AJ Swenson
Galesburg Man Sentenced in Boone County Sexual Assaults
A Galesburg man who has been convicted of multiple sexual assaults between 2008 and 2010 has been sentenced to 32 years behind bars.
According to a press release, 42-year-old Dewayne Jackson was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault involving a family member under the age of 18...
Rockford Armed Robbery Suspect Found Guilty
A 21-year-old man has been found guilty for armed robbery with a firearm in a Winnebago County Court. Lamarcus Bassett robbed a victim at gunpoint at a cookout on Rockford’s northwest side in June of last year.
The victim was attending the cook-out when Bassett drove up, pulled out a gun, and demanded money immediately...
Gov. Bruce Rauner Signs First Executive Order
On his first full day as Governor of Illinois, Bruce Rauner signed an executive order which immediately freezes all state discretionary spending. Executive order 15-08 also halts the awarding of contracts and grands and instructs the sale of surplus state property...
Illinois Tollway Ready To Aid Drivers During Extreme Cold
The Illinois Tollway has activated their zero weather road patrols to assist customers stranded in their cars during the dangerously cold weather and wind chills this week.
The 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch, or Illinois State Police District 15...
Rock River Valley’s United Way Placed on Alert
The United Way of Rock River Valley has placed the United Way 2-1-1 information and referral line on alert in direct response to the hazardous weather outlook that was recently issued by the National Weather Service.
Winnebago and Ogle counties are included in the region that will be enduring dangerously low wind chill values...
New Law Allows Motorists To Pay Fines Without a Court Appearance
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has signed into law a measure that lets people charged with some minor traffic offenses pay penalties without a court appearance.
According to a press release, this legislation companions a recently approved law that eliminates the requirement for drivers to post their driver's license as bail for certain traffic offenses...
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Cracking Down on Drunk Drivers
From December 19 through January 4 of the New Year, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force as part of the annual Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program. This is part of the end of the year statewide crackdown that will include high-visibility alcohol and seat belt enforcement through the Stateline...
Stateline Area Man Sentenced in 2010 Murder
A Stateline area man has been sentenced to 57 years behind bars after being found guilty of first degree murder in a 2010 killing.
According to a press release, 42-year-old Jeremy Hassenfelt shot and killed James Wyatt in February 2010. Initially Rockford Police were called to the 1400 block of Latham Street, responding to shots fired...
Chicago Studio Lands Production Work For Another TV Series
Chicago is now becoming a top destination outside of Hollywood for the industry.
Cinespace’s Chicago Film studios has welcomed another addition to Illinois from 20th Century Fox. “Empire” is a new TV drama is in the filming stages. More than 250 people from the local film industry will be employed from this project alone...
$33M in Grants Awarded for After-School Programs
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Board of Education has approved $33 million in federal grants for before- and after-school programs at schools and organizations around the state.
The board said in an announcement Tuesday that those programs serve nearly 70,000 students each year...