Good morning, Rockford.

The city is inviting residents to learn about its plans for continuous riverfront pathways along the Rock River at an open house tomorrow from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Rockford Public Library & gather feedback on closing gaps in the current system.

Residents in Loves Park can enroll in Community Connect, a free program that helps firefighters know household needs during emergencies.

The enrollment runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Loves Park City Hall Civic Center.

Survivors, advocates, prosecutors + law enforcement gathered Tuesday night in Boone County for the fourth annual Shining the Light on Domestic Violence Ceremony, which recognized survivors and honored Belvidere officer Michelle Bogdonas for her work supporting victims and linking them to local resources.

Machesney Park developers are converting a long-vacant bank building on W.

Lane Road into two restaurants, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Qdoba Mexican Eats, which will open within the next six months near the heart of the 173 corridor. The village is also advancing a 40-unit affordable senior housing project, The Birch, scheduled for completion by May 2028 to support qualified seniors.

Rockford residents can get free health services, job resources and family activities at the Thrive Together Community Fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct.

10 at Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc. on S. Main St.

If the Village Board approves an economic incentive agreement on Oct.

19, Qdoba and Dave's Hot Chicken will open in the former Illinois Bank and Trust building at 1515 West Lane Road in Machesney Park as First Midwest Group renovates the 5,300 sqft space to add a drive-thru + patio.

Rockford author Sophie Riley released her first novel 'It’s Not the End of the World' on Tuesday—a zombie apocalypse tale of a girl on a rescue mission—and the book is now available online while she hosts NovelBound writing retreats for young authors.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is hosting fall events with free photography sessions today and Oct.

14 from 3 to 6 p.m., student-carved pumpkin displays open for voting from Oct. 17 to 24, and a family Spooktacular on Oct. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m.—featuring trick-or-treating and wildlife education.

Rockford and neighboring municipalities have approved a new Tourism Improvement District that will impose a 2% assessment on eligible hotel revenues to boost overnight stays and economic activity; the multi-city district, managed by GoRockford, will begin Dec.

1.

Rock Valley College has partnered with the Rockford Police Department and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office to launch a flexible criminal justice degree program for working officers who can earn up to 27 prior-training credits, reducing their coursework as the first cohort is enrolled today.

Today, Winnebago County wildlife officials released four smooth greensnake hatchlings from an incubation program aimed at boosting the species' local population in a forest preserve.

The program will continue next year — supporting ongoing conservation efforts.

Crusader Community Health began demolishing the former Walgreens at 1201 E.

State St. to create a new women’s health center with 20 exam rooms and antenatal services provided by UW Health Swedish-American. The 14,500 sqft facility will open to patients in summer 2027.

Winnebago County Health Department is preparing Friendship Bench 815, a local mental health initiative that trains volunteers to offer talk therapy for residents dealing with depression and anxiety.

The program seeks 50 volunteers by Oct. 30 and will launch at community centers in the area.

Rockford City Council approved a plan to convert the historic Otis Eddy House (2520 N.

Main Street) into 20 rental rooms with shared living areas and commercial space for traveling workers. Local developers will begin phased redevelopment once final construction details are set.