Daily
Rockford
Friday, May 9th, 2025
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Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 9th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Rockford restaurateur Paul Sletten closed on the purchase of the former Irish Rose Saloon at 519 E. State St.—he plans to reopen it as Harvey Wallbangers in about two months after minor remodeling that maintains its decades-old character. Sletten will offer a casual neighborhood bar with classic pub fare to boost downtown energy. Rock River Current
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A winning scratch-off lottery ticket worth $10 million was sold this week at Stop N Shop at 2501 North Huffman Blvd on Rockford's west side, officials said. Raj Patel said the family-owned store (in business for over 25 years) will earn a $100,000 bonus and plans to use part of it to reward employees, upgrade the store, and host a summer celebration while the winning ticket holder remains unidentified. Rock River Current
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ YWCA Northwestern Illinois received $10K from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to boost local literacy programs at schools, libraries and nonprofits within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center—this award is part of a $215K initiative across Illinois to fund new technology, books and materials. The grant aims to help advance education in our community. WIFR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The city of Rockford expanded its use of a data integration and insights platform to track vacant and foreclosing properties — officials say this data-driven method replaces waiting for neighbor complaints with quicker identification and planning to fix code violations. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Winnebago County Health Department has launched the Take Ten 815 website to offer free self-care tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression—resources backed by mental health experts and designed to help residents prevent a crisis. The site includes self-assessments and guided discovery tools that connect users to local support options. WIFR
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ New data from Realtor.com shows that in February the median home sale price in Winnebago County rose to $195,000 from January's $160,000—up 21.9% while single-family homes reached a median of $199,500, up 25.6% from the previous month. The county also saw transactions increase by 32.4% to 282 recorded sales compared to February 2024. Rockford Register Star
SHOP NEWS
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Rockford.
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Open Mosque Day
4:30-6:30 p.m. — 1110 Arthur Ave — Free entry — Explore the beauty of the mosque and connect with the local Muslim community.
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Mother's Day Brunch
10 AM – 2 PM — The Standard — $35 per person — Celebrate with a delightful brunch and unlimited mimosas in honor of Mom.
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Prairie Street Golden Apple Give Back Day
Rockford City Tin participant, Prairie Street Brewhouse, is giving back! Golden Apple will receive 20% of the receipts for purchases from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. Join us on the dock (or inside) at 200 Prairie St., Rockford, for some great food and drinks!
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Lola Blu Solo Sunday Funday
2-8 p.m. — Louie's Tap House — Free entry — Experience the soulful sounds of rising country star Lola Blu with her captivating voice live on stage.
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Info Session on the Impact of Property Tax Sales
Join us for an important community event focused on property tax sales and how they impact Rockford residents. This is a FREE event open to the public—everyone is welcome! 📍 Location: Crusader Community Health Clinic | 📅 Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM | 📍 Address: 1200 W State St, Rockford, IL 61102
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8th Annual Miracle Mile Car Show
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Don Carter Lanes — Entry fee $20, spectators free — Celebrate automotive passion with a showcase of cool rides and live music.
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On-Site Tour at Grand Victorian
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. — Grand Victorian of Rockford — Free entry — Explore award-winning senior living activities and dining options in a welcoming environment.
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Timber Pointe Party Band Performance
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Timber Pointe Golf Club — Check event page for ticket info — High energy party band covering a wide variety of music from the 70’s to today’s hits.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.
~ Salvador Dali
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