Good morning, Rockford.

Local business owners Robert Grottke & Alex Edwards now control the former Beef-a-Roo at 1670 N.

Alpine Road and expect to reopen it before year-end. They will hire staff, refresh the space and source new ingredients to bring the beloved eatery back for Rockford diners.

Rock Cut Solar celebrated its first year in west Rockford yesterday when partners including OSF HealthCare and Summit Ridge Energy highlighted $163,000 in savings from a 20,000-panel array near Mila Avenue and North Memorial Boulevard — the project was rededicated as Mark Raeder Legacy I to honor its co-founder.

Rockford residents can recycle their old electronics for free on Saturday, Sept.

19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the UIC College of Pharmacy parking lot (1601 Parkview Ave.). The event is organized by Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful in partnership with Winnebago County and UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy.

In August, the FDA inspected two companies in a Winnebago County city + one focused on drugs and the other on biologics + both inspections resulted in No Action Indicated under FDA standards.

Microsoft has refiled its permit request to build three data center buildings and two substations over 300 acres in Cherry Valley.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the proposal today — it now awaits Committee of the Whole approval on Sept. 28, with construction expected to begin in summer 2027 and the first building online in 2030.

Belvidere man Tim Martin won a $1,000 gas card for donating blood in Rock River Valley Blood Center’s Fuel Your Summer campaign.

The effort began June 1 to boost supplies for 13 hospitals and recorded 8,485 donor registrations with a 20% increase over last year.

OSF HealthCare resumes its drive-up flu shot clinic for adults at Guilford Square Clinic, 698 Featherstone Road, starting Sept.

16 through Oct. 30. The clinic operates Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and appointments can be scheduled by calling (815-399-4404).