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🌱 Patch AM: How a Rockford rapper’s 2019 killing led to 120-year sentence

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Good morning Rockford! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Rockford rapper’s 2019 killing led to 120-year sentence
  • What Harlem’s proposed preschool cuts could mean for Rockford-area families
  • Which Rockford leaders just earned top community honors for 2025?

Also on today's calendar: The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Rockfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Cloudy, flurries; very cold, with a high of 24 and low of 1 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Frigid with snow and flurries, temps: high: 8, low: -8.
  • Sunday: Sunshine and frigid, with a high of 6 and low of -5 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Man sentenced for killing Rockford rapper (wifr.com) — A Rockford man has been sentenced to 120 years in prison for the 2019 shooting death of local rapper Robert Wash, known as Pair-A-Dice, on Harrison Avenue. Prosecutors say he must serve at least 97.5 years, after being convicted of first-degree murder and related charges following a Rockford police investigation and witness identifications.
   

• Advocates push for protecting preschool as Harlem School District considers cuts (wifr.com) — Families in the Rockford-area Harlem School District could see preschool seats slashed from 360 to 80 under a consolidation plan aimed at closing a budget deficit. Advocates warn the cuts would deepen an already large early childhood gap in Winnebago and Boone counties, while district leaders say rising costs outpace state funding as they pause a final decision before next week’s meeting.
   

• PHOTOS: Rockford's 2025 Excalibur and Excelsior Award winners announced (mystateline.com) — Rockford’s Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s Excalibur and Excelsior Award winners, spotlighting local leaders and organizations shaping Northern Illinois. Dr. Cyrus Oates was honored for decades of expanding dental care for Rockford children, while VetsRoll and county-level Community Champion Award recipients were recognized for their regional impact and service.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Dakota, a dog who went missing in Rockford, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 34 minutes. More details here https://www… (Nextdoor North End Square)
  • On a little better note.
    My sweet Bella who passed away 2 weeks ago, is featured on a calendar next year. This is the best memory I can have of her . She's in September for… (Nextdoor North Highland Square)
  • Northern District of Illinois | Rockford Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm | United States Department of Justice... (X: ATF_Chicago)
  • SALTING OPERATIONS: Our Public Works team has been out salting residential routes today. Please slow down and give them room to work. (X: CityofRockford)
  • YMCA of Rock River Valley posted a job opening for School-Age Group Leader in Rockford. Apply here.
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Bucciferro McDonald's Assistant Manager in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Machesney Park

Winnebago

  • Winnebago Co. Sheriff's Office to hold ‘Shop with a Cop' and ‘Fill the Bus' events (wifr.com)
  • Harlem High School plans phone lockers for students as parents worry for change (wifr.com)
  • WATCH: State rep: ICE enforcement on streets wouldn't happen if IL cooperated (blackchronicle.com)

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 couldn’t put it down.
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