Afternoon news update: March 31, 2015
- 28-year old Joshua Schweig faces seven charges, including the attempted murder of a police officer, in the wake of an officer shooting Monday night. The Winnebago/Boone Integrity Task Force investigation reports that two Rockford officers first encountered Schweig holding a rifle at Horsman and Bruce. Police say he brandished the rifle after being told to drop it and was ultimately shot in the leg when he refused. He attempted to flee but was arrested at Bruce and Rockton Ave. Schweig is also charged with attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon by a gang member, aggravated assault, having no valid FOID card, and defacing identification marks on a firearm.
- Police are seeking the public's help in identifying two suspects in a stolen credit card case. Loves Park Police say the credit card was used at an ATM located inside the Phillip's 66 convenience store on N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, taking $200 out of the cardholders account. Since then, police say the card has been used to purchase over $1,700.00 in products from Wal-Marts and local convenience stores.
- February was the twelfth month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area in the state compared to a year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rockford reported a three percent drop. Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the eleventh consecutive month and the twelfth time out of the past fourteen months.
- A Durand man is one of 17 from across the United States to be honored for his heroism. Michael Bates has won the Carnegie Hero medal and is the only recipient from Illinois.In January 2014, Bates helped save his 78-year-old grandfather, Roger Bates, from suffocating in a grain bin full of corn.
