🌱 Patch AM: Are you making these holiday fire mistakes Rockford firefighters warn about?

Hey there, Rockford! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Are you making these holiday fire mistakes Rockford firefighters warn about?
• How Midtown’s big revitalization push could reshape your Rockford neighborhood
• How 225 new Goodwill grads could reshape Rockford’s workforce needs

Also on today's calendar: The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Rockford.

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Breezy and colder, with a high of 25 and low of 21 degrees.
• Saturday: Clearing; breezy, not as cold, temps: high: 38, low: 12. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Sunny and colder, with a high of 26 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Tis The Season for Fire Safety (mystateline.com) — Rockford Fire Department leaders are sharing practical holiday fire-safety tips to keep your home and family safe this season, from cooking precautions to safer decorations and heating. They urge Rockford residents to check smoke alarms, plan escape routes, use LED lights, water live trees, and have fireplaces and furnaces professionally inspected, with more resources available on the city’s website.
   

2. Rockford's Midtown District receives revitalization assistance (wifr.com) — Rockford’s Midtown District is getting intensive planning help through the Region 1 Planning Council’s Livable Community Initiative, aiming to cut blight and support local businesses. Neighbors can start shaping the vision at public meetings beginning February 12, with targeted projects potentially funded and executed by 2027.
   

3. More than 200 students graduate from Goodwill program in Rockford (wifr.com) — More than 225 students just graduated from Goodwill’s Rockford-based training programs, earning GEDs and certifications in fields like trucking, medical assistance, and skilled trades. Leaders say the Rockford-area workforce will benefit immediately as these new graduates fill critical local positions and overcome barriers like testing costs and transportation.
   

4. Rockford area Golden Apple names 20 finalists for 2026 awards (rrstar.com) — Rockford-area teachers are in the spotlight as the Golden Apple Foundation names 20 local finalists for its 2026 teaching excellence awards, drawn from more than 1,500 community nominations. Volunteers will observe classrooms early next year before choosing five surprise winners, who’ll be honored at an April 2026 banquet in Rockford.
   

5. Take a look at the Rockford-area All Area football team. See photos (rrstar.com) — High school football standouts from the Rockford area are highlighted in a new All Area team photo feature, with shots from games in Rockford and nearby communities. It’s a chance to see local athletes recognized after a strong 2025 season, including playoff and state championship action.
   

📸 Around Rockford

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  Maddox Theatre, 5050 E State St, Rockford
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden , 2715 S Main St , Rockford
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• International Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  7:00 am
• IYSA ODP Soccer Training
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum
  Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden , 2715 S Main St , Rockford
  5:00 pm
• Winter Development Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Hispanic Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• IYSA ODP Soccer Training
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• Holiday Pops - Rockford Symphony Orchestra
  Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
  3:00 pm
• Winter Development Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 pm

📣 Rockford Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 19

• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am
• Winter Development Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  5:00 pm
• RPD Men & Coed Soccer Leagues
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• International Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  7:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:

• Mike’s Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
  Property Maintenance, Tree Removal, & Landscaping

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello neighbors, just downloaded this app today, hoping that maybe somebody here adopted a cat named Samuel or Sami at Winnebago animal services yesterday I will post a picture so you guys can see him.
  He was my cat and unfortunately somebody else adopted him. Because of unfortunate circumstances .I am OK but sad would love the opportunity to say… (Nextdoor Midtown District)
• Does anyone own a medium gray colored cat in our neighborhood?
  It was meowing outside my bedroom windows the other night when it was so cold outside. I went out and put a box with a blanket in it, some water… (Nextdoor Maplewood)

• TRAFFIC ALERT: An adult female pedestrian was hit in the 3800 block of Auburn and was taken to a local hospital for serious injuries. Please avoid... (X: RockfordPD)
• Charges were pending after an alleged thief jumped behind the wheel of a private ambulance in Rockford and sped to the Humboldt Park neighborhood,... (X: Suntimes)

• Packaging Coordinators, Inc. posted a job opening for Cleaning Specialist in Rockford. Apply here.
• Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for Produce Team Member Nights - Part Time in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

Ok Rockford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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