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GazetteXtra

partner publisher · 7.2K followers
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Family of four receives first Rock County Habitat for Humanity house since 2015

JANESVILLE — Miguel and Jessica Gardner Rodriguez waited a year after applying for a Habitat for Humanity house before finally getting to experience the thrill of ownership. In the span of about an hour, they signed the papers to buy the house — and then Habitat for Humanity handed over the keys. “This would be the first time we get to actually make a place our home,” Jessica said. “We’re always worried about how rent goes up, something happens. We just haven’t really been able to make a place. I’m so excited.” The house is on Janesville’s south side. Miguel had a tough time explaining the long wait to get to the house, combined with being able to close on the house and being able to pick up the keys the same afternoon. “It was a smooth transition … So it wasn’t pressure. It was warmth and welcome to go through the process,” Miguel said. Jessica is a former EMS dispatcher-turned high school social studies teacher. Miguel has a bachelors degree in health education and is looking into massage therapy as a career. Miguel is a stay-at-home dad for the time being. While at a party one day, Jessica’s aunt

Rock County, WI · 1d

GazetteXtra

partner publisher · 7.2K followers
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Rock County aims to ease nursing home subsidies by opening Rock Haven to residents outside county

JANESVILLE – Natalie Rolling-Edlebeck acknowledges that opening up Rock Haven to out-of-county nursing home residents could come at a cost, but she's not yet sure how much. Rolling-Edlebeck's reason behind a shift to accepting out-of-county and even out-of-state residents is to try to create maximum use Rock Haven's 120 beds. Right now, the nursing unit can staff for 112 beds, a formula based on available nurses and the needs of patients now at Rock Haven. But a low tide in residents creates a capacity and staffing cycle that limits the amount Rock Haven can get reimbursed for residents, how many nurses it can hire, and how it can offset operating costs — all factors that drive a subsidy that the county said in its last budget wound up being $750,000. That's down from Rock Haven being more than $2 million underwater in recent past years, in part because Medicaid reimbursements have increased in Wisconsin. But officials argue the ceiling for Rock Haven, which is county run, is low because of how it operates. Rock Haven is one of 10 skilled-care nursing homes in Rock County, but of those 10, Rock Haven is the only one that does not allow out-of-county

Rock County, WI · 2d

GazetteXtra

partner publisher · 7.2K followers
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Norovirus closes Consolidated Elementary doors until at least Nov. 16

JANESVILLE — The Milton School District closed one of its elementary schools for the rest of the week because of a norovirus outbreak. Norovirus is more commonly known as the stomach flu. Late Wednesday, the district announced the closure of Consolidated Elementary because “more than 35%” of its student population had been sickened by norovirus. The District decided on this course of action after consultation with District Nurse Melissa Forrett and the Rock County Health Department. No other schools have been affected yet, according to the district. The district plans to open the school Monday. Superintendent Jeremy Bilhorn said that at the start of Wednesday, there were 30 students who were absent from the illness. Throughout the day, that number continued to climb as more students were sickened with the norovirus and were sent home. Bilhorn could not confirm the exact total at the end of the school day. “We noticed the numbers rose pretty high today,” Bilhorn said. The district will monitor reported absences at other schools and any ahead of Monday at Consolidated. “The idea is to take in account student safety, and best practice and guidance from our county health department,” Bilhorn said. Consolidated Elementary, the district’s

Janesville, WI · 2d

roscoenews.com

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Roscoe Community Market - Indoor Edition

ROSCOE COMMUNITY MARKET – WINTER EDITION. The Roscoe Community Market isn’t ending when the temperatures drop — we’re moving INDOORS!. Join us at the Roscoe Township Community Center on Hononegah Road for our Winter Edition and continue supporting the incredible small businesses, makers, artisans, and vendors in our community all winter long.

Roscoe, IL · 2d
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MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

partner publisher · 73.8K followers

Traffic over I-90 will be reduced to one lane Friday for Riverside Boulevard bridge repairs

Traffic over I-90 will be reduced to one lane on Friday as crews work to conduct repairs to the Riverside Boulevard bridge.

Winnebago County, IL · 1d

KFIL Radio

partner publisher · 17.1K followers

Put These Rockford Events on Your Calendar This Month

Need plans this month? Check out these upcoming Rockford-area events.

Rockford, IL · 3d

GazetteXtra

partner publisher · 7.2K followers

Colony Brands to shutter Janesville packaging facility

Hello, Rock County! Here are your top Wednesday headlines: As the warm season begins to shift to a chillier time, board members of the BID say that the downtown's Designated Outdoor Refreshment area, or DORA, was successful. The business improvement district looks to submit the outdoor cocktail pilot program it started this year for a permanent ordinance. Just outside the Kohl's store at Uptown Janesville mall, you'll find a tortoise and a hare. You'll find a glowing frozen lake. And you'll find an animatronic dragon "melting" a glasslike section of carpet with his flaming breath. It's your job to putt a neon-colored golf ball through all those obstacles en route to breaking par. Colony Brands plans to permanently close its Janesville operations facility by next March, consolidating its food gift packing operations at an existing facility in Sun Prairie. The Monroe-based company disclosed the planned closure of its facility at 200 W. Venture Dr., in an Oct. 30 notice filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Milton High School will debut its fall musical "Mary Poppins," based on the Disney classic, this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Jon Platts Performing Arts Center. There are subsequent showings planned for

Janesville, WI · 2d

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

partner publisher · 73.8K followers

Microsoft identified as company behind potential Rockford data center

Microsoft has been identified as the company evaluating Monarch Energy-controlled property in south Rockford for a potential data center, following months of uncertainty regarding the identity of the facility's operator.

Rockford, IL · 9h

rockrivercurrent.com

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Save A Lot in west Rockford kicks off annual holiday hunger relief initiative

ROCKFORD — Save A Lot on Thursday kicked off an annual holiday hunger relief initiative to support local families dealing with food insecurity. The grocery store, 1701 W. State St., kicked off its Bags for a Brighter Holiday campaign with 13th Ward Alderman Tamir Bell and two nonprofits that will benefit from this year’s drive: the Rock River Valley Food Pantry and the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford – Stenstrom Unit.

Rockford, IL · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

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2026 Excalibur and Excelsior award finalists announced

ROCKFORD — The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois announced on Wednesday the finalists for this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior awards, a 55-year tradition that recognizes people and organizations for their service to the region. The finalists for the Excalibur Award, which recognizes an individual who exemplifies excellence in...

Rockford, IL · 2d

GazetteXtra

partner publisher · 7.2K followers

Rock County District Attorney's office launches court case database in statewide transparency initiative

JANESVILLE — The Rock County District Attorney’s office is now part of a statewide project to give the public data on court cases, a move that’s aimed at boosting transparency. District Attorney Jason Sanders introduced a new database Thursday that he believes serves transparency for the public. The database operates within the bounds of strict rules around prosecutors publicizing individual court cases before resolution. He also pointed out that balancing transparency with the privacy of victims can be difficult as well. “For example, I should not and will not, tell anyone that a particular case did not go to trial on the most severe charge because the victim begged us to resolve it so they did not have to testify and relive their trauma in open court,” he said. He said that’s where the data dashboard comes in handy because it allows information to be released about the number of cases, types of cases, and outcomes of cases within Rock County. He said this will help not only the public, but the county, learn about how cases are handled. “We want to use every tool available to us, including taking a comprehensive look at what the numbers show, to reach

Rock County, WI · 1d

967 The Eagle

partner publisher · 14.4K followers

Three Magical Christmas Light Displays to See in Rockford

From Sinnissippi Park to Anderson Japanese Gardens, discover three Rockford holiday light displays worth visiting this Christmas.

Rockford, IL · 2d

Q985

partner publisher · 3.8K followers

Five Rockford Area Football Teams Are One Win From State Semis

The IHSA quarterfinals are here, with five area teams one victory away from the state semifinals. Find game times and opponents.

Rockford, IL · 10h

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

partner publisher · 73.8K followers

YMCA of Rock River Valley names two new executive directors

The YMCA of Rock River Valley has appointed Kerek Jenkins and Antonio Ramirez Jr. as new executive directors to lead its branches and early learning programs.

Rockford, IL · 2d

rockrivercurrent.com

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River District Association to revive First Fridays in downtown Rockford

ROCKFORD — The River District Association is reviving a monthly event designed to draw people to shop and dine downtown. Participating businesses will offer special pop-up experiences, activities and other events on the first Friday of each month to encourage people to take part of downtown’s nightlife. The options will change each month, ranging from dining to live entertainment, art and other activities.

Rockford, IL · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

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Taste the Town | Get Thanksgiving ready with Kauffman’s Country Store in Beloit

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re starting to plan your holiday menu there’s one local stop you’ll want to add to your shopping list: Kauffman’s Country Store in Beloit, Wisconsin. Kauffman’s, 9550 W. State Road 81, is celebrating 29 years in business. Founded...

Beloit, WI · 1d

We Are Illinois

partner publisher · 5.8K followers

Rockford Mom Says Her Daughters Hit the Kindergarten Jackpot With This Teacher

One Rockford mom nominated her daughters' teacher for a special recognition.

Rockford, IL · 10h

northwestquarterly.com

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Celebrate the Season at a Dazzling Event

Few towns have a state-of-the-art minor league baseball stadium like the Beloit Sky Carp’s ABC Supply Stadium, 217 Shirland Ave. Even fewer have one that doubles as an entertainment and event venue year-round, regardless of your interest in baseball. “That’s what we’re trying to do,” says Janine Idstein, event...

Beloit, WI · 1d

usagym.org

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Matus wins silver as U.S. continues advancing through 2026 T&T World Age Group Competitions

NANJING, China (November 12, 2026) – Charlotte Matus (Loves Park, Ill./Gymnastics Academy of Rockford) picked up the first U.S. medal of the competition Thursday in China, taking women’s double mini silver at the 2026 Trampoline and Tumbling World Age Group Competitions. In third position in Final 1 with...

Loves Park, IL · 1d