Join Rob West for the Thursday edition of the WVLI News Update, providing essential coverage of the latest developments affecting Kankakee County and the surrounding regions.

Today’s report begins with details regarding a fatal accident involving a lift at a Kankakee church and an update from Sheriff Mike Downey on the conclusion of search and rescue efforts in Aroma Park following recent severe weather. The update also covers the Veterans Assistance Commission’s ongoing efforts to support displaced veterans and provide burial benefits for a local veteran lost in the storm.

In regional news, we examine the significant spike in gas prices across Illinois and Indiana, with local averages seeing a sharp increase in just 48 hours. The broadcast also details the arrest of a Frankfort man accused of making threats against Governor J.B. Pritzker and a Kankakee traffic stop that resulted in a firearm-related arrest.

Additional segments include:

• Damage assessments from Newton and Jasper counties following the March 10 tornado.
• Important public health information regarding free water testing for residents on private wells.
• A recap of the recent primary election, including voter turnout figures and the timeline for final results.
• A comprehensive sports report featuring the Bulls, Blackhawks, Spring Training baseball, and the start of the NCAA tournament as the Fighting Illini take the court.

For the full details on these headlines and comprehensive local reporting, listen to the complete episode.

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Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

This edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West provides a comprehensive look at the results of the Illinois primary elections and ongoing recovery efforts following recent severe weather. The program covers key victories in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, alongside specific local board results and referenda outcomes in Iroquois County.

Listeners will also find important information regarding a significant overnight spike in gas prices across the Land of Lincoln and the neighboring Hoosier state. The update includes critical safety and recovery resources for residents affected by last week's storms, featuring guidance from Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey and local municipal leaders on reporting damage and avoiding home repair scams.

Additional segments highlight a new infrastructure project in Bourbonnais, local law enforcement investigations into a recent burglary and a shots-fired incident, and a full wrap-up of regional sports, including the latest from the Blackhawks, Bulls, and Spring Training baseball.

Listen to the full episode for specific election percentages, gas price averages by county, and detailed safety instructions from local authorities.

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Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West provides essential information for Kankakee County residents regarding the current primary election, including polling place changes due to recent storm damage and party affiliation requirements.

The report also covers critical recovery efforts following the recent tornado. Listeners will hear details regarding the second round of debris pickup in Aroma Park, the specific categories for waste sorting, and the services available at the Multi-Agency Resource Center. Mayor Chris Curtis discusses the estimated financial impact of the storm and the steps being taken to secure emergency funding.

In addition to recovery news, the episode highlights local public safety initiatives, such as the Blue Envelope program in Manteno, and reports on recent law enforcement activity in Bradley and Kankakee. This news report concludes with a summary of new village ordinances and a brief look at regional sports scores.

For full details on these stories and specific contact information for county services, please listen to the complete episode.

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Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, Rob West provides essential information for Kankakee County and Aroma Park residents following last week’s severe weather. The update covers the opening of a multi-agency resource center designed to connect those affected by the tornado with critical support services, ranging from financial assistance to mental health resources.

The episode also highlights important warnings from local officials regarding contractor scams and specific instructions for property cleanup and debris removal in Aroma Township. Listeners will find updates on local school schedules, changes to Red Cross shelter locations, and the latest on storm damage assessments.

Beyond storm recovery, the update features the latest in local sports, including the Illinois men's basketball seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament, and a look at the notable night sky with Madeline Shepley.

Listen to the full episode for complete details on recovery resources, shuttle schedules, and local news updates.

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Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

This edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West provides critical information on the recovery efforts following the EF3 tornado that impacted Kankakee County and Aroma Park.

The update includes a report from the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Police and the Coroner’s Office concerning a confirmed fatality discovered in Aroma Park. We also cover Governor J.B. Pritzker’s visit to the area, where he assessed the extensive property damage and discussed the process for requesting federal disaster aid.

Additionally, this episode details current weather hazards, including a high wind warning from the National Weather Service and warnings from local law enforcement regarding public safety, privacy for affected residents, and the risk of scams. Listeners will also find information on local volunteer opportunities and where to direct donations for those displaced by the storm.

The update concludes with a summary of regional sports, including scores for the Bulls and Blackhawks, Big Ten tournament results, and spring training baseball highlights.

Listen to the Full Episode For:

• Official updates on the investigation into the storm-related fatality.
• Details on the damage assessment process and federal aid requests.
• Important safety instructions regarding high winds and debris.
• Specific contact information and locations for those seeking or offering assistance.

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

In this WVLI News Update Special Report, host Jake LaMore provides coverage of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s visit to the Village of Aroma Park. The Governor arrived to survey the extensive damage caused by the EF3 tornado that struck the Kankakee River Valley on the night of Tuesday, March 10, 2026. This episode captures the official briefing on the state’s response and the ongoing recovery efforts within Kankakee County.

Key Topics Discussed

• Damage Assessment: An update on the number of impacted properties, including residential homes and critical public infrastructure such as local schools, Riverside Hospital, and the Kankakee County Courthouse.
• Utility Restoration: The latest status report from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) regarding power restoration for the hundreds of residents affected by the storm.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Insights into how the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), State Police, and Department of Transportation are collaborating with local officials like Sheriff Mike Downey and Mayor Chris Curtis.
• Federal and State Aid: A summary of the criteria required for federal assistance and the Governor’s outlook on securing FEMA resources for the region.

Listen for Full Details The report includes a press Q&A session where the Governor addresses concerns regarding the timeline for financial relief and the challenges of disaster recovery. To hear the full briefing, including the specific comments from IEMA Acting Director Ted Berger and local leadership, listen to the complete audio update.

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The WVLI News Update with Rob West provides a comprehensive look at the aftermath of the EF-3 tornado that moved through Kankakee County and into Indiana on Tuesday night. This episode details the National Weather Service's findings regarding the storm's intensity, its 37-mile path, and a potentially record-breaking hail measurement.

As the community enters the recovery phase, local officials—including Governor JB Pritzker and Kankakee County Board Chairman Matt Alexander Hildebrand—offer critical updates on damage assessment and public safety. This update includes essential information for residents regarding:

• Official Damage Reports: Updates on the storm's classification and the impacted areas across state lines.
• Consumer Protection: Important warnings from local law enforcement about fraudulent contractors and high-pressure sales tactics targeting storm victims.
• Recovery Resources: Details on where to find disaster relief supplies, including water and cleaning materials, through local community partnerships.
• Insurance Guidance: Steps to take before beginning the cleanup process to ensure proper documentation for claims.

The episode concludes with a summary of the latest scores and upcoming schedules for the Bulls, Blackhawks, and Big Ten tournament play, as well as an update on Spring Training.

Listen to the full episode for specific details on relief locations, contact numbers for official verification, and the complete regional news report.

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Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, a devastating tornado and severe weather outbreak tore through the Kankakee River Valley and Northwest Indiana. In this WVLI News Special Report, host Jake LaMore provides a deep dive into the storm’s path, the historic 6-inch hail in Kankakee, and the tragic "direct hit" on Lake Village, Indiana.

We hear directly from local officials, including Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, Kankakee County Board Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hildebrand, Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis, and Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran, as they provide updates on search and rescue operations, power restoration, and the two lives lost in Lake Village.

This episode covers:

• The Path of the Storm: From the first signs of rotation in Chebanse to the heavy damage in Aroma Park and Lake Village.
• The Recovery Effort: Updates from ComEd on the 27,000 customers impacted and the deployment of Indiana Task Force 1.
• Community Resources: Information on the Red Cross shelter at Kankakee Community College (KCC), donation centers at Grace Baptist and ShineFM, and how to report damage via 2-1-1.
• Safety Alerts: Warnings from County Board Chairman Matt Alexander-Hildebrand regarding contractor scams and unverified social media rumors.

Stay Connected: Follow the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office and WVLI 92.7 FM on social media for real-time updates as damage assessments from the National Weather Service continue.

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In this edition of the WVLI News Update, Rob West provides comprehensive coverage of several high-profile legal proceedings currently moving through the Kankakee County court system. The update includes the latest developments regarding the arraignment in the Courtney Drysdale case and a significant status update on the trial of Xandria Harris.

Beyond the courtroom, this episode highlights a major economic development for the Village of Bradley following an announcement from CSL Behring and Governor J.B. Pritzker. Listeners will also find information on local infrastructure improvements, the finalized location for a new regional coffee franchise, and the full headlining lineup for the upcoming Bradley 315 Music Festival.

The report concludes with a summary of recent law enforcement activity in Kankakee, a spike in regional gas prices, and a full look at the latest in professional and collegiate sports. Listen to the full episode for the complete details on these developing stories.

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com

This episode of the WVLI News Update covers a significant shift at the pump as gas prices see a notable increase across Illinois and Indiana. Host Rob West provides a breakdown of the latest AAA figures for Kankakee, Iroquois, and Will counties, as well as neighboring Hoosier state averages.

The update also includes critical public safety reports, including a devastating barn fire in the Monee Fire Protection District and a warning from Bradley Police regarding a sophisticated scam targeting local seniors. In law enforcement news, KAMEG agents report on a recent search warrant execution on Kankakee’s northeast side resulting in multiple arrests.

Listeners will also hear about the community's turnout for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at the Manteno Sportsman Club, a scheduled power outage impacting Gilman residents, and a tragic hit-and-run investigation in Homer Glen. The episode concludes with a "Notable Night Sky" segment from Strickler Planetarium and a comprehensive Monday sports wrap-up covering the Bulls, Blackhawks, Illini, and spring training baseball.

Listen to the full episode for specific price data, safety tips, and the complete local forecast.

Special thanks to Bourbonnais Police Officer Travis Garcia for providing audio and photos from this year's Polar Plunge. 

Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://thisonetimeinkankakee.buzzsprout.com