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‘Our kids are just going to get sick:’ Stateline health experts give tips as students head back to class
(WIFR) - The return to school means germs are making their way back into classrooms across the country but health experts say simple planning can reduce your child’s risk of serious illness. Healthy practices like hand hygiene are key to keeping your child healthy this school year. Doctors recommend...
Summer Fun Box of Questions
Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) — We’re back with another GDS Box of Questions and tonight we’re going around Rockford to get to know some Rockfordians a little bit more. We learned what movies people would like to be in, what characters they relate to, and even what color tongues they would like to have.
How 815 Day benefits the local economy
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Rockford Day or 815 Day allows community members, companies, and organizations to get involved within the region. When community members celebrate local businesses and shop locally, it pumps money back into our economy known as the multiplier effect. Locally owned businesses recirculate a greater percentage of their revenue into the local economy.
Why we measure precipitation in inches
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Coaches say football is a game of inches; you can say the same about rain. An inch is a good unit of measurement, and in the case of precipitation, it makes sense. I’ll explain more about that later in this article. An “inch of water” means that after a good rain, if the water doesn’t absorb into the ground, an inch of standing water would remain. Or in the winter, it would be an inch of snow coating everything outside.
Trained searchers called in to find missing Roscoe man
ROSCOE, Ill. (WIFR) - The Roscoe Police Department expands its search for a missing 76-year-old man. Gilbert Wierschke was last seen leaving his home around 7:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, in the 10000 block of Marblewing Lane. Police say Wierschke has Alzheimer’s disease and may be confused or disoriented. He was last seen wearing a blue Chicago Cubs T-shirt, jeans, black baseball cap, black tennis shoes and glasses.
Chicago area driver and passenger critically injured in collision
SYCAMORE, Ill. (WTVO) — A Chicago area driver and passenger experienced life-threatening injuries after another driver ignored a stop sign. On August 14th, around 11:50 a.m., the driver of a white Chevy HHR collided with the victim’s grey Ford Focus when he swerved into the oncoming lane and ignored a stop sign at the intersection […]
Mosquitoes in Rock Island County test positive for West Nile Virus
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, Ill. — Officials with the Rock Island County Health Department have identified West Nile Virus in local mosquitoes. The health department made the announcement of the discovery on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The virus can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites after the insects feed on infected birds. Symptoms include fevers, nausea, headaches and muscle aches and can last from a few days to several weeks.
Probation officer for Rock Island helping find more resources for prison inmates through new law
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Things will soon look different at Illinois correctional facilities, as a law was passed on Friday, Aug. 9 allows treatment for reoccurring offenders instead of further jail time. The law was signed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and stands as an alternative for those suffering from mental illnesses and substance abuse.
Three more condemned houses to be torn down
Three condemned houses in Kewanee will be demolished, following action by the City Council Monday. Boers Excavating was the low bidder to tear down a house at 210 S. Walnut St. for $7,000, one at 701 E. Fifth St. for $5,500 and a third at 717 Florence St. for $9,000.
Some Geneseo Residents Under Boil Order Following Problem During Water Main Installation
Geneseo water customers may experience discolored water in the are of Oakwood Avenue and East North Street due to a significant water loss event when a contractor was installing a new water main. A contractor for the City of Geneseo water department had an 8” water valve separate from the existing water main while installing a new water main. “Most of the time, this will clear up by running cold water for a couple minutes from an outside hose bib or tub faucet. If you experience discolored water the next day, please call City Hall at 309-944-6419.” The residences under a boil order have a door tag and will be notified when the boil order is lifted.
TinCaps comeback attempt falls short against Dragons
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – The TinCaps finally pushed two runs across in the bottom of the ninth to avoid the shutout, but it wasn’t enough as Fort Wayne fell to the Dayton Dragons by a score of 5-2 on Wednesday night at Parkview Field. The TinCaps managed just five hits in the game, with […]
Illinois’ $4K electric vehicle rebate returns in 2025
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois will offer residents a $4,000 rebate on the purchase of an electric vehicle, beginning in 2025. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will also give a rebate of $1,500 off the purchase on an electric motorcycle. The Illinois General Assembly appropriated $14 million for the rebate program, which opens in mid-January, […]
Pritzker signs an executive order, creates new agency position
Ill. (WTVO) — Governor J.B. Pritzker is looking to address the needs of aging Illinoisians. To start the decades-long process of providing those needs, Pritzker signed an executive order to hire a Chief Planning Officer for the Illinois Department of Aging. A fourth of the Illinois population is expected to be 60 or older by […]
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