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News

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News

The forest preserve plans to improve ecological diversity or public access with the extra money.

Byron Forest Preserve District makes plans with recent grant

Updated: 8 minutes ago
|
By Annamarie Schutt
The grant will be used towards prairie development. Forest preserve leaders say they hope to improve ecological diversity and/or public access.

News

Randy Bukas was appointed to the position in May 2020. His final day as city manager in...

Freeport city manager Randy Bukas to retire

Updated: 3 hours ago
|
By WIFR Newsroom
He was appointed to the position in May 2020.

Regional

Because of the cold, Second First Presbyterian Church in Rockford opened its doors Monday...

Overnight café opens early to help Rockford’s homeless in cold weather

Updated: 18 hours ago
|
By Anthony Ferretti
Because of the cold, Second-First church in Rockford opened its doors Monday earlier than usual to accommodate all the people needing shelter.

News

Treesa Wiley's family search for answers

Seven years later, the case of Treesa Wiley Remains unsolved

Updated: 23 hours ago
|
By Amber Cooper
An alleged home invasion led to the death of Treesa Riley

News

26-year-old man hurt in shooting outside District Bar & Grill in Rockford

Updated: 23 hours ago
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Police dispatched just before 12:30 a.m. to District Bar & Grill for reports of a large fight with shots fired.

News

Family seeks donations after losing son in fatal crash

Updated: Jan. 29, 2023 at 10:51 PM CST
|
By Amber Cooper
A local man died after a crash in Stephenson county

News

Rockford hosts a hot cocoa crawl for the snowy weekend

Updated: Jan. 29, 2023 at 12:26 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Businesses on North Main Street in Rockford gave residents a chance to enjoy the weather and some warm treats, hosting a hot cocoa crawl.

News

Rockford’s Busch Jeweler hosts grand opening

Updated: Jan. 29, 2023 at 12:14 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
On Christmas day, Busch Jewelers near Cherry Vale Mall suffered a catastrophe when the pipes in the store froze causing extensive damage.

News

Safety first when driving on snow-packed roads

Updated: Jan. 28, 2023 at 10:25 PM CST
|
By Amber Cooper
Winter weather driving conditions

News

Rockford Community Investment Fund gives abandoned homes new life

Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 7:07 PM CST
|
By Elisa Reamer
The Rockford Community Investment Fund provides loans to contractors to rehab homes in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.
7 Day Forecast
7 Day Forecast

News

Memphis braces for release of video showing Tyre Nichols beaten by police

Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 5:08 PM CST
|
By ADRIAN SAINZ
Family members of Tyre Nichols pleaded for any protests to remain peaceful.

News

Dozens hurt in 85 vehicle pileup between Beloit, Janesville

Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 1:27 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
A crash on Jan. 27, 2023 closed a stretch of I-39/90 between Janesville and Beloit.

Regional

Winnebago County deputies to patrol temporary casino for at least another year

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 10:11 PM CST
|
By Anthony Ferretti
This comes on the heels of a shooting in the parking lot last May that ended with one person dead.

News

New residency program brings University of Illinois students to UW Health

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 7:02 PM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
A new program in Rockford gives 10 students at a local university a chance to achieve their dream job.

News

Veterinarian shortage leads to pet owners having longer wait times for sick pets

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM CST
|
By Elisa Reamer and Elisa Reamer
A current vet shortage may force pet owners to find an emergency clinic hours away that takes new patients.

News

27-year-old Freeport man found dead after Stephenson Co. crash

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 6:12 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Crews responded just after 7 a.m. to the intersection of Rt. 26 and Old Route 26 for a report of a damaged car on the side of the road.

News

Remembering thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses killed in the Holocaust

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 5:31 PM CST
|
By Annamarie Schutt
The national Jehovah's Witness spokesperson shares how thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses were among the millions of Jewish people killed during the Holocaust.

News

Vella to offer 68th district residents free admission to Chicago museums

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 4:56 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Residents can register or visit State Rep. Vella's office to take advantage of this opportunity.

News

23 News anchor Andy Gannon locally featured for milestone anniversary

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Gannon will celebrate 40 years of reporting on Saturday, Feb. 11.

News

Mercyhealth spotlights black maternal mortality crisis

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 10:27 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Quirk
Mercyhealth shined a spotlight on the maternal health crisis and alarming rates of mortality among black women, at it’s “Taking Action After the Shock” event.

News

Former Winnebago County GOP Chairman faces civil suit as he awaits criminal trial

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 9:44 PM CST
|
By Mike Garrigan
The boyfriend of Eli Nicolosi's estranged wife files a civil suit seeking $50,000 in damages for allegedly defying an order of protection and beating the plaintiff up.

News

Lawyer for 15th & Chris owner releases statement after restaurant fire

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:55 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
At this time, Rockford police and fire departments have not released a statement on Sunday’s fire.

National

Oregon teacher named finalist for country’s top educator

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:33 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
The Illinois State Board of Education shared the news via social media Wednesday

News

$300K grant gifted to Rockford nonprofit for youth-focused facility

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:30 PM CST
|
By Amber Cooper
The Mott Bros. century old building will see changes

News

Local gun shops struggle after Pritzker’s assault weapons ban

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:18 PM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
More than two weeks since Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the state‘s ban on assault weapons, the debate is far from over.

News

United Way sees December donations from players at Hard Rock Rockford

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:16 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
The nonprofit recently thanked Hard Rock Rockford via social media for accepting donations for United Way over the month of December.

News

One named after fatal I-39 crash in Rockford

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:10 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Just before 9:30 a.m. Monday, the man's vehicle hit another vehicle head-on, sending both drivers to the hospital.

Crime Stoppers

Rockford man charged with abuse of a corpse after van theft

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:08 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Deon Howard, 23, faces unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and abuse of a corpse.

News

Rockford Region Restaurant Week returns Jan. 31

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 5:17 PM CST
|
By Annamarie Schutt
The Rockford Region Restaurant Week kicks off Tuesday. More than 50 restaurants are expected to participate by offering special deals throughout the week.

News

League of Women Voters highlights importance of health care rights

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 10:42 PM CST
|
By Kayleigh Randle
It’s been seven months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, escalating debate over reproductive rights.

News

Oregon couple renew their vows for 70th anniversary

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 6:34 PM CST
|
By Elisa Reamer
92-year-old Fred and 90-year-old Meg renew their vows at Shepherd Premier Senior Living in Oregon to celebrate being married for 70 years

News

Rockford city leaders address 2022 crime statistics

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 6:18 PM CST
|
By Amber Cooper
The mayor and police chief reflect on crime in 2022

News

Rockford man I.D.’d; found in Chicago after funeral van theft

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 6:01 PM CST
|
By Zoe Chipalla
According to Chief Redd, the man’s body was left inside a funeral home van, unlocked and running before the theft.

News

Two-car crash detours traffic at Longwood and Whitman in Rockford

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 4:27 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
No word yet on what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.

News

Illinois ranked 7th in worst state to retire

Updated: Jan. 24, 2023 at 12:49 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Illinois ranks 7th in worst retirement states according to WalletHub survey

News

Volunteers begin annual count of homeless persons in Rockford

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 10:58 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Quirk
Rockford started it’s annual count of homeless on Monday, a federal requirement that serves as a snapshot in time of the amount of need there is for those living on the streets.

Regional

Rockford, Chicago residents react to funeral van, body theft

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 10:00 PM CST
|
By Anthony Ferretti
Police tell us they’re still searching for the suspect.

News

Report: Body found days after van was stolen from Rockford funeral home

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 6:38 PM CST
|
By CBS Chicago and JERMONT TERRY
Late Monday, it remained unclear whether or not the family had been notified, and what recourse they have - if any.

News

Rockford nonprofit sees ‘Big’ donation, business partnership with local bank

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 6:06 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Think Big fosters women and minority-owned business development through mentorship and networking opportunities, like an annual expo.

News

All lanes open on I-39 after two-car crash in Rockford

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 6:02 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Motorists should avoid the area while cleanup is underway.

News

Female inmate found unresponsive in Winnebago Co. jail

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 6:01 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
The woman was found in her cell over the weekend and transported to a nearby hospital.

News

Rock County 9-1-1 dispatcher saves teen boy’s life

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 5:58 PM CST
|
By Elisa Reamer
A Rock County Communications Center dispatcher helped guide bystanders how to perform CPR on an 18-year-old boy stuck under a concrete slab.

News

Meet the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s new music director

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 5:33 PM CST
|
By Annamarie Schutt
After a year of auditions, Yaniv Attar was selected as Rockford Symphony Orchestra's music director. He was the first of nine to audition.

News

National Land Institute sends 60-day notice over Bell Bowl Prairie

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 5:25 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Bell Bowl Prairie is one of the last existing habitats of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee.

News

More than 100 animals presumed dead after Rockford barn fire

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 3:20 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
The estimated loss is $195,000.

Regional

Janesville man arrested again after charges of child abuse

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 8:58 AM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
Samuel Ryn was recently located and arrested for the physical abuse of a child

Regional

House fire along Ogilby Road was caused by careless smoking

Updated: Jan. 23, 2023 at 7:26 AM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
House fire on Ogilby Road caused by careless smoking

News

Fire causes $100K in damages to Rockford’s 15th & Chris

Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 11:09 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Quirk
A fire broke out just after 8 p.m. Sunday at the 15th and Chris Restaurant on 15th Ave. in Rockford., leaving $100,000 in damages.

News

Body missing after van stolen from Rockford funeral home

Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 8:22 PM CST
|
By WIFR Newsroom
A van from a local funeral home was stolen Sunday with a deceased adult inside, according to a tweet made by Rockford police.

News

Match found for Roscoe baby in need of transplant

Updated: Jan. 22, 2023 at 7:54 PM CST
|
By Stephanie Quirk
Back in December, a Roscoe mother embarked on a mission someone who could give her newborn baby girl a fighting chance at life.
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