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🌱 Patch AM: How Jefferson’s Janardie Turner became Rockford’s latest two-sport gamebreaker

Coming up: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet on the Rockford Patch calendar

Monday October 5th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Coffee in hand, Rockford? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Jefferson's Janardie Turner became Rockford's latest two-sport gamebreaker
  • Ready to ditch your car for Walktober in the Rockford area?
  • Why Hoo Haven just stopped taking animals and how you can help

Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Sunny, breezy and pleasant, temps: high: 71, low: 52.
  • Wednesday: Sunny and comfortable, with a high of 74 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rockford Jefferson's Janardie Turner a dual-threat on the football field and the track (mystateline.com) — Rockford sports fans can cheer on Jefferson High School standout Janardie Turner, a blazing-fast receiver, defensive back, and state-caliber hurdler who's become one of the J-Hawks' most explosive playmakers. The senior's football and track success is highlighted in WTVO's "Overtime" feature, which locals can catch on FOX 39 or on-demand through MyStateline platforms.
   

2. Region 1 Planning Council launches Walktober challenge to reduce car emissions (mystateline.com) — Rockford-area residents are being challenged this week to swap car trips for walking, biking, or other greener commutes during Region 1 Planning Council's Walktober event. By registering online and logging miles in the R1 Walktober Club, participants can cut emissions, join daily photo challenges, and become eligible for prize drawings once the week wraps up.
   

3. Hoo Haven pauses animal intakes for seven days amid volunteer shortage (wifr.com) — A key wildlife rehab center serving the Rockford region, Hoo Haven in Durand, has paused new animal intakes for seven days because it doesn't have enough volunteers. Staff say caring for hundreds of injured animals takes far more hands, and they're asking anyone 14 or older to simply show up at 8:30 a.m. to help with feeding, cleaning, and daily care.
   

4. Illinois DCFS, IDPH and Safe Kids Illinois Partner with Public Transit Agencies to Promote Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month (977wmoi.com) — Rockford riders will soon see new infant safe sleep messages on Rockford Mass Transit District buses as part of a statewide campaign led by DCFS, IDPH, and Safe Kids Illinois. The placards urge parents to put babies to sleep alone, on their backs, in empty cribs or bassinets, aiming to reduce preventable suffocation deaths across Illinois.
   

📸 Around Rockford

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog ran away last night, his name is Milo if you see him please let me know.
    He is not aggressive. Thank you so much for helping!! (Nextdoor Wellington East)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Mufasa (Mumu), a cat who went missing in Rockford, IL, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 days, 12 hours. Message from Owner: "Our… (Nextdoor West End)
  • The Guitar Center posted a job opening for GC Retail Sales Associate Store 364 in Rockford. Apply here.
  • pOpshelf posted a job opening for ASST STORE MGR in ROCKFORD IL S01991 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: "The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I ?" — Footsteps (Thank you Patty G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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