Winnebago County News

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Paul Gorski and WinnebagoCountyNews.com, RockfordSports.com and CherryValleyNews.com. I will be updating the Facebook and Twitter feeds in 2013, in addition to making the web sites easier on the eye and mobile friendly. Thank you for following my news feeds and please support the featured local news organizations. Sincerely, Paul Gorski

Support Gorski Nov. 6 I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Paul Gorski for holding a meeting at the fire station in New Milford Oct. 30 to give the neighbors of the Winnebago County Landfill an open forum to talk about their current concerns now that the county board members voted for the expansion. It is important to keep this issue alive because the problems still exist. Now that the landfill has the first local approval, it has gone back to business as usual. The smell is intense, the trash is blowing throughout the neighborhoods and the “clean-up” crews are nowhere to be found. This is exactly what the fight has been about since the beginning: the poor operation of the landfill with the trash and smell permeating one of the main entrances to our city... Read the entire letter at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/31/support-gorski-nov-6/

Support Paul Gorski for County Board I would like to speak out on the dedication of Paul Gorski, who is running for the Winnebago County Board, District 11. Paul is extremely civic-minded and works hard to promote our community and bring its citizens together! Paul was there for the citizens of the Special Service Area in the Village of Cherry Valley. When we decided to petition against a $1.6 million tax levy, he gave us guidance as to where to go for information and help. He voluntarily shared his time and knowledge with the petitioners and offered help with research and procedures... Read the entire letter at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/31/support-paul-gorski-for-county-board/

Let’s back Paul Gorski for county board Paul Gorski spoke out against the increase of Chicago garbage filling our landfills (his opponent did not). Paul Gorski was there at the citizen-driven meetings to stand up against the requested expansion of the landfill because of the Chicago garbage (his opponent was not). Paul Gorski, in my opinion, is a man who will represent the citizens... Read the entire letter at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/31/let%E2%80%99s-back-paul-gorski-for-county-board/

Letter: District 11 needs Paul Gorski I strongly urge that all voters in Winnebago County Board District 11 cast a yes vote for Paul Gorski. He was instrumental in informing the residents affected by the odors emanating from the Winnebago Landfill since 2009... Read the rest of the letter at: http://www.rrstar.com/elections/letters/x2053817929/Letter-District-11-needs-Paul-Gorski

Letter: Paul Gorski is dedicated, committed to the community I would like to speak out on the dedication of Paul Gorski, who is running for the Winnebago County Board District 11. Paul is extremely civic-minded and works hard to promote our community and bring its citizens together! Paul was there for the citizens of The Special Service Area in the Village of Cherry Valley. When we decided to petition against a 1.6 million dollar tax levy, he gave us guidance as to where to go for information and help. He voluntarily shared his time and knowledge with the petitioners and offered help with research and procedures... Read the full letter here: http://www.rrstar.com/elections/letters/x255961739/Letter-Paul-Gorski-is-dedicated-committed-to-the-community

Rockford’s River City Sound Chorus will be competing today in the 2012 Sweet Adelines International competition in Denver, CO. River City Sound performs their competition songs at approximately 5:30 PM, today, Thursday, November 1 st . Watch Rockford’s own River City Sound compete live via webcast at: http://sweetadswebcast.com/ . River City Sound is scheduled to perform two competition songs at 5:37 PM (Rockford time), but tune in to the webcast at 5:30 PM to make sure you don’t miss it! What: River City Sound international competition performance. Date: Thursday, November 1, 2012 Time: About 5:30 PM (scheduled to be on stage from 5:37 PM to 5:45 PM CT, approximately.) Where: Watch the live competition online at: http://sweetadswebcast.com/ ###

The Rock River Times’ election endorsements By Frank Schier Editor and Publisher Vote the undervote The Rock River Times’ endorsements are for contested races only for the General Election, Nov. 6. Again, being purposefully redundant, we stress what has been the position of this paper for many years — if you don’t like either candidate, don’t vote in that race. That lack of a vote is called an “undervote,” and is closely watched by the political pros and parties. Send a message to the major parties that you think their choices are poor and the system is broken, if that is appropriate... Read the long list of endorsements at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/31/the-rock-river-times%E2%80%99-election-endorsements/

Media Advisory FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2012 Landfill Update Meeting Contact: Paul Gorski paul@paulgorski.com (815) 871-6320 There will be a public meeting to discuss current landfill issues at 7 PM, Tuesday, October 30th at the New Milford Fire Station Community Room, 2177 Will James Road, New Milford. This is a general informational meeting requested by local residents. We thank the New Milford Fire Department for the use of the community room. Paul Gorski will moderate the discussion. The discussion will include updates on: 1) The lawsuit challenging the landfill expansion. 2) The current frequency and strength of landfill odors. 3) Contacts for reporting air, water and traffic concerns. 4) Winnebago Landfill releasing water into Kilbuck Creek. Landfill Update Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 Time: 7 - 8 PM Where: New Milford Fire Station community room, 2177 Will James Road, Rockford (New Milford) ###

Hello, I just wanted to remind followers of Winnebago County News, Rockford Sports News and Cherry Valley News that I am running for Winnebago County Board Member, District 11. My official campaign site is http://www.gorskiforcountyboard.com. Thank you, Paul Gorski Editor, Winnebago County News

The Illinois Paddling Council is proud to announce it's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Please Mark These Two Dates Down On Your Calendar: November 30th 2012 and March 2, 2013 The annual dinner usually held in November, has been moved forward to the March Date. Instead we will hold our Annual Membership Meeting, Board Election and present the 2012 Racing awards at 7:30 pm, November 30th, in the Rasmussen Room of the Schaumburg Public Library.(light refreshments will be served) The 50th anniversary celebration banquet will take place exactly 50 years to the day from when IPC's Incorporation papers were filed in 1963. The banquet will be held on March 2, 2013 at Lamb's Farm in Libertyville. Cost is $20.00. A panel consisting of Founding Member Ralph Frese, Jack Snarr, Second President, and Don Muggenborg, early Board Member will take us back to the early days of the Illinois Paddling Community and the IPC. Banquet reservations can be made by sending a check for $20.00...

By David Soll We have all heard the rumors that Social Security is on the verge of bankruptcy within the next decade or so. This is currently true if we do nothing. It frustrates me when politicians and certain ideologues at the local and national levels use the present problems of Social Security as reasons to simply privatize or eliminate it altogether. They call it an “entitlement” when the truth is that Social Security is a pre-paid insurance program. Not long ago, a politician who dared speak about getting rid of Social Security would no longer have a political career to look forward to. Today, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., comes up with a budget that practically erases Social Security as a pre-paid, publicly-funded social safety net and opens it up to eventual privatization (a prospect over which Wall Street salivates), and he is awarded with rumors of a potential vice presidential nomination. I, for one, am tired of this Republican pattern of “tackling” problems by eliminating th...

From Press Release... Carl Wasco, Democratic candidate for State Representative, 68th District recently announced the endorsement of Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). T ed Street, president of the Illinois FOP, was not present, though he sent the following comments: “Mr. Wasco’s dedication to law enforcement has been shown through his willingness to work with all parties to provide the resources and the tools police need to do their jobs safely and effectively. And that is exactly why we’re pleased to endorse his campaign.”  Read the full press release below... DATE: 10/11/12 CONTACT: Steve Spagnolo (cell: 708-601-1949) Alderman Carl Wasco, candidate for State Representative of the 68th District, gathered with friends and supporters today at his campaign office to welcome the endorsement of the Police Benevolent and Protection Association of Rockford (PB&PA), as well as the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The 68th district seat is currently ...

By David Soll We have all heard the term “tort reform.” First, a “tort” is a non-criminal civil wrongdoing that is caused either on purpose or through negligence in which the act, intentional or otherwise, has caused physical, mental or monetary damage. You, the injured party, has the legal right to sue the wrongdoer for damages. To use one layman’s example, if you are harmed by people who run a chemical company that have decided to save a few dollars by dumping their company’s toxic goo into the ground — and that goo reaches the water table and directly results in your cancer diagnosis — you can sue for the pain and suffering you would not have otherwise endured if not for the negligence of that chemical company... Read the entire article in the Rock River Times at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/01/guest-column-tort-reform-would-be-a-bad-thing/

By Paul Gorski Apple, Inc., recently released iOS 6, a major upgrade of the operating system for its popular iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches. Each major upgrade usually breaks new ground with a unique mobile device feature but also plays catch-up with Android OS. iOS 6 is no different. If you are thinking “I’ve read this review before,” not exactly. Most iOS 6 press is about how poorly the iOS 6 Maps compares to the iOS 5 Maps app it replaces, but iOS 6 Maps: 1) offers features iOS 5 Maps doesn’t, and 2) many Rockford-area iPhone/iPad users may not care about maps... Read the full Rock River Times article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/17/tech-friendly-apple-ios-a-worthy-upgrade-unless-you%E2%80%99re-addicted-to-google-maps/

By David Soll Back in early January, there was a town hall meeting about the potential closing of the Post Office facility on Harrison Avenue in Rockford. I was appalled by the seeming lack of respect the hosts seemed to have for the intelligence of the citizens in attendance and the whole of our community. The presentation appears now to have been a whitewash of reality as to what ails one of our greatest American institutions, the U.S. Postal Service. That reality is H.R. 6407: “The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act” of 2006... Read the entire article in the Rock River Times at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/guest-column-support-postal-service-any-and-every-chance-you-get/

By Paul Gorski I get upset when I read unverified and unchallenged news articles in our local newspapers. Once again, the Rockford Register Star (RRStar) has let me down in this regard. The RRStar’s coverage of the county board’s vote on the 2013 budget last week helped perpetuate incorrect information about our rising property taxes by relying on misleading information from county board members. Kevin Haas (“County hopes to add officers without more property tax dollars,” Rockford Register Star, Sept. 27) reported that the board’s 25-1 vote on the 2013 budget “holds the line on property taxes” but later states some taxpayers will pay higher property taxes, so I’m not sure how that is holding the line on taxes... Read the full Rock River Times article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/03/meet-john-doe-new-county-budget-means-higher-taxes-for-some/

From Press Release... Carl Wasco, Democratic candidate for State Representative, 68th District recently announced the endorsement of the Police Benevolent and Protection Association of Rockford (PB&PA). Terry Peterson, President of the PB&PA, stood by Alderman Wasco at the event and said, “We trust and have faith in Carl Wasco. He has shown us in the past that he is passionate about our interests and concerned for the safety of his community. He believes in us and even though we might disagree on some issues, we trust him to be honest and straightforward with our membership. We also know that overall, he will advocate for legislation that supports the law enforcement profession.” Read the full press release below... DATE: 10/11/12 CONTACT: Steve Spagnolo (cell: 708-601-1949) Alderman Carl Wasco, candidate for State Representative of the 68th District, gathered with friends and supporters today at his campaign office to welcome the endorsement of the Police Benevolent and Pro...

A candidates’ forum for candidates running for Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board commissioner will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, at Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 3715 S. Main St., Rockford. The forum is free and open to the public and is moderated by Natural Land Institute Executive Director Jerry Paulson. READ THE ARTICLE AT: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/09/05/forest-preserve-district-candidates%E2%80%99-forum-sept-9-at-klehm/

Dr. Louis and Violet Rubin, formerly of Rockford, have made a bequest of $15 million to the northern Illinois regional community. The endowed bequest of $15 million will be administered by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. According to the donors’ wishes, the bequest will support the regional community (Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties) in the areas of human services, general education, medical education and medical research. READ THE ARTICLE AT: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/09/05/couple-bequests-15-million-to-northern-illinois-area/

Former Senator from Wisconsin Russ Feingold is the keynote speaker at this year’s Rockford College Business Luncheon to be held Wednesday, Sept. 12, and will also speak as part of the College’s Forum Series later that day. Feingold’s remarks will focus on both leadership and his views outlined in his book, While America Sleeps: A Wake up Call for the Post 9/11 Era. Both events will take place on the Rockford College campus, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. READ THE ARTICLE AT: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/09/05/former-wisconsin-sen-russ-feingold-to-speak-at-rc-events/

Voters do have a choice in the 16th District Congressional race. When Adam Kinzinger defeated Don Manzullo in the primary, the assumption was that he would be this young, one-term congressman, a signer of the Grover Norquist pledge, and would automatically become our Congressman. This assumption did not become a fact. During a People’s Primary created by a group of unhappy voters through Facebook, Wanda Rohl stepped up and was chosen by vote of the 100 or so people present. Supporters gathered 1,800 signatures to get her on the November ballot... Read the entire article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/22/voters-have-a-choice-in-16th-district-race/ .

There’s much coverage in the press these days about gun rights, abortion rights and freedom of religion, but also much union bashing. Seems some people feel unions are to blame for our local and state budget crises. That is simply not true. First and foremost, unions are an extension of your rights to free speech and freedom to assemble. You may not like unions, you may love them, or you may be indifferent to them. However, if you allow others to restrict your rights to organize, you’re giving up your fundamental rights little by little, whether you belong to a union or not. I say you must defend these rights, whether you agree 100 percent with union policies or not. Read the entire article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/01/meet-john-doe-unions-are-an-extension-of-your-rights-of-free-speech-freedom-to-assemble/ .

First and foremost, our concern regarding the Roscoe Sports Complex has been for the Roscoe Township to create a separate entrance to the park to alleviate heavy traffic concerns and maintain the integrity and safety of the neighborhood. As we sat through the Roscoe Township Board of Trustees’ meeting Aug. 8, we listened to the businesslike, rather disinterested tone of voices as the trustees and supervisor discussed the various items on the agenda. It was not until the update on the Old Stone Bridge that their voices became warm and took on an interested tone. Trustee Tom Hawes gave an emotion-tinged account of the work being done to restore the bridge... Read the entire commentary at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/15/guest-column-real-problems-and-real-solutions-for-the-roscoe-sports-complex/ .

The landfill isn’t the only thing stinking up the place lately. Former State Rep. Dave Winters (R) recently resigned from his office just in time to have John Cabello (R), candidate for that office this fall, appointed to fill his vacancy. All this while Cabello is running a close race with Carl Wasco (D), a Rockford alderman for the very same state representative seat... Visit http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/15/meet-john-doe-wasco-stiffed-by-old-school-politics/ to read the entire article.

 "Under the proposed law, concealed handgun licenses would be acceptable forms of photo ID, but student IDs would not," Eric Holder said. "Many of those without IDs would have to travel great distances to get them, and some would struggle to pay for the documents they might need to obtain them. We call those poll taxes." I wanted to know how much validity could be attributed to the claims that requiring a person to have ID to vote is related to their ability to vote in the post-Obama election era and was tantamount to a poll tax... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/guest-column-the-new-poll-tax-in-the-united-states/

Unless I am missing it, the City of Rockford doesn't have an official Facebook page … if I am wrong, please share the following open letter with Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey. Mayor, I lived in Rockford for 45 years. I left 10 years ago. Most of my family still lives there. Every time I go back, I want to cry... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/guest-column-an-open-letter-to-mayor-morrissey/

 What a drag democracy is for the 1 percent and their Republican accomplices. Their guy Mitt Romney couldn't campaign his way out of a wet paper bag without zillions of dollars to perpetuate his lies, and his running mate Paul Ryan's. Congress couldn't produce one jobs bill, yet his budget plan calls for closing down the people's Medicare and turning it into a voucher program to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/guest-column-money-lies-and-voter-suppression/

 Back in early January, there was a town hall meeting about the potential closing of the Post Office facility on Harrison Avenue in Rockford. I was appalled by the seeming lack of respect the hosts seemed to have for the intelligence of the citizens in attendance and the whole of our community. The presentation appears now to have been a whitewash of reality as to what ails one of our greatest American institutions, the U.S. Postal Service. That reality is H.R. 6407: "The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act" of 2006... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/guest-column-support-postal-service-any-and-every-chance-you-get/

Local resident and business owner Martin Maggio is challenging the Winnebago County Board's decision to approve the expansion of the Winnebago Landfill. Maggio's challenge was filed Aug. 15. The Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) agreed to accept Maggio's petition for a hearing Aug. 23... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/29/meet-john-doe-pollution-control-board-agrees-to-hear-landfill-expansion-challenge/

LOVES PARK, Ill. — The Rockford RiverHawks set season highs in runs and hits Thursday, Aug. 30, and beat the Road Warriors 17-9 to earn the series sweep in their home finale at RiverHawks Stadium. Rockford tallied a season-high 21 hits, with seven batters recording mult-hit games. "They've been hitting the ball hard and having good at-bats all season," RiverHawks Manager Rich Austin said... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/31/riverhawks-outslug-road-warriors-17-9-earn-sweep/

 The Rockford Region will host the 2012 Puma Labor Day Cup Invitational this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2. More than 100 teams from around the Midwest are expected to participate. The annual event brings 8,500 soccer players, coaches, families and fans to the region. The tournament produces approximately $202,500 for the local economy... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/31/rockford-region-hosts-2012-puma-labor-day-cup-at-sportscore-two-sept-1-2/

Rockford City Market will be open Friday, Aug. 31, and continues until Oct. 12. However, this is the last Friday the market will stay open until 8 p.m. The market will close at 7 p.m. starting next Friday, Sept. 7. If you're heading to Rockford City Market today, here's what you can expect: READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/31/aug-31-rockford-city-market-features-music-by-one-less-tenor-activities-by-severson-dells-and-zumba-demonstrations/

 As former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president Thursday, Aug. 30, a group of workers facing outsourcing at Freeport's Sensata Technologies plant rallied against what they called a "Romney economy.".. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/31/sensata-workers-rally-against- 'romney-economy'-romney-defends-bain-capital-in-acceptance-speech/

Members of the Rockford Police Department's Narcotics Unit received information that a subject who lived at 948 S. Third St. was selling heroin and crack cocaine. During the investigation, detectives identified the subject as 28-year-old... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/31/rockford-man-arrested-on-heroin-crack-cocaine-charges/

CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. — Cherry Valley Days will bring three days of food, fun, carnival rides and live music to Baumann Park, 218 S. Walnut St., Cherry Valley, Ill., Friday-Sunday, Aug. 24-26. Festival hours will be 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Aug. 24; 9 a.m.-midnight, Saturday, Aug. 25; and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 26. Pre-sold buttons are $5 at CherryVale Hilander, Cherry Valley Library, Cherry Valley Village Hall and Alpine Bank (CherryVale) through Aug. 22. Tickets good for Friday-Sunday are $6 Friday; tickets good for Saturday-Sunday are $6 Saturday; and tickets for Sunday only are $3 Sunday. Visit www.valleydays.com . Following is the complete festival lineup by day with musical acts in bold: Read the article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/08/22/cherry-valley-days-aug-24-26/

The Winnebago County Board should postpone the landfill expansion vote until a new board is in place later this year. Many good reasons exist to postpone the vote, but here are just three: legal, environmental and impact on economic development. As I outlined in my guest column “County opens itself up to a landfill lawsuit” (May 9-15 issue of The Rock River Times), the county risks an unnecessary lawsuit, and the expenses a lawsuit entails, by voting on the landfill expansion now... Read the article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/07/11/guest-column-county-board-should-postpone-landfill-expansion-vote/

Throughout the recent landfill expansion hearings, Winnebago County Board members were told not to speak of the issue or hear testimony outside the hearing process. The laws are in place to ensure a fair and equal debate and allow for cross-examination by petitioner and challenger alike. Those are good laws, but why stick to the rules now? The board is not supposed to hear evidence outside the hearing process on zoning issues, either. However, a few years ago, board member Ted Biondo was allowed to discuss how he visited and inspected the land for a controversial housing development at a regular board meeting, a meeting where the public was not allowed to comment about the same topic... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/05/09/guest-column-county-opens-itself-up-to-landfill-lawsuit/

 As residents of southeast Winnebago County, we wish to be on record opposing the expansion of the landfill for the following reasons that must be considered. • The smell from the current landfill is unbearable. We can smell it in our home with the windows closed. We live 2 miles from the landfill. We have smelled it on Perryville Road as far away as CherryVale. It totally affects our way of life... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/04/25/guest-column-reasons-to-oppose-expansion-of-winnebago-landfill/

I strongly oppose expansion of the landfill!!! The only time they keep the area somewhat cleaned up is when they want something. They continually say they are working on the stench, but you would think that, if they really were working on it, they would have done something to eliminate the odor during these past years... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/06/oppose-the-landfill-expansion/

Winnebago Landfill expansion needs to be stopped. I listened to a hydrogeologist speak. He said you never want to put a landfill where land is made up of sand, gravel and cavernous limestone: describing exactly where the landfill is sitting. There's the Glacial, Galena-Platteville Dolomite, and precious St. Peter's Sandstone aquifer... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/07/03/put-people-before-landfill-greed/

 The Host County Agreement between Winnebago County and Winnebago Landfill Company (a William Charles company) passed at the Nov. 22 meeting by a vote of 24-1. I was the lone "no" vote on this issue. Let me tell you why I did not vote for the agreement. The county board members received the draft agreement via e-mail Thursday, Nov. 17 (only five days before the vote that will last for decades). The agreement paves the way for a massive expansion of the current landfill and covers the entire period of operation of the landfill expansion. This expansion will likely open in the year 2020, and is estimated to operate from 28 to 32 years after that date. The 16-page agreement contained significant changes from the current agreement. The Nov. 17 e-mail did not contain the current agreement or the current applicable ordinance that is also being amended (I requested these documents and received them in response Nov. 21 ­— only one day before the vote)... READ THE COMMENTARY: http...

While most of us were focused on family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday, Winnebago County Board members voted Nov. 22 to offer a bargain-basement deal for all major trash haulers. Our county is now the preferred provider of land to destroy for landfill use. From Chicago to Madison, to Milwaukee and everywhere in between, as long as you haul 1,001 tons per day, Winnebago County is your place to dump, thanks to a deal reached between Winnebago County and Winnebago Landfill Company, LLC, principal office listed at 1401 N. Second St., Rockford, on the Illinois Department of State's website. William Charles Ltd. is at 1401 N. Second St., Rockford... READ THE COMMENTARY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2011/11/30/guest-column-come-ye-come-all-winnebago-county-board-members-voted-away-1-5-million-in-revenue/

Winnebago County – During this extreme heat wave please conserve electricity by turning off lights, televisions, computers, and electrical devices that are not in use, particularly during daytime hours. It is at these time electrical demand is the greatest. Turning your lights off, will help other keep the lights on.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka announced June 20 that she has added payment totals for state vendors and listings and compensation for all state officers and board and commission members as part of the latest enhancements to her office's transparency website, The Ledger. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/comptroller-updates-state-transparency-website/

Results from the ground scan completed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) on land owned by the Rockford Park District and Northwest Community Center (NWCC) will be released soon, according to an IEPA official... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/iepa-to-release-ground-scan-results-around-amerock-plant/

Winnebago County – During this extreme heat wave please conserve electricity by turning off lights, televisions, computers, and electrical devices that are not in use, particularly during daytime hours. It is at these time electrical demand is the greatest. Turning your lights off, will help other keep the lights on.

Sunday, June 24, a large section of the Kishwaukee River in Boone and Winnebago counties turned an odd shade of red, complete with a scummy foam of the same color. The incident was reported to  The Rock River Times  by Sam Stanfa, a Rockford-area kayaker, who was out to the Kishwaukee River the morning of Sunday, June 24. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/kishwaukee-river-turned-red-foamy/

As debates rage regarding the location and expansion of landfills, the magnitude and diversity of waste generation is directly tied to the economic organization of society. The film  The Light Bulb Conspiracy , by Cosima Dannoritzer, illustrates the technical capacity to build a light bulb that has exceeded the average lifespan of humans. It has been burning since 1901 in a fire station in Livermore, Calif. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/06/the-social-and-environmental-consequences-of-planned-obsolescence/

St. Paul Lutheran Church & School on Sunday, July 1, will install its new associate pastor for full-time ministry at its parish of two sites and school. The Rev. Keffie Deen, II , will serve in the areas of youth, young adults, outreach and evangelism, school sports, Bible teaching and general parish ministry. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/st-paul-lutheran-to-install-new-associate-pastor/

Union, what's the big deal, and why should I support and hire union craftsmen in 300 words or less? Unions gave us the weekend and the 40-hour week and protection against working more than seven days in a row without substantial payment and time off for breaks and meals. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/unions- —-what's-the-big-deal/

Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association (WCRTA) has announced the 2012 Blanche J. Martin Scholarship winners. These scholarships go to promising elementary education teachers. The scholarships went to  Amy Wieting  ($2,000), with  Kalah Polsean ,  Allison Ford ,  Samantha Hoffman and  Christopher Davis  each receiving $1,000. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/20/blanche-martin-scholarship-winners-announced/

Rockford Rescue Mission has announced it will consolidate its two Mission Mart locations into a single larger facility in the former Bob's Ace Hardware building at 2710 20th St. The Mission will renovate the building and anticipates a grand opening early fall. According to Executive Director Sherry Pitney, the Mission seized the opportunity to purchase the property — which was offered below market value because of the many benefits it will afford the Mission and the community. .. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/mission-marts-to-consolidate-into-former-bob 's-ace-hardware-on-20th-street/

The New York theater scene has featured a great many revivals in the past several years; revivals of some of Broadway's biggest hits and favorites; some successful, others not so much.. READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/theater-review- 'working-the-musical'-proves-a-worthy-revival-at-timber-lake/

June 30 at the Tebala Shrine Auditorium, Matthew Cichella and Never Submit Entertainment will present their first joint feature film release, Poetic, for an intimate world premiere screening in Cichella's hometown of Rockford. Two short films, Travis Legge's Taxidermy and Myke Wilson'sInvitation, will be shown prior to the main screening... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/local-entertainment-groups-premiere-feature-film-june-30/

KIRKLAND, Ill. — The Kirkland Lions Club will hold its 64th consecutive Fourth of July Celebration Saturday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 4. This is the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in Illinois. All proceeds from this event will go to the Lions' charitable work throughout the year... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/kirkland-lions-club-to-hold-fourth-of-july-celebration/

DURAND, Ill. — Durand's Second Annual Fireworks 5K Run and Walk Saturday, June 30, kicks off the town's three-day Fourth of July Festival with activities for the whole family... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/durand-kicks-off-fourth-of-july-festivities-june-30/

Rockford Park District will host the Seventh Annual Green Bear Disability Resource Fair from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 29, at Magic Waters Waterpark, 7820 CherryVale Blvd. N, Cherry Valley, Ill. The annual event provides the opportunity for families to explore resources and activities for more enjoyable living, explore the waterpark's many accessible and disability friendly features, and visit with companies and organizations that support people with disabilities... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/disability-resource-fair-june-29-at-magic-waters-waterpark/

• Parade begins at 5 p.m. at Seventh Street and Sixth Avenue, fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., July 4 Staff Report Rockford will celebrate the 236th anniversary of the July 4, 1776, adoption of the Declaration of Independence with a series of events running June 28-July 4... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/27/rockford-celebrates-independence-day-june-28-july-4/

Rain is Gone.....Game on Tonight at 7pm, Gates Open at 6pm Even though it rained this morning, the game is still on for tonight. The skys are now clear at historic Marinelli Field. The Rockford Foresters take on the DeKalb County Liners at 7pm tonight with the gates opening up at 6pm. Come out and enjoy a cheeseburger, a Miller Lite, or one of many other items on the menu. Need tickets? There are plenty of great seats still available for tonight's game. Feel free to walk up and purchase a reserved seat ($8) or a Vitner's Family Seat ($6) tonight at the gate. Fans who enter the stadium will get a raffle card, which could be your winning ticket for a game worn jersey! Every weekend game a winner is pulled. For those who don't know the stadium address, its 101 15th Ave in Rockford. New Merchandise Now IN! New merchandise is now in the store on the stadium grounds. We just got in a new shipment of Rockford Foresters main logo t-shirts in multiple colors including ...

A Medicaid revamp isn't the only piece of law Illinois Governor Pat Quinn put his mark on this week. The governor stops in Rockford at the Illinois Association of Letter Carriers Convention to sign a bill protecting those who deliver our mail... SEE THE VIDEO AND STORY: http://www.wrex.com/story/18802914/quinn-visits-rockford-to-sign-letter-carrier-bill

Lunch or meeting options will soon include the chance to enjoy an affordable meal while cruising the Rock River. The Grab 'N' Go Lunch Cruise on the Forest City Queen takes place every Friday through Sept. 28 (no Grab 'N' Go available Aug. 31)... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/13/cruise-the-rock-river-over-lunch-on-the- 'forest-city-queen'/

Postal customers across the country want to keep rural Post Offices open. The Postal Service developed a solution to do that by modifying retail window hours while still achieving cost savings. Here's the plan. Access to the lobby and P.O. boxes remains the same, and a community retains its ZIP Code. The hours the office is open depend on the level of activity. The plan enables the Postal Service to achieve over a half-a-billion dollars in annual cost savings in an effort to regain a stronger financial footing... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/13/postal-service-releases-plan-to-preserve-post-offices-in-rural-america/

FREEPORT, Ill. — Malcolm Eaton Enterprises' 13th Annual Golf 'N' Games fund-raiser is rapidly approaching, which means Chicken Little Drop raffle tickets are on sale and Golf 'N' Games Open registrations are open. The fund-raiser is set for June 30 at a new venue — the Freeport Country Club, 1614 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, Ill... READ THE STORY: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/06/13/golf-malcolm-eaton's-golf-'n'-games-fund-raiser-june-30/

Love Your River Day to Celebrate the Kishwaukee River – June 9th The public is invited to Baumann Park, on the banks of the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley, IL, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 9th for Love Your River Day. The festival will feature live music by Empty Pockets and Louis and the Hunt, prize drawings, giveaways, river safety demonstrations, wildlife exhibits, environmental education activities and free four-color Kishwaukee River wildlife posters. Admission is free. Love Your River Day is a kick-off celebration for a summer-long campaign sponsored by Friends of the Kishwaukee River, the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, and the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. The purpose of the Love Your River campaign is to raise public awareness of the ecological and recreational value of the Kishwaukee River and to educate and advocate for its protection and safe and respectful use. At 1:00 pm on June 9th, the Friends of the Kishwaukee River will unveil new sig...

Enter to win a dinner for four at a local fish fry. Simply read this article, find the coupon code at the bottom of the article, and either write this newspaper or e-mail: paul@paulgorski.com by April 11 with: 1) the coupon code, 2) your full name and address, and... Read the article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/04/04/guest-column-growing-your-business-print-ads-that-drive-sales/

Last Updated: 11:04 PM 03/28/12 - Last minute negotiations between the Rockford Education Association and the Rockford School District have ended with... Read the full story at: http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/REA__144282575.html

Main Street Players presents ‘Whose Wives Are They Anyway?’ BELVIDERE, Ill. — Main Street Players of Boone County will present Whose Wives Are They Anyway? in two weekend performances, Feb. 10-12 and Feb. 17-19, at the Community Building Complex of Boone Countty, 111 W. First St., Belvidere. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, the play will be presented at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. (no evening performance); and Sundays, Feb. 12 and 19, at 2 p.m. Read the article at:  http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/02/09/main-street-players-presents-%E2%80%98whose-wives-are-they-anyway%E2%80%99/