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🌱 Patch AM: How investigators traced a Rockford robbery spree through phones and Cash App

Be sure to catch Amy Grant on the Rockford Patch calendar

Sunday April 26th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Rockford! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How investigators traced a Rockford robbery spree through phones and Cash App
  • How 300 new childcare spots could change life for Rockford families
  • How Rockford’s new Hicks complex revived a historic East track meet

Also on today's calendar: Amy Grant and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is round on both ends and hi in the middle? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Monday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 69, low: 47.
  • Tuesday: Breezy in the morning; cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Rockford man sentenced to 30 years for armed robberies with brother (mystateline.com) — A 22-year-old Rockford resident has been sentenced in Winnebago County Court to three consecutive 10-year prison terms after pleading guilty to multiple armed robbery charges tied to incidents in late 2024 and early 2025. Prosecutors say he and his brother targeted victims across Rockford, using guns, stolen phones, and Cash App transfers before investigators traced digital evidence back to them.    

• Rockford DayCare & Academy celebrates grand opening, expands childcare access (wrex.com) — Families in Rockford now have nearly 300 new childcare spots as Rockford DayCare & Academy opens in the renovated former Rockford Day Nursery building. City leaders say the 23,000‑square‑foot facility helps close a major gap, with only 3,800 licensed spaces for about 11,500 local children under five. The academy offers a Montessori- and nature-inspired curriculum focused on whole-child development.    

• Clarence Hicks Sports Complex Hosts Return of Rockford East Track Tradition (wrex.com) — Rockford East High School brought a beloved track tradition back home at the new Clarence Hicks Sports Complex, drawing teams from across Illinois and southern Wisconsin. With a high-quality track now in Rockford, East athletes can train locally as the state meet nears, while the revived East High Relays reconnect the community with a storied event dating to the 1940s.    


📸 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!

    Monday April 27
  • Boylan Varsity Softball Game
    Mercyhealth Sportscore One , 1288 Elmwood Rd. , Rockford
    4:30 pm
  • Girls Soccer (Var & JV) vs Streamwood HS
    Rockford East High School , 2929 Charles St , Rockford
    4:30 pm
  • Baseball (V) @ Belvidere North HS
    Rockford East High School , 9393 Beloit Rd , Belvidere
    5:00 pm
  • Raptors Soccer Training
    Mercyhealth Sportscore Two , 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. , Loves Park
    5:00 pm
  • Softball (V) vs Guilford HS
    Rockford East High School , 2929 Charles St , Rockford
    5:00 pm
  • Boys Volleyball @ Flinn
    Flinn Middle School , 2525 Ohio Pkwy , Rockford
    5:15 pm
  • Friday May 1
  • Amy Grant
    Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
    8:00 pm
  • Saturday May 2
  • Time Warp Legends
    Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
    7:00 pm
  • Saturday May 9
  • Rockford Symphony Orchestra: America 250
    Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
    7:30 pm
  • Sunday May 10
  • Mother's Day Garden Celebration
    Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden , 2715 S Main St , Rockford
    12:00 pm
  • Thursday May 14
  • Menopause Musical 2
    Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
    7:30 pm
  • Friday May 15
  • Whose Live Anyway?
    Coronado Theatre , 314 N Main St , Rockford
    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!


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


 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Rockford PatchAM possible:

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

  • How cute is my boy?
    I opened my door to go outside and I just had to laugh He has already eaten twice today. He just reminds me of a teenager. (Nextdoor Ethnic Village)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Luna, a cat who went missing in Rockford, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 8 hours, 24 minutes. More details here https://www… (Nextdoor North West Side)
  • ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Housekeeping in Rockford. Apply here.
  • J L CLARK INC posted a job opening for Die & Machine Setter A - 1st Shift in Rockford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rockford here.

🗞 Nearby News

Loves Park

  • Freshen Up Your Printz with Embroidery at Fresh Printz of Loves Park! (mystateline.com)
  • New Winnebago County Board member sworn in to represent district 6 (wifr.com)
  • Rockford Gets First Conveyor Belt Sushi Spot (q985online.com)

Machesney Park

  • Relief coming for Winnebago County residents as Rock River recedes (wifr.com)

Winnebago

  • Northern Illinois small schools conference teaches innovation in the classroom (wifr.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: Ohio (Thank you Mary D. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


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