Good morning, Rockford.

The Greater Rockford Chamber honored Jim Derry as Citizen of the Year and Kate Ambrose with the Made for Rockford Impact Award at Hard Rock Casino Rockford on Aug.

13. Derry, CEO of Field, and Ambrose, a Community Foundation associate, were recognized for their lasting contributions to community life.

Rockford cyclists will ride a two-hour car-free route on North Second Street — a closed stretch — during the seventh annual Cycle on 2nd event on Sept.

13 from 8 to 10 a.m. I Bike Rockford organizes the event with police support and bicycle repair help near the YMCA.

Velvet Robot Coffee Lab will close its Rockford location on Sept.

19 at 1292 S. Alpine Road due to building issues — the owner said the business will reinvent itself with a smaller, more flexible model.

Morgan Sommerio, 19, a college student from Pecatonica, was crowned Miss Winnebago County Fair on Aug.

19 at the fairgrounds; she received ($1,000 and $1,500 scholarships) and said she plans to help her community using music therapy while preparing to compete in the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant in January.

Rockford artist John Verl McNamara unveiled three new sculptures (Steve, Rachel and Karen) today at Davis Park to mark America 250 and the park's reopening.

The work celebrates community and human connection.

Lily Nestler of Pecatonica earned the Girl Scout Gold Award today by restoring habitat at Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford.

She removed invasive honeysuckle + garlic mustard to support local ecosystems.

Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw will speak today at Rock Valley College from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Physical Education Center Gym to discuss her mental health journey — sharing insights on recovery and resilience.

The Erbs began cleaning up a 150-year-old home at 2520 N.

Main St. and plan to convert it into 20 single-room rentals + shared spaces for traveling professionals. A zoning board approved their special-use permit request, and exterior work will begin this fall with completion expected by the end of 2027.