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Illinois Now Has Cannabis Dispensary Located On Boat Dock
The newest cannabis dispensary in Illinois is located on a lake and offers dockside service. I'm going to step out on a limb to say I think this legal recreational marijuana thing has worked out okay for Illinois. Okay, I'm just kidding, it's frickin' huge. Millions and millions of dollars have been generated in just a handful of years.
Boone Co. hosts Farmers Market Wellness Fair
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Boone County Health Department brings back their annual Farmers Market Wellness Fair, promoting a day of community and wellness. The market was held July 30 outside the administration campus, 1212 Logan Ave., Belvidere. Francine Alcantara, Clinical Supervisor at Boone County Health Department says, “Our focus is...
Opening Days for 5 of Northern Illinois’ Most Popular Apple Orchards
It will be Fall in Illinois before you know it, and that means it's almost apple pickin' and donut eatin' time too! Here's when 5 of Northern Illinois' most popular apple orchards will be opening for the 2024 season. Best Things About Fall in Northern Illinois. Summer lovers won't appreciate...
$94.5 Million Settlement Reached in Rockton Chemtool Plant Fire: Residents to Receive Compensation for Property Damage and Distress
Rockton residents affected by the 2021 Chemtool fire may soon receive compensation from a $94.5 million settlement to address property damage and distress. Rockton Residents May Receive Compensation for Property Damage and Distress Following 2021 Chemtool Fire. After the big fire at the Chemtool Manufacturing Plant in Rockton, Illinois in...
Your turn: Rockford must find a way to get to ‘yes'
A developer once said doing business with the city of Rockford is like doing brain surgery on an ant. I never fully understood that comment until I started attending City Council meetings regularly. This is not meant to be a criticism of the job members of City Council do, because individually and collectively they...
First set of Illinois-funded EV fast chargers installed in South Beloit
SOUTH BELOIT, Ill. (WTVO) — On Thursday, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced the first set of 2,600 upcoming state-funded electric vehicle fast chargers have been installed, including four in South Beloit. In total, the IEPA said 16 Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) had been installed in Beach Park, Le Roy, Troy, and South Beloit. […]
FEMA evaluating Winnebago County storm and flood damage for potential disaster declaration
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Both the Illinois and Federal Emergency Management Agencies are going door-to-door in Rockford and Winnebago County this week to assess storm and flood damage. The preliminary assessment is needed to gather information to see if the State should request a FEMA disaster declaration, which could mean more financial assistance for residents […]
Rockford interns are fixing sidewalks in record time, and they don't want to stop
Six summer interns are helping repair Rockford’s sidewalks this summer, and they’re more than a month ahead of schedule. The crew was hired through a through a city program — now in its third year — that offers mentorship and on-the-job training to at-risk and underserved young adults. The initiative is a partnership between the city of Rockford and LT Construction, a concrete construction contractor owned by local pastor Albert “Tank” Weathers. ...
Man from out West moves to Rockford in hopes of receiving new kidney
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — 37-year-old Deven Krotsmer moved to Rockford in 2023 after discovering he has chronic kidney disease, hoping for better treatment and answers. Krotsmer lived in Nevada for eight years and has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was 13. Once he discovered that his diabetes led to kidney failure, he researched […]
Aetna Better Health of Illinois hosts back-to-school fair
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Aetna Better Health of Illinois hosted a back-to-school Health & Resources fair to assist with the community’s overall well-being and provide access to essential health resources at no additional cost. The fair was held on July 31 at the Boys and Girls Club Blackhawk Unit,...
Area employers search for new staff during veteran-only hiring event
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Veterans make connections with area employers during the sixth annual Walk-in-Wednesday in downtown Rockford. Since May 2023, multiple Walk-in-Wednesdays have been hosted for Rockford area Veterans. The event, hosted by the Veterans Health Administration and Community-Based Employment Program (CBES) of Rockford, has worked to assist veterans find successful and meaningful employment in the area.
FEMA, state officials assessing damage 2 weeks after flooding in St. Clair, Winnebago counties
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — Preliminary damage assessment teams will be going door to door evaluating damage in St. Clair and Winnebago counties from severe weather earlier this month. Local, state and federal agencies include the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA). Crews will operate in...
Beloit School District hosts ‘table talk’ about denied funding referendum
BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — Beloit School District looks to move forward with a funding referendum that has been denied for the past two years. “It’s easy for my staff to share the positive things, but it’s a lot better when everyone is sharing those things,” said Superintendent Dr. Willie Garrison II “And these table talks […]
Uber-like lawnmowing app comes to Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — GreenPal, an Uber-like app that allows homeowners to find “contactless” lawn care service, is coming to Rockford. According to the company, homeowners can list their lawn and requested service date; “vetted lawn care pros” can then bid to do the job, and homeowners can select who they want to do the […]
Rockford Public Library hosts Veteran’s Memorial Hall Enduring Connections Exhibit
Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) — The new main Rockford Public Library is hosting the first exhibit in the Main Library Gallery with Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Director of Marketing Bridget Finn and Veteran’s Memorial Hall Executive Director Scott Lewandowski are both thrilled for everyone to check out the exhibit.
Village of Rockton hears reports, approves events
The Village of Rockton board approved two popular events at their July 16, 2024 meeting, as well as a zoning change on Wagon Wheel Road and lights for street signs. Julia Scott-Valdez, Director of Management Services of Four Rivers Sanitation Authority (FRSA), told the trustees that they are switching to monthly billing in two Rockton subdivisions. Rates aren't increasing. Valdez was joined by Senior Financial Advisor Alex Mandujano.
Winnebago County gets federal funding to prevent against ‘forever chemical’ contamination in water supply
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Winnebago County will receive federal funding to upgrade its water infrastructure, to address contamination by “forever chemicals.” Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) helped secure the funding through four bipartisan appropriation bills. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that don’t break down in the environment […]
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