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UPDATE: 10-year-old girl reported missing in Freeport
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — UPDATE: About 2 hours after reporting Lilyana Ebbing missing, Freeport Police said she had been found. ORIGINAL STORY: Police in Freeport are asking the public’s help to locate 10-year-old Lilyana Ebbing, who was reported missing Friday morning. According to Freeport Police, Lilyana has been missing since Thursday, from the 100 block […]
Ogle County mom, accused of killing 7-year-old son, withdraws ‘guilty’ plea
OREGON, Ill. (WTVO) — An Ogle County jury will hear the case against Sarah Safranek after all. The Oregon woman accused of murdering her 7-year-old son, Nathaniel Burton, withdrew her “guilty” plea this week. According to court records, Safranek, 36, pled guilty to the crime in March and was due to be sentenced on May […]
Indictment in Rockford mass stabbing case delayed for second time
Arraignment on bills of indictment charging Christian Soto in the killings of four and the attempted killings of seven others during a March 27 rampage through a Rockford neighborhood has been delayed a second time. Soto, of Rockford, is waiting for the results of a mental health evaluation to determine...
Eventful Friday evening in Rockford draws in thousands of people
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A big kick off to almost-summer in Rockford Friday night: Outdoor City Market, a block party and two highly anticipated comedy shows draw big crowds to The Screw City. Organizers say it wasn’t always the plan for everything to fall on the same day, but it...
Lane changes coming to Rockford's North Main and Auburn roundabout
Rockford is gong to try reducing the North Main and Auburn streets roundabout to one lane to increase safety. Saying that it is the scene of persistent traffic crashes, City Engineer Jeremy Carter said in a news release Friday that a pilot program would be rolled out in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation starting June 3 to see if reducing the two-lane roundabout to one lane would decrease the number of crashes.
Freeport Police searching for 2 suspects in gang-related shooting
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — Freeport Police are searching for two suspects involved in a gang-related shooting that happened yesterday. At 11:17 p.m., Police responded to the area of Chicago Avenue and Frank Street for reports of gunfire. The two suspects fled the area shortly before officials arrived. Authorities said they discovered evidence of a firearm […]
Tracking a wonderful weekend with storms to start the week for the Rockford region
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Our weather is looking phenomenal over the next couple of days. Even tonight, if you want to grab dinner on a patio or go to Rockford City Market I say absolutely go for it! Winds will be on the calm side as we head overnight tonight, so we could see a few areas of patchy fog but shouldn’t be as widespread as this morning. Lows overnight are in the mid-50s.
Summer-like for the weekend with severe storms possible late Tuesday
Yesterday’s summer-like weather was the perfect way to kick off this year’s Rockford’s City Market season. Under beautiful sun-filled skies, Rockford officially peaked at 82-degrees, marking the 5th 80-degree day of 2024. All I have to say is, if you loved yesterday’s weather, today features just as...
Pathologist explains fatal wounds in 2016 stabbing death of Dusty Boots Saloon owner Joe Pendergrass
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Dusty Boots Saloon owner Joe Pendergrass was stabbed a total of four times on May 31, 2016, inside the Loves Park chiropractic clinic where his wife worked. Two of those wounds caused his death. “They would have been facing each other, and also, likely on the floor during the altercation,” said […]
Letter: Our world is filled with many faiths, and there is much to learn from them
Don Woolery and Dr. Tim Durkee have responded to my response. I'll be brief in reply, and we can all go on with our lives. These gentlemen believe that there is an objective truth, that it is contained in a particular teaching about Jesus, and that they know it. ...
Overdose deaths in Rockford have decreased, according to health officials
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Winnebago County health officials said they are encouraged by data showing a downward trend in overdose deaths. “People are becoming more vigilant, they are talking about it,” said Community Care Coordinator Ciceli Mclin. The opioid epidemic continues to plague communities across the country, new data, however, shows efforts to curb overdose […]
Beef-A-Roo breaks ground on Freeport location
FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) - A beloved Rockford restaurant breaks ground for a new franchise on Freeport’s south side. City officials, the Greater Freeport Partnership and the Freeport Beef-A-Roo ownership group gathered Friday in the Marshall’s parking, 1804 S. West Avenue, for the groundbreaking ceremony. Founded in 1967, Beef-A-Roo...
Busy weekend in downtown Rockford kicks off summer 2024
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — With City Market, Screw City Block Party and live music, downtown is the place to be this weekend as summer 2024 kicks off. City Market started on May 17th and lasts through September 27th this year. The Market reoccurs every Friday and features local growers and vendors who sell handmade products. […]
Area Dunkin’ Donuts, police hold Special Olympics fundraiser
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - People grabbing their morning coffee may have seen a strange sight Friday morning. From 5 a.m. to noon, police officers across the state hopped on top Dunkin’ Donuts to raise funds for the Illinois Special Olympics. In its total 21 years of running, the Dunkin’s Cop on a Rooftop event has collected over $8.7 million to benefit Special Olympics athletes.
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