News

Rockton-Roscoe News: Saturday, Mar. 29, 2025

Honoring veterans, fire at the wetlands, ready to vote, funding for enforcement

Michael McGinnis

Mar 29, 2025 — 5 min read

At the Roscoe VFW

Today's news from Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit - you'll find it in Rockton-Roscoe News and often nowhere else.

Roscoe VFW Post 2955 will be hosting an open house today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of National Vietnam War Veterans Day from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., with an honor guard salute and hors d’oeuvres at the Post.
Our local election coverage is nearing completion, now featuring the candidates for Talcott Library Board, South Beloit School Board, Hononegah School Board, the Village of Rockton, and others.
Because of a controlled burn at Nygren Wetland Preserve last Wednesday and Thursday, some trails were closed in the interest of public safety. The 2.5 mile Dianne Nora Nature Trail circles the wetland and may give you a good view of the newly arrived pelicans.
Illinois voters will not need to show proof of U.S. citizenship or a REAL ID at the polls on Tuesday, since this week's executive order is almost certain to be declared unconstitutional. Matt Dietrich of the Illinois State Board of Elections says that Illinois only requires voters to sign a sworn statement on their voter registration application that they are a U.S. citizen and does not require voters to show any type of photo ID at the polls. Though not required, showing your drivers license does help the poll workers look up your name faster before they check your signature.
In April, more than 200 local law enforcement agencies are stepping up traffic enforcement efforts across the state, thanks to federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT, in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana says drivers will see "increased law enforcement efforts as officers stop and ticket anyone who violates distracted driving and other Illinois motor vehicle laws.” For Illinois drivers, using your phone in anything other than hands-free mode is illegal.

Saturday's weather

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 4am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Patchy fog between 1am and 4am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 46. East northeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.