Jeff Kolkey

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jeff Kolkey

Boone County Sheriff's Detectives have arrested a former Belvidere resident on charges of aggravated sex assault and aggravated sexual abuse of a teenager in connection with a series of incidents that took place 17 years ago. Daniel A. Ritschel, 38, of Clarendon Hills, Illinois, was charged May 29 in Boone County Court. Boone County State's Attorney Tricia Smith said that the court on June 3 denied her office's request to hold Ritschel in jail pending trial and he was released.

3 weeks ago | journalstandard.com | Jeff Kolkey

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department will pilot an AI program, Draft One, to assist deputies in writing reports. Concerns have been raised about the accuracy and potential legal implications of AI-generated reports. The program transcribes body camera audio and generates a narrative, which deputies then review and edit.

3 weeks ago | journalstandard.com | Jeff Kolkey

ROCKFORD — Residential electrical customers could be forced to chip in about $50 each to cover the cost of burying power lines along 11th Street. Large industrial users would be billed thousands more. The debate over burying power lines along 11th Street — an estimated $9.3 million proposition — was revived June 2 during a City Council meeting where Mayor Tom McNamara cast a tie-breaking vote to reconsider the expense.

3 weeks ago | rrstar.com | Jeff Kolkey

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara delivered his eighth State of the City address, highlighting accomplishments and warning of potential federal program cuts. McNamara touted progress in public safety, education, economic development, and maintaining stable property tax rates. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara listed a litany of accomplishments as he delivered his eighth State of the City address June 2, but he warned potential cuts to federal programs could have major consequences.

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Jeff Kolkey

Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara listed a litany of accomplishments as he delivered his eighth State of the City address June 2, but he warned potential cuts to federal programs could have major consequences. McNamara said Rockford is making strides in public safety, education, economic development, cultural development and holding the line on property tax rates. "I firmly believe that the best chapters of the city of Rockford story have yet to be written," McNamara said.