Afternoon News Update: Monday December 8
- A Rockford man has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars on drug delivery charges. 39-year-old Derrick Lewers made two deliveries of cocaine in 2012. Officials say both transactions took place within 1,000 feet of a senior citizen's center in Belvidere.
- Governor-elect Bruce Rauner says the next two years are going to be "very rough" because of Illinois' financial troubles. Rauner spoke before the Illinois Farm Bureau. He says he plans to manage the budget with a 3.75 percent rate, but adds that "nothing will be off the table."
- Walgreen's is testing a new phone service that lets patients see a doctor without leaving home. The company says patients in California or Michigan can contact a physician around the clock through Walgreen's mobile application for smartphones or tablets. Doctors can diagnose and treat conditions that don't require a physical exam, such as pink eye.
- The Rockford Fire Department responded to an apartment fire caused by a woman who fell asleep while smoking. Units were dispatched last night to the 300 block of 7th St. The occupant of the apartment was later found inside. There were no injuries to any fire personnel or civilians.
- An annual holiday event to bring cheer to Stateline area children is taking place on Saturday. The Rockford Police Association and two other groups are hosting "Shop with a Cop" at the Target on State Street. This year's event will be the largest "Shop with a Cop" event to date with 90 children paired with 30 Rockford police officers. Each child is given $150 and Target is donating a 15 percent discount for the children to buy gifts for themselves and family members for the holiday season.
- Gas prices are inching down to even lower levels. According to GasBuddy.com average retail gasoline prices in Rockford have fallen 9.9 cents per gallon in the past week. They report that prices are now 44 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 21 cents per gallon lower than just a month ago.
- An American photojournalist, and graduate of Beloit college was killed over the weekend in Yemen. Luke Somers had been held by Al-Qaeda militants since his abduction in September of 2013. U.S. Department of Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, confirmed the British born hostage's death following an unsuccessful raid to free him by U.S. and Yemeni Special Forces.
- A homeowner in Loves Park is facing charges, after police found more than 50 cats and kittens inside of her home. On Friday afternoon, police were sent to the home in the 5000 block of Tree Swallow Court for a welfare check. No one was found, although at least 50 cats were located inside. The home was condemned. The animals were removed from the home and taken to the Winnebago County Animal Shelter and will then be checked by a veterinarian.
- State workers behind a challenge to an Illinois pension law declared unconstitutional plan to oppose the government's attempt to have it speedily heard by the Illinois Supreme Court. Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the court last week to hasten its schedule for considering the case, but attorneys for the employees see no reason to pick up the pace. The law cuts retirement benefits and makes other changes to pensions to help erase a $100 billion deficit in five state pension systems.
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