Durand, IL Events and More

Severe Storms With Damaging Winds Near Davenport Push Toward Chicago, Joliet and Rockford Around Noon as Strongest Cells Hug the I-80 Corridor

CHICAGO — Showers and thunderstorms moving toward northern Illinois Wednesday morning are tracking farther north than expected. Some storms on the southern end of the system have already turned severe, with damaging winds reported near the Quad Cities. The rain is expected to reach Chicagoland around noon, and the strongest storms should stay near and south of the Interstate 80 corridor.

rockrivercurrent.com

NYC Halal Eats draws crowds to Loves Park with grand opening spectacle

LOVES PARK — NYC Halal Eats celebrated its grand opening on Friday with a spectacle that included the owner standing on the rooftop to hype up a large crowd that lined up for free food. The New York City-style halal street food restaurant, 6390 E. Riverside Blvd., marked its...

Loves Park, IL · 17h

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Chicago Rockford International Airport operations impacted by nationwide ground stop

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday due to communication problems at regional air traffic control centers, impacting operations at Chicago Rockford International Airport.

Rockford, IL · 20h

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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 · 23h

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Rockford’s Plume named one of Illinois’ 50 best restaurants in statewide ranking

he "50 Best Restaurants in Illinois — 2026 Edition" list published by Travel With Me, a Chicago social media platform with about 1 million followers on Facebook alone.

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The Families Behind These Eight Illinois Mexican Restaurants Haven’t Changed In More Than 8 Years

Some restaurants change owners every few years, and you can usually taste it when they do. The eight spots on this list are different. Each one has stayed in the hands of the same family for years, and that steady leadership shows up in handmade tortillas, slow-cooked meats, and recipes that never seem to drift. The list runs from Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood down to Springfield, then over to Aurora, Urbana, Bloomington, Rockford, and Rock Island.

Chicago, IL · 3h

GazetteXtra

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

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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

rockrivercurrent.com

The new Cheezy’s at Victory is more than grilled cheese. Here’s what’s different in Loves Park

LOVES PARK — The new Cheezy’s at Victory represents an expansion of the local brand beyond the hearty grilled cheese sandwiches served up on its food truck. Owners Josh Wilson and Dustin DiBenedetto, who just wrapped up their fourth food truck season with Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese, cut the ribbon on Wednesday on their second physical location. It’s on the second floor inside Victory Pickleball, 7003 N. Alpine Road. They also continue to operate Cheezy’s Grilled Cheese inside BJ’s Place at at 2842 11th St. on Rockford’s south side.

Loves Park, IL · 2d

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Freeport’s Paityn London offically signs letter of intent to go to DePaul University

After making a verbal commitment this past summer, Freeport's Paityn London is now officially headed to DePaul University to continue her college hoops dream.

Freeport, IL · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

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.

rooferscoffeeshop.com

ABC Supply announces Midwest region leadership transition

Joe Small to retire following accomplished career; Brad Messer named Midwest Region vice president. ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, select exterior and interior building products and outdoor solutions in North America, has announced that Joe Small, Midwest Region vice president, will retire at the end of the year following a career spanning nearly 40 years in the building materials industry. Brad Messer has been appointed Midwest Region vice president and will assume the role on January 1, 2027.

Beloit, WI · 1d

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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.

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South Beloit looks to continue playoff run against Meridian Hawks

South Beloit's football team is one win away from the I8FA state championship. This is the furthest the team has ever been since joining the I8FA, but they know the road only gets tougher.

South Beloit, IL · 1d

Occupational Health Safety

Freeport Street Department Earns Safety Recognition

The Illinois department reduced recordable injuries and illnesses to zero after strengthening its safety practices. The city of Freeport’s Street Department in Illinois reduced recordable injuries and illnesses to zero following safety improvements, according to OSHA. The department became the first public works department in Illinois to earn approval...

Freeport, IL · 1d

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Eleven Years Later, Rockford Still Plays for Pat: Remembering Volleyball Coach Pat Meinert

Eleven years ago today — November 12, 2015 — Rockford lost its volleyball evangelist. Pat Meinert died that day after a long battle with cancer, closing a coaching career that spanned 40 years and touched just about every corner of the sport in the Rockford area. She was inducted into the Rock Valley College Athletics Hall of Fame that same year.

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

GazetteXtra

Stomach ailments, some similar to norovirus close Milton elementary school, delay Parker High School musical

Hello, Rock County! Here are your top weekend headlines: Rock County Health Department and local public school officials say stomach ailments, some similar to norovirus, have sickened enough students that it's prompted a Milton elementary school to close this week and sidelined a high school musical at Parker High School. Police believe the call on the shooting on Friday was a case of swatting —a type of phony phone call people make in attempt to spark a police or SWAT-team response. Do you have a story you'd like the Gazette to follow? Let us know with an email to The Gazette's City Editor, Neil Johnson at neil@gazettextra.com!

Milton, WI · 6h

rockrivercurrent.com

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...