Daily
Rockford
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Mayor McNamara and the Hunger Luncheon Committee met recently to plan a fundraiser that will fight hunger in the community. The luncheon will be held at Veterans Memorial Hall on October 29 at 11:30 a.m. — UW Health will match donations to strengthen food pantry support. WIFR
- ➤ Unseasonably warm weather has extended the growing season in Rockford, letting local farmers harvest summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, and zucchinis well into September. Vendors at Edgebrook Farmers Market report that the extra heat has kept pollinators active — helping boost sales of fresh produce before the fall equinox. WTVO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ City Center Market, a new grocery store, opened in downtown Rockford on September 17th to fight the local food desert by offering fresh produce, frozen foods, dairy, and pantry items while keeping the Downtown Discount Drugs pharmacy in operation. The Patel family spent years planning the store and invested $1.5 million in renovations with a $165,491 grant—local officials say it will boost downtown growth and support a future mobile grocery program. Rockford Register Star
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ 8th graders at Barbour K-8 earn college credits from a language immersion program — about half earn 12 credit hours while the rest earn six — after studying English and Spanish from kindergarten through 8th grade. Principal Julio Lopez said he plans to expand the program by adding Pre-K so students can start learning earlier. WTVO
- ➤ Students at Maria Montessori at Marsh sang Peace Like a River in the hallways—promoting unity and hope as they marked activities leading to International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. WIFR
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Traffic remains affected on N. Winnebago Street as crews repair the northwest corner of the W. State Street intersection. The southbound curb lane closed during business hours on September 17 and will reopen after repairs finish on September 23 — drivers are advised to use an alternate route. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ OSF HealthCare opens a drive-up flu shot clinic today at OSF Medical Group Primary Care on 698 Featherstone Road for patients age 18 and older. The clinic will run every Thursday and Friday from 8:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until October 31—appointments are available on MyChart or by calling 815-399-4404. WIFR
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Hitz Boxing will return to the Hard Rock Live (7801 E. State Street) on October 3 as doors open at 5 p.m. and fights start at 6 p.m. Rockford's own Seth Swinehart will face undefeated Lukas Moldenhauer, and tickets will start at $70. WIFR
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Glow in the Garden
6-9 p.m. — Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens — Cost varies — Celebrate the end of summer with family activities, lanterns, and fun runs.
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Rockford Symphony Orchestra Opening Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant rhythms of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky performed by the RSO and guest guitarist Daniel Bolshoy.
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