🌱 Patch AM: Which Rockford streets and school routes will be rebuilt first in 2026?

Good morning Rockford! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Rockford streets and school routes will be rebuilt first in 2026?
• How Rock Valley College is expanding sports and handled a campus scare
• Which Rockford stories grabbed the most attention in 2025?

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 39 and low of 34 degrees.
• Friday: A morning shower in places, temps: high: 44, low: 33.
• Saturday: Some brightening, with a high of 45 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rockford's 13th Ward to benefit from newly approved 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan (wrex.com) — Rockford’s 13th Ward is slated for major street and sidewalk upgrades under the newly approved 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan, the largest in city history. Residents can expect work on 11th Street, Auburn, Madison, Newburg, and new sidewalks near schools, aimed at safer routes for students and stronger neighborhood infrastructure across the West Side.
   

2. Rock Valley College Board of Trustees met Nov. 18 (rockfordsun.com) — Rock Valley College trustees approved new athletic scholarships, including elevating golf to NJCAA Division II and adding bowling, while also reviewing strong enrollment gains and major facilities projects. Leaders detailed a November incident where Rockford emergency crews safely removed a suspicious substance from the Jacobs Center and confirmed staff followed all safety protocols.
   

3. Rockford's year in review: What were the most read stories of 2025? (mystateline.com) — From crime cases and flooding frustrations to immigration debates and grocery taxes, Rockford residents saw a busy 2025. This roundup revisits top-read stories, including the future of the local Social Security office, city leaders’ decision to keep the 1% grocery tax, and neighborhood concerns over flash flooding and public safety.
   

4. Dixon YMCA partners with Rock River Valley to boost services (rrstar.com) — Rockford-based YMCA of Rock River Valley is stepping in to help manage and mentor the Dixon Family YMCA under a one-year agreement. The partnership brings Rockford’s executive leadership and systems to Dixon while keeping that YMCA locally governed, aiming to stabilize finances, improve childcare, and strengthen programs across the Sauk Valley region.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rockford

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 26

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
• Rockford Thunder MLIS Game
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park

Sunday December 28

• Hispanic Soccer League
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am

Monday December 29

• Raptors 3v3 Tournament
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  8:00 am
• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am

Tuesday December 30

• Big Cat Goalkeeping Clinic
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  9:00 am
• Golf Driving Range
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  10:00 am

📣 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 26

• Stateline Fastpitch Softball Tournament
  Atwood Center Indoor Sports Center
• Kids After Hours Laser Tag
  Cherry Valley Public Library District , 755 E State St , Cherry Valley
  5:30 pm
• Rockford Thunder MLIS Game
  Indoor Sports Center , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
  6:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• Shattered – Loves Park, IL
  Shattered , 5440 N 2nd St , Loves Park
  8:00 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:

• Mike’s Mowing & More Inc — (815) 721-4464
  Property Maintenance, Tree Removal, & Landscaping
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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

• Nova has been found!
  If anybody on the west end by farm and fleet sees this cat PLEASE lmk!! Her name is nova but PLEASE don’t call for her she’s skittish! She’s a year… (Nextdoor West End)
• I happened to come across this new store that’s kiddy corner from the courthouse.
  It has a UPS drop off, pharmacy, produce, deli and frozen foods. It’s only been here for a couple of months, people are nice, prices are reasonable… (Nextdoor North End Square)

• Menzies Aviation, plc posted a job opening for Cargo Agent in Rockford. Apply here.
• Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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