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House plants are coming alive at Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens
Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) — You might have a few house plants, but at Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens they are changing everything you know about houseplants with the ‘Growing Home: The Wild Origins of Domestic House Plants’ exhibit. The exhibit is open now through October 20 and we’re...
Rockford Public Library exhibit highlights history of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - After hosting a grand opening for their new main building, the Rockford Public Library honors another downtown Rockford staple with more than 100 years of history in the Forest City. Enduring Connections is the first exhibit on display at the new Rockford Public Library main branch,...
Bittersweet News For Rockford; TNT Funnel Cakes Is Closing
Less than two years after opening a storefront in Downtown Rockford, TNT Funnel Cakes is closing for good this week. For many people summer fun is never complete without going to numerous fairs and festivals to enjoy live music, carnival rides and FUNNEL CAKES! (FYI, I happen to be one of those people). Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but just as fair season is wrapping up in the 815 area, our sweet tooth has to endure another bittersweet blow; TNT Funnel Cakes in Downtown Rockford is closing...permanently.
IceHogs Community Fund Awards Grants to Support Two Rockford Park District Programs
The Rockford IceHogs Community Fund has awarded two grants to support Rockford Park District programs, and both are renewal grants for programs supported by the IceHogs Community Fund during the 2023-24 grant term. The first is a $13,000 grant to the RPD’s Junior StreetHogs, an outreach program designed to eliminate...
Womanspace online fundraiser ends in a few days
A Rockford women’s organization’s online fundraiser is ending soon. Liz Hiemstra is the marketing and development director at Womanspace. She said the "Beat the Heat" online auction has become one of their main fundraisers. “Since Covid kind of shut everything down,” she said, “we've been slowly trying to...
Homeowner application events announced by Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity hosts multiple events to guide possible homeowners through the application process starting August 12. Individuals and families interested in buying a home with Habitat for Humanity can learn more about qualifying and begin their purchasing journey. Maureen Hargrove, Volunteer for Habitat...
Rockford man charged with unlawful use of a weapon, claims the handgun is a ‘family heirloom’
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Christopher Kaminsky, 48, for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. On August 13, around 7 p.m., Loves Park officers responded to a call claiming Kaminsky was at a business with a loaded firearm and pulled it out on a mechanic. Later, officials were informed the firearm was not […]
Rockford’s Household Hazardous Waste facility to relocate
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The place where people in Rockford can drop off their household hazardous waste will temporarily close as it prepares to relocate. The current facility at 3333 Kishwaukee Street will close on September 2, with the new facility set to open in early October at Four Rivers Sanitation Authority, 3315 Kishwaukee Street.
Plano City Council reviews inspection fee hike, new project requirements
The Plano City Council is considering increasing fees for inspections and adding projects to the list that require permits. Planning, Building, and Zoning Director Jeff Sobotka says there have been issues with projects that don't require permits negatively impacting neighbors. Fee increases for various inspections range from $20 to $40....
Rockford area restaurants could see up to $100K in grants
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Representative Maurice West and the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) are looking to provide funding to combat skyrocketing unemployment insurance rates due to closures during the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time. All restaurants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria, even if the business already […]
Meet Rockford's new football coaches for the 2024 season
Leroy McFadden was a rare Big Ten recruit out of the NIC-10 ... sort of. He played more for Michigan State (391 yards rushing, 224 receiving in 1997 and 1998) than he ever did at Auburn, leaving Rockford to move in with his uncle in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, after his sophomore year. “I...
Rockford gang member arrested on weapons charges
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A convicted Rockford felon and gang member has been arrested on weapons charges after an arrest Tuesday night. According to police, officers with the Specialized Community Oriented Police Enforcement (SCOPE) team attempted to stop a vehicle in the 1400 block of Camp Avenue around 7:35 p.m., but the suspects drove off. […]
11th Annual BBQ for the Troops raises $81K for military families
For the eleventh year in a row, Chicago area car dealers raised money for donations to military families.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchOn Tuesday, Chicago Automobile Trade Association presented a check to the United Service Organizations for $81,267.The money was raised throughout July and at the Saturday's BBQ for the Troops fundraiser.More than 60 dealerships hosted community events with food, music, games, and even some classic cars.For every test drive made in July, a donation was made to support the troops.To date, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association has raised more than $1 million for the USO.To learn more about the efforts, click here.
Golf Ball-Size Hail, 70 MPH Winds Possible in Missouri Thursday
Batten down the hatches as Missouri is set to have multiple rounds of severe weather on Thursday that is expected to bring golf ball-size hail and 70 mph winds. It's possible storms could bring tornadoes, too. The National Weather Service in St. Louis, Missouri updated its severe storm outlook for...
Many Say These Illinois Grasslands are a Hidden National Treasure
It's easy to take for granted something that's practically in your own backyard, but Illinois really does have a special place that many sadly overlook. Those that have visited it say it's one of America's hidden and underrated national treasures and they're not wrong. I had to be reminded of...
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