ROCKFORD

ROCKFORD — An anonymous tip resulted in the arrest of a Rockford man wanted for allegedly choking a woman, police said.The tip, received shortly before 3:30 a.m. Friday, led officers to the 1500 block of Jackson Street, Rockford police spokeswoman Christie Castillo said. At the home, police arrested Jacob P. Vereecken, 27, whom police have been searching for since late last month.Vereecken is accused of battering and choking a 26-year-old woman on April 26 at a home in […]

ROCKFORD — Peregrine falcon Louise laid her first egg of the season early Friday morning, putting to rest fears this would be an eggless year atop the Rockford Register Star News Tower.Louise and her prior mate, Gigi, the peregrine falcons that chose last spring to nest in a drainage channel outside the eighth floor of the News Tower, are believed to be the first mated pair to lay eggs in Rockford. But Gigi suddenly went missing, causing some to speculate whether […]

ROCKFORD — A condemned Auburn Street building that was once home to a Maid-Rite restaurant is expected to be demolished next week.Located at 1116 Auburn St., the structure is unstable and in severe disrepair. A wall in the rear and part of the roof appear to have collapsed, and parts of the brick structure have crumbled. Plaster has fallen onto the sidewalk along Auburn Street.Mayor Tom McNamara said demolition has been years in the making. He said the building is beyond […]

ROCKFORD — A former doctor who pleaded guilty to fondling elderly and handicapped patients is set to be sentenced June 13.Charles S. Dehaan, 64, of Belvidere, pleaded guilty in August to three counts of aggravated battery. The charges accused him of fondling the breasts of the three women — all disabled or older than 60 — between October 2010 and December 2013.Dehaan, who is serving nine years in federal prison for Medicare […]

ROCKFORD — That tentative agreement reached in February involving area municipalities agreeing to pay Winnebago County for 911 services apparently is all but dead, much to the chagrin of the municipalities.The coalition of mayors and area law enforcement officials from municipalities outside of Rockford met for months with county officials and agreed to the tentative pact. They have been waiting for the Winnebago County Board to approve it. […]

State inspection knocks jail for long lockdowns, officer shortage

ROCKFORD — Barry White isn’t crooning from a nearby stereo, but a couple of young lovers are courting over Rockford.Louise and Gigi, the pair of peregrine falcons who last spring chose to nest in a drainage channel high atop the News Tower at 99 E. State St., didn’t migrate south as do some peregrines, instead remaining in the Rockford region. Birders in the area have spotted them numerous times. […]

ROCKFORD — OSF HealthCare recently donated to two local charities at the Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner.The charities are the Mayor’s Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention’s Family Justice Center and Milestone Inc.For information: 815-395-5036.

ROCKFORD — The Rockford CROP Hunger Walk recently presented a $6,156 check to the Rockford Pantry Coalition. The coalition is made up of 16 area food pantries.For information: 815-540-3703; davidj6226@aol.com.

ROCKFORD — Exelon Generation’s Byron Station recently presented a $1,000 check to the Rockford Veterans Drop-In Center. The Veterans Drop-In Center provides a positive social environment where veterans and their families can give and receive help transitioning into post-service life. For information: 815-409-1260.

ROCKFORD — Children’s Safe Harbor was recently named the recipient of a $10,000 charitable donation given in conjunction with the annual Rockford Auto Show.The show was hosted by Rockford New Car Dealers’ Association and CherryVale Mall.Children’s Safe Harbor provides a safe place for families to use when exchanging children for visitation. It also offers a supervised visitation program. Their mission is to lessen the harmful effects of domestic […]

ROCKFORD — Rockford University’s Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement will host Rockford Goes Bald: Head Shaving Event for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in Regents Hall at the Burpee Student Center, 5050 E. State St.The foundation is a volunteer-powered charity that funds childhood cancer research grants.There are currently 15 people signed up to participate in the event, of which 10 will be shaving their heads to help raise awareness and […]

ROCKFORD — Cheryl Kunz, director of marketing for Aqua-Aerobic Systems Inc. in Rockford, was recently elected as the new president of the Illinois Water Environment Association for the 2019-20 year.Kunz has 30 years of corporate marketing experience in the wastewater treatment industry including strategic branding, product promotion, public relations and customer education and training.She has been a member of the IWEA since 2010 and served as the association’s […]