In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano sits down with local director Tyler McMahon to discuss the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association's upcoming and highly ambitious production of the hit musical Dreamgirls. McMahon shares his personal history with KVTA and highlights how this specific production represents a monumental and concerted effort by the organization to foster greater diversity and inclusion within the local theatre community.

The conversation delves into the timeless appeal of the storyline—drawing parallels to iconic real-world musical groups—and explores what audiences can expect from the show's dramatic character arcs. McMahon also provides a preview of the staging challenges, from era-defining costume transitions to iconic choreography that spans the 1960s through the rise of disco. Additionally, vital information is shared for local performers looking to audition, including how the creative team is approaching the casting process and what materials hopeful actors should prepare.

Hear the full episode to discover the creative vision behind this massive local production, specific audition tips, and how KVTA is preparing to bring this legendary musical to life.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano sits down with Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis to discuss the city's highly anticipated summer event lineup for 2026.

From the seasonal return of the Kankakee Farmers' Market to local music festivals, classic car shows, and community evening strolls, the city has a packed calendar designed for residents and families. Mayor Curtis shares insights into what makes this summer season unique, updates on classic community traditions, and how downtown Kankakee is preparing for a vibrant few months.

There are plenty of surprises and specific date turnouts you will want to mark on your calendar. Tune in to the full episode to discover all the dates, locations, and key highlights of what is happening in Kankakee this summer.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Rob West sits down with Matt McBurnie, the Vice President of Public Relations and Communications at Riverside Medical Center. This year, Matt takes on a special role as the Honorary Chair for the local Relay for Life, an event celebrating its 31st year of bringing the community together to support the American Cancer Society.

During their conversation, Matt discusses the profound personal and community motivations behind the event, highlighting how it honors cancer survivors, remembers loved ones, and recognizes the vital work of caregivers and medical professionals. The episode also explores the ongoing growth of the Riverside Cancer Institute and its commitment to deploying expert cancer care services closer to home across a broader geography.

While Kankakee County has a legendary track record for its fundraising leadership in the state of Illinois, hitting this year's ambitious goals requires community-wide participation. Listen to the full episode to get the complete details on the upcoming event date, its family-friendly location, the schedule of activities for kids, and how you can register an individual or team to join the cause.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano sits down with Cherie Smolkovich and Lindsey Patterson from the Bourbonnais Township Park District to discuss the upcoming kickoff to the summer season.

The conversation highlights the upcoming Family Night Out event at Perry Farm Park, detailing a variety of family-friendly activities, what attendees should bring, and tips for navigating the event. Cherie and Lindsey also share a preview of the park district's extensive seasonal lineup, including the return of popular summer concert series, local markets, and various youth camp programs. Additionally, listeners will get an update on the newest animal additions to the Perry Farm family and learn how community members can get involved through local volunteer opportunities.

Tune in to the full episode to get all the specific details on event times, registration information, and how to plan your family's summer activities with the Bourbonnais Township Park District.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano sits down with Village of Bourbonnais Mayor Jeff Keast to discuss the highly anticipated lineup of summer activities, community initiatives, and park updates.

From seasonal event series at The Grove to updates on local recreational facilities, this conversation highlights how the village is preparing for a vibrant, engaging, and safe summer season for residents of all ages.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The official kickoff dates for popular community events and food-focused summer series at The Grove.
• An operational update on the Bourbonnais Splash Pad opening timeline.
• A brand-new creative partnership with the Bourbonnais Public Library and Little Me Studio designed specifically for children and teenagers.
• Information on how residents can join the Weed Warriors volunteer initiative to help maintain local park beauty on their own schedule.
• An update on park etiquette, community safety measures, and the positive impact of local resident cooperation.

To get the specific dates, times, and details on how you can participate in these upcoming village initiatives, listen to the complete episode.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano sits down with Angela Morrey from the Economic Alliance to discuss the latest economic updates impacting Kankakee County. This conversation highlights major shifts in the local real estate landscape and the vital resources driving community growth.

Addressing the Housing Market

The discussion opens with an analysis of the current real estate market, addressing the high demand and limited housing options experienced locally and nationwide. Morrey shares insights from a recent housing study and outlines strategic plans to introduce diverse residential developments to the area over the coming months. Listeners will also learn about the state's upcoming housing blueprint initiative and how local residents can make their voices heard at an upcoming community listening session at Kankakee Community College.

Supporting Local Small Businesses

The episode also highlights the critical role small businesses play as the cornerstone of the local economy. The conversation details how business owners can leverage networking opportunities through regional organizations, including the Kankakee County, Manteno, and Momence Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, the episode covers state-level support systems available through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) designed to help new and existing businesses scale.

Listen to the full episode to discover the specific timelines for new developments, find out how to participate in state housing surveys, and learn how to access exclusive tools for local business growth.

Resources & Contact Information

• Economic Alliance Website: kankakeecountyed.org
• Phone: 815-935-1177

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Denny Case sits down with Jojo Sayson, a local physical therapist and the founder of the Ray Olley Memorial Project (ROMP). Together, they preview the upcoming Memorial Day weekend event in Kankakee, themed "One Nation Under God Honoring the Fallen." Jojo shares the history behind the memorial's inception, which was unveiled in 2023 to honor a local World War II veteran and Congressional Gold Medal recipient. The conversation highlights what community members and families can expect at this year's gathering, from educational military history displays to special interactive tributes. They also discuss the involvement of local organizations, including healthcare resources provided by Riverside Healthcare, and the importance of passing patriotism down to the next generation.

Listen to the full episode to discover the complete event schedule, details on the guest speaker lineup, and how you can participate in honoring local veterans.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Denny Case welcomes local veteran Sean Mickler, Assistant Project Manager at Bear Construction in Bradley, Illinois. With Memorial Day approaching, the conversation highlights the significance of the holiday through the lens of someone who has served in uniform.

Key Topics Discussed

• Military Background: Sean shares details about his enlistment in the U.S. Navy, his role as a Master at Arms, and his assignments stationed at overseas installations.
• Inspirations and Lessons: A look into how family history and pivotal national events influenced Sean's decision to join the military, alongside the core life lessons from his service that continue to guide him today.
• Community and Career: Transitioning from military service to local business, Sean touches upon his academic achievements in Kankakee County and his current project management work, including recent local facility upgrades.
• The Meaning of Memorial Day: A personal reflection on what the upcoming holiday means to a veteran and the importance of valuing support systems.

Listen to the full episode to hear Sean’s complete insights, his perspective on honoring fallen service members, and detailed updates on local community developments.

About Bear Construction

For those interested in the services discussed in this episode, Bear Construction is located at 2 East Bradford Drive in Bradley, Illinois. More information can be found online at bearcc.com or via their official Facebook page.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Denny Case sits down with Rhonda Showers from the Mental Health Network of Kankakee County to discuss the vital role of community-driven mental health support. Rhonda shares the personal inspiration behind launching the network in 2019 and explains how it brings together diverse sectors—including law enforcement, education, healthcare, and faith leaders—to collaborate on local wellness initiatives.

The discussion also previews an upcoming monthly Roundtable event at Riverside Hospital focused on emerging crisis response programs in Kankakee County. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about how the network is bridging gaps in local care, who is featured on the upcoming expert panel, and how community members can get involved.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

In this episode of Kankakee Valley Community Happenings, host Mike Tomano speaks with Cre Thompson, the Behavioral Health Community Liaison for Riverside Behavioral Health. The conversation focuses on upcoming local initiatives designed to support Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May.

Thompson provides details regarding the Mental Health Awareness Fair taking place this Friday, May 15th, at the Riverside Atrium on South Kennedy Drive. The event serves as a comprehensive resource hub, featuring approximately 50 different providers and vendors dedicated to community wellness. The discussion also covers the upcoming Coffee with the Doc series held at Connect Roasters and how residents can engage with medical professionals in a relaxed setting.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about the specific organizations participating in the fair, registration details for upcoming events, and the primary contact methods for accessing Riverside’s behavioral health services.

Get more from the WVLI Podcast Network! Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning. Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.