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:
Also on today's calendar: Rockford Hero Climb 2026 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tractor say to the plow? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Latest reported home sales in Winnebago County for week ending Sept. 5 (rockfordsun.com) — Several Rockford homes, including properties in East and North Rockford, changed hands recently, with sale prices ranging from about $130,000 to over $400,000. The report lists addresses, buyers, sellers, and 2023–24 property tax amounts and effective tax rates, offering a snapshot of current neighborhood values across Rockford and nearby communities.
2. Rockford Fire Department headquarters closing soon (rrstar.com) — Starting Sept. 14, Rockford's Fire Department headquarters at 204 S. First St. will be closed to the public for renovations through the end of the year, though operations and phone lines continue. Residents should call 779-348-7171 for assistance and use the city's online portal for FOIA requests while in-person access is limited.
3. Healing through art: Courage to serve exhibit runs through Sept. 22 in Rockford (mystateline.com) — An art exhibit honoring those with the courage to serve is open now at Veterans Memorial Hall in downtown Rockford, running through Sept. 22. Featuring work by artist Missy Minardi, the "Courage to Serve" collection explores how creating art helped her process the emotions and imagery of 9/11, offering a reflective, therapeutic experience for local visitors.
4. Affordable Midwest Commuter Towns Dominate the Hottest Markets List in August (lmtonline.com) — Rockford just ranked as Realtor.com's hottest housing market in the country, thanks to its relatively low home prices, new construction, and growing job base. Local agents say the new medical center, Hard Rock Casino, and easy access to Chicago and Madison are drawing in buyers, while limited inventory keeps competition strong and homes selling quickly.
5. The Thread: How Calvin Carter killed a Rockford family days before Christmas (mystateline.com) — Rockford readers are reminded of a 2014 domestic violence tragedy in which Calvin Carter forced his way into a local duplex and fatally shot four family members, including two young children. The story retraces the troubled relationship, the night of the killings, and the evidence that led a Winnebago County jury to convict Carter and a judge to impose multiple life sentences.
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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: Hold me close John Deere. (Thank you Jenny H. for sending it in!)
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