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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 […]
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 […]
Rockford man accused of strangling a woman after argument
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Leonardo Mendoza-Malpica, 35, for allegedly punching and strangling a woman. On July 15, around 8 a.m., police responded to the 400 block of Kent Street for a domestic battery call. The victim told officials she woke up to Mendoza-Malpica wanting to argue with her. The suspect proceeded to […]
Two tornadoes confirmed from Monday night’s storms
OGLE COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - The National Weather Service (NWS) posted on its social media pages Tuesday afternoon that Monday night’s storms caused two EF-0 tornadoes. Byron saw the first EF-0 twister of the night at 7:44 p.m. going until 7:51 p.m. The NWS says winds reached a peak of around 80 miles per hour as it crossed over the city. Storm survey results show the tornado traveled 5 miles eastbound and had a max width of 200 yards. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
The buzz around Main Street Roscoe is getting louder
Residents of Roscoe and surrounding communities have been hearing a lot about changes and improvements coming to the Village. Incorporated in 1965, the Village of Roscoe is now home to almost 11,000 residents. But while nearby Rockford has successfully re-invented itself and become a destination for events and celebrations, Roscoe has pretty much remained the same.
Byron, Freeport clean up debris after severe storms
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Communities in Freeport and Byron are cleaning up debris from last night’s severe storms all along Route 2. There have also been reports of damage along Route 72 from Davis Junction to Rockford. In Freeport, parts of roads had to be closed due to downed trees and power lines. Officials are […]
Derecho winds topple trees, cut power in Rockford neighborhoods
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A community-wide hum rises from Rockford’s southern neighborhoods. Those living near the Winnebago and Ogle County border rely on generators after Monday’s severe storm. “So now we’ve got our refrigerator, and freezer, and a fan, and our TV on,” says Judy Cramer – who...
Alderman: Vacant Rockford armory building hurts neighborhood, city
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A Rockford alderman hopes someone will redevelop one of the city’s vacant national landmarks. “It’s getting more damaged,” said 11th Ward Ald. Isidro Barrios of the Illinois National Guard Armory Building at 605 N. Main St. Barrios said the 70,000 square-foot building is becoming an eyesore, bringing down property values while […]
Sterling and Rock Falls Rotary Clubs Hosting ‘Broil & Boil’ Lunch on Monday
STERLING, IL – The Sterling Noon and Rock Falls Rotary Clubs will again team up and host a combined BBQ Pork Chop and Corn Boil lunch on Monday, July 22 at the Sterling Marketplace (Farmer’s Market) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes a Butcher Shop...
Fatal 2020 Sterling apartment fire case in court this week
MORRISON, Ill. — The trial of a Rock Falls man charged with murder and arson is ongoing this week in Whiteside County. Steven Coleman is accused of setting the fatal fire on June 1, 2020, in the overnight hours at the Western Apartment Complex in Sterling. A 49-year-old woman and two girls, aged 8 and 13 died in the fire. A 35-year-old woman and 12-year-old were rescued and taken to the hospital. A Dixon firefighter and paramedic was also injured in the fire after falling through the floor.
Watch Your Step: Sinkholes Open at Rockford’s UW Health SwedishAmerican Parking Lot
Two sinkholes opened on the property of UW Health SwedishAmerican on Monday, July 15th. Hitting way too close for comfort now. I've talked about this plenty of times, but I'll say it again: Sinkholes are my #1 fear. Ever. Of all time. Nothing scares me more than knowing I could get sucked into a gigantic hole and vanish off the face of the Earth with no warning or way to escape.
Cherry Valley comfort K9 Stormy dies
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WIFR) - Retired police comfort canine Stormy died, the Cherry Valley Police Department announced Tuesday. Officer Stormy joined the team in September of 2022 after graduating from the Paws & Stripes program which trains shelter dogs to become comfort dogs. Her coworkers say she is known throughout the community for her gentle demeanor and compassionate spirit.
Rockford storm waste to be collected during normal garbage pickup
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford says flood waste will be collected this week and next week during normal trash collection schedules. Three nights of heavy rains and high winds battered the city, causing flash flooding and damage. The City said residents should fill the city-provided garbage cans first, before putting excess waste […]
Sterling apartment fire trial: Day 1
WHITESIDE Co., Ill. (KWQC) - Testimony began Tuesday in the trial of a Rock Falls man accused of setting fire to a Sterling Apartment, killing three people, in June of 2020. Carrie Hose, 49, Shayla Walker, 8, and Celina Serrano, 13, died from the fire that took place at Western Apartments on West 3rd Street.
Retired Cherry Valley Police K9 Stormy passes away
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO) — Stormy, a beloved, Retired, Cherry Valley Police K9 has passed away. Stormy’s role in the force was to help relieve stress for officers and the community. Officials said she became known around the community for her gentle demeanor and compassionate spirit. Stormy joined the department in the fall of 2022 […]
Severe storms bring tornadoes to northern Illinois
The National Weather Service has been busy conducting damage surveys across northern Illinois following severe storms that moved through Sunday and Monday evening. While additional surveys will continue in the days to follow, they did confirm that 4 tornadoes touched down in northern Illinois between Sunday and Monday. Sunday: An...
Cherry Valley to pick up fallen branches from storms
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WIFR) - Following multiple days of severe weather, the Village of Cherry Valley says its Public Works Department will start picking up fallen tree branches. Pick-up begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 17 and continues through 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18. City officials say the service is...
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