Ridott, IL Events and More

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.

rockrivercurrent.com

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 · 20h

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...

northernpublicradio.org

Juvenile bobcat struck by car in Ogle County is expected to make a full recovery

Last week, an Oregon homeowner discovered a barely 17-pound, semi-conscious female bobcat laying in her front yard. The juvenile bobcat, estimated to have been born earlier this spring or late last year, was struck by car crossing nearby Route 64. The homeowner contacted a local wildlife trapper, who brought the...

Ogle County, IL · 2d

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

partner publisher · 45.6K followers

‘Bad to the Bone’ legend George Thorogood to bring blues rock to Rockford

"Bad to the Bone" singer George Thorogood is bringing his legendary blues rock sound to Rockford's Hard Rock Live in March 2027.

Rockford, IL · 4d

We Are Rockford

Rockford Store Left Baffled After Man Buys 50 Atari Games

Why would someone buy every copy of a nearly 50-year-old Atari game? A Rockford shopper did exactly that at Disc Replay.

Rockford, IL · 2d

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 · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

Free furnace from Pearson felt like ‘divine intervention’ for Rockford-area veteran

ROCKFORD — An Air Force veteran who was one of two local military members to win a free furnace from Pearson Plumbing, Heating & Pest Control said the gift was much-needed with winter approaching. Chantyl Outzen of Machesney Park will be able to replace her aging and unreliable furnace...

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

Byron and IC Catholic could be headed for another epic playoff battle

It has felt like the football teams at Byron and IC Catholic have been on a collision course all season. Well, that collision will happen this Saturday afternoon in Byron in the IHSA Class 3A playoff quarterfinals. These are the top two ranked teams in the state in 3A.

Byron, IL · 1d

rockrivercurrent.com

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 · 22h

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

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.

partner publisher · 17.1K followers

KFIL Radio

Put These Rockford Events on Your Calendar This Month

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

Rockford, IL · 2d

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

Rockford Jefferson’s Janardie Turner will be taking his talents to Madison

Track and Field standouts as talented as Janardie Turner is don't come around often. That's why the Wisconsin Badgers want him, and that's where Turner wants to be.

northernpublicradio.org

partner publisher · 14.4K followers

Perspective: Don't let them do it

I was in Port Washington, Wisconsin, last week, and just a few miles north of that small town, I saw a frightening scene: a roaring jumble of heavy trucks, and cranes, blue tarp surrounding miles of fencing, harsh lights, security guards at the entrance gates, and a broken-up, dirty road that was closed to all traffic but those heavy trucks.

Port Washington, WI · 1d

967 The Eagle

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.

takemetotn.com

7 Illinois Restaurants Where Dinner Comes With A Show The Kids Won’t Stop Talking About

Dinner with no fork sounds like a kid’s wildest dream, and at one Illinois spot, it’s actually the rule. You eat a four-course meal with your hands while knights joust a few feet away. That alone would be enough for me. But this list goes further, with servers...

Rock Island, IL · 2d

statelinesportsnetwork.net

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.

nildealnow.com

Coldest Air of the Season Brings Saturday Morning Wind Chills in the Teens and 20s to Illinois Including Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria

ILLINOIS — The coldest air of the season so far is set to arrive in Illinois this weekend, though it will only stick around for a short time. Temperatures on Saturday morning are expected to start in the 20s and 30s across the state. Combined with a steady breeze, wind chills will make it feel like the teens and 20s for anyone heading out early in the day.

Illinois · 2d

MyStateline.com WTVO WQRF

Northern Illinois Hospice Day of Giving aims to raise $20,000

The Northern Illinois Hospice Foundation will host its annual Day of Giving to raise $20,000 for patient care and support programs.

partner publisher · 11.4K followers

Rockford Register Star

Everything you need to know on Stockton ahead of 2026 IHSA state volleyball tourney

Sixteen teams punched their ticket to the IHSA state volleyball tournament, including one from the Rockford area that is very familiar with how this all works. The Stockton girls volleyball team has reached the IHSA Class 1A state semifinals for the third year in a row, but they are hungry to get their first championship. More Rockford-area volleyball: Stockton KOs Rockford Christian, one step closer to 3rd straight state "It's hard not to think about," Stockton's Ireland Mensendike said of getting to state twice in a row, but not winning it yet. "But we're always just point by point, game by game, and we don't want to look ahead at all." Stockton took second the last two years after never making the state tournament before that. So, as it gets set to give it another try, let's break down everything you need to know about the Class 1A state volleyball tourney. What is it? It's the IHSA girls state volleyball tournament, with four classes, starting with the semifinals, and finishing with third-place matches and championship showdowns. When is it? 1A semifinal No. 1 at 9 a.m. Friday: Athens vs. Illini Bluffs 1A semifinal No. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Friday: Stockton