Good morning, Rockford.

On Sunday, Christ United Methodist Church welcomed its members back on campus after an organ fire displaced them in February, with Temple Beth-El offering its space during ongoing repairs — a move celebrating a strong interfaith bond.

Church officials said restoration work continues as the community heals.

City Council approved plans on Monday to redevelop the 144-year-old Centennial United Methodist Church at 219 S.

Second St. in Haight Village into 10 apartments, a restaurant and banquet hall — remediation work is underway with construction set to begin by fall.

Rockford artist Jesse Leach Jr. completed a 72-hour no-sleep painting marathon from Friday, July 31 to Monday morning, Aug.

3, finishing about a dozen works with strong community support + guidance from a local nurse at SoulJah Wellness Indoor Cycling Studio.

Illinois will reduce its state sales tax on school supplies from 6.25% to 1.25% from Friday, Aug.

7 to Aug. 16 and will extend the lower rate to qualifying clothing items under $125 (local taxes will still apply) to ease back-to-school shopping costs for parents.

Rockford Public Schools confirmed that their Education Pathway program has helped secure teachers & paraprofessionals for the upcoming school year.

The district also continues recruiting bus drivers and exploring bilingual and math/science pipelines with local colleges.

The Highland Community College Foundation named Virginia Ames as the 2026 Delbert Scheider Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for her decades of service to college students.

She will receive the award at the Soirée on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Comcast reported Monday that some VoIP customers in Rockford could not connect to 911 and advised affected residents to use the non-emergency numbers at 815-966-2900 or 815-282-2600 — the company has not provided a timeline for a fix.

Teddy Bear is a six-year-old cat, originally a stray, now ready for adoption at Winnebago County Animal Services at 4517 N.

Main St. The shelter invites locals to meet him this week + find a cozy home for the friendly feline.

Rockford residents can follow lawn care tips from Blain’s Farm & Fleet as hot, dry weather takes its toll; homeowners should tug on brown grass to check if reseeding is needed and water deeply once or twice a week early in the morning to lock in moisture.

City Council approved zoning changes that let developers tear down the vacant Morris Kennedy School (formerly Ken-Rock Community Center and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy) at 3218 11th St to build a new Culver’s restaurant set to open in spring 2027.