1+ hour, 6+ min ago (586+ words) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Rockford City Council members pave the way for the community's largest infrastructure plan yet. On Monday, the finance and personnel committee unanimously approved a $385,331,713 plan to improve city streets, sidewalks, stormwater system and more. "It shows a commitment to neighborhoods," said Ald. Dawn Granath (D-9th Ward) before voting for the proposal. While most council members celebrated the latest Capital Improvement Program, others worried about uncertainty surrounding a deadline imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. City staff describe the program as a "comprehensive program of infrastructure reinvestment and maintenance." Its priorities include enhancing public safety, maintaining the water supply and improving the movement of commerce/economic activity. The program lays out detailed proposals for major projects as well. The 2026-2030 iteration focuses on enhancing downtown streets through the complete streets revitalization, improving the 11th Street corridor and replacing the 15th Avenue bridge over…...

1+ hour, 9+ min ago (80+ words) A yearly tradition returns to the WIFR news set, with the mission of honoring those serving their country during the holidays. Award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer David Foster and ... Rockford church gives away Thanksgiving meals Rockford financial advisors offer tips for avoiding 'holiday debt hangover' IDOT to reopen some lanes for Thanksgiving travel, others to remain closed Help us honor active military members with the WIFR Viewer Tree David Foster and Katharine McPhee bring "An Intimate Evening" to Rockford...

4+ hour, 16+ min ago (312+ words) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Award-winning musician, songwriter and producer, David Foster, and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star, Katharine McPhee, will share "An Intimate Evening" with the city of Rockford. At 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, the doors to Hard Rock Live Rockford will open. David Foster boasts 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe and three Oscar nominations for "Best Original Song." "It is very intimate and we love being close to the audience, we love bantering," said Foster about the upcoming show. "I don't like going to concerts where they just do their songs and you don't get to hear them talk or tell any stories. We're the opposite of that." A star both front stage and behind the scenes, Foster's fingerprints can be found on the works of many superstar artists, including Chicago, Michael…...

5+ hour, 11+ min ago (73+ words) Award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star, Katharine McPhee head to Rockford. David Foster and Katharine McPhee bring "An Intimate Evening" to Rockford Senior Resource Center hopes to expand programs and services for older adults Beloit man charged with attempted murder in July shooting Wisconsin man accused of drunk driving, dodging deputies in Ogle County Therapists create holiday toy guide to support kids" developmental growth...

5+ hour, 51+ min ago (214+ words) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Seasonal yard waste collection within the city of Rockford is ending soon. The final week for yard waste pickup in the 2025 season is Monday, Dec. 1 through Thursday, Dec. 5. After Dec. 5, residents have one last chance to put out yard waste during the annual Christmas Tree collection in early January 2026. Yard waste collection won't start up again until the compost site reopens in spring 2026. The date for the reopening is yet to be announced. The city says yard waste must be placed in compostable paper bags or in 32-gallon or smaller refuse cans that have been marked with a large "X" that is plainly visible from the street. Twigs, branches and other types of brush that can't fit into either of those containers must be placed in bundles no more than four feet long by two feet in diameter....

1+ day, 3+ hour ago (332+ words) ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - About 50 children met some local heroes today and took them for a journey around Blain's Farm & Fleet for the annual Holidays & Heroes shopping day. BLUE 815 and the Jaimie Cox Foundation hosted the event. This year the special day was in partnership for the fifth year with the Rockford Police Department, Blain's Farm & Fleet, and Gigi's Playhouse, and this year welcoming heroes from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. It was a day of laughter, smiles, and memories that will last long past Sunday's event. Blue 815 chair, Andrea Cox, says that it is one of their favorite days of the year and it gives credit to the heroes that don't usually get it. "I think it is one of the most meaningful things we do because it's us getting to see smiles on the shoppers faces," said Cox, "but also…...

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (369+ words) Monday will feature the return of clouds, ahead of our next weather maker. A low pressure system will eject across the Midwest giving us clouds early on and then rain by the afternoon. Models have ... Monday will feature the return of clouds, ahead of our next weather maker. A low pressure system will eject across the Midwest giving us clouds early on and then rain by the afternoon. Models have backed off on how much rain we'll get where a few hundredths to a tenth of an inch is expected. Highs Monday will top out in the lower 50s once again. We'll see most of the rain wrap up early Tuesday morning, but clouds will continue to hang overhead. Temperatures will once again be really pleasant, in the lower to mid-50s, and you'll want to enjoy it while we have it. A…...

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (246+ words) (WIFR) - After a cloudy past couple of days, we'll finally see the return of some sunshine today. Combine that with winds out of the southwest near 5 to 10 mph and temperatures will jump into the mid-50s. If you have any holiday lights to put up or need to grab a Christmas tree I'd recommended doing that today. There will be a gradual increase in clouds Sunday night and by the time we are getting up on Monday we'll be mostly cloudy. Temperatures will drop to the mid-30s. To kick off our Thanksgiving week, we'll be mostly cloudy once again Monday. Highs will be pleasant at least reaching the mid-50s once again. Monday night we'll have our next rain chance. An upper level low will move across the region generating widespread showers. Timing will be late Monday afternoon through early Tuesday morning. With lows only…...

1+ day, 22+ hour ago (111+ words) The 38-14 loss in week two was a wake-up call for a great group of seniors. Saturday, Lena Winslow responded with a 30-16 win over Stockton in the 1A North Semifinal. For highlights and postgame sound ... ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Lena Winslow, in years past, felt almost untouchable in conference play. However, this season wasn't perfect for the Panthers. The 38-14 loss in week two was a wake-up call for a great group of seniors. Saturday, Lena Winslow responded with a 30-16 win over Stockton in the 1A North Semifinal. For highlights and postgame sound from head coach Ric Arand, click the media player above....

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (56+ words) An outdoors shop owner says the improvements ate into his business' parking. Rockford's $4.5M Madison Street makeover parks downtown shop in tight spot UW Health practitioner offers tips to cope with grief during the holidays VIDEO: Eagle drops rabbit on Genoa veteran's truck 1 dead after crash on S. Illinois Route 2 in Ogle Co....