News Briefs: 4/6/2024

Level 4 Fitness and Sports Performance, one of Roscoe's new businesses, is opening this month at 5187 Erickson Road in Roscoe. Co-owner Brittani Heller tells us they will have an open house and tour of their new 8,700 square feet wellness gym on Saturday, April 27 2024 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The hybrid training facility is managed by Korie Lawson, Brittani Heller, and Shane Lawson, a former strength and conditioning coach for nine years with the Rockford Icehogs and Chicago Blackhawks. In a news release, Shane said he is excited to be part of the growing business community in Roscoe and offer his professional expertise to his hometown, especially to middle-school and high school athletes." He says, "We will offer a full slate of classes as well as training so we can best meet the needs of all adults and athletes." Also at the open house: Olivo's Taco Truck and special membership offers.

Velvet Robot Coffee Lab's owner Justin Carner has got his sign installed and plans to open his Roscoe location in April 2024, at the corner of Bridge and Main. IDOT says about 10,000 cars pass through that area each day. “I think that’s kind of a coffee desert that we can serve,” Carner told the Rock River Current.

The Village of Roscoe wants to demolish the blue house it recently purchased at 5466 Bridge Street so it can create a "parking lot/scape" for downtown businesses, such as Velvet Robot Coffee Lab next door. The building was  formerly the location of “A Little Bird Told Me.” Northern Illinois Service Company bid $15,290 for demolition, debris/foundation removal, backfill, restoration, asbestos inspection, permits, utility disconnection fees, well sealing, and septic pumping. This company also did demolition at the Pearl Street property which the Village owns behind the police station.

The Village of Roscoe is also talking about creating what trustee Mike Wright calls "retail business incubator start-ups" on property they purchased at the southeast corner of Main Street and Hodges Run. The board is moving toward final approval of the project, which could include several precast concrete slabs for small wooden shops, a parking lot, and bathrooms.

Colton Wright of Roscoe was one of 27 physician assistant (PA) program graduates who received their hoods as a sign they have completed their Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) at University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

Nicole Martinak of Rockton, IL, graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in December 2023 after transferring to Upper Iowa University.

Some more local college students who made the honor roll last semester:

• Olivia Gibson, Rockton, University of Wisconsin- Green Bay
• Allison Coldwate, Roscoe, UW Oshkosh
• Megan Meier, South Beloit, Palmer College of Chiropractic
• Reilly Guth, Roscoe, Coastal Carolina University

Rockton-Roscoe News is preparing to celebrate our third anniversary. We're still learning, but we're proud to be the first news outlet to report the primary win of Ray Thompson, who will represent Roscoe's District 3 on the Winnebago County Board. We were also the only news outlet to unearth details about the criminal record of a South Beloit carjacker who was shot by a Roscoe police officer after fleeing to Beloit.

Cribbage, twice a month, is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2024 from 1 -3 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at the Roscoe Township Community Center. This is billed as "an opportunity to connect with your neighbors, share stories, and make new friends. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon filled with laughter, cribbage, and great conversations. Feel free to bring a friend!" If you want to come, this time or next, please tell Activities Director Mary Ryan at 815-988-5354. Everyone is welcome.

Blue Knights Illinois Chapter V is looking for new members - current and retired law enforcement, as well as friends and family - who enjoy riding all types of motorcycles. Roscoe is famous for the annual Jaimie Cox Motorcycle Rally, which begins at the Roscoe VFW and honors a fallen Hononegah graduate and Rockford Police officer.

The Roscoe Gardening Club wants to establish a seed library at the North Suburban Library in Roscoe. They say, "This initiative is not just about seeds; it's about empowering individuals to grow their own healthy food and supplement their diet." They are collecting signatures in favor of the idea at Change.org.