Pec Playhouse breaks ground on new downtown theater
PECATONICA, Ill. (WIFR) - Pec Playhouse Theatre breaks ground Wednesday, July 15, on its new theater at 202 W. Third St. in downtown Pecatonica. The community theater group said the project follows a successful 2025 capital campaign and will transform a former industrial building into a state-of-the-art, fully accessib
Neil Johnson of the Janesville Gazette discusses recent headlines of southern Wisconsin
This week I was joined by Neil Johnson, news editor for the Janesville Gazette, to discuss some recent headlines in southern Wisconsin. The first topic we discussed was the ongoing push for a data center in Janesville, and the public pushback that comes with it. Johnson also shares how recent...
Ehren Jarrett begins new role as Hononegah superintendent
ROCKTON, Ill. (WIFR) - Ehren Jarrett returned to Hononegah Community High School Wednesday for his first school board meeting as district superintendent. “I’m so excited. You know, it’s been 15 years since I’ve been in this district,” said Jarrett. Jarrett previously worked at the district as...
Students learn real-world budgeting at Freeport college event
High school students in the TRiO Upward Bound program at Highland Community College took part in a hands-on simulation designed to mirror adult financial responsibilities and career decisions. The “Welcome to the Real-World Simulation” involved 35 participants and was part of an ongoing workforce-readiness series led b
Boone Co. man sentenced for major drug bust at Roscoe business
ROSCOE, Ill. (WIFR) - A Caledonia man finds out his prison sentence after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine in 2022. Bradley Walters, 51, was sentenced to 24 years and four months in prison. In Oct. 2022, officers searched Walters’ place of business, Black Sheep Vintage, in Roscoe in...
Air Quality Alerts through tonight
Unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality today and tonight. Widespread smoke with highs in the low 90’s and a heat index close to 100. We could see a few scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon/early evening. Highs tomorrow and Saturday in the low 90’s with a slight chance for scattered showers and thundersto
Fireworks heard before Rockford apartment building roof fire
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A building’s roof caught fire Wednesday night after several witnesses heard the sound of fireworks, the Rockford Fire Department says. Firefighters responded around 11:15 p.m. to the 800 block of N. Court Street for a reported fire at a three-story apartment building. When crews arrived,...
FEMA, Small Business Association say disaster aid in Rock County covers more than flood...
JANESVILLE — Residents in Rock County who may have lost some shingles...or had siding dented by hail or blowing debris ... or had a basement full of water... They all can apply for FEMA relief over the next month, FEMA officials said. The April 13-23 storms and flooding that cost millions of dollars in property loss di
Beloit police kicking off National Night Out at Vernon Park
BELOIT, Wis. — The City of Beloit announced Wednesday that Beloit Police will host the National Night Out kickoff at Vernon Park for the first time.
First Alert Action Day: Hot and humid, with storm chances returning late this week
Smoky skies Thursday, with heat index values in the upper 90s. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The heat and humidity will stick around through Thursday as we continue to be under the influence of our heat dome, which will eventually break down by the end of the week giving us a bit of relief. The *Heat Advisory* in effect for
