Good morning, Rockford.

Community leaders gathered along the Rock River today for Workers Memorial Day — honoring local workers who lost their lives on the job — to stress the need for ongoing safety measures.

Beef-A-Roo locations in Rockford re-opened on April 28 after a closure due to expired registrations and are now operating at full capacity.

The chain plans to complete school fundraising payments within two weeks following recent changes in its finance department.

Former Kmart is set to become a global market and food hall in a $6.5M deal expected to close by Sept.

3. Developers Guanming Shi and James Jiang plan to renovate the building – a site at the corner of State Street and Mulford Road – to host local vendors.

Archival photos of the Barber-Colman industrial campus show the site that once employed 3,300+ workers from the 1960s to 2017.

The images document its role in local manufacturing and the partial demolition completed in 2005 as part of the city’s redevelopment initiative.

Nana’s Books Foundation donated 1,664 books on Alzheimer’s, dementia and other disabilities to 667 Whitehead Elementary students on Monday in Rockford.

The donation honors longtime librarian Nancy Dulniak and marks the school as the 29th Title I beneficiary across 16 states & Washington D.C.

Rockford Public Schools Transportation Department hosted a celebration Tuesday with a cook-out, popcorn bar — and gift bags to honor bus drivers on National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.

Rock Valley College board approved a new three-year contract for President Howard Spearman Tuesday night; his term runs from July 1 to June 30 + he will lead the college as it prepares to open a new downtown campus in August.

OSF and Edgebrook Dermatology will offer free skin cancer screenings on Saturday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Patricia D.

Pepe Center for Cancer Care; appointments are required, so call 815-227-2135 as space is limited.

Dr. Raymond Garcia (chief medical officer at Rosecrance Behavioral Health and educator at the local University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford) received the 2026 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from NAMI today for his advocacy, teaching, and community outreach.

Residents at Riverview Mobile Home Park worry a relocation plan to convert the park into an RV community may offer insufficient support as a permit approved on April 21 details a voluntary assistance program tied to early vacating & a governing vote set for May 11.

Rockford Handmade Market - Spring 2026

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Prairie Street Brewing Co. — Free entry — Experience a vibrant showcase of local creativity and craftsmanship in the spring market.

Lonely Teenage Cassette Release Show

8-10 p.m. — The Music Box — $15.08 — Experience an ambient/drone night with the local duo Lonely Teenage and special guests.

Mother's Day Garden Celebration

12-3 p.m. — Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden — General admission required — Celebrate Mother's Day with floral arrangements, live music, and delicious food in a beautiful garden setting.

The Wizard of Oz

6 PM — Rockford Woman's Club — Cost not specified — Experience a captivating retelling of the beloved classic as you journey down the yellow brick road.

Heart Vs Hustle: Dej Loaf and Rob49 Concert

7-10 p.m. — Hard Rock Live - Rockford — Ticket availability varies — Enjoy an electrifying night with Dej Loaf and Rob49 at the Hard Rock Casino.