Afternoon News Update: Thursday December 18
- The first mayor of Loves Park has died at the age of 100. Homer Burton was a well-known businessman and was elected to the position in 1947 right after the city was incorporated. He helped in the building of the first city hall and many city departments.
- Several cows have died and a barn is a total loss after a fire in Stephenson County. The Stephenson County Sheriff's Department and the Winslow Fire Department were called to a barn fire this morning in the 13,00 block of W. Warren Road. The fire is still under investigation and the cause has yet to be determined. The Winslow Fire Department was assisted by several area departments.
- Republican legislative leaders say the only "responsible" way to name a replacement for late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka is through an appointment by Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner. Earlier today, Gov. Pat Quinn announced he's calling lawmakers to Springfield next month to consider a 2016 special election for comptroller. Topinka died last week. She had won a second term in November.Quinn says voters should have a say in a special election in 2016.
- The phone lines and computer network are down at four schools in the Rockford School District. Nashold, Riverdahl and Froberg elementary schools and Jefferson High School are reporting their internet service provider has a damaged cable and the company is working to repair it. In the meantime, you can call the school's regular numbers, which are being rerouted to a temporary phone line.
- A dispute in Rockford between neighbors escalated into police blocking off part of a street and establishing a perimeter around an apartment complex last night. It started in the 2300 block of Center Ave. when an argument between a man and a woman escalated to the point to where the woman pulled a gun and ordered the man off of her property. Officers blocked off a portion of Center Ave. for more than an hour. 46-year-old Kim Rhoades has been arrested and charged with felony possession of a firearm among other charges.
- Illinois is releasing November unemployment numbers Thursday. Illinois employers added 2,300 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 6.4% despite more people looking for work, according to preliminary data.
- Rockford firefighters rescued a 14-year-old boy who they found hiding in the basement during a home fire. Crews responded to heavy flames in the building Wednesday. Firefighters say the boy couldn't escape because of heavy smoke on the first floor. Fire District Chief Dan Zaccard says no adults were home at the time of the blaze and smoke alarms were operating.
- Former Illinois Governor George Ryan is praising President Barack Obama's shift in U.S.-Cuba policy. Ryan says the resumption of ties between the two countries will open markets for Illinois grain and farm products. As governor in 1999, Ryan went to Cuba and met with Fidel Castro.
- A head-on collision leads to a fourth felony drunk driving charge for a Rock County man. The driver has now been identified as 27-year-old Michael Golonwnia. The vehicle reportedly crossed the center line several times before hitting another car head-on last night. The driver attempted to leave the scene, but officers were able to arrest him.
- The City of Rockford has now addressed concerns following the release of it’s new flood maps. Residents and business owners looked over the proposed changes at public meeting last night. The new maps deem more than 3,600 properties as high risk flood zones. The changes will likely leave more people buying flood insurance.
More From WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM
