News Briefs Aug. 27, 2024

The Roscoe VFW Annual Corn Roast will be Saturday August 31, 2024 beginning at 11 a.m. The menu consists of corn, corn dog, hot dog, brats, potato salad. Roasted corn is free if you eat it there. Open to all to enjoy with raffles, food, drinks, and fun! First responders in uniform are welcome for a free meal that day as well. The event raises funds for our community veterans, police, fire, and EMS. They’re also selling raffle tickets, no need to be present, for $20 each: 1st prize is $2000, 2nd $1000 and 3rd $500.

Look for these upcoming articles in Rockton-Roscoe News: Purple & Gold Festival at Hononegah High School, Roscoe Fall Festival, the Mack Family Reunion in Rockton, NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital, South Beloit fire staffing, plans for downtown Roscoe, improvements at Roscoe Township's Founders Park, disc golf at Porter Park, Macktown archaeology, and "Fred & Ginger."

The Wah Group, who owns Cloud Haven Dispensary, South Beloit's second cannabis retailer, are receiving a $240,000 forgivable loan through the Illinois' Cannabis Social Equity Program. It was designed for businesses whose neighbors, owners, employees, or family were arrested for doing things that are probably legal now. The owners aren't admitting any criminal record but they are from Chicago's West Side or South Side, where many people are disadvantaged because of previous minor cannabis offenses. And they are apparently veterans, which helps them qualify for the program. In 2021 the company filed a lawsuit [PDF] saying the program was not being run fairly.

The Rockton American Legion will have their first Brunch Sunday on September 8, 2024 from 8 -11:30 a.m. The all-you-can-eat menu will feature classic brunch favorites, from fluffy pancakes and vegetarian egg casserole to fresh fruit salad and crispy bacon. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids 7 to 12. Kids 6 and under eat free! You can wait to buy tickets that day, but prices will be higher.

The Village of Rockton announces that the boat dock is officially installed, so residents and visitors can access a variety of water activities on the Rock River.  It's on the south side of E. Main Street, east of Downtown Rockton, across the street from the Hononegah High School baseball/softball fields. A special thanks to resident Rob Ebany who worked with Mayor John Peterson to make this project a reality. And of course, a huge thank you to Steve Lucas at Rock River Dock and Pier for building it.

Our new advertiser Brite Site Pressure Washing specializes in soft washing homes, using soaps, mildew remover and wax. You can call or text them at 815-484-0999 or visit www.britesitepressurewashing.com. They can wash safely from the ground up to 3 stories! Serving the Stateline since 2002, they're insured and locally owned and work with residential, commercial, and managed properties.

Tracy Terry of the Roscoe Township Historical Society is writing an updated Roscoe history book. If you have information, photos or other memorabilia on people, places, events, businesses, or organizations of Roscoe from 1835-2024, please contact her at jandbtmom@gmail.com.

South Beloit Police Chief Adam Truman has qualified in the Volunteer Police Chiefs certification program of Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.  Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd gave him his certificate at the City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Candidates are recognized for experience, training, and community service.

The Rockton Fire Protection District will have two open trustee positions in the consolidated election on April 1, 2025. Responsibilities include preparing the annual budgets and providing oversight. Candidates are expected to attend trustee meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Candidates may also be asked to participate in committee projects. Election packets can be picked up at the fire station during business hours (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) or by contacting the Winnebago County Elections Office at 815-319-4252.

The Roscoe Gardening Club started a friendly rock snake competition between Rockton and Roscoe. "Rocky the Rock Snake" is in front of Talcott Free Library in Rockton and “Roscoe the Rock Snake” is in the parking lot at the Roscoe Township Center. Local residents keep adding painted rocks to their favorite snake, seeing which snake can grow the longest.  (But please don't take any rocks from the snakes.)  The club says, "Your last chance to add to your community rock snakes will be Labor Day weekend. After that the snakes will slither into hibernation. What a great project and thanks to all for participating. A winner will be announced on Labor Day, so get busy painting one last time."

Stateline Events is looking for vendors for their Stateline Bridal Consignment Show on Oct. 20, 2024, including consignors. That is, brides and grooms can sell anything they won't need anymore now that they're married: wedding decorations, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, groom attire, photo frames, reserved signage, dry flowers, lights, table décor, cake table decorations, and so on. They pay the organizers a $15 fee plus a 30% consignment fee for everything that's sold. You can read the details and sign up online for the event.

Rockton-Roscoe News has just been elected as a member of the Illinois Press Association. Some of our articles have also been entered in this year's Northern Illinois News Association competition. Since our beginnings in April 2021, our stories are now read by about 40,000 different people each month.