By Eric Wilson
ROCKFORD (WREX) - To many of us, it doesn't seem that long ago we anticipated the new millennium. In about 7 weeks, we close the books on the first 10 years of the century.
Part 2 of our series: "End of a Decade" focuses on the years 2003 - 2005 and includes some major work walkouts, turbulent times at RFD, a storm many people will never forget, and the unveiling of a prehistoric prize.
2003
- 2003 begins with a casualty... Not even 2 weeks after the invasion of Iraq, Specialist Brandon Rowe dies in an ambush. "We love him. We're so proud of him. We miss him," says his dad, Milton Rowe. The 20 year old Hononegah High School graduate is the first local service member lost in the war...he won't be the last.
- In May the man convicted of killing Rockford Police Detective Kevin Rice gets his sentence. William buck is serving 60 years for the crime with no chance of getting out early.
- "This is the worst I've seen in Rockford since I've been involved in severe weather in northern Illinois." The National Weather Service's Jim Allsopp reacts to an overnight storm July 5th. It wasn't a twister, but a microburst. There's nothing "micro" about the damage. Community leaders say if it had hit a few hours sooner, with people leaving 4th of July festivities, it could have been deadly.
- In August, passenger airline service returns to the Rockford Airport. We'll have more on trans meridian's short stay later on the list.
- Early in the fall of 2003 a couple of Rockford area unions walk off the job for the first time in their history. Winnebago County workers strike for more than a week, before compromising with administrators.
- A walkout at Hononegah High School lasts nearly 3 weeks, and cancels not only classes, but homecoming for students.
- In December there's smoother sailing for people driving around Rockford when half of the Cherry Valley toll plaza comes down. It would take another year for the other side to disappear.
2004
- The first notable 2004 event is a firing. Rock Valley College trustees vote to get rid of President Roland "Chip" Chapdelaine. The board hired Chapdelaine in 1997. Critics accused him of spending college money on the wrong priorities.
- Some Rockford workers also learn they'll be out of work. In February, Amerock announces its plant will shut down. That affects 450 employees.
- Also in February, the Rockford Public School District gets a new employee: the man replacing fired Superintendent Alan Brown. Dennis Thompson's first day is in May. His tenure is short too. More on that in Part 3.
2005
- In February 2005, from hot wings to airplane wings, Hooters Air starts flights out of Rockford's airport. By December, the airline's gone. It's a turbulent year for RFD. TransMeridian goes bankrupt. Sunship One stops flights to Mexico. And Northwest Airlines announces its leaving. A couple of bright spots: Allegiant Air starts its RFD service. And in December, United announces it will start flying from RFD the following spring.
- There's a changing of the guard in Rockford city hall. Larry Morrissey wins the April election for mayor. The independent beat incumbent democrat Doug Scott.
- In May, Roscoe's Danica Patrick makes history becoming the first woman to lead a lap in the Indy 500. She finishes 4th.
- Jane the dinosaur debuts in June 2005. A couple thousand people head to Rockford's Burpee Museum of Natural History for the juvenile T-Rex's "coming out" party.
- Even though it happened hundreds of miles away, hurricane Katrina affects Rockford. Many volunteers head down there to help with relief efforts. Refugees, with no other place to go, come here for help. More than 50 of them fly into RFD. The community along with the Red Cross, give them a hand. Many choose to stay.
If you'd like to add to this list (we obviously had to keep it short in the interest of time) make a comment on our website, or our Facebook page.
