Good morning, Rockford.

Menards stores are collecting pet food and supplies through Sept.

30 to support local humane associations — donation boxes are set up at store exits, including at the Rockford Cherry Valley location. The drive started on Aug. 1 and continues until the end of the month.

Belvidere police hosted National Night Out Tuesday evening at Big Thunder Park where families, officers, and firefighters connected through children’s activities and a K+9 demonstration.

The event aimed to build positive relationships and increase trust in the community.

Hundreds attended Rockford’s National Night Out event as police, local businesses and first responders joined community members to share food, drink and conversation, strengthening neighborhood bonds (Police Chief Carla Redd recalled her longtime role in organizing the event).

Phantom Regiment celebrates its 70th season with a record 550-member alumni drum corps performing at the DCI World Championship semifinals in Lucas Oil Stadium on Aug.

7. The event brings together former members from across the country and abroad to honor the group’s legacy in competitive drum corps.

Rockford is now accepting applications for its Home Essentials Repair Program + offering funds for critical repairs on owner-occupied homes.

Eligible homeowners must submit all required documentation by Aug. 21, with priority given to older adults + applicants with disabilities.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will begin a $3.8 million, five-mile work zone on Illinois 26 near Orangeville on Monday, Aug.

10 — crews will patch, mill and resurface the road amid lane closures, so motorists should expect delays and use alternate routes if possible; work ends November weather permitting.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center is offering a free A1c diabetes screening with every successful donation for a limited time.

Funded by community grants (including support from local organizations), the test helps check average blood sugar levels to spot early signs of diabetes.

HHS data showed Rockford Medicaid providers recorded $16,201 in Surgery charges in 2024 (a 272% increase from 2023), with nearly all payments coming from ZIP code 61102.

The figures highlight a notable shift in local Medicaid spending.

Tuesday, U.S. News and World Report released its 2026-2027 Honor Roll that ranked two Chicago hospitals among the nation’s top 20 while noting that Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, UW Health SwedishAmerican and OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford performed highly in key treatments — with 86% to 87% patient recommendation rates.