Good morning, Rockford.

Lifescape Community Services received the Illinois Governor’s Engaging Aging Award on Monday, Oct.

26 at its Kilburn Avenue location for its Meals on Wheels, adult day, transportation, caregiver support and protective services helping older adults stay safe and independent (Kilburn Avenue).

With Halloween on Saturday, Oct.

31, officials warn that weekend party traffic, impaired drivers, and peak trick or treating (5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) will increase risks for pedestrians and e-bikes around neighborhood streets, so families should use reflective gear, buddy systems, and plan sober rides.

An electrical fire in a locker room at Harlem Middle School in Loves Park on Tuesday, Oct.

27 led to an evacuation (around 2:15 p.m.); students and staff were safe and returned about 10 minutes later after crews extinguished the blaze and shut off the breaker, and an electrician will make repairs.

Toys R Us has reopened in the Stateline area with a new store on CherryVale Mall’s upper level (between Midwest Boot Co. and Rogers and Hollands Jewelry); the shop is open now and is part of a plan to open 120 stores before the 2026 holiday season carrying LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, NERF and PAW Patrol.

A traveling exhibition about Alexander Hamilton is on view at Rockford Public Library's Main Library through Nov.

6, using Gilder Lehrman reproductions to trace his life from St. Croix to the first secretary of the Treasury; the free exhibit is open during regular library hours at 215 N. Wyman St. (call 815-965-7606).

Wynonna Judd will perform Sunday, March 7, 2027, at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, with doors at 6 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m.; attendees must be 21+ with photo ID, presale is noon Thursday, Oct.

29 (code TRUTH) and public tickets start 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

Emmy-winning actress Susan Saint James died Monday at age (80) after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis; she was raised in Rockford and starred on McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.

Brookview Elementary School was named one of 24 Illinois Governor's Blue Ribbon Schools and held a flag-raising ceremony on Oct.

27, 2026 at the school to mark the honor.

Rockford residents must keep leaves, grass clippings, branches and other yard debris out of streets, detention basins, rivers, creeks, drainageways and ditches to avoid nuisance flooding and city code violations.

Rock River Disposal collects residential yard waste under the city contract, with seasonal pickup typically ending in late November or early December.

The Prairie Hill Road bridge near Rockton and South Beloit will reopen the week of Dec.

14, and the Roscoe Road bridge in Roscoe will reopen the week of Dec. 21 after delays from an end-of-November target; drivers should use caution around detours.

The Department of Energy announced Oct.

27 a conditional loan commitment of up to $5 billion to help Constellation Energy upgrade Byron's nuclear plant, part of a multi-state effort that aims to add nearly (1.1 GW) of capacity and requires technical, legal, and environmental approvals before funding.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, received flu and COVID-19 vaccines Tuesday, Oct.

27 at the Winnebago County Health Department to urge Rockford residents to get immunized before respiratory season, and local health leaders said now is the time to schedule shots.

Epilepsy Advocacy Network is offering free seizure-recognition and first-aid trainings in November for schools and other organizations, covering seizure basics, rescue medications, and Seizure Smart School Act requirements for staff; virtual and in-person sessions are available and EAN also provides case management and support services.