Good morning, Rockford.

The fourth annual 11th Ward Veterans Tribute Parade Honoring Service and Fiesta Patrias will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

20 on Broadway between 4th and Kishwaukee before heading east to Parmele and ending between Parmele and 11th; street closures start an hour earlier and vehicles must be cleared to avoid towing.

Winnebago County Animal Services is lowering cat adoption fees to $30 for kittens and $5 for adults today amid a surge of 127 cats arriving as part of BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event, with interested adopters urged to get their applications pre-approved.

Crow Bar hosted a celebration of life for Lenny the cat last month as local patrons remembered his friendly presence and made donations for Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary (supporting the shelter).

Rock House Kids held its biggest fundraiser last Thursday at Tebala Event Center in Rockford with 300+ attendees and recorded over 9,000 child interactions, a 20.5% increase from last year.

The nonprofit now seeks food+volunteers, winter clothing, and funds to support growing needs.

Due to equipment issues, the ice rink at Carlson Ice Arena in Loves Park is closed until further notice and Frosty Fridays and classes have been postponed.

Skating lessons, figure skating and hockey programs will move to Riverview Ice House, and participants will be notified of schedule changes.

The Rockford Area Arts Council hosted its second annual State of Culture event at City Stage Studios downtown, where local leaders and artists exchanged ideas and previewed upcoming plans.

RAAC board member Victor Rivera noted the event helps local creatives connect and explore new opportunities.

Meiborg Trucking Company noted fuel costs doubled over the past eight months, causing drivers to refuel all trucks last night, saving $6,000 + the firm plans to pre-buy fuel and add 50 new owner operators as it adjusts its service.

The Golden Apple Foundation has launched its annual campaign to honor outstanding teachers across Boone and Winnebago counties, distributing apples and thank-you cards to more than 150 schools.

Nominations for teachers in pre-K through fifth grade are now open plus Schnucks donated the fruit.

Illinois passed a school cellphone ban this year and several districts have reduced 1:1 device use to limit distractions, with Hinckley-Big Rock officials shifting to shared classroom Chromebooks and parent groups in Elmhurst fueling discussions on screen time.

The change aims to improve focus and engagement in classrooms.

Birth to Five Illinois connects local families to early childhood services through the Region 8 Facebook group.

Ashlyn Kuelling posts events and resources for parents, caregivers, and childcare providers in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.

Forest Preserves of Winnebago County accepted a 4.6-acre donation from the Natural Land Institute to join the Kilbuck Bluffs preserve near South Bend Road & support wetlands and bird habitats.

The donation, approved in June and August, was originally gifted in 2008 and will boost local conservation efforts.

Erick Beck, an 80-year-old building inspector, was honored for 50 years of voting by Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow & the League of Women Voters during a local ceremony today.

He began voting in 1968 when the required age was 21, and his achievement is expected to encourage new voters.

Marshmallow’s Hope is hosting a 90s-themed gala today at 6 p.m. at Hard Rock Casino Rockford—featuring dancing, live music by Too Hype Crew, and themed attire—to raise funds for suicide prevention programs and expand access to free mental health care.

Pedro and Maria Silva of Guanajuato Rockford plan to relocate to land at Springfield Avenue and South Main Street for a 30,000 sqft supermarket with a bakery, meat market, restaurant and more.

They requested rezoning, with a committee meeting on Sept. 28 and a council vote on Oct. 5.