Rockford IL

Melanie Penaran, 20, was hospitalized with critical injuries after losing control of her vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a crash that left her with major injuries.

HARVARD, Ill. (WIFR) - A man was sentenced Thursday for a 2025 burglary in Harvard where a homeowner caught him in the act. John P. Walker, 21, of Belvidere, was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to residential burglary. In February 2025, Walker...

NORTHERN ILLINOIS — Scattered strong thunderstorms carrying damaging wind and hail are forecast to impact northern Illinois during the late afternoon and evening hours on Monday, May 4, 2026. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center issued a severe weather outlook valid through May 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM CDT, with the threat developing along and ahead of an advancing cold front pushing through...

Families headed out to Lockwood Park Saturday as the Rockford Park District hosted its annual Derby Day.

The Rock Valley College softball team boosted its record to 55-3 Saturday afternoon by defeating Kankakee Community College 11-2 in five innings.

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - An investigation is underway into the cause of a house fire Saturday that put one person in the hospital. Around 6:30 p.m., April 2, Belvidere Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire in the 1500 block of W. Chrysler Drive. When firefighters arrived,...

Pictured: Sweeping an alfalfa field. Photo by K. Hamilton DATCP. Overwintered alfalfa weevil adults are resuming activity much earlier than in 2025. The 10-day forecast calls for the start of spring egg laying in southern Wisconsin alfalfa fields. Minimum winter temperatures were not low enough to significantly reduce adult weevil...

Retirement on a fixed income doesn’t have to mean giving up comfort or community. Across Illinois, there are small towns where your money stretches surprisingly far, covering rent, groceries, and even a few fun outings without breaking the bank. Many retirees are discovering that stepping away from big cities...

Beloved Illinois hot dog chain Portillo's is kicking up the heat this month with a brand new Italian beef flavor . The new Hot & Saucy sandwich will only be available for a limited time, so Italian beef lovers in Illinois should get them while they're hot. The sandwich will be available at Portillo's at 6090 State St. in Rockford. What's in Portillo's new Hot & Saucy...

A national BBQ chain has decided to suddenly close their doors and that includes all of their Illinois locations.