Dillon Valencia

Multimedia Journalist at WREX-TV (Rockford, IL)

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Articles

Board Greenlights Bid to Sell Walnut Acres Facility

1 week ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

STEPHENSON COUNTY, Ill. — After more than an hour of deliberation, the Stephenson County board has approved a $1.5 Million bid to sell Stephenson County Nursing Center, better known as Walnut Acres. The approval came in a 10-5 vote in the county board. The move to approve a sale comes after over five years of back and forth on the future of the nursing home. This is the first time the property is set to be sold to a private company since the building was erected in 1970.
Public or Private? Walnut Acres faces pivotal vote on its future

1 week ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

FREEPORT, Ill. — The future of the Stephenson Nursing Center, also known as Walnut Acres, is uncertain as the local county board prepares to vote on a potential sale Wednesday Night. It is the only publicly owned assisted living facility in Stephenson County. The facility's status has been in question for the past five years. Looking back at the history it was Initially put up for sale in 2021 for $5 million, however the board rejected two offers.
Braiding is Tradition, but in Shops, Rockford Barber Says Licensing Still Matters

2 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Illinois House Bill 3356, which aimed to remove state licensing requirements for hair braiding, faced strong opposition from the beauty industry in Illinois and failed to advance. Local hair braiders, like Melissa Santillan, have voiced their concerns about the potential impact on industry standards and sanitation. Santillan, is a seasoned barber, cosmetologist, stylist, and hair braider with nearly 30 years of experience.
Lino’s Expands with New Indoor Marketplace “The Mercato”

3 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

LOVES PARK, Ill. — Lino’s is growing again, and this time, it’s beyond the dinner table. The beloved Rockford restaurant, a community staple for more than 50 years, is opening 'The Mercato', a new indoor marketplace built inside repurposed shipping containers and designed to run year-round. The space opens to the public Monday, June 9 at 4 p.m., with a grand celebration to mark the occasion. Located at 8400 E.
From Protest to Parade: How Rockford’s LGBTQ+ Community Made History

3 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Rockford Pride Parade will once again take over downtown streets on June 7th, marking its second year. Andrew Mertzenich, Co-Chair of Rockford Area Pride, remembers the emotional moment last year when Rockford's first Pride float rolled through downtown. “That was when I knew, we actually did this. It actually happened,” said Mertzenich. Going to Chicago Pride inspired Andrew to get the ball rolling on bringing Pride to Rockford.
"Rockford is on the rise": Mayor delivers optimistic State Of The City

3 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — In his annual State of the City address, Mayor Tom McNamara said Rockford has made big strides in public safety, housing, infrastructure and education, but warned those gains could be threatened by cuts and shifting priorities at the state and federal levels. “Let’s take a moment to honor how far we have come, and then recommit ourselves to the work that still remains ahead of us,” the mayor said.
Fighting the Stigma: A Story of Strength, Laughter, and Mental Health

3 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we highlight the story of one woman whose experience reminds us that a diagnosis does not define a person. Tracy Meinert, a resident at Stepping Stones of Rockford, has lived with mental health challenges for much of her life. "I've lived with my mental health issues, probably since I was young," she said. But upon meeting Tracy, what immediately stands out isn’t her diagnosis, it’s her infectious laugh and unapologetic humor.
Fighting the Stigma: A Story of Strength, Laughter, and Mental Health

4 weeks ago | kimt.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, we highlight the story of one woman whose experience reminds us that a diagnosis does not define a person. Tracy Meinert, a resident at Stepping Stones of Rockford, has lived with mental health challenges for much of her life. "I've lived with my mental health issues, probably since I was young," she said. But upon meeting Tracy, what immediately stands out isn’t her diagnosis, it’s her infectious laugh and unapologetic humor.
13 INVESTIGATES: Pedestrian deaths rise as residents and city leaders demand change

4 weeks ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

ROCKFORD, Ill. — In our latest 13 Investigates exclusive, we're looking into an ever-growing issue in Rockford, pedestrian fatalities. Every year, people are dying on Rockford roads. 13 Investigates looked through layers of data and learned 264 people were hit on Rockford roads by a car across the last five years. Of the over 200, 31 people have died from January 2020 to April 2025.
County leaders shift power back to Winnebago County Chairman

1 month ago | wrex.com | Dillon Valencia

UPDATE: During a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday night, Winnebago County board members voted to restore full authority to the position Winnebago County Chairman, which Joseph Chiarelli holds. In 2019, the power that the chairman position held was fully transferred to the county administrator. Prior to then, the chairman had full administrative power, meaning they were right under the board, and could hire or fire full time staff, while also overseeing other decisions.