Good morning Rockford! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Rockford home prices remain near record levels (bnd.com) — If you own or hope to buy a home in Rockford, prices remain near record highs, with the average sale around $255,000 and inventory still tight despite nearly doubling. Rockford's top national housing-market ranking is drawing more attention, meaning sellers face strong demand while buyers must move quickly and budget carefully in a competitive market.
2. The Thread: Remembering Lottie Flowers, the Rockford woman whose killing went unsolved for 22 years (mystateline.com) — Rockford residents are revisiting the long-unsolved 2002 killing of beloved community leader Lottie Flowers after a 2024 murder charge finally moved the case forward. Family members describe how her church work, neighborhood leadership, and daily routines touched many lives, and how the new prosecution offers long-awaited hope for justice and closure in Rockford.
3. Rockford Promise opens applications for 2027 debt-free college scholars (mystateline.com) — Rockford high school seniors now have a chance at debt-free tuition through new Rockford Promise scholarships for the 2027–28 school year, but they must meet strict residency and school attendance rules. If you attended Rockford Public Schools or a partner high school all four years, plan to graduate, and apply to a partner college, you can apply by February 1, 2027.
4. St. Nobert women's soccer romps over Rockford, men get a draw (wtaq.com) — Rockford soccer fans saw a tough night for Rockford University as St. Norbert's women's team rolled to a record-setting 12–1 win at Sam Greeley Field in Rockford. The men's matchup was tighter, with Rockford leading early before St. Norbert equalized late to secure a 1–1 draw after outshooting the Regents heavily.
5. Illinois agencies partner with public transit systems for Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month (wandtv.com) — Parents riding Rockford Mass Transit buses will soon see new reminders about safe infant sleep practices as part of a statewide awareness campaign this October. Illinois child welfare and health agencies are teaming with transit systems, including Rockford's, to post messages on 1,000 buses, stressing simple crib and sleep-space guidelines aimed at preventing suffocation and reducing infant deaths.
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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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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