Daily
Rockford
Friday, September 26th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 26th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The city of Rockford is partnering with Goodwill of Northern Illinois and Rock Valley College to host a diaper drive from Oct. 1 to 15 to benefit the Baby Bank (over 900,000 diapers have been distributed since 2018). Donations of diapers and pull-ups can be dropped off at City Hall, three police districts, Rockford Fire Headquarters and Rock Valley College centers (drop-off locations announced by the city). Rockford Register Star
- ➤ 100 Women Who Care of Stephenson County donated over $500K to 32 local nonprofits—supporting flood relief, a book-mobile, and pandemic aid. The 120-member group meets quarterly and each member contributes $100 to help boost community programs. WTVO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The new deli market opened today at 321 7th Street—free sub samples were offered during a noon to 3 p.m. celebration. Co-owner Mahmud Zatar said the market will serve high rises and senior citizens by providing affordable quality options. WIFR
- ➤ Erik Eclov runs Few-Man Boats, a local business in Rockford that restores old boats by replacing rotted wood with custom aluminum decks—he and his five-person team work on multiple projects to transform outdated vessels into renewed ones. They have completed hundreds of projects since starting and plan to expand their niche in marine restoration. WTVO
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Stillman Valley High School was placed on lockdown on Sept 25 when deputies were called at 9:15 a.m.—school officials reported that an uncooperative student was taken into police custody as a precaution. WTVO
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Three Rockford siblings published a book titled 'Before You Go to Heaven' to honor their grandfather—George Royal—who passed in February, and they worked together to share his legacy and family memories. WTVO
- ➤ Rockford trio Long-Shot performed live on WNIJ to discuss their new album All In, which recently won a RAMI award for best album—fans can pick up a copy at Culture Shock Records and follow the band on social media for upcoming show dates. Northern Public Radio
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Two U.S. Representatives visited local businesses in Rockford today to support family-owned and minority-owned enterprises. Representative Darin LaHood toured Forest City Gear, which is celebrating 60 years, while Representative Eric Sorensen visited Think Big—an incubator that recently helped over 600 business leaders—emphasizing the importance of growth in these key local businesses. WTVO
- ➤ Visitor spending in Rockford reached $523.4M in 2024, a 1.5% rise that supported nearly 4,700 jobs and boosted local tax revenue. GoRockford will continue to drive tourism with events like IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford and projects — including Hard Rock Rockford and initiatives from the Thrive 2035 plan — to strengthen the economy. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ The Illinois Department of Agriculture will host its second grain tour from September 29 to October 2 as international buyers from China, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan, Singapore, and Mauritius meet with local farmers—an event set to boost export sales and strengthen global partnerships. Rockford Register Star
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents can learn about planned improvements for 2.5 miles of South Alpine Road at an open house at Forest City Church on September 30 from 4 to 7 p.m.—materials for review and online comment forms will be available until October 15. Attendees will be able to ask questions and provide feedback to help shape the study's recommendations. WIFR
- ➤ In 2024, nearly all H-2A petitions filed by local employers for seasonal agricultural work were approved as 381 of 382 petitions received a 99.7% approval rate through USCIS data—Spartans Agricultural Builders led with 357 petitions while the overall number of visas dropped 56.2% from 2023. Rockford Sun
- ➤ The City announced that Davis Park renovations will begin next week—on September 30th—with a $15M plan that adds a new skate park, playground, seawall repair, river walk realignments, multi-use path improvements, grading, landscaping and a parking lot; a detour on S. Main Street will be set up for the river walk. The project is expected to finish next year. WTVO
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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