Good morning, Rockford.

Representatives from One Safe Place visited Rockford Monday, Sep.

28 to review the policy manual from the local Family Peace Center—guiding their soon-to-open resource center—and discuss victim support with officials. The center will soon relocate to a larger North Church Street facility.

Rockford residents can drop off items at the east parking lot of Guilford High School this Saturday, Oct.

3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Super Shred Day + items include old medication, eyeglasses, retired flags, children's diapers, and cellphones + on-site shredding is offered until capacity is reached.

Tap 251, a neighborhood bar on North Second Street in Machesney Park, held its official ribbon-cutting today after operating for eight months.

Owners Johnny Shemshedini and Tara Meyers celebrated strong local support with the Parks Chamber of Commerce and community members and announced ongoing promotions during football season.

Casa Tequilas, a new locally owned restaurant, will take over the former Hooters building at 6904 Argus Drive (east Rockford) after renovations began by owners Ismael Lopez and Mauricio Gonzalez Chavez.

It is set to open in spring 2027 with a menu of Mexican dishes and mixed drinks.

Candlelight will hold a spooky musical event in Rockford on Oct.

30 at Union (112 N. 2nd St.) at 6:30 p.m. The show features local musicians among thousands of LED candles with a second tribute to Queen and The Beatles at 8:45 p.m.; children must be 8+ with under-16 accompanied.

GoRockford will use a $100,000 state grant to launch a marketing campaign aimed at boosting tourism and overnight stays in Winnebago County.

State Sen. Steve Stadelman announced the funding today through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Rock Valley College will host a free Community Day on Oct.

10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Downtown West site at 315 S. Winnebago St where visitors can tour the new facility & enjoy hands-on activities plus food giveaways while supplies last.

Rockford native Jeremy Kaszycki, who secured over $92,000 in college aid from Bradley, has written Everyday Scholarship Winner — a book that lays out his five-step strategy to improve grades, extracurriculars, and scholarship applications.

His guide offers students practical advice to ease the challenge of college financing.

Rockford's Mow to Own Program lets residents buy vacant city lots if they agree to plant and maintain the property plus lower city upkeep costs.

Acting Mayor Janessa Neal says 17 lots were transferred and 42 more are available.

Rockford’s task force has identified six corridors where 158 pedestrian and cyclist crashes occurred in the past decade, and city officials will soon review an action plan that offers increased lighting, added crosswalks, and stricter enforcement to improve safety, including ongoing work on 11th Street (as released by local data).

OSF Healthcare has opened its first Pediatric Lipid Clinic at 444 Roxbury Road in Rockford to screen children for high cholesterol; the clinic, led by Dr. Natasha Noel, offers testing, genetic analysis & nutrition guidance that could help prevent future heart issues.

Rockford home prices remained near record levels in August as buyer demand grew despite high mortgage rates and a tight supply of homes.

The three-month average sale price rose 7.4% to $255,283, and pending sales increased 28.6%, reflecting a strong market even though new listings dropped sharply.