News and Media
News Articles
New book store to open in Beloit
Jun 5 2025BELOIT — Mark Twain, perhaps the first great American writer, upon hearing reports in 1897 that he had died, told a news reporter in London “the report of my death was an exaggeration.”That famous quote could be applied to the independent bookstore industry.The independent book store business is bouncing back...
BELOIT — The Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce didn’t have to look far for its new president and CEO.On Thursday, the chamber announced that Kari Swirth, Irontek community manager, will be the new president. Swirth’s current office is two doors down from the chamber offices in Irontek building.“(Former chamber president)...
This year marks a milestone: the Beloit Art Center's (BAC) 25th anniversary!Since 2000, our beloved cultural cornerstone has been encouraging area artists to Find Creativity Within, partnering with the community to teach, display, and promote the arts.We hope you’ll join us on July 19th to celebrate. The festivities will kick...
JANESVILLE — Beloit Memorial High School senior Manny Vargas loves to learn — about certain things in certain ways.“I love trouble-shooting stuff, figuring out how things work, but I don’t like classrooms, and I wanted to get paid to learn,” Vargas said.Vargas was one of 19 students celebrated by the...
If you’ve been on the road and have seen a gleaming, stainless steel tanker rolling down the highway, chances are it’s not just any trailer, it’s one that’s been built by Stainless Tank and Equipment Company (STE).Rugged stainless steel vessels fabricated by skilled craftsmen that are designed to work harder...
BELOIT — The Beloit City Council on Monday is expected to approve a resolution giving a $1 million development incentive to Next Generation Construction to build 138 homes in the city.In February, the council approved a one-time “New Market Housing Incentive” in money generated from expiring Tax Increment Financing districts...
VetsRoll to depart Central Christian Church
May 15 2025BELOIT — Veterans and volunteers will depart Beloit Sunday morning for the 14th VetsRoll trip to Washington, D.C., but the starting and ending point of the trip will be a bit different this year.VetsRoll will depart from Central Christian Church, 2460 Milwaukee Road, at 5:15 a.m. The caravan of buses...
BELOIT — The Caldwell Group held its first training session this week in the former Regal-Beloit Corp. training center, the first of many as the newest company now based in Beloit settles in to its new corporate home.When the Caldwell Group bought the former Regal-Beloit headquarters next to Beloit City...
BELOIT — A “gray wave” is underway in the United States, with about 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring daily, according to demographics experts.That is causing industry after industry to scramble to find workers to fill positions. According to the Job Center of Wisconsin, there were 137,000 job openings in Rock County...
BELOIT — Miron Construction and the Ho-Chunk Nation in April took out a building permit for the 18-story, 312-room hotel that will be the dominant landmark in the $500 million casino/convention/hotel project off Interstate 90.Miron and Ho-Chunk estimated the construction cost of the hotel at 777 Willowbrook Road at $185.1...
BELOIT — With all of the investment in Beloit and its downtown area, the Beloit Farmers Market, which opens its 50th anniversary season Saturday, remains Beloit’s No. 1 tourist attraction, according to websites such as TripAdvisor.com.It’s not just a boon for the dozens of vendors who bring their produce, baked goods,...
BELOIT — More than 300 students from southern Wisconsin bounced around downtown Beloit Tuesday, taking part in hands-on cooking demonstrations at Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint, learning how to make smoothies and coffee at Irontek and touring Henry Dorrbaker’s.It was part of a Pro-Start Career & Industry Expo aimed at...
BELOIT — Sam Karns, who is in his third year as principal of Todd Elementary in the School District of Beloit, was named the elementary school principal of the year Monday in a surprise announcement by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators.In March, Karns learned that he was one of...
Beloit Farmers Market to enter 50th year
Apr 10 2025BELOIT — Downtown Beloit will be celebrating a half-century of fresh produce, blooming plants, baked goods and friendly vendors as the Downtown Beloit Association Outdoor Farmers Market kicks off May 3.The Outdoor Farmers Market will begin its 50th season on the first Saturday in May, with vendors setting up booths...
Power of Partnerships Caps Off Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation’s 20th Anniversary
Apr 9 2025When the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC) was established in 2005, its mission was to foster investment and job growth in the economy.How? Improve the quality of life for its residents. Improve housing availability. Support the educational framework.And it was this unyielding belief in the power of partnerships to...
BELOIT — Work continues to ramp up this month at the Ho-Chunk Casino site on Willowbrook Road as Neenah-based Miron Construction begins work on the massive parking garage.In March, Miron Construction pulled two building permits for the casino project. One was a $6.6 million permit for the footings and foundation...
SOUTH BELOIT — Now that the dilapidated Garden Hotel has been reduced to a gravel field, South Beloit will get another addition by subtraction — Hendricks Commercial Properties confirmed it plans on tearing down the former Besly Products Corp. building directly north of the Garden Hotel site.Rob Gerbitz, president and...
BELOIT — The Beloit Memorial High School Hall of Fame will be “re-opened” by popular demand on April 17 when former teacher Deb Prowse is inducted.The BMHS Hall of Fame was started in 1994 by Fran Fruzen, who worked as a teacher, assistant principal and district administrator in the district...
The month of March not only marks National Women’s History Month but International Women's Day (8th) as well. To celebrate, the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC) is putting the spotlight on the amazing woman-owned and women-led businesses who enrich our community year-round.“We’re thrilled to see so many women entrepreneurs...
BELOIT — Community members got their first glimpse of the Next Steps Family Resilience Center and Community Kids Stepping Stones Academy during an open house Thursday.The new facility is at the former Royce School at 825 Liberty Ave. Family Services of Southern Wisconsin is operating the Next Steps facility, which...
SOUTH BELOIT — An Indiana company continues to grind away — literally — in the cleanup of the former Garden Hotel site on the corner of Gardner Street and Highway 51.The court fights over the property grind on as well.New Chapter Group remains the owner of record of what used...
BELOIT — Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) has been awarded a contract by General Dynamics NASSCO to build and deliver the main propulsion diesel engines for the Military Sealift Command’s future USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214).“Fairbanks Morse Defense understands that victory at sea begins in the engine room. Over the years,...
BELOIT — It’s not that Zach Potter was a bad student when he started at Beloit Turner High School in 2021-2022, he was just indifferent.“I really didn’t want to be here, but then I started taking shop classes and I’ve loved it ever since,” Potter said.Potter now is in the...
BELOIT — The Downtown Beloit Association recounted accomplishments, handed out awards and expressed a lot of thanks to member businesses, volunteers and sponsors during its 38th Annual Dinner Thursday night.The theme for the event was S.O.S. (Secret of Our Success), which turned out to be the businesses, volunteers and sponsors...