A look back at 2023 in the Stateline

In 2023, some of the best-remembered stories in Roscoe, South Beloit, and Rockton gave us a chance to rejoice with members of our community. The year's top comment on our Facebook page was probably "Congratulations!" We celebrated a visit to Roscoe by the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol, the entrepreneurial achievements of Jalen Ponder, the retirement of Rockton Police officer Penny Cure, the reopening of Pearl Lake Beach in South Beloit, Mr. Christmas, and local Golden Apple Award nominees.

Other stories gave us a chance to grieve, especially when we lost young people all too tragically, all too soon. We remembered Jacob Torgeson, Aiden Hansen, Gracie Darwin, Noah Myers, Brock Scarpetta, Danny Morales, and Matthew Brown.

We said farewell to several beloved citizens, such as former Roscoe Police Chief Jamie Evans, Gem Shop founder Bruce Mueller, and China Palace owner Sally Kwok, as well as Paige Martin, Janet Bruschi, Tiffany Bluett, and others in our death notices each Monday.

We had times of celebration too: Roscoe Fall Festival, Old Settlers Days, Rockton River Market, Truck or Treat,  and many others.

We settled some disagreements in 2023: when to go trick or treating in Roscoe (on Halloween) and whether to allow multifamily townhomes on Roscoe Road (sort of). We had divided opinions about a drag queen Q&A, which was held at Rockton's Talcott Library. Police and firefighters assisted with vehicle collisions, field fires, and even explosions.

In 2023, we brought you hundreds of stories about Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit. What will 2024 bring? The best way to find out is to sign up for daily home delivery in your inbox. Subscribe to our free email newsletter if you haven't already. And please consider supporting our work financially.