Winnebago County News

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Blizzard Warning for the entire Stateline viewing area tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday afternoon: See the details at: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/01/blizzard-warning-issued.html

ROCKFORD, IL (WREX) - Harlem captured the NIC-10 wrestling championship Saturday at Guilford high school with a team score of 238.5. Read the story, see individuals scores, and see a picture at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13934038

O'FALLON, IL- The IHSA Boys Bowling State Championship trophy returns to Rockford in 2011, as Guilford High School won the event for the first time in school history Saturday (January 29)... Read the story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13933993

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for all of the WTVO viewing area from Tuesday afternoon through... Read the story and comment at: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/01/winter-storm-watch.html

Rockford, Ill – The Rockford Rebels Sports Campus which will train athletes in tumbling, competitive cheerleading, combat training, boxing and house a fitness center will hold a grand opening Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 12noon to 5pm with official ribbon cutting at 12:00 pm. Read the press release at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13918853

A host of parents, students and coaches gathered at Auburn High School Wednesday evening, Jan. 26, for a glimpse of what the District 205 athletic program could look like for the 2011-2012 school year. Read the story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/27/superintendent-dr-lavonne-m-sheffield-no-way-to-keep-existing-athletic-program/

Rockford, Ill.- National Hockey League Hall-of-Famer Bobby Hull is making an appearance at the Rockford IceHogs game on Saturday, Feb. 26 when they take on the Milwaukee Admirals at the Rockford MetroCentre at 7:05 p.m. presented by U.S. Cellular. Read the story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13915087 .

Winnebago Buy Local's mission is to support and cultivate local independent businesses focused on transforming our local economy toward green jobs, sustainable industries, and practices and buying local first. Visit the web site for details: http://winnebagobuylocal.com/

At Tuesday night's School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Lavonne Sheffield unveiled her plan to eliminate a 50 million dollar deficit. It includes closing or changing eight schools, and laying off more than 280 employees. The plan is drawing strong reaction from parents and the head of the teachers union, Molly Phalen, who were critical of how it was put together. Phalen says, " there has been really no input from the stakholders, by the employees of the district orparents or other community people." Read the full story at: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=224036

The room was near capacity and tension evident at the Tuesday, Jan. 25 meeting of the Rockford Board of Education, as Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield announced District 205 will close eight schools next year. Read the full story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/26/superintendent-announces-closing-of-8-schools-tensions-mount/

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL TO PRESENT DRALION IN ROCKFORD EIGHT PERFORMANCES ONLY FROM MAY 4 - 8 AT THE ROCKFORD METROCENTRE Tickets on sale to the general public January 31 at 10:00AM, but Scoop Subscribers can use the following link to get tickets now! http://pacmail.em.marketinghq.net/ct.html?rtr=on&s=x7ierg,2g7m,1q,iczt,ixcx,kdj4,3t0c&MLM_MID=114322&MLM_UNIQUEID=e81802b59c Great rates available for groups of 15 or more! Call the MetroCentre Group Sales Department at 815-847-6399 for more information. Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce that the critically-acclaimed touring production Dralion will perform in Rockford at the Metro Center from May 4 - 8 for eight performances only. Thrilling more than 8 million people worldwide since the show premiered in 1999, Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde style of Cirque du Soleil. In Fall 2010, Dralion will embark on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas t...

Chicago, Illinois- The Green Bay Packers are headed to their fifth Super Bowl after beating Chicago 21-14 in the NFC Championship Sunday. Read and see the story at: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=222986

BELVIDERE (WREX)-A Belvidere North athlete recovers after undergoing lifesaving surgery. Doctors amputated Eddie Avila's left leg after it was severely injured during a wrestling meet earlier this month. The senior student is now recovering at a rehabilitation center in Chicago. Read the full story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13893772

Rockford's chances for a casino are already getting another shot. Read the full story at: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=222646

The opening exhibition of 2011 at Rockford Art Museum (RAM), Pause and Affect, features cutting-edge video by painter/photographer Gregory Scott and digital art pioneer Joan Truckenbrod. These Chicago artists create interactive stories that force the viewer to question visual reality. What is actually present, and what is implied? Read the story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/20/free-public-opening-for-rockford-art-museum%E2%80%99s-pause-and-affect-exhibit-jan-22/

For the past five years, Rockford's new community radio station WTPB-LP 99.3 FM has been playing music by local jazz bands and singers. Each day, the station features the Mike Williamson Show aired twice, plus selections by the area's finest musicians. The station is operated by Third Presbyterian Church. Please read the full letter at:  http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/19/to-the-editor-community-radio-station-wtpb-lp-should-receive-a-rami-award-this-year/

ROCKFORD (WREX) - The owners of the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford try to sell the hotel. See the full story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13871752

ROCKFORD (WREX) – Sally Cooper of the Gymnastic Academy of Rockford placed first in the level-10 all-around competition at the St. Jude Benefit meet this past weekend in Peoria. Please see the story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13872892

The City of Rockford Code and Regulations Committee agreed on changes to the city's snow emergency parking ordinance before a short meeting of the Rockford City Council Tuesday, Jan. 18. Read the full story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/19/committee-votes-to-give-public-works-officials-parking-ticket-writing-power-during-snow-emergencies/

A new area school offers students a fast track to pharmacy technician training. The founders of the school held a ceremonial ribbon cutting event to declare the school officially open... Read the full story at: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=220176

ANTARCTICA (WREX) - Rockford native, Ed Viesturs, conquers another mountain - this one on Antarctica. Please see the full story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13827299

The Natural Land Institute (NLI) will host a full-moon snowshoe/cross country ski tour from 4 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, Ill. Naturalists will lead tours and describe the prairies, woodlands and wetlands at the 721-acre wildlife sanctuary. Please read the press release at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/12/natural-land-institute-to-host-moonlight-ski-tour-jan-19/

Illinois' new State Treasurer is closing six offices in rural areas of the state, admitting that closing the offices won't save much money. However, closing offices in rural areas of the state denies rural residents access to state services. The primary purpose of state government is to serve residents. These closings are purely political theater. The new Treasurer can now go on record as having "closed facilities to save taxpayer dollars." If you have to reduce staff, cut staff in urban offices, while keeping the few rural offices open. Paul Gorski

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford is closing six satellite offices around the state. http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/New_Ill_Treasurer_Closing_Offices_Around_State_113284249.html

It was all about generating revenue at the Monday, Jan. 10, meeting of the Rockford City Council, as aldermen voted to place the 1 percentage-point sales tax referendum on the April 5 ballot. Please read the full story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/01/10/sales-tax-referendum-to-be-on-april-ballot-aldermen-deny-needle-exchange-permit/

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Rockford police are looking for three armed men who robbed an Anna's Pizza location late Sunday night. Please see the full story at: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=13813721

Children with down syndrome now have a place to have some fun close to home. Please read and see the full story at: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=219357