Survey finds more people would rather spend holidays with their dog
A recent survey found more people would rather spend holidays with their dog. WIFR's Maggie Polsean takes a look at the reasons why.
Mini cow in Christmas gear steals the show at Summerfield Zoo’s holiday event
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — The Summerfield Zoo celebrated the final day of its festive “Christmas Town” event on Tuesday, featuring special activities for families and children, such as feeding Santa’s reindeer and participating in reindeer flight school. “Christmas Town” has become a beloved tradition at Summerfield...
Shoppers participate in “Thriftmas” to save on holiday gifts
"Thriftmas" is a popular trend that has people buying from gift stores rather than online or big-box stores.
Advocates hold memorial service for homeless around Rockford region who died in 2025
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Becky Erbe recognized names on a list of deceased homeless people. The associate pastor for outreach at Second First Church covered her heart with a hand when discussing the familiarity. “We don’t want their names to disappear. We want to remember who they were and what...
Fire displaces nine Rockford residents
A Rockford house fire Saturday night displaced nine individuals. Fire crews were called to 2012 Hulin St. at 11 p.m. Saturday to find heavy smoke coming from the residence. An attack line was deployed and crews located the fire in the basement. All tenants of the residence had safely evacuates...
Mercyhealth NICU babies show off Christmas spirit
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The littlest miracles at Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside get into the Christmas spirit. NICU nurse JoAnn Gorsline makes handmade costumes for the babies and wanted to spread some joy. She says celebrating holidays often helps families feel a sense of normalcy during their NICU stay.
Microsoft’s Cherry Valley data center in a ‘holding pattern’
ROCKFORD, IL — Microsoft has purchased nearly 340 acres on the Boone County side of Cherry Valley for a data center that appears to be temporarily on standby. Microsoft invested at least $32.3 million to purchase the land, according to Boone County records. And the technology giant based in Redmond, Washington...
Ghost guns, AR-style rifle lead to 6 year prison sentence for Rockford man
Azarius Curtis, 20, will spend 6 years in prison after he was caught with four guns — including an AR-style rifle, a "ghost gun," and another with a machine gun "switch" device — during a traffic stop in Rockford earlier this year.
Freeport, Illinois Randy and Lisa Redington Devastated as Their 20-Year-Old Son Jacob, Talented Wrestler...
The community of Freeport, Illinois, is heartbroken over the sudden loss of 20-year-old Jacob Redington, who passed away on December 18, 2025. Jacob was a junior at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He died in his dorm room. Police found him unconscious and not breathing shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Pursuit from Byron to Leaf River ends with arrest of two for drug offenses
BYRON, Ill. (WTVO) — A man and woman face multiple drug charges after leading police on a pursuit from Byron to Leaf River on Saturday. According to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, around 10:53 p.m. Saturday, deputies pulled into the parking lot of a closed business in the 100 block of S. Union Street to […]
