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Rockford man charged with murder in fiancé’s 2021 drug-related death
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A Rockford man has been charged with supplying a woman with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Alejandro Vargas, 33, is charged with first-degree murder and drug-induced homicide in connection with the death of 26-year-old Ashley Ibarra. Ibarra was found unresponsive on June 5, 2021, inside a Rockford apartment in the 5200 […]
Rockford students prep for school, receive free backpacks
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - As back-to-school shopping ramps up, parents cut back on spending thanks to a free backpack giveaway on Rockford’s south side. On Thursday, Americans for Prosperity-Illinois (AFP-Illinois) welcomes parents and students to a back-to-school backpack giveaway at the Rockford Life Church, 4312 20th Street. The event hopes to help families ease off back-to-school spending on necessary school supplies and highlight vital children’s programs.
Tinker Swiss Cottage to close for flooring renovations
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum will be closed July 26-28 for flooring renovations. The museum, located at 411 Kent St., is a Victorian home built by Robert Tinker. The Tinker family lived there from 1865 until 1942. The museum has about 98% of the family’s original belongings and artifacts and offers tours of the home to educate others about what life was like in early Rockford.
Destination Illinois: Anderson Japanese Gardens
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — It all started as an idea for a backyard garden in the late 1970s. It has since turned into more than 12 acres of land for all to enjoy. Anderson Japanese Gardens has been a fixture in Rockford for decades. “It’s something new every day,” said Gardens Chief Operating Officer John […]
Rockford unemployment rate rises slightly as jobs decrease
ILLINOIS (WIFR) - New unemployment numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security show the unemployment rate increasing in all of Illinois’ 14 metropolitan areas. Since June 2023, the Rockford-area unemployment rate increased by .5 percent from 6.2 to 6.7 percent. Data...
Joint practice pays off for Stateline football powers Byron and Hononegah
ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The high school football season kicks off five weeks from now. Nothing gets players and coaches in the right frame of mind for that like a good joint practice in late July. We saw two of the best local football programs on the same practice field Thursday evening in Rockton. Hononegah […]
Sensory swing donated to memorialize special needs girl in Klehm Arboretum
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Audrey Cismesia passed away from epilepsy-related issues, and one year later, her family donated something special in her memory. Audrey was just five years old when she passed, and to celebrate her birthday this year, her parents, loved ones and friends organized the construction of two sensory swings at Nancy Olson […]
What's happening this week in farthest northern Illinois - Friday, Jul 26 - Friday, Aug 2
This week in Roscoe, South Beloit, and Rockton: food trucks, blood drive, biking and reading together in nature (two separate events), live stolk music, classic car cruise night, bird watch, and story time for little people. 18 events this week on our calendar: Saturday, Jul 27 - Friday, Aug 2.
“Walk In Wednesdays” returns to Veterans Memorial Hall July 31
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Partnering up with employers from around the stateline and across various career fields for an event that helps Veterans find jobs. The Veterans Health Administration and the Community-Based Employment Program of Rockford will hold the 6th “Walk In Wednesday” Hiring event on Wednesday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford.
Led by four Hononegah All Americans, Rockford-area wrestlers return from Fargo nationals
There were 26 Rockford-area wrestlers that drove into Fargo, North Dakota, last week for the USA Wrestling Junior and 16U Nationals, and four of them came away as All-Americans. Three of them are Cassioppis. More Rockford-area wrestling: Rockford area will be well represented with 26 wrestlers at this year's Fargo nationals ...
Illinois Fair Searching For Parent-Child Look-A-Like Contestants
If you think you look just like your mom or dad, you might want to enter this Look-A-Like contest at the Boone County Fair this August. I love these types of contests. I wish I could enter a Look-A-Like contest with my mom or dad, but I actually looked adopted - straight up don't resemble either of my parents. Okay, that's a lie. People say I look like my mom with my dad's complexion, but I couldn't pass as my mom's doppelgänger. That'd be cool, though!
3 stateline communities receive funding to replace lead service lines
ILLINOIS (WIFR) - Communities in Winnebago, Ogle and Jo Daviess counties will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace lead service lines. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced a total of $43,159,886 for 17 cities and villages to improve their water infrastructure. Stateline communities receiving funding:. The Village of...
New Illinois Law Requires Weather Radios In Certain Homes
It's been a rough tornado season and a new Illinois law is taking aim at that. We can all agree it's been a messy summer. In the Chicago area alone last week, there were 33 tornadoes, compared to their usual 5 or 6 per year. With the derecho that moved through last week, 5 tornadoes rolled through the QCA. In Iowa, May was ridiculous. We average 11 tornadoes in May. But this year, we had over 80 tornadoes in May alone.
Northern Illinois Weather: Humid Days and Stormy Nights Expected
Chicago, IL – Northern Illinois residents should prepare for a humid and stormy week ahead. Starting Sunday, periodic thunderstorms are expected through Wednesday, bringing high temperatures and increased humidity. Highs will gradually climb, reaching around 90 degrees by Tuesday and Wednesday. According to the US National Weather Service in...
James Calitri Receives the 2024 Award of Excellence in Artistic Directing by the Illinois Theatre Association
James Calitri is poised to be honored with the 2024 Award of Excellence in Artistic Directing by the Illinois Theatre Association. Recognized for his profound impact on state theatre, Calitri’s accolades will be formally acknowledged at the ITA Annual Members Celebration. This event is scheduled for August 3, 2024, at the historic Two Brothers’ Roundhouse in Aurora. Attendees can expect a vibrant evening celebrating artistic achievements, where Calitri’s influence on Illinois theatre will be front and center. This award underlines his longstanding commitment and innovative contributions to the artistic community. “James believes in the magic that ignites the stage and the message that shines under the lights. His creativity is beyond measure, and his passion for theater is boundless. He is well-deserving of this award.” said Princeton Theater Group Board President Tracy Makransky.
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