Good morning, Rockford.

Platt Hill Nursery will host a three day Christmas Open House featuring a 20% discount on select holiday decor and festive displays from Nov.

6 to Nov. 8 at its Rockford garden center at 6101 E. Riverside Blvd.

Rockford’s first synagogue artifact, a 2,600-pound stone lintel from Congregation Ohave Sholom, is now on display at Midway Village Museum (6799 Guilford Road) after its unveiling yesterday.

It was donated by Urban Equity Properties and supported by a Community Foundation grant to honor local Jewish heritage.

Highland Community College has opened registration for Lifelong Learning classes for adults seeking to develop new skills.

The program will offer sessions on Power of Attorney and Plumbing Fixes on Nov. 4 in Freeport and a Colored Pencil course on Nov. 18 in Elizabeth.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Harlem school board approved a $4,200 deal with Safe and Civil Schools for virtual professional development at the middle school.

The agreement, funded by school-improvement grant money nearing its end, is intended to support enhanced teacher training.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Harlem Consolidated School District board approved an estimated 2026 tax levy at a projected rate of $5.19, 31 cents lower than last year, citing a 2.7% cost-of-living figure and a 9.1% rise in property value plus adjustments when the county sets the final rate.

The Harlem Consolidated School District board approved an MOU with Hagy Architects for repaving parking lots and playgrounds at Machznney and Marquette Elementary, plus a tennis court project at Harlem High and a parking lot at Harlem Middle on Tuesday, Oct.

13.

Rockford Public Schools will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the administration building to decide if it will request a waiver to reduce PE classes for kindergarten to 5th grade students.

Parents are concerned that reducing exercise may harm children’s health amid efforts to increase academic time.

Central Avenue between Montrose Avenue and Halsted Road begins drainage inlet repairs today with weather-dependent work scheduled to finish Nov.

15. Drivers should expect intermittent lane closures + delays, so use caution in the construction zone.

Dr. Megan Moreno of UW Health has offered clear advice for parents on managing kids' phone use today.

Her book (Connecting, Raising Your Kids in a Digital World) shows ways to balance screen time with offline activities and improve sleep routines.

Winnebago County has opened an $85 million grant program for mental health and substance use services.

Service providers can apply for program grants (with $75 million available) or capital projects (with $10 million allocated) under a three-year grant cycle.