Good morning, Rockford.

Communities around the stateline are planning Independence Day celebrations with fireworks, parades, and festivals scheduled.

In Rockford, the Fourth of July/Fireworks Spectacular includes a parade at 5 p.m.—fireworks from 9:30 to 10 p.m. launched from the Jefferson Street bridge.

Local couple Stacey and Kevin Knight renovated an old ice cream shop at 1710 Rural St. into Cooper’s Corner, serving 12 flavors of ice cream, soft serve, malts and shakes — they will add acai bowls today and plan to offer seasonal items using their diner’s kitchen for extra support.

The Better Business Bureau said business scams have grown since 2022, with 3,647 scam reports and 74,489 FBI cases causing companies to lose large sums.

The bureau noted that data breaches costing an average of $4.9 million per company and fake messages fueled by AI may push losses higher — experts urge better employee training and secure payment methods.

Rockford police are searching for Mary Cordell—a 70-year-old woman last seen on June 19 at the RMTD Transfer Station on Lyford Road wearing a floral shirt and light brown pants—and anyone with information is urged to call 815-966-2900.

On June 26, deputies arrested James Braswell, 32, after he allegedly threatened a semi driver with his pistol on Charles Street during a road rage incident and later found a loaded handgun in his Nissan Rogue, leading to charges for weapon possession by a felon and aggravated unlawful possession of a loaded firearm without a FOID.

Rockford University is staging Finding Nemo Jr.—featuring young performer Alexis Stone as Dory who learns choreography, scene blocking, and acting with a custom-made puppet—and the production brings together hundreds of young performers to build their skills and friendships.

The show runs this weekend and next at the Maddox Theatre.

Rockford Reader’s Theatre launches a summer series at West Side Show Room & brings African American literature to life with performances that honor icons like August Wilson, Maya Angelou, and Rockford founder Lewis Lemon.

The series begins with two shows paying tribute to August Wilson at 7:30 p.m. today & 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29, and will add a July performance called 'She Speaks' plus an August event for Founders Day.

Rockford’s Severson Dells Nature Center celebrated the opening of the Basics Toddler Garden yesterday at The Grove Nature Playscape, where early learning is promoted through outdoor play.

The garden uses five key principles — count, connect, explore, talk, and read — to boost young children’s brain development and social skills.

Lifescape 4th of July Classic Run/Walk

7:00–11:00 a.m. — Riverview Ice House — Registration required — Celebrate Independence Day with a classic run/walk through downtown Rockford.

Screw City Duathlon and Multi-Sports Event

8 AM — Peak Sports Club — Register by July 8, 2024 — Participate in a thrilling duathlon, team duathlon, or 2-mile run/walk in a community-focused event.

Japanese Summer Festival

Experience Japanese culture — July 26-27 — Anderson Japanese Gardens — Admission details not specified — Enjoy live performances, martial arts, crafts, and delicious cuisine in a serene garden setting.