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Hot time at the fair. Glassblowing demos, UW band add to the fun at the Rock County 4-H Fair
JANESVILLE — Molten glass and the high-energy UW Band turned up the heat at the Rock County 4-H Fair Wednesday, on an already steamy weather day. The band was the evening grandstand entertainment, sounds of the drum line and horn line echoing throughout the fairgrounds. Some fairgoers watched from grandstand seats while many more listened while enjoying funnel cakes, cream puffs and roasted corn, wandering through animals barns, playing carnival games and waiting in line for carnival rides. ...
Community Action discontinues programs at Merrill Community Center
About 30 kids and 20 seniors will have to find somewhere else to go after Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties discontinues the programs it runs out of Merrill Community Center. Executive Director Marc Perry says the youth after school and summer programs and senior programming they provided are...
Ottawa Commissioner Says OSF's Enhanced Hospital Plan Is Still "Not Adequate"
An enhanced plan for a new hospital in Ottawa isn't enough to satisfy one major decision maker. Last week, OSF HealthCare announced plans to add eight additional medical/surgical beds and an additional procedure room to their proposed new hospital in Ottawa. At the same time OSF asked a state board to delay their permit application to give the city of Ottawa time to ponder their enhanced plan.
Rockford apartment fire causes $275,000 in damages
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – An apartment complex will require $275,000 in repairs after a fire broke out on Wednesday night. The Rockford Fire Department responded to the four-family complex at 2106 Auburn St. around 9 p.m. Firefighters found heavy smoke on the second floor and contained the flames to the unit where the fire started. […]
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,...
Voices of Inspiration food bank seeks community help for fundraising
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A local food pantry that serves thousands of people each year may be forced to close its current location if it can’t raise enough money soon. Voices of Inspiration has served Northwest Rockford since 2018 and Jeff West, a 2 year volunteer says they need people and money.
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...
Ski Broncs show foiled again
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Wednesday’s Ski Broncs show at Shorewood Park has been canceled. The water ski team did not say exactly why tonight’s show was canceled, but most of this year’s performances have not happened due to high water levels on the Rock River. The Ski Broncs have only had two shows this year. […]
Walmart Celebrates Spicy Summer with New Hot Sauces
This summer, #BookTok is raving over spicy books. Walmart is celebrating the new obsession with steamy books with a Spicy Books Hot Sauce Set. To shop all your Spicy Summer needs, head to https://www.walmart.com/cp/spicy-summer/5385452.
Rockford’s Discovery Center Museum opens new ‘Body Shop’ exhibit
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The Discovery Center is partnering with MercyHealth for their latest Body Shop exhibit. On July 23, the Discovery Center held the grand opening of its Body Shop exhibit. “We want kids to feel good about their bodies, we everyone to understand how their body works, and...
Final Act Revealed For Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s Opening Weekend
If the official opening of Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois wasn't exciting enough for ya, the 4 great days of concerts they've announced for opening weekend might just set you over the edge. The Countdown to Hard Rock Rockford is On!. Man, oh man, I'm not a gambler, but...
A photo surfaces of the Blackhawks and it exposes their true colors
The Chicago Blackhawks will award $135K in grants to support nine local Rockford area organizations and 10 programs for the Grant cycle in 2024-2025. The first grant of the cycle has been awarded to the local Rockford Ice Hockey Club in 2024-2025. The grant was for a total of $20K...
Rockford asks the community for help handling the ATV nuisance
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford is looking for the community’s help in trying to tackle its ATV issue. “These folks are riding them in Rockford. They have to drive home and at some point put their head on a bed,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “And so we’re asking those residents specifically […]
Citizen of the Year nominations closing soon
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Time is running out to recognize those in your life who make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. Nominations for the 2024 Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award close at noon on August 1. The Citizen of the...
Afternoon Newscast for July 24, 2024
Here's a roundup of regional headlines from the KBIA Newsroom:. Katelynn McIlwain, originally from Freeport, Illinois (go Pretzels!), is the managing editor for KBIA. She assists KBIA newsroom leaders in planning, supervising and producing news programming for radio broadcast, including daily news and in-depth reports, as well as public affairs programming.
World’s Deadliest Creature Infests and Infects Iowa, Illinois, & Wisconsin
As summer progresses, residents of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin should be aware of the risks posed by mosquito-borne diseases. With much wetter weather and voracious mosquito populations, the region is seeing increased cases of several diseases. Certain invasive blood-suckers have now raised concerns again in the Tri-States, with the Asian Tiger Mosquito being reported in both Iowa and Illinois, and now West Nile virus-infected mosquitos have been confirmed in Ames. Did you know there have already been several cases of mosquito-borne illnesses across the Tri-States reported in 2024?
Illinois Conservation Police seeking applicants for next class of trainees
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee. Conservation police officers enforce state laws intended to protect Illinois' natural and recreational resources. They are vested with full state-wide police authority and...
Illinois Now Forecast to Lose 400,000 Residents in Next 20 Years
There's good news and bad news about a new population forecast for Illinois. The bad news is that the state is forecast to lose almost 400,000 residents in the next couple of decades. The good news is rentals should be easier to find. This is based on a new ranking...
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