Good morning, Rockford.

Residents from the Midtown District met Thursday night to share ideas for parks, walkways and crosswalk upgrades via the Livable Communities Initiative — a city-backed project set to fund one or two neighborhood improvements between 6th and 15th Aves.

Leaders plan additional input sessions in spring, summer and fall.

Aqua-Aerobic Systems CEO James Horton will share his company's 57-year expansion story at the For the Love of the Region event on Thursday, Feb.

19 in Rockford + he will discuss job growth and a new facility addition.

Rockford's Gustafson's Furniture & Mattress reopened on Feb.

12 after a temporary closure for a management transition following the retirement of longtime owners, and customers received refunds while deliveries continued. The family-owned store reassured locals that it is not closing and will keep providing quality service in 2026.

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra's concert 'Love ...

It's Complicated' will feature works by Tchaikovsky, Strauss, and Brahms and be held tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Coronado Theatre, with tickets (for ages 6 to 18) free as the event promotes youth engagement with classical music.

Dexter Patterson will visit Rockford on Feb.

18 for a free birding event hosted by the Natural Land Institute at the RPL Nordlof Center (118 N. Main St.). The program features a meet-and-greet, book signing, and children’s activities, with a presentation starting at 5:30 p.m.

Chicago Rockford International Airport set a new record in 2025 by serving more than 310,000 passengers and handling 3.4 billion pounds of cargo, a 9.25 percent increase from last year.

Airport officials said strong demand for convenient travel and expanded routes drove the numbers and support the local economy.

YMCA of Rock River Valley unveiled its new expanded fitness center at its Loves Park branch after eight weeks of construction, doubling its size with new equipment like plate-loaded weights.

Members will soon be able to access the center overnight with an upgraded membership.

Machesney Park resident Andrea Coogan has suffered permanent eye damage & high monthly treatment costs after battling SJS/TEN, a rare medication reaction, since 2021, and she now asks local health providers to improve awareness and treatment options.

A Rockford doctor said colonoscopies are essential after a new study showed colon cancer is now the top cancer killer among Americans under 50, and he urged patients to talk to their gastroenterologist for timely screenings (which can remove polyps).

Winnebago County Health Department offers the 2026 Trauma Film series to help viewers learn about trauma and resilience.

The films air on the first Tuesday of each month through June at JR Sullivan Theater (Nordlof at 118 N. Main Street).

The St. Louis Cardinals will air select games free in Rockford on Gray Media channels as part of the Home Plate package, which starts with spring training on Feb.

23 and includes seasonal regular-season & minor league games to bring live baseball to fans throughout the season.

Rockford will host the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup Group Stage from July 22-26, 2026 — new partners including The Sports Bra and CJ Silas will join organizers to boost women’s baseball and engage local fans.

Rockford will host the Division I USA Ultimate College Championship at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two from May 22-25, 2026.

The tournament features 40 teams with final games airing live on ESPNU.

Valentine's Day Ski-Plane Fly-In

5 PM — Midtown District — Free entry — Enjoy a winter cookout with lots of fun and ski planes at Cottonwood Airport.

Dexter Patterson Meet & Greet and Book Signing

3-7 p.m. — RPL Nordlof Center — Free for general admission; VIP tickets available — Celebrate Black History Month with author Dexter Patterson sharing his passion for birding and signing his new book.

An Evening with Laid Back Country Picker

7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Music Box — Cost not specified — A unique concert blending country rock with a powerful duo performance.

An Evening with Freedy Johnston

8:00 – 10:00 p.m. — The Music Box — From $18.85 — Enjoy the poignant storytelling of acclaimed songwriter Freedy Johnston as he performs live.

La Fe Norteña Concert

8 PM — Apollo Activity Center — $40.00 + Fees — Enjoy a night of vibrant Norteno music featuring La Fe Norteña and more.

Charlie Berens Comedy Show

5-8 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with Emmy-winning comedian and author Charlie Berens.

Fireside Music with Rockford Symphony Orchestra

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM — Anderson Japanese Gardens — Free entry — Enjoy a cozy atmosphere with live music from Rockford’s premier youth choir while savoring light lunches and pastries.