Winnebago County News

The Rockford Foresters announced that Spark Energy will be sponsoring a guarantee win night at the Rockford Foresters this season for the game on Saturday, June 25.  In addition to the guarantee win night, the 25-person party deck at historic Marinelli Field will be called the Spark Energy Party Deck. The guarantee win promotion for the Rockford Foresters' game on Saturday, June 25 guarantees all fans in attendance that the Rockford Foresters will win.  If the Rockford Foresters don't win, everyone in attendance at the game will walk away with a free ticket for a Rockford Foresters game between July 5 and July 10. Everyone is a winner right now anyway though.  Spark Energy offers a fixed-rate for 12 months at a rate of 6.98 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), a rate that is 16 percent lower than ComEd's electricity supply rate for residential consumers and 13 percent lower for small business customers.  To learn more or to switch, visit  www.SparkEnergy.com . READ THE STOR

The Rockford Foresters announced today that historic Marinelli Field will play host to USA Baseball's Great Lakes region of the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) on June 21 & June 22.  The two-day event will be one of six different locations being held across the Midwest and will serve as the first location.  The selection tryout at historic Marinelli Field is a way for kid's to be named to the Great Lakes 13U, 15U and 17U teams.  The three teams will then ultimately compete in their respective age groups against 12 other regions from across the country in the NTIS, September 9-11, 2011, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.  All of this is a path to become one of 32 players to be invite to future 14U, 16U and 18U National Team Trials with the ultimate goal of being selected to represent our country as part of Team USA... READ THE STORY: http://www.rockfordforesters.com/news/?article_id=110

Rockford, Illinois - Sports Director Scott Leber recaps Sunday's thrilling Indy 500... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=255097

On June 7th hundreds of registered nurses will gather at the White House and picket the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calling for a new "Main Street Contract For The American People". Joined by labor and community allies, the nurses will propose a program for rebuilding America's Main Street communities with jobs, healthcare reforms, education and other urgent needs. The rally is sponsored by National Nurses United, the country's biggest nurses union... READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1425597

ROCKFORD - The Operating Board of Alignment Rockford announced that its second Invitation to Participate™ (ITP™) comes from the Grades 9-12 Pathways Committee and requests organizations to identify individuals who can participate in a career mentoring/math tutoring pilot program with 9th grade students at East High School... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Alignment_Rockford_Looking_to_Mentor__122809174.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR)- More than five million people are attacked by dogs annually including employees who are forced to work outside year-round. We followed a local mail carrier who was attacked by a dog several times. She has more on why our animals may be more vicious than we think... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Mail_Carriers__Beward_of_Dogs__122809179.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- More than a month after two young children and their mother are murdered on Rockford's west side, family members band together to keep their memory alive. Family members of 30-year-old Natasha Cleary and her sons 12-year-old Marquwon Owens and 2-year-old Katarion Friar want to make sure no one forgets them, especially since the crime remains unsolved... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Family_to_Keep_Canterbury_Lane_Homicide_Victims_Memory_Alive_122809009.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Members from a local church group spend their Memorial Day weekend trying to help young children in Haiti... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Rockford_Church_Group_Helping_Haiti_Orphanage_122808924.html

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Matt Zoltak combined with the Rockford bullpen on a five-hitter Sunday as the RiverHawks beat the Traverse City Beach Bums, 5-4. Zoltak (1-0) struck out six, walked one and held the Bums to two runs, one earned, on four hits over seven innings for the win. Brett Durand got the last four outs for his third save... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14748184

ROCKFORD, IL (WREX) - Boylan took the rubbermatch of their season series with Hononegah and captured the regional championship in the process... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14745714

LOVES PARK, Ill. (Saturday, May 28th, 2011) -- Jerry Gille didn't have his engine, didn't have the fastest car, and didn't have much of a lead with five laps remaining Saturday at the Rockford Speedway. And yet, none of that really mattered because in the end, the former two-time Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models champion did what he often does, fending off a hard charging Jon Reynolds Jr. to find his way back to victory lane for the first time in 2011... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14748178

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Dan Wheldon ended up second in the previous two Indianapolis 500s and was seconds away from another runner-up finish today before taking the checkered flag on the 100th anniversary of the race... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14748166

Rockford, Illinois- The Boylan Titans clinch a Regional Championship after beating Hononegah 7-6... READ THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=255007

Rockford, Illinios- Belvidere North beat Freeport 4-3 to take home regional crown... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=255017

Around 10:15pm Sundayt,  a vehicle was of fire next to a barn at 16203 Jackson in Pecatonica, Illinois.  The vehicle is supposed to be fully engulfed and next to the barn. The barn has flammables, people were evacuating from the scene... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1411

Report: Around 3:30am Sunday, Rockford Police and Fire were dispatched to a very serious accident at Loomis & Corbin in Rockford.  There is at least one confirmed fatality, and possibly another fatality as well. But at the time of writing this, 1 is confirmed.  .. READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1402

Visit the link below to see the photos... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordspeedway.com/node/467

Report: Shortly after 1am Sunday, 2 males went into the Papa John's restaurant and robbed the business at gunpoint. The two male suspects left on foot, eastbound from the scene. At the time of writing this, no injuries were reported and the suspects were still at large... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1399

A new book titled "Get Up, Stand Up: Uniting Populists, Energizing the Defeated, and Battling the Corporate Elite" looks at what author Bruce Levine calls "political passivity." Levine says that while the majority of Americans disagree with Wall Street bailouts and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, they remain passive due to years of US institutions creating a sense of helplessness. Levine said what's unfolding in Wisconsin shows that collective self respect can change the passive trend. .. READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1425600

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Hundreds of veterans are remembered for their service in the civil war. 502 vets are currently buried at the Greenwood Cemetery near North Main and Auburn Street. Tonight, around a dozen from our community are lighting the sky with make-shift lights in their honor. Participants say it's important to remember these vets because of their sacrifice to the united states... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Civil_War_Vets_Honored_Tonight_at_Greenwood_Cemetary_122809869.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Motorcycle riders hop on their hogs in Rockford for a rally that draws 1,000 people from across the state. Road Captains for the Illinois Hog Rally took off from the Clock Tower Resort for a practice run. The event chair says it familiarizes them the route that goes along the Rock River and around the Byron Nuclear Power Plant... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14745933

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Outdoor sports are in full swing but the indoor competition is heating up as well. World class table tennis players are in Rockford for America's Team Championships. People from all around the globe came to play at the Forest City Tennis Center... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14745947

Rockford's Discovery Center puts a spin on science. The museum just opened its new traveling exhibit, Spin: The Science of Rotation. It's made up of 15 unique areas that explore objects that rotate. Guests get the chance to create a mini laser show and race various spinning objects... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14745963

(Rockford, Illinois) Rockford Airfest lovers got some bad news Friday, when the Blue Angels, the main attraction of the air show, cancelled. The Navy jet team cancelled their appearance after a safety concern during a show last weekend... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=255037

ROCKFORD-(WREX) - The city of Rockford has allowed Com-Ed workers to remove nearly 550 street lights since the beginning of the year to save money. Some residents, however feel that safety is just as important as savings... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14745968

Loves Park (WIFR) -- Despite the weather's cooler temperatures crowds still came out to Loves Park's Annual Young at Heart Festival. This is the 40th annual Memorial Day Festival in Loves Park... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Crowds__122780449.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Two people died and three were injured in a crash at Corbin and Loomis Street early Sunday morning... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14746309

The village extended an ordinance that allows people to burn tree limbs and debris from the storm that caused extensive damage in some areas... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=255027

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lee and southwest DeKalb counties until 12:15pm.  These are for the line of storms currently moving through Whiteside counties... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/05/fog-and-storms-this-morning.html

Congressman Don Manzullo's district would look a lot different under a proposed redistricting plan. Illinoisdemocrats have released their new congressional map. A new one is drawn every ten years following a census... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254997

It's been a cold, wet spring in the stateline. And now it's causing problems for outdoor businesses. Rockton's shimmering city pool waits for its first lazy day of summer. But a good turnout depends on the weather... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254977

Video shows the safety scare which led the "Blue Angels" to cancel a number of shows including Rockford's Airfest. Here you see them performing a maneuver at a lower altitude than normal at a show inVirginia last weekend... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254967

DEKALB (WNIJ) - An Illinois Senate panel has issued its proposed map of Illinois Congressional districts. Most of Rockford would go from the 16th District to the 17th, represented by Republican Bobby Schilling. DeKalb, in the 14th District, would be placed in the 16th District represented by Republican Don Manzullo. .. LISTEN TO THE STORY: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wnij/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1808559

ROCKFORD (WREX) – Boylan High School introduced former Jefferson boys basketball coach Mike Winters as their replacement for Steve Goers at a press conference Friday afternoon... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14719128

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A future Eagle Scout makes his mark in Rockford by honoring his heroes. Daniel Persinger teamed up with fellow scouts to create a rock monument for the fire department in Ingersoll Park... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14742912

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Rockford police speak out after a Wall Street Journal article ranks Rockford the 9th most violent city in the U.S. Chief Chet Epperson says a comparison like that is not accurate because there are other factors involved when you put one city against another... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14742893

ROCKFORD (WREX) - In between the barbecues, parties, and festivals, how about squeezing in some time to donate blood? The Rock River Valley Blood Center hopes to get more donations this weekend, of both blood and platelets.  Staff members say the blood bank really needs O+, O- and B+.  And those donations are really needed on long weekends like Memorial Day's... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14742876

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A group of Rockford pre-school students creates art to help a little girl living with a rare disease. 4-year-old, Livia Hubert from Roscoe was diagnosed with Sanfillipo Syndrome. Her life expectancy is only a decade or two... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14742856

LOVES PARK (WIFR) -- Even with this week's chilly weather, we know summer is right around the corner when we hear live music and smell fair food in Loves Park... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Young_at_Heart_Festival_Kicks_Off_122758054.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Wade Hemphill is wanted for burglary. Hemphill is 22 years old. He's 5'7" tall, 135 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Rockford_Crimestoppers_527_122757934.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Dr. Robert Willis is expected to begin transitioning into District 205 headquarters next week, where he'll serve as Interim Superintendent... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/RPS_Supt_Transition_to_Begin__122757764.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Illinois is in the process of re-drawing its legislative maps and not everyone agrees with them. The proposal for new congressional districts in Illinois means a lot of changes. .. SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14742549

ROCKFORD– Rockford AirFest 2011 today announced that the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have canceled their headline performance. However, the show will continue June 4 and 5 at Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) with a full slate of military and civilian performers and a variety of other activities... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/27/airfest-continues-without-blue-angels/

Winnebago County Sheriff Richard Meyers announces the establishment of a "NO WAKE ZONE" on the Rock River near the construction site for the new Rockford Riverwalk. The no wake zone is along the west bank of the river, behind the Rockford Art Museum, south of the Whitman Street Bridge and north of the Jefferson Street Bridge... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/27/sheriff-announces-no-wak-zone-near-riverwalk-construction-site/

Magic Waters will officially open for the season Saturday, May 28. As of this report, all attractions will be in operation, including the recently renovated Tiki Island, and Paradise Pipeline, which was painted and resurfaced in preparation for Memorial Day weekend... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/27/magic-waters-opens-for-season-this-weekend/

Report: A little after 11pm Friday night, the Rockford Police were dispatched for a possible stabbing at 508 S. 3rd st in Rockford... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1396

A couple of polls released this week show the Republican Governors in Wisconsin and Ohio losing substantially in a revote. Jesse Russell reports. While that isn't likely to become a reality anytime soon in Ohio, Wisconsin has looser recall laws and come January a signature campaign is set to launch. According to Public Policy Polling when voters were asked if they would support a recall election for Walker, 50 percent said they would. That's a slight up tick since the last poll by Public Policy Polling... READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1424557

The cool spring pattern we've felt so far may be changing into more of a summer-like pattern for the first week or two in June.  A ridge of high pressure will build in the southeast and throughout the Ohio River Valley this weekend allowing temperatures, especially by Memorial Day, to rise well into the ... READ THE STORY: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/05/weekend-warmth-may-stick-around.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The National Weather Service has confirmed that two additional twisters touched down on Sunday evening in the Stateline, bringing the total number of tornado touchdowns for the event to five! A tornado was ruled to have touched down near the intersection of Meridian Rd and Latham Rd, after trained spotters indicated that they were certain that there was a touchdown. Weather service investigators saw heavy tree damage there... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/weather/headlines/Two_New_Tornadoes_Confimed_in_Winnebago_Co_One_Extended_122702329.html

Report: Around 8:20pm Thursday, the police were dispatched to the Citgo Gas Station at 1716 S. Main in Rockford, for a robbery... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1385

Report: Shortly after 12:30am Thursday, the Rockford Police and Winnebago County Police were responding to the Stop and Go gas station on Linden Rd. for a robbery... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1376

Report: Shortly before 6pm Thursday, multiple fire departments were dispatched to 3366 Eddie Rd in Winnebago for a fully engulfed structure fire... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1381

LOVES PARK, Ill. – Lake Erie closer Ruben Flores survived Rockford rallies in the eighth and ninth innings to finish the Crushers' 4-2 win at Road Ranger Stadium. Flores pitched the last four outs for his second save of the season. The RiverHawks left runners at the corners in the eighth. In the ninth, they rallied for a run, but left the bases loaded... READ THE STORY: http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Components/Emailer2/MailSendViewer.php?OnlineEmailID=7716&ID2=350

LOVES PARK, Ill. – Justin Dowdy is back in Class AAA. The San Francisco Giants promoted the left-handed pitcher to their top farm team, the Fresno Grizzlies, last week. Dowdy made his Fresno debut last weekend in a pair of relief appearances against the New Orleans Zephyrs. He's 0-1 with a 6.75 earned-run average in the Pacific Coast League. Dowdy took a 5-2 loss on Sunday. Dowdy began the season with Class AA Richmond of the Eastern League. He was 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA and a save. He averaged nearly a strikeout an inning in 12 appearances... READ THE STORY: http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Components/Emailer2/MailSendViewer.php?OnlineEmailID=7713&ID2=350

LOVES PARK, Ill. – Rookie Matt Greener had three hits and Rockford took advantage of four Lake Erie errors Wednesday as the RiverHawks beat the Crushers, 13-7, at Road Ranger Stadium. The RiverHawks' first six runs were unearned, including the five they scored in the second inning to break a 1-1 tie. Greener led off with a single to right field. Reno Malay hit a likely double-play grounder to shortstopAndrew Davis, but Lake Erie second baseman Chase Fontaine dropped Davis' throw. Luis Parache followed with a sacrifice-bunt attempt, and Fontaine, who covered first base on the play, again dropped a throw to load the bases. Caleb Curry and David Cooper followed with RBI groundouts. With two outs, Freddy Parejo doubled in a run, Jeremy Hamilton singled and Jake Eigsti singled in two. The RiverHawks led the rest of the way... READ THE STORY: http://ism.infinityprosports.com/Components/Emailer2/MailSendViewer.php?OnlineEmailID=7715&ID2=350

ROCKFORD—The Rockford Diocese announced today, May 26, that its Catholic Charities offices would no longer offer state-funded adoption and foster care services. The agency is being forced to opt out of contracting with the State of Illinois for these services because of the Illinois legislature's failure to enact an explicit amendment to the new Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act ... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/26/state-forces-catholic-charities-out-of-foster-care-adoption/

The Illinois Department of Agriculture will be conducting aerial spraying to treat gypsy moths beginning Friday afternoon, May 27 or Saturday, May 28, depending on weather conditions. Areas north and south of Spring Creek Road near Eisenhower Middle School, Reid Farm and Lyford roads and E. State Street to Guildford Road will be treated... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/26/gypsy-month-spraying-takes-places-this-weekend/

With the Blue Angels on "operational pause," it is unknown whether the thrilling fighter jet team will be at the 2011 Rockford AirFest June 4. The decision to put performances on hold came after an unsafe maneuver in Virginia last weekend. Spokesmen said the stunt occurred at a lower altitude than called for... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/26/blue-angels-questionable-for-rockford-airfest/

A former Northern Illinois University student will spend the next 10 years in prison for shooting another student in the leg last year. Zachary Isaacman, 23, was sentenced Tuesday, May 24. Before being sent to prison, Isaacman told the court he did not plan for the shooting to happen and that he should not have had a gun... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/26/crime-man-sentenced-to-10-years-for-niu-shooting/

Several local events will help honor Veterans this Memorial Day weekend. The annual Rockford Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday at 9:00 a.m. The parade begins at 7th Street and 6th Avenue, heads up to E. State Street, west to Wyman Street and then north to Beattie Park where it ends. Watch for traffic delays in those areas Monday... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14725895

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A vote Thursday night means, by the end of the year, Frontier Airlines will start flying out of the Chicago Rockford International Airport. That vote, by airport authority board members, approves an incentive package for the Denver- based airline to begin service.  Those flights, 3 times a week, will start in December... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14737185

Some new ways to stay cool this summer await you at Magic Waters this season. The waterpark officially opens for the season on Saturday. Today park officials will be showing off a few new features at the park during media day... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14738444

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- The Citgo station on South Main Street in Rockford was robbed overnight, but the suspect fled with nothing. At around 8:15 pm, the suspect entered the gas station armed with a handgun. He fled in a dark SUV and is described as a black man with a slim build, in his mid to late twenties, between 5 foot 8 inches and 6 feet tall... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Citgo_Robbed_Overnight_122712454.html

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin judge has struck down a law taking away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most state workers. Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled Thursday that Republican legislators violated Wisconsin's open meetings law during the run up to passage. She says that renders the law void... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Judge_voids_Wisconsin_collective_bargaining_law_122703614.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) - During the past several weeks, Detectives from the Rockford Police Department Burglary Unit along with Officers from the M-3 Streets team have been conducting followup investigation into several north east side residential burglaries. On Wednesday, Gary A. Lameyer, 49, was taken into custody on a traffic stop in the 1400 block of West Riverside Boulevard... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Man_Arrested_in_Connection_to_Several_Residential_Burglaries_122713069.html

Rosecrance President/CEO Philip Eaton has named long-time Janet Wattles Center administrator Mary Ann Abate to the position of vice president and chief operating officer for Mental Health Services for Rosecrance Health Network. In this role, Abate will head the mental health side of Rosecrance's behavioral health services. Late last year, Rosecrance and Janet Wattles Center entered into a formal affiliation that created the most comprehensive network of behavioral health care in the state of Illinois... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/long-time-janet-wattles-exec-joins-rosecrance/

More than 370 top scholars at the elementary, middle and high school levels will be recognized during the 2011 Academic All-Star Salute. The red-carpet affair, which celebrates academic excellence and recognizes the top athletes and artists in Rockford Public School District 205, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 26 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/schools-top-distict-205-students-to-receive-oscar-style-treatment-at-all-star-salute/

The United States Tennis Association's Midwest Section announced that Rockford, Ill., has been selected to pilot a new adult tennis program. As part of the pilot program, anyone 18 and older can receive a free tennis lesson that will be held from 7-8:30 p.m., June 10, at the Guilford Tennis Center, 5702 Spring Creek Road. Participants will have the opportunity to experience tennis for the first time, sharpen their existing tennis skills, and check out the exciting, fast pace of Cardio Tennis... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/rockford-selected-to-pilot-new-tennis-program/

Nearly 800,000 strokes occur annually in the United States. Patients coming to the Emergency Department at SwedishAmerican and SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere will now have immediate access to world-class stroke neurologists at the UW Comprehensive Stroke Center in Madison, Wis... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/swedishamerican-teams-up-with-uw-stroke-neurologists/

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  Students from the 50's, join ones from last year to celebrate their time at Rockford's Jackson Elementary School. An open house was held there Wednesday night.  It was a combination celebration... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14723043

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Some District 205 parents are upset after they're not picked to be on a Community Input Committee. Concerns were raised at Tuesday night's school board meeting from parents about who was picked to be on that committee... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14720101

Former Rockford Public School District 205 Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield has been hired as associate vice president for early college expansion by Boston education think tank Jobs for the Future (JFF). Sheffield's resignation was accepted by the Rockford Board of Education at its April 12 meeting. Her last day on the job was Saturday, April 30, less than two years into her four-year contract... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/lavonne-sheffield-hired-by-education-think-tank-in-boston/

CHICAGO—Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) today expanded her investigation into "robosigning" practices, issuing subpoenas against two national mortgage servicing support providers. The subpoenas are the latest effort in Madigan's ongoing probe into the fraudulent practices used by banks and other mortgage institutions that contributed to the collapse of the U.S. housing market and the subsequent global financial crisis... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/attorney-general-lisa-madigan-issues-subponeas-to-curb-robosigning/

CHICAGO—Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) and a coalition of consumer advocates voiced their opposition to a legislative proposal that would impose automatic annual rate hikes on millions of consumers' utility bills. The bill (H.B. 14), as currently introduced by State Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-37),  would eliminate the long-standing utility rate review process through the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and allow utility companies to impose automatic rate increases for 10 years. Former Rockford Mayor Doug Scott is chairman of the ICC... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/groups-oppose-automatic-utility-rate-hikes/

It's an undeniable thrill at the main event navy planes soaring thousands of feet above the ground. But now, their plan for Airfest is also "up in the air"... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254627

Report:  Rockford Police are enroute to 231 Atwood ave in Rockford for a home invasion. Upon arrival, they have 2 skinny hispanic males running from the scene... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=1357

A lightning strike may have caused a massive fire at a housing complex in Rockford.  Residents were forced out into the pouring rain and watched as their building, and belongings burned... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254617

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Shorewood Park is still closed from damages suffered in Sunday's storms... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14717854

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Charges have been filed against two 13-year-old suspects in a shooting at a Rockford park last month. The victim, 21-year-old Eric West, was shot one time in Booker Park, 524 Kent Street... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14718689

We are looking for Senior's in the Rockford area who are looking to receive monthly care packages that can include Shampoo, Conditioner, your choice of toothpaste and toothbrush, or denture care items, body wash, deodorant... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/category.asp?C=123710&nav=menu1352_6&trumbaEmbed=view%3devent%26eventid%3d94712261

No matter how I hope green things seem to be changing, the more I realize they remain the same—yes, I'm a dupe. To put this in the proper frame of reference, let me tell you a little story. Once upon a time, a newspaper publisher (me) was invited by this group of lawyers to participate in a farce on stage, known locally as "The Legal Follies... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/greenies-2030-plan-fail-first-test/

Undecided about which side of the wind you're on about wind turbines? Are they a new crop for farmers and a fine source of renewable energy, or are they a detrimental to human and animal life and an industrialization of agricultural and scenic lands? Public officials and citizens may attend the local premiere of an award-winning documentary about the subject and decide for themselves... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/award-winning-documentary-on-wind-farms-to-show-thursday-at-north-boone-hs/

The garbage collection schedule for City of Rockford residents Monday, May 30, and the balance of that week will be delayed one day because of the Memorial Day holiday... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/garbage-collection-schedule-delayed-because-of-memorial-day-holiday/

A local history group, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), plans to honor veterans of that conflict with a series of events during the Memorial Day weekend. Sunday evening, May 29, an honor guard from Logan Camp No. 26 will march between the Civil War monument on the corner of Auburn and North Main and a burial plot of veterans within Greenwood Cemetery... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/local-history-group-plans-memorial-day-activities/

Jeffrey Wang, the Auburn High School senior whose love of science earned him a trip to the White House Science Fair earlier this school year, is one of 20 students chosen to attend the USA Biology Olympiad National Finals. He joins an elite group of students from across the country who were selected based on the scores they earned on the USA Biology Olympiad open and semifinal exams. More than 10,000 students registered to take the tests this year... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/05/25/auburn-senior-finalist-in-science-competition/

t's a parent's worst nightmare, your child is with someone who's hurting them. Illinois offers parents and anyone who believes they are in danger the ability to get an order of protection.  In a two part series, 13 News investigates whether or not those orders work... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14709988

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  The Rockford School Board picks the new member to serve the voters in District 205's Subdistrict "E" and a new Interim Superintendent... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14710111

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Rockford police investigate a hit and run they say is linked to an exchange of gunfire. The crash happened Tuesday afternoon around  2:00 p.m. at West State Street and Johnston Avenue, but police say it all a started a block away where police were originally called for reports of gunfire... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14707769

STATELINE (WIFR) -- In an effort to make sure our drinking water remains clean. One local agency wants to make sure you know where to dump your old or unused medication. Current studies show disposing medication by flushing or pouring it down the drain is no longer safe. That's because it can pollute our water supply and hurt the environment... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Medication_Collection_Drive_in_the_Stateline_122551844.html

DEKALB (WIFR) -- A former NIU student was sentenced Tuesday for shooting a fellow student outside a residence hall last year... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Former_NIU_Student_Gets_10_Years_for_Shooting___122550514.html

ComEd residents should brace for a rate hike. Today the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a 156 million dollar rate hike for ComEd... READ THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254327

 14 year-old Rockford boy is arrested after accidentally shooting his friend. Police were called to the 2600 block ofPrial Avenue around 1:30 this morning... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254307

HINCKLEY (WREX) – Callie Johnson headed in a corner kick from Monica Ramirez in the second overtime to give Elgin St. Edward a 2-1 win over Lutheran in Tuesday's class 1A sectional title game... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14710373

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Doctors and firefighters settle things on the ice next weekend, all in the name of a good cause... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14702314

BYRON, IL (WREX) - Eric Burch won the 2010 golfer of the year award and his quest for a repeat is off to a good start. Burch won the Gold Medal Classic ... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14699343

DeKALB, Ill. - No. 4-seeded Northern Illinois will face No. 5-seeded Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, May 25, at 8 a.m. CT to open up the 2011 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament, held at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14699295

A vigorous area of low pressure will track from Kansas City to South Bend, Indiana on Wednesday. Ahead of the low, a warm front will set up from near Quincy to LaSalle to Aurora to Gary. Along this front and south there will be a threat of large hail, damaging wind, and even tornadoes... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://addins.wrex.com/blogs/weather/2011/05/severe-weather-threat-just-south-on-wednesday

BELVIDERE (WREX) - Belvidere police are trying to find the man that tied up two employees at the Aldi's grocery store in Belvidere... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14704395

ComEd is finishing restoring power to the Stateline this morning.  Just less than one thousand customers are still waiting... SEE THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=253987

Clean up continues in the Stateline where at least three tornadoes touched down.  The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down near Polo, another 1 mile south of Winnebago, and a third near Stillman Valley... SEE THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=253997

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A 14-year-old boy faces charges after a gun went off hitting his 14-year-old friend. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries to his upper torso... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14704060

As of this morning, there are just under 1,000 outages remaining in the area. ComEd Spokesman Paul Callighan tells 13 News, the process of restoring power has been lengthy because of all the physical damage done to equipment, poles and wires... SEE THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14704100

One person is arrested and another wanted in a Rockford murder.  26-year-old Martin Jefferson was shot three times Friday evening near Summerdale Park.  He later died at the hospital... SEE THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=254017

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Insurance agents work around the clock as storm damage claims keep coming in. Most of the calls made to State Farm Agents in the Rockford Area like Brian Boyer are for damaged trees... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14702309

ROCKFORD (WIFR)- A couple of 14 year old boys were playing with a gun early this morning, when one of them was accidentally shot... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Boy_Shot_in_Chest_by_Friend_122492744.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) - A Rockford City Council member wants to cut even deeper into the money Rockford gives to the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Last October the city and theatre agreed to reduce the arena's operating subsidy from $150,000 to $130,000. But now, Alderman Anne Thompson-Kelly thinks the Coronado can afford to cut even more... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14702277

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  The Rockford City Council decides to rebuild on the old Jane Addams Housing site. The Rockford Housing Authority will build new units in that space.  Council members approved a special use permit 11 to 3 for the first phase of that construction... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14702316

ROCKFORD (WREX) - The fight to reduce graduation requirements for Rockford public school students is over. The Education Committee met Monday night and members say the administration removed its request to lower the requirement from 40 credit hours to 38... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14702307

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Jacob Vereecke, 19, has pleaded guilty to Aggravated Robbery before the Honorable Judge Pumilia and was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. On August 17, 2010, City of Rockford police officers responded to an armed robbery at the Red Roof Inn located at 7434 E. State St... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Man_Sentenced_in_Red__122473574.html

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- On Friday May 20th, 2011 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Rockford Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 2815 Overdene (Summerdale Park). Officers arrived and located 26 year old Martin Jefferson suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital by the Rockford Fire Department where he later died... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Rockford_Police_Looking_for_Shooting_Suspect_122473444.html

SPRINGFIELD (WIFR) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to start its 2011 Gypsy Moth treatment program next week. Weather permitting, BTK, a safe and environmentally-friendly insecticide, will be aerially-applied to 16 sites in four northern Illinois counties beginning Tuesday, May 24... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Illinois_Department_of_Agriculture_to_Begin_Gypsy_Moth_Treatments__122474139.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) -  Rockford Police arrest one man, and put out a warrant for another in connection to a murder at Summerdale Park last Friday. Martin Jefferson, 26 was found in the parking lot of 2815 Overdene.  He'd been shot several times, and was taken to the hospital where he died... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14700881

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Rockford Education Association members vote to elect a new leader. Current President Molly Phalen announced last week that she's not running.  She's had the job for 25 years... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14701905

ROCKFORD (WREX) - There's some local talent in an international competition coming to Rockford. Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Executive Director Gordon Kaye and 13-year-old Tyler Born will both compete in the America's Team Championship Table Tennis event ... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14701955

Michael Sharp shot this video of a tornado on the ground just north of Rochelle Sunday night around 8pm. He tells us he was just west of IL251 on Flagg Road... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://addins.wrex.com/blogs/weather/2011/05/viewer-captures-northern-illinois-fourth-tornado-sunday-night

EF1 Tornado Near Polo and Another one near Stillman Valley. See some details at... READ THE STORY: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/05/ef1-tornado-near-polo.html

The National Weather Service has confirmed a very short-length, EF-1 tornado in Ogle County, just north of the town of Stillman Valley. The path width was 50-100 yards wide with top winds around 110mph. .. READ THE STORY: http://addins.wrex.com/blogs/weather/2011/05/tornado-strikes-near-stillman-valley-sunday-night

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Thousands of people still don't have electricity, and some might have to get used to it for a while. ComEd says it has 6,300 customers to go.  But because the damage is so bad a company spokesman says not all of those will be a quick fix... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14701861

23 News Anchor Tina Stein investigates Groupon's success in Rockford Watch the update at 10pm for the full story... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Groupon_Rockford_Launch_not_a_Total_Success_122457719.html

ROSCOE-(WREX) - To the average eye, debris left from Sunday night's severe storms looks like a big mess. However, to investigators from the National Weather Service, it's a part of puzzle that helps them figure out the type of storm it was... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?S=14701518

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL 750 AM CDT MON MAY 23 2011 /850 AM EDT MON MAY 23 2011/ ...STORM SURVEY TO BE CONDUCTED TODAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL BE SENDING METEOROLOGISTS OUT ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA TODAY TO ASSESS DAMAGE WHICH WAS SUSTAINED FROM THE PREVIOUS NIGHTS THUNDERSTORMS... READ THE UPDATE AND FOLLOW THE WEATHER NEWS AT: http://firstwarnweatherteam.blogspot.com/2011/05/chicago-nws-to-conduct-damage-survey.html