Good morning, Rockford.

Pearson Plumbing launched Operation Warm Home to help one veteran win a new furnace (nominations are open until Oct.

20) for those facing financial and heating challenges in Rockford.

The Living Well Center of Northern Illinois is renovating a former bank at 1111 S.

Alpine Road into a senior center for adults 55 and older that will open in February — backed by $250,000 in state funds and additional city payments.

The Kendel Sherman Foundation will host its 10th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on November 14 from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at Northwest Community Center (1325 N Johnston Ave) in Rockford.

The free event is open to all families and marks a decade of community service and outreach.

Rockford hotels have united to launch a tourism improvement district that will add a 2% fee on room revenue to generate about $1.38 million annually aimed at boosting overnight stays and drawing more events and visitors in Rockford and nearby communities - the initiative takes effect Dec. 1 after city council approval.

Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts returned to WNIJ's Studio A to perform new singles and discuss the loss of longtime friend Dan McMahon, as they prepare to open The Music Box venue in Rockford.

The interview also touches on their roots with Cheap Trick.

Three Rockford organizations received over $1.7M in state job training funds from a $11.4M award to 23 groups aimed at helping residents gain skills for in-demand jobs.

Comprehensive Community Solutions, the City of Rockford and YWCA Northwestern Illinois will use the funds to boost workforce development.

Riverdahl Elementary School students were honored on Thursday with perfect attendance awards and enjoyed a free lunch with hot dogs + burgers.

Principal Kyle Heinze introduced himself to the community and previewed future school events.

City officials held an open house at the Public Library on Thursday to present a Riverfront path proposal aimed at filling gaps in the current system.

They gathered resident feedback to guide funding plans before construction begins.

In 2025, HUD reported that 2,270 people lived in public housing in Winnebago County with 95% of 1,337 units occupied.

Households paid an average of $352 a month and earned $15,344 annually, up from 2024.

Winnebago County Health Department is recruiting 50 volunteers for its Friendship Bench 815 project to provide talk support for residents facing stress and anxiety.

Training is free and sign-up is online, with benches set up at four Rockford sites, including the African-American Resource Center at Booker, before Oct. 30.

Aetna Better Health will host two free events in Rockford.

Today, free haircuts and health benefit details are available at Carpenter Place on Railroad Ave while on Monday, Oct. 12, wellness resources will be provided at Workforce Connection on N Main St.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford hosted a Pinktober event on Oct.

8 and will host additional celebrity waiter events on Oct. 15, Oct. 22, and Oct. 29 to support local breast cancer patients. Guests can also purchase a special Pinktober Cupcake ($5) and limited-edition merchandise (pins) with proceeds benefiting health foundations.

The Breasties Facebook group, started in 2019 by local women battling breast cancer, offers nearly 250 younger women a safe space to share experiences during Breast Cancer Awareness Month plus holds in-person events to provide additional support.