Winnebago County News

Hello, I have a friend looking for a web site designer to work on a small business web site. Designer must be available for regular updates and postings.  Designer or firm must have previous experience. A politically agnostic designer preferred, no lefty liberals or tea partiers need apply. (I can't do it because I'm a lefty liberal or a tea partier, depending on the issue.) Send me your name, telephone number and email address and I will simply forward it on, no filtering of applicants. Thanks, Paul Gorski editor@winnebagocountynews.org

Some U.S. Senators are trying to end discrimination against the nation's unemployed. Jesse Russell reports: One job search site made waves last week when it announced it would no longer accept job listings that discriminate against the unemployed... READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1536615

Loves Park -A building at the Harlem Community Center goes up in flames... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15446456/fire-destroys-maintenance-building-at-harlem-community-center

ROCKFORD (WREX) -The City of Rockford Finance and Personnel Committee learns more about which city bridges and roadways will go under construction in the next five years... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15446325/rockfords-capital-improvement-plan

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Rockford Aldermen approve leasing four vehicles to help the Rockford Fire Department save lives... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15446474/rockford-city-council-will-lease-fire-vehicles

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Two Rockford schools were put on lockdown for a short period of time Monday, but everything is back to normal now at both schools... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15443742/two-rockford-schools-put-on-lockdown-for-short-time

In part three of the interview with Mike Peck, IceHogs vice president of communications and "Voice of the IceHogs," we talk about, among other topics, the IceHogs' potential new roster... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/07/tales-from-the-trough-mike-peck-interview-part-three/

Rockford - The Great Home Giveaway is getting closer. WTVO's Steve Stadelman was joined live by the Executive Director of the Arc, Jacki Neil Boss, to talk about the early bird drawing coming up Thursday, as well as how the Arc is coping with state budget cuts, and how you can buy tickets... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=278747

The Rockford Area Arts Council's Community Arts Access Grants are available for individual artists, arts organizations, and non-profit organizations wishing to apply for grant funding for projects in 2012... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Rockford_Area_Arts_Council_2012_Community_Arts_Access_Grants__and_Grantseekers_Workshop__129404848.html

The Rockford Park District wants to hear more people say, "I am proud to be a volunteer for the Rockford Park District." There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the Rockford Park District and some new options involving its newest project, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, set to open in late October 2011. This is a chance to give your time to a very distinguished organization whose mission is to help people enjoy life... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/07/park-district-holds-volunteer-open-house-sept-8/

Her name is Nicole Smith. If you follow high school basketball, you'd better get used to hearing her name. She's 6 feet, 4 inches tall, wears No. 45 and plays center for the Lady Indians at Rockton Hononegah. Later this fall, she'll be hitting the hardwood for her senior year. Smith was hampered with knee injuries last season and only appeared in 23 of the Indians' 32 games. She intends for her senior year to be entirely different... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/07/prep-basketball-lady-indians-senior-signs-letter-of-intent-with-iowa/

Former and current residents and Amerock employees recall toxic waste dumping in area west of Central Avenue, north of Auburn Street... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/07/area-near-former-amerock-plant-a-toxic-wasteland/

The Center For American Progress says GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's jobs plan has a fatal flaw – not enough action to stimulate demand. Jesse Russell reports... READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1533611

Low income seniors still looking for help with their heating bills can try again this week to get an appointment... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Sept_6_LIHEAP__129336078.html

Do you get cravings for grandma's meatloaf and pot pies? A new restaurant has opened up to satisfy you pallet... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276957

MACHESNEY PARK (WREX) - Machesney Park is closer to extended alcohol selling hours on Sundays... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15406096/machesney-park-may-allow-longer-liquor-sales-hours

Crime Stoppers wanted fugitive alerts.. READ THE ALERTS: http://www.rockfordcrimestoppers.com/fugitives.cfm

ROCKFORD -It won't be long before people who work at District 205 headquarters will start moving into their new building... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15406070/move-to-new-district-205-headquarters-to-start-next-month

The streets of Belvidere are expected to be quite crowded tonight as the controversy over a church expansion leaves the pews for a march to city hall... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Belvidere_Church_Looks_to_Expand_Community_Divided_129339523.html

It was an exceptionally good opening weekend for area college football fans. It didn't matter if you were cheering for Illinois, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, or Iowa; they were all winners in their first games out in the 2011 season... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/06/area-college-football-teams-off-to-good-start/

Just before 4 PM today, the Rockford Police Department were being dispatched to the 3000 block of W State st for an armed robbery to a business.. READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=2870

DeKALB, Ill. – After passing for a career-best five touchdowns and rushing for another in leading Northern Illinois to its first season opening win since 2003, Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week Monday by the league office... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15397593/nius-harnish-named-player-of-the-week

STATELINE (WIFR) -- A trio of construction projects could start causing headaches in the Stateline this week. The Whitman Street Bridge Interchange is getting some minor repairs. Workers will remove debris, patch potholes, and repave on and off ramps. One ramp will be closed each day. That means traffic patterns will be changing. The project is supposed to be done by early November... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Construction_Projects_Start_Along_the_Stateline_129271393.html

For the first time in Boylan soccer history the Titans have won the prestigious Barrington Soccer Tournament.   This year's event featured three former State Championship teams... READ THE STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276657

Winnebago County will host a meeting to discuss growth at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7, at Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3501 Kishwaukee St... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/05/sept-7-meeting-to-address-growth-at-chicago-rockford-international-airport/

Rockford, Illinois-Byron native Sean Considine is looking for a job again.  The Carolina Panthers cut him early Monday morning... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276647

NATIONWIDE (WIFR) -- Honda has announced a major recall on its Fit vehicles. Honda Motor Company said this morning it would recall about 960,000 Fit subcompacts and other models worldwide to repair defects including malfunctioning power window switches... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Honda_Issues_Million_Car_Recall_129259488.html

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bears added to their secondary, agreeing to a one-year deal with two-time Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather. The Bears announced the move on Sunday, a day after Meriweather was released by New England... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15394733/bears-add-former-pro-bowler

POPLAR GROVE, Ill. — Leonard Ihrke has been many things in his 90 years of life: student, soldier, husband and mechanic. But no title meant quite as much to him as that of pilot... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/05/90-year-old-world-war-ii-air-force-veteran-to-fly-one-last-time-sept-7/

Rockford - Fire breaks out on the city's east side. Crews from Belvidere, New Milford, Blackhawk, and Cherry Valley are on the scene of a vacant house fire near Spring Brook and Lyford Road... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276597

The festival has been in Rockford for 28 years and during that time it has now raised just over ten million dollars for local non-profits. Organizers say hundreds of groups have relied on the festival to generate operating funds... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276577

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- An apartment fire sends two people to the hospital early Saturday morning... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/Two_People_Injured_in_Rockford_Apartment_Fire_129245298.html

WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WREX) -Police search for two men they believed robbed three gas stations Sunday morning and tied up a clerk at one of them... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15394815/police-search-for-men-who-ar

We got a small taste of fall this morning thanks to our temperatures dropping into the mid and upper 40s along with a few scattered 50s.  With clearing skies and north winds around 10 mph, our atmosphere cooled down gradually through the overnight hours... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://addins.wrex.com/blogs/weather/?p=18357

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) -- Chandler Harnish threw a career-high five touchdown passes and rushed for another to give Northern Illinois coach Dave Doeren a 49-26 victory over Army in his head coaching debut on Saturday... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15392179/huskies-blow-by-army-in-season-opener

How bad is it out there for American workers? A new Center For Law and Social Policy report says there are five job seekers for every single available job opening... READ THE STORY: http://www.laborradio.org/Channels/story.aspx?ID=1531752

Freeport, Ill. — Aquin's defense battled not only against Orangeville's Wing-T offense but also against the heat. The Bulldogs shut out the Broncos 40-0 and had some help off the bench... READ THE STORY: http://www.journalstandard.com/sports/x1413010629/Bulldogs-beat-heat

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Some of the brightest students in the Rockford Area receive some recognition at On The Waterfront. A... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15392298/8th-grade-honor-students-recognized-at-otw

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bears are letting running back Chester Taylor go, after all... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/sports/headlines/Agent_Bears_Let_Taylor_Go_129200123.html

ROCKFORD (WREX) -Neighbors say it looked something from an action movie when a down power line lit a gas line in a Rockford neighborhood this afternoon... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15392286/gas-leak-shuts-down-busy-rockford-street

Here are the results from Friday's IHSA football games... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wifr.com/sports/headlines/Feldco_Football_Frenzy_Friday_Roundup_129117133.html

BELVIDERE, Ill. — State Sen. Christine J. Johnson, R-Shabbona, and the Illinois Attorney's General Office will co-host a scam and identity-theft prevention program Thursday, Sept. 8... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/02/scam-and-identity-theft-prevention-program-sept-8-at-boone-county-council-on-aging/

A second armed robbery to a business has occurred, in the last 30 minutes. The suspects first robbed the Phillip 66 on N. Perryville.. READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=2820

FREEPORT (WREX) -Several departments are called in to battle a blaze at a Freeport Business.  Flames broke out at Mechanical Incorporated at 2279 E. Yellow Creek Road... READ THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15388042/fire-tears-through-freeport-business

U.S. Marine Corporal Anthony Dewitz finished up his first deployment to Afghanistan last month, and the welcome awaiting him back home was one he'll never forget... READ THE STORY: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/DeKalb_Marine_Gets_a_Heros_Welcome_129171938.html

FREEPORT, Ill. — From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 4, the Freeport Park District and the Freeport Art Museum will present Art in the Park at Freeport's Krape Park... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/08/31/art-in-the-park-at-freeport 's-krape-park-sept-4/

CHICAGO — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Aug. 23 that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is setting aside approximately $6 million for federal agencies to sign up unemployed workers to implement restoration projects in federally-protected areas, on tribal lands and in Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes basin. EPA will fund individual projects up to $1 million. To qualify for funding, each proposed project must provide jobs for at least 20 unemployed people... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/02/epa-dedicates-6-million-to-restore-great-lakes-create-jobs/

A number of restrictions will be in place on the Rock River over the Labor Day weekend, Winnebago County Sheriff Richard Meyers announced... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/02/restrictions-in-place-on-rock-river-over-labor-day-weekend/

The Rockford Police announced plans for the 2011 Labor Day "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Impaired Driving Crackdown, the intensified enforcement against the overwhelming number of late-night impaired drivers and safety belt violators... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/08/31/rockford-police-to-crack-down-on-late-night-enforcement/

ROCKFORD (WREX) – Senior Dontrel Chance racked up four touchdowns in Guilford's week one win over Freeport last Friday night... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15371701/athlete-of-the-week-guilfords-dontrel-chance

Rosecrance President/CEO Philip W. Eaton announced Sept. 2 that the downtown Janet Wattles Center building will be renamed the "Rosecrance Ware Center" to honor the agency's longtime director, Frank Ware, who died unexpectedly in February... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/02/rosecrance-renames-downtown-building-to-honor-the-late-frank-ware-merger-between-rosecrance-and-janet-wattles-complete/

FORRESTON, IL (WREX) - Forreston had a Senior night to remember knocking off Dakota 32-7 in our Game of the Week... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15388184/forrest

Report: The Loves Park Police and Metro Ambulance and the Emergency Helicopter, were all being dispatched to Harlem rd at the I-90 bridge, for a motorcycle accident... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=2801

Accident ~ Forest Hills and Pepper Dr Report: Just after 1pm today, the Rockford Police and Fire Departments were responding to a motor vehicle accident with injuries at Forest Hills and Pepper dr in Rockford... READ THE STORY: http://rockfordscanner.com/?p=2796

A heated topic in Roscoe comes to the plate tonight as the fate youth baseball and softball games is brought in front of the village board. Youth baseball and softball have been going strong in roscoe for half a century but the relationship between the village and the organization that oversees the sports are at odds. .. SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://mystateline.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=276007

DEKALB   (WNIJ)  -  Rockford's "On the Waterfront" festival returns this weekend. This year's headliners on the Left Bank Stage include a veteran blues performer. .. HEAR THE STORY: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wnij/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1847369

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- With most of the Super Bowl champions' marquee players on the sideline, outside linebacker Vic So'oto likely sealed up his roster spot... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15381213/packers-beat-chiefs-in-final-preseason-game

CHICAGO (AP) -- Johnny Knox came through with a touchdown catch, and if he keeps it up, he just might regain his spot as the Chicago Bears' starting receiver... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15381226/knox-hanie-look-sharp-as-bears-beat-browns-24-14

PECATONICA, Ill. — Illinois State Police (ISP) are reminding motorists to make safety their No. 1 priority while driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest for motorists, and thousands of drivers are expected to travel roadways and interstates nationwide... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/01/state-police-to-crack-down-on-speeding-dui-seat-belt-violations-and-distracted-drivers-over-labor-day-weekend/

Starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, the Whitman Street Bridge Interchange will be under construction. This project will provide various repairs to all City of Rockford-owned... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/01/construction-on-whitman-street-bridge-interchange-begins-sept-6/

Aug. 13, 2008, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its final regulation mandating sprinklers in all existing nursing homes by Aug. 13, 2013. In May 2010, River Bluff completed Phase I of the sprinkler project by installing sprinklers in the main dining room... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/08/31/river-bluff-aims-to-have-sprinklers-in-place-by-2013/

UNDATED (WREX) - A few schools have decided to dismiss early due to Friday's forecasted heat... SEE THE STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/15382672/schools-dismissing-early-because-of-the-heat

Craft beer lovers will have the chance to try some fresh brews when a new festival kicks off this fall. The Screw City Beer Festival hits the streets in the heart of Rockford featuring craft beer from local, regional and national breweries... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/09/01/more-than-100-beers-featured-at-sept-10-screw-city-beer-festival-in-downtown-rockford/