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Lawmakers say two recently passed bills save motorists time, enhance convenience
(The Center Square) – The Illinois legislature voted to provide motorists an option at the DMV of a four-year or eight-year driver’s license. They also approved the option of having a digital driver's license. State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, who supported Senate Bill 275, said the eight-year license is double the cost, but the time savings and convenience will be attractive to many motorists. Similarly, Chesney called House Bill 4592 a "good bill" in a news release. ...
Multi-vehicle crash in DeKalb Co. sends 2 to hospital
DEKALB COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - Two people are in the hospital after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Waterman. Just after 4:30 a.m. July 16, DeKalb County deputies were called to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on State Route 23 and Watson Road. According to the sheriff’s office, one vehicle one veered out of their lane and hit two vehicles traveling southbound. The first vehicle hit the front-end of a second vehicle and clipped the the front right side of the third vehicle.
Federal court issues split decision in Illinois inmates’ quest for greater mail and media access
CHICAGO (CN) — Illinois inmates at the Will County Adult Detention Facility won a partial legal victory Monday, with a federal judge in Chicago ruling that several of the jail's media and mail policies violate their civil rights. U.S. District Judge LaShonda Hunt, a Joe Biden appointee, found the...
Stateline to be treated to perfect stretch of mid-July weather
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Cooler, more comfortable, and, most importantly, quieter weather has returned to the Stateline following a barrage of heat, humidity, severe storms, and flooding. Thankfully, we’re in for a rather lengthy break over the next several days. Sunshine will dominate Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with only a...
Rockford man drowns in floodwater, loved ones celebrate his life
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Dean Gulbranson was trapped inside a pickup truck and pronounced dead after being swept into Keith Creek, and his loved ones are struggling with the loss. Gulbranson, 76, as described by those close to him, was a kind-hearted man who wore a smile on his face at all times. As a […]
Alderman: Vacant Rockford armory building hurts neighborhood, city
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A Rockford alderman hopes someone will redevelop one of the city’s vacant national landmarks. “It’s getting more damaged,” said 11th Ward Ald. Isidro Barrios of the Illinois National Guard Armory Building at 605 N. Main St. Barrios said the 70,000 square-foot building is becoming an eyesore, bringing down property values while […]
Byron, Freeport clean up debris after severe storms
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Communities in Freeport and Byron are cleaning up debris from last night’s severe storms all along Route 2. There have also been reports of damage along Route 72 from Davis Junction to Rockford. In Freeport, parts of roads had to be closed due to downed trees and power lines. Officials are […]
Retired Cherry Valley Police K9 Stormy passes away
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO) — Stormy, a beloved, Retired, Cherry Valley Police K9 has passed away. Stormy’s role in the force was to help relieve stress for officers and the community. Officials said she became known around the community for her gentle demeanor and compassionate spirit. Stormy joined the department in the fall of 2022 […]
Chic Communications shares how to manage online presence
Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) — Our GDS Social Media expert Hope Linker Jobes from Chic Communications is back with us tonight to share how businesses can best manage their online presence. She says that search optimization is becoming huge, and businesses can leverage that to help them, adding that the...
Lena cleaning up storm damage after derecho
LENA, Ill. (WIFR) - Monday night’s derecho left fallen trees and a large amount of debris throughout the Village of Lena. Now, the community comes together to clean-up the damage left by the storm. The National Weather Service declares the high winds in Monday night’s storms were the result...
Cherry Valley to pick up fallen branches from storms
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. (WIFR) - Following multiple days of severe weather, the Village of Cherry Valley says its Public Works Department will start picking up fallen tree branches. Pick-up begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 17 and continues through 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18. City officials say the service is...
Byron unveils ‘Remain in Light’ mural
BYRON, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Bryon unveiled its latest art project, the “Remain in Light” mural on Tuesday. The new mural can be seen on the front of Bryon’s City Hall. This is the third painting commissioned by the city. It took a month to design and a week to paint. The mural […]
Northwest Community Center to host Thrive Fest Saturday
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A dynamic and free community health and wellness extravaganza is heading to the Northwest Community Center, with specially designed workouts for seniors and kids. The Northwest Community Center, 1325 N Johnston Ave., announces the first Thrive Fest event. Attendees can look forward to an energetic day...
Trees uprooted, roofs torn off in Rockford neighborhoods hit hard by storm
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Tonya Prine heard a loud bang on the back of her house as a tree, uprooted in Monday night’s storms, fell against her house. “I thought, ‘I probably lost my porch,'” she recalled. She did, it turned out. Her neighbors lost their roof. Prine said she was in the basement with […]
USA BMX Midwest Nationals to come to Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - BMX bike riders come to Rockford for the upcoming USA BMX Midwest Nationals this week. The competition takes place every day from Friday to Sunday at Rockford BMX, 4950 Safford Road, Rockford. Professional and amateur BMX riders will participate. The races begin 1:30 p.m. Friday; 9...
Find out how the Rockford Raptors soccer club finished up nationally, and internationally
Three of the Rockford Raptors boys soccer teams recently hit the road for big tournaments — two of them traveled internationally, and one just saw its bid for a national championship come to a close. That closes out another powerful season for the local soccer club. More Raptors soccer: Rockford Raptors U15 boys...
Rockford man accused of strangling a woman after argument
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Leonardo Mendoza-Malpica, 35, for allegedly punching and strangling a woman. On July 15, around 8 a.m., police responded to the 400 block of Kent Street for a domestic battery call. The victim told officials she woke up to Mendoza-Malpica wanting to argue with her. The suspect proceeded to […]
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