Kankakee Valley Community Happenings

Host Denny Case speaks with Randy Van Fossan and Father John Peeters of Christmas Day Inc. on Kankakee Valley Community Happenings. For 32 years, Christmas Day Inc. has provided free Christmas Day meals and fellowship across 11 locations in Kankakee County. Learn about their mission, their primary fundraiser—the annual Christmas Golf in September scramble at the Kankakee Elks Country Club—and how local residents and businesses can register to play or become event sponsors.

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 Bourbonnais Mayor Jeff Keast to discuss key events, municipal technology updates, and administrative changes across the village.

Mayor Keast highlights the upcoming fall schedule at The Grove, including the final Movie and Dinner on the Green featuring Wicked for Good on October 9th, along with seasonal events such as Howl-O-Ween, the Pet Parade, Witches Night Out, and a Chicago Bears Tailgate viewing event.

The discussion also covers local municipal updates, including:

• The New Village Mobile App: A municipal communication tool allowing residents to receive local alerts, view important dates, and report infrastructure or safety issues such as potholes and utility outages directly to village staff.
• Village Leadership Transition: The upcoming retirement of Village Administrator Mike Van Mill after 11 years of service, details on the search for a successor, and the September 23 submission deadline for applicant resumes.
• Community Sub-Area Planning: Follow-up details on the recent public open house and instructions on how residents can participate in an online survey regarding local development plans.
• CVB Partnership Renewal: The ongoing collaboration between the village and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to support event marketing, tourism, and community analytics.

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 Ashley Peterson, President and CEO of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, and Jim Crosswell, President of Crosswell Ford, to discuss the details of the upcoming Manteno Oktoberfest.

The episode covers event highlights for the multi-day festival, including carnival operation hours, local vendor setups, community garage sales, the pet parade, and the new American Legion Tractor Show. Peterson and Crosswell also explain the festival’s open-grounds wristband policy, family entertainment options, and the complete musical lineup across three stages, featuring performers such as Wild Daisy, Boy Band Night, Disco Circus, and the Ryan Craig Band.

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.

Host Mike Tomano speaks with Jim Wasser about the 11th Annual Buddy Check 22 Veteran Suicide Awareness Golf Outing at The Elks. Learn event schedule details, how to register a team for Friday, September 25, and how proceeds support mental health resources for local veterans through Riverside Hospital's Well in Mind program.

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 speaks with local director and actor Tyler McMahon about the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association (KVTA) production of Dreamgirls at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

McMahon shares insights into directing his tenth production for KVTA, detailing the musical's story inspired by Motown and the rise of 1960s R&B acts. The discussion covers standout musical numbers such as "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "Family," the casting process, and the ongoing effort to diversify local community theatre participation and audiences.

McMahon also provides advice for individuals interested in auditioning or working backstage with KVTA and highlights upcoming auditions for the spring musical Come From Away.

Performance Schedule at the Lincoln Cultural Center:

• Friday at 7:00 PM
• Saturday at 2:00 PM
• Sunday at 2:00 PM

Tickets and audition information are available at kvta.org.

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 speaks with Sarah Winkle, Director of Operations for Project SUN. Project SUN is a family-run non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the children's behavioral health system of care in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.

Sarah discusses the organization's transition from operating under a fiscal sponsor—the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley—to becoming an independent non-profit. She explains what defines a family-run organization and outlines how lived experience drives their mission.

Additionally, Sarah highlights Project SUN's current community survey designed to gather feedback from residents, caregivers, and local organizations. This input will directly shape the organization's strategic plan and future services.

Key topics covered:

• The mission of Project SUN in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.
• What it means to be a family-run behavioral health organization.
• Project SUN's independence from its fiscal sponsor.
• Details on the community strategic planning survey and how to participate.
• Announcement of the upcoming Community Open House on Tuesday, November 3.

Survey Deadline: Sunday, September 20

Where to participate: Visit projectsunkankakee.org or check the Project SUN 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.

 Denny Case talks with Alvy Butler, Director of Ministries and Operations at The Salvation Army in Kankakee, about upcoming seasonal outreach programs and local resources. The discussion details the Christmas Toy Shop registration process for families with children under age 15 (open through October 31), the Housing Community Resource Fair on September 24, Fall Fest on October 23, and donation and volunteer needs for the Thanksgiving Day meal on November 18. Butler also shares how community members and local organizations can sign up for the Red Kettle Bell Ringing campaign starting November 23. 

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 on the WVLI Podcast Network, host Jake LaMore interviews Eric Cavender, co-chair and board member of Good Shepherd Manor, to discuss the upcoming 35th Annual Good Shepherd Manor Fall Festival. Located in Momence, Illinois, Good Shepherd Manor has provided residential, developmental, and vocational support for men with intellectual disabilities for over 50 years.

The episode provides a detailed overview of the festival scheduled for Saturday, September 12, starting at 10:00 AM with free admission and free parking. Listeners will learn about the variety of family-friendly attractions available, including a petting zoo, carnival-style games with prizes, face painting, a bounce house, a harvest market, an apparel store, a money tree, and a family craft booth created by a resident's family. Food options span American classics like burgers and brats, Mexican food, Italian dishes, pizza, popcorn, and ice cream.

The episode outlines the full event schedule, beginning with the Good Shepherd Manor Resident Review performance at 11:00 AM, Cash Bingo starting at 12:00 PM (featuring a 3:30 PM Coverall game with a minimum $250 jackpot that frequently exceeds $1,000), continuous afternoon music from rock band The Backpages, and a concluding Catholic Mass in the campus chapel celebrated by Father Peter Jankowski of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Additionally, Cavender explains how proceeds from activity tickets, food sales, and the 1,000-ticket cash raffle ($25 per ticket) directly benefit the Good Shepherd Manor Foundation. These funds support resident participation in Special Olympics programs, community outings such as White Sox games and local festivals, job placement assistance, and daily care resources. Copies of Kevin McNalty's book detailing the history of Good Shepherd Manor will also be available for purchase. For event details or to purchase raffle tickets, visit www.goodshepherdmanor.org or call 815-472-3700 ext. 1014.

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.

Join host Mike Tomano on 92.7 WVLI’s Kankakee Valley Community Happenings for a City of Kankakee update with Mayor Chris Curtis as they preview the high-speed return of the Kankakee River Regatta ("Roar on the River") over Labor Day weekend.

Mayor Curtis shares all the key event details for this iconic powerboat racing tradition, including schedule highlights, best viewing spots, and affordable family pricing:

• Friday (Practice Round): Free viewing! River racing opens with practice and boat tuning. Watch from the Kankakee Community College (KCC) / Kankakee Valley Park District side or along the riverbanks at no cost.
• Saturday (Qualifying Races): Races kick off mid-morning and run through late afternoon.
• Sunday (Championship Races): Final high-speed powerboat championship races.
• Admission & Vehicle Parking:
  • Walk-Ins: 100% Free for spectators walking in along the park paths.
  • Carload Parking Pass: $10 per day in advance ($15 on event day).
  • Motorcycles: $5 entry per bike.

Get your advance parking passes and event details online at kankakeeriverregatta.com. Tune in to learn everything you need to know to enjoy Labor Day weekend on the Kankakee River!

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.

 Join host Mike Tomano and Village of Bradley Mayor Mike Watson as they discuss security camera rebate grants, updates on the new water park project, the 41st Annual Christmas Lighted Parade, the 3rd Annual Wag-o-ween event, and local infrastructure developments. 

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.