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Hey Rockford, hope your week’s off to a good start! Regional airport record, a noir necromancer novel, Hot Wheels monster trucks show, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Regional airport momentum builds: RFD set a 2025 passenger record with over 310,000 travelers and rising cargo, the highest since 2000, amid sustained leisure demand and new American service operated by Landline — see what’s driving the growth.
Old-school neighborhood gems: A new roundup highlights 14 hidden Italian dining spots across Illinois, including Rockford favorites Lino’s and Franchesco’s, where family recipes, cozy rooms, and slow-simmered sauces keep locals coming back — see the full list.
Outsiders tackle forbidden cases: Wolf Twin Books released Thomas L. Vaultonburg’s Necromancers Don’t Read Toe Tags, inspired by Rockford and exploring institutional silence and truth’s cost. The Kindle edition is available now — read the full story.
Where your dollar stretches: Looking for budget-friendly living near home? A new roundup spotlights six overlooked Illinois cities with rent under $900, from Decatur and Danville deals to Rockford’s lower costs and year-round festivals — see the six cities.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
A living legacy takes root: Winnebago County’s newest forest preserve honors the late birdwatcher Paula Swanson. The 88-acre site along the Sugar River in Shirland is the 45th in the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County system. It is open to walk-in visitors only. Trails will be officially marked this summer. Get all the details.
Fresh ideas for green thumbs: Gardening for Food, Flowers, and Fun is set for March 14 at the NIU Rockford Conference Center. Expect sessions on growing food, eye-catching design, and pollinators, plus a silent auction. Keynote David McKinney of the Iowa Arboretum will cover resilient gardens. Preregistration is requested but not required. Get all the event details.
Need a candy fix? In Rockford, Sweets N’ Eats serves scoop-shop nostalgia and grab-a-handful candy, with jars you actually point at, plus playful treats for that 3pm slump. Bright, cheerful, and sweetly old-school, it’s a quick mood boost and a sugar hit, one delightful pick-me-up at a time.
Treasure-hunt, upgraded: When your home needs a little personality, or your closet does, Possessions blends estate-sale savvy with a consignment boutique brimming with eclectic furniture, art, jewelry, and clothing. Inventory turns quickly; the quietly perfect piece just might find you when you least expect it.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🎭 Lewis Lemon—An Uncommon Life @ Our Savior’s Lutheran Church | Wednesday (2/25) at 2:00 PM – Think you know Rockford history? Meet Lewis Lemon in a one-man play, a living account of a man born a slave, died free, and one of our city’s founders. Carl Towns performs, Dorothy Paige-Turner sings period tunes, narrates the epilogue, and it’s free with RSVP.
🌸 Introduction to Ikebana @ Anderson Japanese Gardens | Wednesday (2/25) at 2:00 PM – Whether your houseplants fear you, or you just want some calm, try an Introduction to Ikebana class at Anderson Japanese Gardens. Flower materials, vase, and anchoring mechanism are included, $58 for members, $68 for non, space is limited, so register online before it fills.
🍕 Raise Some Dough for Harlem Special Olympics @ MOD Pizza | Thursday (2/26) at 10:30 AM – Let your pizza habit pull double duty. Order from MOD and 25 percent goes to Harlem Special Olympics, covering uniforms, gear, and inclusive events. Use code MODGIVES25 online or mention the fundraiser in person, then call it dinner and a donation.
This weekend
📚 2026 Book Crawl @ Toad Hall Books and Records | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – Think your bookshelves are full? Cute. The Rockford Book Crawl is five indie shops, one huge sale, and literary pop-ups across town, with tasty food and drink stops between, so you can call it culture, cardio, and quality time while hauling home hardcovers.
💌 Celebrating Black History Through Card Making @ Hart Interim Main Library | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Swap screen time for scissors at a card-making class that celebrates Black History, culture, and creativity, then head home with three finished cards. All supplies are provided, and it’s basically art class for grown-ups, minus the glitter explosion, plus a message you can actually mail.
🛍 The Cozy Little Market @ SRM Prints Studio + Gift Shop | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – If your jeans need personality and you need caffeine, swing by SRM Prints for a cozy market of woman-owned makers, chainstitch, prints, and paper goods. Ivy House is pouring Little Witch Lattes, Katy’s customizing denim, and you’ll leave smugly stocked. One day only.
🌸 In Full Bloom @ Real Beautiful You- Rkfd | Sunday (3/1) at 1:00 PM – Whether you’re curious about the She Hive 815 rebrand or just want low-stakes mingling, this soft launch kicks off their new social club with fruit cups, popcorn, cucumber water, and lemonade. Expect photo moments, merch giveaways, membership signups, and blissfully free parking. No networking sprints.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Rockford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 41°F – Low: 18°F – Precip: 20%
A slight chance of snow between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 41. South southwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 32°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 6%
Sunny, with a high near 32. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Later: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
This house is wild
This secluded 9.8-acre former tree nursery delivers real country living, minutes to Rockford and Belvidere with quick I-90 access. A raised ranch with walkout lower level offers 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths, plus two full kitchens and separate exterior entrance for multigenerational flexibility. Hundreds of mature trees frame walking paths, with space for a pole building or stables.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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