Drea Barone

Chicago

Reporter at WTVO-TV (Rockford, IL)

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Articles

Rockford social workers role-play challenges faced by ex-convicts

Apr 25, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The old idiom says, “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.” That’s what criminal justice professionals attempted at Rock Valley College on Thursday, undergoing a simulation designed to give them the experience of being paroled from prison. The professionals attending Thursday’s workshop work in criminal justice: social workers, parole officers, and service providers.
BMO Center to resume major renovation project starting May 6th

Apr 24, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — This weekend, the BMO Center will host the AHL Playoffs as the Rockford IceHogs welcome the Grand Rapids Griffins. A week later, a major renovation project will resume at the BMO Center, at 398 Elm Street, continuing the exterior elevated concourse project from last summer. Fans will see visible improvements, like new banners, paneling, and curtain walls, and the concourse will receive behind-the-scenes updates as well. “The drainage system has to be reconfigured.
Pritzker touts Healthcare Protection Act as ‘lifesaving’ bill in Rockford visit

Apr 23, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has been rallying support for the Healthcare Protection Act in tour stops across Illinois, including one today in Rockford. Pritzker was at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center on Tuesday to explain what the bill, which has been passed in the House, could mean for patients, doctors, and insurance companies. “With this bill, we’re putting power back in the hands of doctors and patients,” Pritzer said.
Home makeover for a hero: Vietnam veteran Nick Parnello receives surprise gift

Apr 23, 2024 | newsnationnow.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Vietnam veteran, who has contributed to the Veteran community in Rockford for decades, was surprised to learn Monday that he has been chosen to receive a free home makeover. Nick Parnello is the founder of the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society and Operation Fallen Flag. His organization is responsible for fundraising to bring a retired Huey helicopter to the LZ Peace Memorial at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road.
Home makeover for a hero: Vietnam veteran Nick Parnello receives surprise gift

Apr 22, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A Vietnam veteran, who has contributed to the Veteran community in Rockford for decades, was surprised to learn Monday that he has been chosen to receive a free home makeover. Nick Parnello is the founder of the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society and Operation Fallen Flag. His organization is responsible for fundraising to bring a retired Huey helicopter to the LZ Peace Memorial at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road.
New releases from Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam expected to highlight Record Store Day

Apr 18, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — This weekend, music fans will flock to local record shops as part of National Record Store Day. Taylor Swift will release her much-anticipated “The Tortured Poets Department” on Friday, one day before Record Store Day, which is celebrated on April 20th. Pearl Jam releases its 12th studio album, “Dark Matter,” this weekend.
Caring for God’s Creation: Rockford church goes green, saves money with rooftop solar

Apr 11, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Our Savior Lutheran Church has decided to put in solar panels to shrink its carbon footprint. “I think this project is a great example of what we’re supposed to do, right? We were created to care for creation,” said Our Savior Lutheran Church Senior Pastor Rob James. With the help of Green Link Solar Solutions, Our Savior’s already added more than 270 solar panels to the church’s indoor gym and community space.
From cellblocks to the community: 500 Illinois parolees attend re-entry expo in Rockford

Apr 4, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Hundreds of recently paroled offenders attended an expo in Rockford Thursday to prepare them for adjusting to life outside of prison. “We’re trying to make sure that they have services that can acclimate them back into the community so that they can actually, you know, basically have a successful life,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Correction Coordinator Michael Gaines.
The City of Rockford and UW Health join together to combat domestic violence

Mar 27, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford and UW Heath agree to partner up to combat domestic violence. This year so far 50% of crime has been domestic abuse-related. Many victims of that abuse are coming into hospitals for strangulation. “We are facing a significant crisis in Rockford, Illinois, much like the rest of the country around domestic violence,” said the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention’s Jennifer Cacciapaglia.
A counselor’s advice for talking to kids about murder of teen at Walmart

Mar 26, 2024 | mystateline.com | Drea Barone

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — With the murder of Rockford Public School student, Jason Jenkins, 18, who was working at the Northridge Walmart when he was stabbed to death in a random attack on Sunday, children and teens may feel the need to talk about the tragedy. While many students are on Spring Break, counseling may not be available for the next few days. Kevin Polky, with KP Counseling, shared some techniques parents can use to talk through traumatic experiences with their children.