murder three years after fiance’s death
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A 33-year-old Rockford man faces murder charges in the 2021 death of his fiancé, police announced Friday. Alejandro Vargas is charged with first-degree murder and drug-induced homicide. Around 10:30 a.m. June 5, 2021, investigators say they found Ashley Ibarra, 26, dead inside an apartment in...
STANDOFF: Large police presence on 31st Street
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford PD said they responded to the 1100 block of 31st Street because of a standoff on Wednesday via X. Officers used de-escalation strategies and negotiated a peaceful surrender, according to the X post. Authorities ask the community to avoid the area until they can finish their investigation.
Rockford man gives back after murder exoneration
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A Rockford man who spent 14 years in prison for a Chicago murder he didn’t commit has been busy giving back to the community. Omar Muhammad, formerly Omar Saunders, was only 19 when he heard a prison door slam shut behind him. In 1988, he and three other teens—known collectively as […]
Rockford man accused of delivering cannabis after speeding 30 mph over
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Schuyler Tolefree Jr., 27, for allegedly speeding 30 mph over and delivering cannabis. On July 24, around 3 a.m., a deputy did a U-turn after seeing a Chevrolet Impala driving 63 mph in a 30 mph zone on Kishwaukee Street, according to court records. The authorities […]
Fire at Rockford Apartment Complex Causes $275,000 in Damages
More than two dozen firefighters battled a blaze at a 4-family apartment unit in Rockford late on Wednesday night (7/24). According to the incident report from the Rockford Fire Department, crews responded to 2106 Auburn Street around 9:13 pm on Wednesday and when they arrived on the scene, heavy fire was reported from 2 second-story windows.
Court waits for suspect’s lab results in Rockford stabbing attacks case
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Christian Soto, the 22-year-old accused of murdering four people and injuring seven others, appears in a Winnebago County courtroom Wednesday over Zoom. Attorneys discussed blood and urine tests that look for any substances in Soto’s body at the time of the rampage. According to court documents,...
Rockford police hold block party in neighborhood impacted by March 27 attacks
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The Rockford Police Department mingles with residents at a special block party in the Holmes and Cleveland neighborhood. The party is designed to help neighbors meet one another, along with the officers who protect their community. Officers played games with residents and enjoyed refreshments like hotdogs and popcorn.
Rockford Needs Help To Save Parks From Disgusting Vandals
Several Rockford Park District parks have been destroyed by vandals this summer, and now the park district is asking for the community's help to stop the destruction. My brother works for the Rockford Park District and he recently told me that several parks throughout Rockford have been destroyed by vandals this summer. At first I thought he might have been exaggerating how terrible the damage is because he is mad, but then I saw these pictures and my temper started flaring too...
A rise in domestic violence deaths spurs call for action for Karina’s Bill
(WIFR) - Lawmakers all over Illinois speak out against the rising number of domestic violence deaths, calling to pass a bill that would keep guns out of the hands of alleged abusers. In 2023, Karina Gonzalez and her daughter were shot and killed by her husband in their home, weeks...
October plea hearing scheduled for woman accused of bringing gun to Janesville school
A 42-year-old Beloit woman charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds appears poised to take a plea deal in Rock County Court. According to the criminal complaint Danielle Reints had a gun holstered in plain view when she went to Van Buren Elementary School last September to pick up her boyfriend’s children.
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