Good morning, Rockford.

Today, the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce recognized Jim Derry — awarded Citizen of the Year for his longstanding business leadership — and Kate Ambrose, who received the Made for Rockford Impact Award for her community contributions, during its annual dinner.

Local apple orchards are preparing for the season as Curran's Orchard opens on Saturday, Aug.

22, Edwards Apple Orchard opens on Friday, Aug. 28, and Valley Orchard begins on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 7). Lang's Orchard will remain closed due to a smaller harvest.

Mount Morris' StrawFest Day starts at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug.

22 with a 5K, live music, hay bale races, and a straw-sculpting award ceremony while voting on the U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition remains open through Aug. 22 at Historic Campus Square (122 S. Wesley Ave.).

Prairie Hill Community Consolidated School District 133 reported that in the 2024-25 school year its administrators earned an average salary of $106,646 while teachers earned $60,020.

The numbers show administrators made 77.7% more, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Rock Valley College District 511 invites residents to apply for a vacant Board of Trustees seat due to Jenna Goldsmith's resignation, with applications due by noon Aug.

24+ the selected member will serve until April 2027.

Rockford University announced the appointment of Raymond J.

McNulty, Debra L. Leahy and local native Ashwin Puri to its Board of Trustees, strengthening its leadership with decades of higher education and community development experience in Rockford.

ComEd awarded part of its $150,000 Green Region Grant Program to 21 organizations across the region; Rockford winners include Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden and the Natural Land Institute, whose projects will remove invasive species and restore native habitats.

Winnebago County Highway Department is asking residents to complete a public survey to support its ITEP funding application for a new bike path along Riverside Boulevard from Bell School Road to Interstate Boulevard across I-90.

The survey will help shape planning for this community project.

The Village of Rockton Board of Trustees designated the Main Street building at 120 W.

Main Street as the town’s fifth Historic Local Landmark Tuesday. The structure (built in 1908 and home to Picky-A-Dilly Antiques) will preserve a key piece of local history for future generations.

UW Health Kids' pediatrician advises parents to keep steady routines as back-to-school changes may trigger anxiety in kids in Rockford; she recommends consistent sleep, meals and exercise, clear communication with teachers for learning differences, and contacting a pediatrician if worrying signs persist.

Two Rockford high school freshmen, Charlotte Matus and Capri McLarty, will represent Team USA at the World Age Group Championships in China this November.

They train at the Gymnastic Academy of Rockford and will compete together as cousins.

Rockford News First has named veteran broadcaster Derek Bayne as its new sports director.

Bayne brings decades of local experience and a strong passion for covering local teams.