Afternoon News Update: March 25

The victims from a deadly crash in Rockford have been released from the hospital. The three teens are 18-year-old Johnesia Smith, 18-year-old Monisha Rogers, and 19-year-old Jasmine Harris. They were all passengers in a crash that killed the driver, 21-year-old Suaveya Williams. The accident happened early Sunday morning on the city’s south side.
A Milwaukee developer is planning to renovate the vacant Amerock building. Gorman and Company would turn it into a new hotel and conference center. They would fund part of the project and break ground. Rockford would pay the remaining $16 million with bonds. The City Council will hold an open meeting on Friday to discuss the redevelopment of the empty downtown building.
Federal investigators will soon interview the driver of a commuter train that crashed Monday at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. Officials say the driver said she was very tired and may have fallen asleep before the crash that injured about 30 people. Investigators say the train was traveling at about 25 miles per hour and an automatic braking system activated before it jumped the tracks.
The Chicago Rockford International Airport has released its traffic statistics for February 2014. Reports show a 6.2 percent increase in traffic over February of 2013 and an overall load factor of 91 percent. A big reason for the growth is due to Allegiant and Apple Vacations, which are the two airlines that serve RFD. Overall, year-to-date traffic is up 7.3 percent.
Former ISU president Timothy Flanagan is now facing a misdemeanor. This comes three days after he resigned from the school in normal. According to officials, Flanagan is accused of assaulting a former grounds crew employee during a dispute about the care of the president’s lawn. The ex-president has denied any wrongdoing.
The Rockford Airfest will be returning this summer but is in need of volunteers. For a commitment of one, six hour shift, volunteers will receive a complimentary admission/meal and a special addition t-shirt. You can find applications, job descriptions and more information at rockfordairfest.com. After an application is completed, your information will be processed and matched with the needs of one of the Airfest committees. The event will be held on June 7 and 8.

Categories: News