Bears beat Steelers 40-23

The Chicago Bears remained undefeated (3-0) by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 40-23 tonight. The Bears took a big lead early and then five Steeler turnovers all but sealed Pittsburgh's fate.

Read more about the Chicago Bears at: http://www.chicagobears.com/.

Bears beat Vikings in 31-30 comeback victory

The Chicago Bears defeated the Minnesota Vikings 31-30 this afternoon in a close, come from behind victory. The Bears scored a touchdown and an extra point with ten seconds left in the game, and then recovered the football following an on-side kickoff with three seconds remaining.

Bowling for Barbershop Fundraiser, Friday July 19th

Bowling for Barbershop 

Don Carter Lanes 4007 E. State Street. Rockford, IL 

Bowling for Barbershop is a peer-to-peer fundraising and awareness campaign for Sweet Adelines International and its chapters worldwide.

During the month of July, potentially more than 23,000 Sweet Adelines International members will be Bowling for Barbershop in bowling centers across the globe, raising funds for Sweet Adelines International's music education programs, membership growth/retention and chapter expenses.

In Rockford, IL, over 50 Sweet Adelines members and friends from River City Sound Chorus will be Bowling for Barbershop and harmonizing on Friday, July 19, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. on the lanes of Don Carter Lanes, 4007 E. State St., Rockford, IL.

Tickets are $40/couple and include three games of bowling and all-you-can eat pizza. There will also be a silent auction, raffle items, and 50/50 drawings.

Donations can also be made on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/River-City-Sound-Chorus/179800882051826.

For more information about this event, contact DeAnna Bredeson at 815.871.4799.

Blackhawks Win the Stanley Cup

June 24 - The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup finals with a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins tonight.

Love Your River Day – Celebrate the Kishwaukee River – June 8th

Love Your River Day – Celebrate the Kishwaukee River – June 8^th

The public is invited to Espenscheid Forest Preserve, on the banks of the Kishwaukee River in Cherry Valley, IL, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 8^th for Love Your River Day. The festival will feature a Loot for Litter river clean-up, prize drawings, giveaways, river safety demonstrations, wildlife exhibits, environmental education activities and free four-color Kishwaukee River wildlife posters. Cash prizes will be awarded to individuals collecting the most litter. Admission is free.

Love Your River Day is a kick-off celebration for a summer-long campaign sponsored by Friends of the Kishwaukee River, the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, and the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. The purpose of the Love Your River campaign is to raise public awareness of the ecological and recreational value of the Kishwaukee River and to educate and advocate for its protection and safe and respectful use.

The mission of Friends of the Kishwaukee River is to promote and enhance good stewardship of the river and the surrounding lands, encourage safe and responsible recreation, protect its watershed from degradation, and increase the community’s appreciation of its natural beauty.

Friends of the Kishwaukee River partnering organizations: Blackhawk Sierra Club, Four Rivers Environmental Coalition, Illinois Paddling Council, Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership, Natural Land Institute, Rockford Park District, Village of Cherry Valley, Winnebago County Forest Preserve District, Water Trail Keepers.

Contact: Jamie B. Johannsen, Friends of the Kishwaukee River, Publicity Chair

Phone: 815/494-6977

###

Rockford’s Derek Dimke signs three-year deal with New York Jets

Rock River Times Online Staff Report
Rockford native Derek Dimke will compete for the starting kicker position with the New York Jets after signing a three-year deal with the team Thursday, April 11...

Read the entire Rock River Times story at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/04/12/rockford%E2%80%99s-derek-dimke-signs-three-year-deal-with-new-york-jets/

I'm a more than a little irked the Foresters won't be playing in town.

I liked watching Rockford Forester baseball in town, but I won't be able to do so this summer, and I'm a little irked.

If you haven't heard, Rockford's travelling collegiate baseball team the Rockford Foresters will not be playing any home games in town this season. The Foresters had previously played in Marinelli Field, which despite lighting conditions during one part of the day, is a nice place to see local baseball. Many of the players were from the area, and it was nice to see local talent play locally.

Seems there was a dispute, confusion, or an otherwise bad decision made by the Rockford Park District and the Rockford Foresters not to "play ball!" at Marinelli Field. I can't get comment from Forester management and the public comments made the Park District sound like the "blah, blah, blah" typical of many "official" statements.

Based on some news reports and the vague listing of contact information on the Forester website, it appears Forester management is changing hands, or had some departures. This probably led to a series of "maybe we will return" discussions with the Park District last year. I believe the Park District should have busted a gut to keep the Foresters at Marinelli.

Here's an example of a young business wanting to setup shop and stay in town, and we don't do everything we can to keep them here. I don't understand the logic.

The Foresters are still playing though, travelling the Midwest. Follow the Rockford Foresters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockford-Foresters/257662331246 .

Follow local winter storm news on RockfordWeatherNews.com

Follow local news coverage of Tuesday's big snow on RockfordWeatherNews.com!

Local maps, news, school closings and more from our local televsion stations in addition to forecasts from a variety of weather services.

So visit http://www.rockfordweathernews.com.

Baltimore Ravens Win Super Bowl XLVII

The Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII.
 

49ers and Ravens advance, Packers' season ends

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 45-31 Saturday night. The 49ers now advance to the NFC Championship game, to be played next Sunday against the winner of tomorrow (Sunday's ) Seattle vs Atlanta matchup.

The Baltimore Ravens also defeated the Denver Broncos 38-35 in double overtime today. The Ravens will play the winner of tomorrow's New England vs Houston game for the AFC Championship next Sunday.

Prep basketball: Smith hopes to lead East back to playoff success

By Matt Nestor
Rock River Times Prep Sports Reporter

As the Rockford East E-Rabs saw their historic turnaround come to an end in DeKalb at the Class 4A Supersectionals, a lot of people focused on the core group of seniors that were leaving.

But coach Roy Sackmaster had a reason to be excited about the following season. Coming back were Austin Young, Jontrell Robinson and a starter in Devion Smith.

While the E-Rabs sit tied for first place, a lot of people are pointing to star transfer Isaiah Box for the success. And while Box has lived up to all the hype, it is Smith and his core of fellow seniors who have been there and done it all before...

Read the Rock River Times article at: http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/01/09/prep-basketball-smith-hopes-to-lead-east-back-to-playoff-success/http://rockrivertimes.com/2013/01/09/prep-basketball-smith-hopes-to-lead-east-back-to-playoff-success/

Phil Emery makes clear: Lovie Smith failed at building the offense - NBC Sports

NBC Sports - Michael David Smith -- "Lovie Smith is a good defensive coach who was never able to build a consistent offense in his nine seasons as head coach of the Bears, and that’s what cost him his job.

That’s what Bears General Manager Phil Emery made clear at his Tuesday morning press conference addressing his decision to fire Smith on Monday..."

Read the press conference coverage at http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/01/phil-emery-makes-clear-lovie-smiths-failure-was-building-the-offense/