Daily
Rockford
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 1st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Shelter Care Ministries, a local nonprofit that helps people with mental illness and homelessness, will celebrate 40 years with a fundraiser at Rockford Country Club next week. The group began as an outreach of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in 1981 and now runs housing programs and a 37-year-old drop-in center—its Jubilee Center provides daytime services and social activities. WTVO
- ➤ The YMCA of Rock River Valley is hosting a Community Breakfast tomorrow at the Radisson Hotel — Conference Center located at 200 S. Bell School Road from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. to support accessibility efforts during Double Your Impact Week with donations matched up to $50,000. Rockford Register Star
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Pearson Plumbing and Heating announced Tuesday that it had acquired Atlas Plumbing+ the move will expand its plumbing, heating, cooling and pest control services in Rockford while ensuring Atlas Plumbing customers receive continued support from Pearson’s team during the transition. WIFR
- ➤ Greyhound started a new daily route from Chicago to Denver that stops in Rockford — the service began on September 28 and offers locals an affordable long-distance bus option. WIFR
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Comedian Martin Lawrence — known for his famous film and TV roles — will bring his special stand-up show to Hard Rock Live at Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino on Friday, January 23. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets go on sale Oct 3 with a local presale on Oct 2 for those 21 and older. WIFR
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Winnebago County’s taxable property value reached a record high this year (up 10% to $7.99 billion) while assessment appeals dropped to a 36-year low of 504 challenges (the fewest since 1989). Rock River Current
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Illinois archery deer season opens today with new rules on antler limits and season dates by IDNR. In some counties hunters may only take antlered deer in October while others allow hunting until January—IDNR also reminds hunters to use tree stands safely. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Rockford officials and the Illinois Department of Transportation met Sept. 30 at Forest City Church to review input for the phase one of a $55 million project aimed at improving South Alpine Road's poor condition and adding pedestrian and bicycle access — additional public meetings will update residents on engineering and environmental studies. Rockford Register Star
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Mercyhealth announced on Sept. 30 that it would acquire the financially struggling FHN system in Freeport pending approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning and Review Board. Mercyhealth will invest $100 million over the next five years to upgrade equipment and expand services at the 120-year-old facility. Rockford Register Star
- ➤ Rockford resident Karen Alunni, 76, turned her battle with cancer and a near-fatal bee sting reaction — treated with an experimental drug that saved her life — into a mission of community support by volunteering to help others facing health challenges. WTVO
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Local golfers are enjoying unseasonably warm weather as they play on several well-kept courses while summer crowds have thinned. Greenskeepers are treating fairways and greens for winter protection—most courses will close by late October. WTVO
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Trail Mix Off-Road Duathlon and Mountain Bike Race
2-8 p.m. — Atwood Park Trail System — Registration required — Compete in duathlon and mountain bike races while enjoying food and drinks from local vendors.
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Rock River Valley Video Game Convention
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Riverview Inn & Suites — Ticket prices vary — Experience a day of gaming fun at the Rockford area's premier video game convention.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If the path ahead of you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.
~ Joseph Campbell
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