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🌱 Patch AM: Want to see Rockford kids and cops shop together today?

Spotted on the Rockford calendar: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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Good morning to you Rockford! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Want to see Rockford kids and cops shop together today?
  • What a $45.6M makeover could mean for downtown Rockford
  • What does the Capitol Theater demolition really mean for South Main?

Also on today's calendar: The Thankful Path - A Winter Light Experience at Klehm Arboretum and 8 more events.

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

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Julie H.!

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Frigid with snow and flurries, with a high of 10 and low of -7 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Sunday: Bitterly cold with sunshine, temps: high: 6, low: -1.
  • Monday: Breezy and not as cold, with a high of 24 and low of 13 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rockford Police Host Annual 'Heroes & Helpers' Event (kfilradio.com) — Rockford kids will shop alongside Rockford Police officers this morning at Target on East State Street during the long-running “Heroes and Helpers” holiday event. For more than 30 years, PB&PA Unit 6 and Rockford Public Schools have teamed up to give selected students a chance to pick out winter clothes, toys, and family gifts while building positive connections with local officers.
   

2. Rockford's historic Register Star building set for $45.6 million transformation (mystateline.com) — Downtown Rockford’s historic Register Star building is slated for a $45.6 million makeover into 80 luxury apartments, 12 retail spaces, a museum, and a riverfront restaurant. Urban Equity Properties says the News Tower Lofts project will create union construction and permanent jobs, pending Rockford City Council approval on January 5.
   

3. Rockford residents react to demolition of historic Capitol Theater (wifr.com) — A partial demolition of Rockford’s historic Capitol Theater on South Main is underway, removing its unsafe rear section while preserving the ornate front for future redevelopment. City officials and residents are split between concern over transparency and optimism that stabilizing the building, storefronts, and apartments could attract investors using historic tax credits.
   

4. Rockford Goodwill Excel Center celebrates first graduate months after opening (wrex.com) — A new adult high school program in Rockford just celebrated its very first graduate, only months after opening at the Riverfront YMCA. The free Goodwill Excel Center offers adults a full high school diploma, plus child care and life coaching, with nearly 150 students already enrolled and room to grow to 250.
   

5. Rockford Vintage Fest returns as vendors gather for holiday season (wrex.com) — Rockford-area vintage lovers have a same-day shopping option as Rockford Vintage Fest returns to Mercato by Lino’s in Loves Park today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seventeen vendors, including Rockford’s own Toad Hall, will offer retro clothing, vinyl, décor, and jewelry in a free indoor market that highlights small local businesses.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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📸 As seen from the Rockford Cancer Center this week. —Julie H. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday December 13
  • 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
  • Christmas Extravaganza
    Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques , 6329 N 2nd St , Loves Park
    10:00 am
  • McHenry Boys Varsity Basketball @ Jefferson
    Jefferson High School , 4145 Samuelson Rd , Rockford
    2:00 pm

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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Thank you so much to the young lady who kindly brought my delivery after it was mistakenly delivered to your home.
    Your honesty and thoughtfulness truly made my day. It’s wonderful to be reminded that there are still genuinely good and honest people in the world… (Nextdoor Shaw Woods)
  • 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)
  • RPS 205 hosted its first-ever regional CDW & Google for Education workshop at The Quad! Nearly 50 leaders from 25 regional school districts explored... (X: RPS205)
  • 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)
  • Snipes posted a job opening for Stock Personnel in Rockford. Apply here.
  • Rockford Public Schools posted a job opening for Program Administrator for Special Education - 10 Months 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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