Pecatonica woman living in the moment as a teacher, newlywed and business owner
Emily Gottman has decided to hit the ground running in 2021 by starting her own interior decorating…
Inspiring 815
87-year-old puts the ‘rock’ in Rockford Habitat for Humanity
Ted Brolund spent 43 years in the manufacturing…
Inspiring the 815: A year in review of the people making our home a better place
2020 was not the year we wanted, but it didn’t…
Craft + Foster using candles to spread good vibes in the stateline
What started as a therapuetic hobby has led Chad…
Auburn High School staff provide care by the crate full for families in need
Hosea Harris and Melinda Cattell took a special…
Rochelle letter carrier spurs massive donation for friend, Army Sergeant in Africa
Tommy Sprowl is stationed in Africa until April…
Rockford kids learning to speak their minds and hearts through Lit Up
Lori Beach-Grass spent decades in the classroom…
Roscoe woman inspired by sister’s struggles to help Rockford Family Peace Center
Petrea Meier found a way to secure funds for a cause near and dear to her heart. Raising money for a place helping survivors like her sister.…
Rockford brothers work to raise money for cousin diagnosed with brain tumor
Brayden was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and now his cousins in the stateline are turning their summer job into a way to help…
Byron teen runs charity to provide warmth to domestic violence survivors
Victoria Kuzlik has spent the last six years giving back to domestic violence shelters, returning the favor of how she was helped as a kid.…
Chicago woman moves to Rockford to expand catering business
Tikisha Ellis came to Rockford with a plan and it has paid off thanks to her hard work and devout…
‘Mr. Donuts’ helping SwedishAmerican employees smile
Matthew Bartsch has combined his two jobs, working security and making donuts, into a way to lift people’s…
Rockford man starts non-profit to help local children succeed
815 Alive is a new non-profit working to help children in Rockford be successful in both school and life. Brandon Gordon is the…
‘Keke’ uses positivity to beat breast cancer and raise awareness
Kenyetta “Keke” Bell has always taken care of people but after her cancer diagnosis, she relied on the love around her to make it…
Marine veteran rebuilds cemetery wall hit by drunk driver
At 77, George Tillet doesn’t move as fast as he used to but that isn’t stopping him from trying to right a wrong at Harlem Cemetery.…
Rockford teen earns every single Boy Scout merit badge
John Cabrera didn’t know if he wanted to be a Boy Scout but now he is grown into one of the most accomplished in the organization.…
Auto body shop helping people find their drive in life
Todd Ehrhardt and Joe Keck have walked their own paths facing their own battles and now Midcoast Customs is doing their part to…