Stephenson County community leaders gather to raise awareness about domestic violence
FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) - Community leaders gathered Tuesday night to raise awareness about domestic violence and the impact it has across Stephenson County. The League of Women Voters of Freeport hosted its annual meeting at the library featuring a presentation from VOICES of Stephenson County Executive Director Julie H
Belvidere North student wins inaugural theater award
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - A Belvidere North High School student won an inaugural award honoring behind-the-scenes work in musical theater. Navion “Navi” Curry was honored with the “Backstage Champion” award at the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards in Chicago. Curry was selected from a record-breaking 95 partic
Freeport’s ‘Great Pretzel Bite’ event sets new record
Hundreds of people participated in the inaugural Great Pretzel Bite in downtown Freeport, setting a benchmark for future Great Pretzel Bite records in Pretzel City USA. A total of 216 participants gathered on April 25 to simultaneously take a bite of pretzels, establishing a new tradition during the Greater Freeport Pa
Rock County judge Ashley Morse recognized for advancing diversity in the legal system
Rock County Circuit Court Judge Ashley Morse is the 2026 recipient of the Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award, recognizing contributions that enhance diversity and inclusion within Wisconsin’s legal profession, the State Bar of Wisconsin announced in a press release. The Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award, pre
Industrial park developer eyes land in southern Winnebago County for new project
ROCKFORD — A real estate developer who has worked with companies such as Amazon, FedEx and Berner Food locally is eyeing a new industrial development near the south end of Winnebago County. Venture One Real Estate, which also developed the Rock 39 Industrial Park along Baxter Road in Cherry...
Rockford mayor shares economic insights on Hillwood Development
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A proposed project could serve as a means to support industrial growth near the Chicago Rockford International Airport. Hillwood, a real estate and development company out of Dallas, Texas, secured a portion of land in south Rockford to develop a more than 330,000-square-foot speculative industr
HALL OF FAME: Turner grad Tracey Caradine in 2026 Class
Tracey Caradine wasn’t just one of the few Black athletes on the Beloit Turner track and field team, she was the only Black student in her class. “I was not always happy at Turner,” Caradine said. “I think a lot of White people had a very stereotypical view of Black people and a lot of my classmates had never interacte
Rockford man charged with illegal firearm sales in Ogle County
OGLE COUNTY, Ill. (WIFR) - A Rockford man faces multiple charges after an investigation into illegal gun sales in Ogle County. Angel Guerrero, 25, is charged with unlawful sale of a firearm, sale of an unserialized firearm and child endangerment. The sheriff’s office says its investigation began after it received...
Hotel Dispute in Rockford Led to Death Threat Against Officer
A Rockford man is facing charges after police say he threatened an officer and resisted arrest during a hotel incident earlier this month.
One hospitalized after late night Rockford shooting
A man is hospitalized after a shooting in Rockford.

















