Afternoon News Update: February 27

A house fire has left a Beloit family homeless. It happened this morning around 7am in the 200 block of Liberty Avenue. The residents were able to escape the home, which is considered to be a total loss. The family is currently being helped by the Red Cross.
The man who murdered a 15-year-old Rockford boy nearly 40 years ago has been denied parole again. Robert lower who killed Joey Didier back in 1975 will remain in prison after another denial from the Prisoner Review Board for the 19^th time. In those 19 tries, Lower has never received a single vote in favor of his release. Every 3 years, the Didier family has to present a petition to the review board to keep Lower behind bars.
The alleged kidnapper of Newborn Kayden Powell has plead not guilty. Kristin Smith entered the plea in federal court on Wednesday. She allegedly took Kayden from her Beloit home, and left the newborn in the freezing cold outside of a gas station in West Branch, Iowa. If convicted, Smith could spend the rest of her life in prison. Her trial is set to begin in June.
Rockford Police have taken an alleged burglar off the streets. 21-year-old Dewayne Jones faces charges of residential burglary and criminal trespass. The incident happened Wednesday in the 1400 block of Latham Place. Police responded after an alarm went off at the home.
New information about a Janesville man who was involved in a Wednesday morning hit and run. The 31-year-old victim is in serious condition at Mercy Hospital. The incident happened in Janesville near the intersection of Pontiac Drive and Mt. Zion Avenue. Police have no suspects as the victim was unable to identify the vehicle that hit him. If you have any information you are urged to contact Janesville Police.
A new scam in the Stateline area has aimed to dupe ComEd customers. Rockford Police say the scammer calls the consumer and threatens to shut their power off for not paying an “overdue” bill. Then the victim is asked to pay it off with a prepaid credit card. Officials add the scammers have even contacted customers via Skype. ComEd states they would never ask its clients to pay their bill with a prepaid credit card or contact them though avenues like Skype.
Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is being looked into by the AFL-CIO in what they're calling an “emergency investigation.” The labor union has asked officials to review the $5 million that Rauner has contributed to his own campaign. The Rauner camp has yet to comment.
McDonald's plans to expand a test this year that lets people order customized burgers. The world's biggest hamburger chain began testing personalized orders last year with a "build-your-own burger" concept at a location in California. In addition to its traditional menu, the restaurant offers tablets where people can tap out the bun, patty, cheese and toppings they want on their burgers.
This year's World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison will feature more than 2,600 entries from 22 countries. Entries are coming in from 31 states, as well as from countries including Switzerland, Spain and Australia. The two-day event will begin March 18th.

Categories: News