Daily
Rockford
Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Good morning, Rockford. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 9th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Lockwood Park will host its annual Fall on the Farm event this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—families will explore a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and meet chickens, cows, and goats as they pay $15 for a wristband with extra fees for pony rides and pumpkins. WTVO
- ➤ Menards is collecting non-perishable food donations for a local pantry—shoppers can drop items near exit doors as part of the drive running from October 1 to October 31. Rockford Register Star
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ AAA warns that speeding is as deadly as drunk driving in its 'Crashes Hit Different' campaign—data shows speeding caused 29% of traffic deaths while a survey found 64% of Illinois drivers admitted to speeding to keep up with traffic. WIFR
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ A live stage version of 'The Price is Right' will come to Hard Rock Live at Hard Rock Casino Rockford on March 13th, 2026, where contestants will play classic games and win prizes. Tickets will go on sale October 10th at 8 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com + the venue box office. WTVO
- ➤ Wheel of Fortune Live! will be held at the Coronado Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.—registered audience members will be randomly selected to play for cash, vacations, and electronics while celebrity host Mark L. Walberg leads the fun. Northern Public Radio
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Rockford Reads, a partnership between Rockford Rotary, Rockford Public Schools and Rockford Public Library, kicked off its 24th year on October 8 when volunteer Kathy Kwiat-Hess read 'Where are you from?' to second and third graders at Constance Lane Elementary School—volunteers work one hour a week during the school year to build literacy skills and mentoring relationships. WIFR
- ➤ Rockford University honored six alumni on Sept. 26 during Homecoming Week—giving awards that recognized their work in business, accounting, psychology, and community service. Rockford Register Star
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Less than a month ago, the Loves Park Fire Department launched Community Connect to let families share key details like names, ages, and special needs so responders can plan quickly in emergencies. Fire Chief James Hart said the program—already signed up by 20 households—may expand to include areas like Rockford soon. WTVO
- ➤ Farmers in Rockford have felt uncertainty as the government shutdown on October 1 paused key USDA services and data collection, leaving crop prices unstable—some farmers harvested before the shutdown could hurt their income while others now hope for better trade deals. WIFR
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The 14th Annual Nik’s Wish event will take place Saturday at Sportscore 2 starting at 9 a.m. to raise funds for young adults aged 18 to 24 with cancer — the day will feature a walk, run, auction and pizza party to grant wishes. WTVO
- ➤ The Rock River Valley Blood Center and Lyfe Dispensary are hosting the Bleed for Weed blood drive at the Roscoe Community Center on October 13 from noon to 6 p.m.—donors aged 21 or older will receive a voucher for a free 100mg edible or an eighth of flower along with a complimentary t-shirt as appointments are encouraged. WIFR
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Fall fishing remains steady in local lakes and rivers despite dry weather pushing larger fish into deeper waters—anglers now mostly target panfish and bass that are easier to catch. Local bait shops report high sales of live minnows and nightcrawlers as anglers wait for rain to bring trophy catches. WTVO
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Rockford was named the third best metro area for homebuyers in the United States in a ConsumerAffairs report released Oct 8. The report said homes sold quickly + many properties did not need price cuts as interest remained strong despite mortgage rates near 6.26%. WTVO
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ WIFR TV and the Rockford IceHogs have teamed up to show all home games and some road contests on WSLN 19.2, The365 during the 2025-26 season. Fans can watch over-the-air or on cable as Dana Grey calls the games—bringing local viewers closer to top talent. WIFR
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Lola Blu & the Boys Live Performance
8 PM – 12 AM — Grand Avenue Pub — Check local listings for ticket details — Experience Lola Blu's captivating blend of country and southern rock at this lively pub venue.
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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.
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Broadway And Beyond
7:30-9 p.m. — Coronado Theatre — $35-85 — Experience Broadway hits with star Ben Crawford in an unforgettable evening.
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An Evening with Miles & Kelly
7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Music Box — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of music, stories, and improvisation from Miles Nielsen & Kelly Steward.
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 you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.
~ Les Brown
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