News Briefs from Rockton & Roscoe: 2/4/2022

Mary's Market closed

Mary's Market in Roscoe is not exactly closed, since the catering department isn't going anywhere. But the restaurant is permanently closed. Instead, it will only offer catering and special events space. Their Facebook page says, "From your bridal shower to wedding to baby's 1st birthday celebration - we do it all and the Roscoe event space is amazing!!" They told the Rockford Register-Star they haven't been able to get enough staff to keep the restaurant open. However, as they said on Facebook, "We own the building, so maybe we'll be back someday!!" Their Edgebrook location is also closed because of similar staffing issues.

Mask mandate down

A Sangamon County circuit judge has issued a temporary restraining order concerning mask mandates and other COVID rules - and it applies to Hononegah High School and Prairie Hill. And to the rest of the 145 school districts named in the lawsuit. But the judge said it would be premature to give the lawsuit "class certification," which would apply her ruling to the rest of the state. However... (read more here)

Weekend high school sports

This weekend, Hononegah students (both girls and boys) are competing in the IHSA Wrestling Regional at Dundee-Crown High School and in the IHSA Girls Bowling Regional at Forest Hills Lanes. In the IHSA State cheerleading tournament which began Friday, the team had hoped to compete for the title on Saturday, but they didn't advance to the final round in the Large Team category. Hononegah is hosting an IDTA Dance Competition, and all this is in addition to regular season play.

COVID numbers lessen

The Winnebago County Health Department reports only 32 new COVID cases and a rolling seven-day count of 651 new cases per 100,000. Back on January 18, they reported 233 new cases that day and 1,921 new cases over the previous seven days per 100,000 people. They also report that Rockford hospitals are now caring for 107 COVID patients - last week it was 162.

Greek food in the coming days of warmth

Olive Branch believes that winter will end someday, so from Mar. 1 to Dec. 22, their Big Blue food truck will be at Settlers Park every Wednesday evening from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.  That will cover a lot of days, including Rockton River Market and Rockton Christmas Walk.

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They're not us

Neither of the fire departments in Rockton and Roscoe have asked the "National Committee for Volunteer Firefighters PAC" to solicit donations for them. As you may know, PAC stands for "Political Action Committee." That is, it is not a tax-deductible charity and not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, which offers a warning. Though the PAC claim to be lobbying on behalf of firefighters, if you really want to help our local fire departments, you'd do better to give directly to them and not to a PAC.

Macktown Construction Group at Rockford Home Show

Young artists and future builders could win a prize if they download and color this picture and bring it to the Rockford Home Show on the last weekend of February.  Or post your picture on Facebook and tag it @MacktownConstruction.

Rockton student makes the Miami University President's List

Nick Carter of Rockton was named to the Miami University fall 2021-22 President's List. That means he ranks in the top three percent of undergraduate students within his division. Carter is working on a bachelors of science in Sport Leadership & Management. Miami University is a public university located in Oxford, Ohio (not Florida) and has about 19,000 students.

Never too early, why not now?

Rockton River Market is now accepting applications for vendors for summer 2022. The popular market at Settlers Park in downtown Rockton will run each Wednesday from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - accompanied by live music, of course. Preference is given to vendors selling locally-grown produce or locally-made products, especially "Rockton-based businesses and/or positive past vendor history." Watch for more details.

Unpopular but unwavering

He's not running for reelection, but Roscoe and Rockton's representative in Congress, Adam Kinzinger, was censured  on Friday, Feb. 4 by the Republican National Committee for his participation in the Jan. 6 investigation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kinzinger's response: "My values and core beliefs remain the same and have not wavered. I’m a conservative who believes in truth, freedom, and upholding the Constitution of the United States."

Graduation at the BMO Harris Bank Center

This year, Hononegah graduation will be back at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at 2:00 PM. Look for more information to be released soon.