WVLI News Update

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local authorities investigate a series of crimes and share upcoming community updates across Kankakee County. 

Manteno police and Kankakee County Crime Stoppers report a break-in at a North Main Street bar where six gaming machines were heavily damaged by masked suspects who fled in a dark Dodge Durango—a vehicle believed to be tied to a broader string of commercial burglaries across the Chicago suburbs. 

In Kankakee, police arrested 22-year-old Jose R. Mendoza after a resident discovered him attempting to enter a North Greenwood Avenue home, resulting in an armed physical struggle. Officers also took 63-year-old Wesley J. Hairston into custody on weapons charges following reports of gunfire on North Indiana Avenue. Additional local investigations include an alleged road-rage incident involving a concealed blade and the theft of a commercial rooftop air-conditioning unit valued at $10,000. 

Community updates include an announcement from Karen Brzycki regarding her bid for Manteno Village Board trustee, event details for the Kankakee County NAACP’s 81st Annual Freedom Fund Gala featuring keynote speaker Karen Boykin-Towns, and a preview of Manteno's downtown Main Street Trick-or-Treat festivities. The broadcast also covers rising multi-state lottery jackpots, annual Illinois deer-mating collision warnings from transportation officials, and regional sports action for the Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire FC, and Bears. 

Be sure to listen to the full episode for complete audio interviews, investigative details, and the full local report.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local reporting covers public safety developments, municipal appointments, community events, and seasonal health alerts across Kankakee County.

Kankakee City Police are investigating three separate weekend shots-fired incidents reported on East Hickory, East Willow, and West Hawkins, involving property damage to vehicles and residences. Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis addressed the gunfire at Monday night’s City Council meeting, detailing ongoing police leads, property assessments, and the role of resident assistance in supporting local law enforcement. Mayor Curtis and the City Council also officially confirmed Garrick Kasper as Kankakee’s new Fire Chief, succeeding retiring Chief Bryan LaRoche.

In Bourbonnais, Village officials are advancing the search for a new Village Administrator following Mike Van Mill's retirement and preparing for the upcoming Witches Night Out at The Grove. Additional coverage includes a CDC warning regarding an unseasonably early surge in influenza cases, a joint local holiday initiative by the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, national lottery updates, and a recap of regional sports.

For complete reports, direct remarks from local officials, and comprehensive regional coverage, listen to the full episode of the WVLI News Update.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, guest host Jake LaMore fills in for Rob West to bring you the latest breaking news and community reports across Kankakee County and northwest Indiana. 

Leading today's update, Indiana State Police have arrested a Lowell woman on 42 felony counts following a three-year investigation into forged court documents and financial fraud tied to a Merrillville law firm. In community developments, the Kankakee Fire Department outlines critical carbon monoxide and furnace safety precautions for Fire Safety Month, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announces a temporary pause on Chronic Wasting Disease public meetings, and the Bourbonnais Public Library prepares for an informational session regarding its upcoming funding referendum. 

This episode also covers a single-vehicle accident near Reddick, the impending closure of a local coffee shop in St. Anne, findings from a Johns Hopkins study on daytime napping and dementia risks, astronomical highlights from Olivet Nazarene University's Strickler Planetarium, and local sports coverage spanning the Chicago Bears' victory, the Blackhawks, and MLB playoff action. 

Listen to the full episode for complete reports, audio interviews, and all the details on today's top stories.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers key local developments across Kankakee County and regional headlines. 

Mayor Chris Curtis has announced Garrick Kasper as the nominee to serve as Kankakee's next Fire Chief, succeeding the retiring Chief Bryan LaRoche. The report details Kasper's background, the selection process, and the upcoming City Council vote. 

Environmental and infrastructure concerns also take center stage following a briefing by Antonio Carrico, Chairman of the Kankakee County Board's Highways, Waterways, and Buildings Committee. The committee addressed the downstream implications of Northwest Indiana's proposed natural gas plant and Project Orion data center, voting to support State Senator Patrick Joyce's formal inquiries regarding the long-term impact on the Kankakee River. 

Additional coverage includes:

• An ongoing Kankakee City Police investigation into a residential burglary on Crust Lane. 
• Findings from a recent statewide poll of Indiana voters regarding economic outlook, energy costs, and governance. 
• Rising national lottery figures as Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots surpass the billion-dollar milestone. 
• A regional fuel cost breakdown comparing Illinois county averages to neighboring Indiana markets. 
• A comprehensive weekend events calendar from Visit Kankakee County, featuring the Kankakee Farmers' Market, Civic Woods disc golf tournament, downtown Halloween festivities, and seasonal attractions. 
• Regional sports updates for the Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, and local college football. 

Listen to the full episode to hear the complete audio reports, official statements, and detailed coverage on each of these stories.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Indiana State Police investigate a fatal multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck that forced the overnight closure of southbound Interstate 65 near Remington. 

In Kankakee County legal news, 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Bill Dickenson provides an update on ongoing courthouse renovations and announces upcoming judicial retirements that will lead to two new judges taking the bench next year. Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe also presents details on a newly secured $600,000 grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to establish the county's first official witness protection program for victims and witnesses of violent crime. 

Additional stories include St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee being named to the Illinois Department of Public Health gold-level honor roll for acute care antimicrobial stewardship, an update on the surging $600 million Powerball jackpot, and a regional sports recap covering the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, and Major League Baseball postseason action. 

Listen to the full episode for complete reporting and all the details on these stories. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive coverage of breaking public safety developments, county administration changes, and regional reports across Kankakee and Iroquois counties. 

Police in Kankakee have taken 50-year-old Marveo L. Gray into custody on preliminary armed robbery charges following an attempted robbery at a South Schuyler Avenue liquor store. In a separate incident, Kankakee City Police arrested 18-year-old Jerrell W. Wade alongside a juvenile after shots were fired toward a group of youths near baseball fields at Beckman Park. Additionally, the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department filed attempted murder and aggravated battery charges against 64-year-old Henry E. Solvang Jr. following a double-injury gunfire altercation in rural Otto Township. 

Local government proceedings include the Kankakee County Board officially accepting the resignation of District 20 representative Jeffrey Ashcraft and awarding nearly $807,000 in tornado-related roof repair bids to Langlois Roofing. In Iroquois County, board members approved the posting of the fiscal year 2027 budget and addressed long-standing municipal policing shortages in Gilman and Onarga. Other highlights cover the Village of Bradley’s holiday gift card initiative, an assault arrest in Manteno, highlights from the televised debate between Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey, national retail forecasts, and local sports recaps. 

Listen to the full episode for complete statements, official reports, and in-depth details on each of these developing stories. 

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

This edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West delivers reporting on public safety emergencies, infrastructure development, and local governance across Kankakee and Ford counties. 

In Paxton, fire investigators continue looking into the origin of a multi-building commercial blaze along Railroad Avenue after nearby workers reported hearing explosions before warehouse flames erupted. Two structures were completely destroyed, and two sustained structural damage requiring demolition. In municipal news, the Bradley Village Board approved a construction bid exceeding $2 million for earthwork and utility installations at the forthcoming indoor water park site near Interstate 57 and Exit 315. Trustees also approved a formal resolution supporting a November ballot referendum to abolish the Bourbonnais Township Road District, which local leaders project could save taxpayers an estimated $600,000 annually. 

Additional topics in this broadcast include a rollover that pushed the Powerball jackpot past $560 million, public health guidance from the Cleveland Clinic for RSV Awareness Month, national survey data on Halloween candy consumption, and a regional sports recap covering Major League Baseball postseason action, Monday Night Football, and upcoming Chicago games. 

Listen to the full episode on the WVLI News Update Buzzsprout Page or on WVLI News Updates for the complete interviews, board audio, and detailed reports.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key local news, civic developments, and regional events. Coverage begins with Columbus Day, highlighting holiday closures across government offices, banks, and schools, alongside the history and ongoing debate surrounding Indigenous Peoples Day. In local government news, the Kankakee City Council approved two honorary street designations honoring long-time residents Tommie and Olean Lane on North Myrtle Street, as well as the late Arthur E. Lax on South Greenwood Avenue. 

The update details upcoming community events, including the Olivet Nazarene University School of Music homecoming concert honoring military veterans, and a "Donuts with Directors" session hosted by the Bourbonnais Public Library regarding its November referendum. Regional law enforcement reports cover an arrest in Cedar Lake by the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, as well as an ongoing homicide investigation by the Will County Coroner's Office in University Park. 

Additional topics include comments from State Representative Jason Bunting on National 4-H Week, legal updates in the Xandria Harris court proceedings, kitchen safety advice for Fire Safety Month from the Kankakee Fire Department, and a night sky preview from the Strickler Planetarium. The episode concludes with lottery jackpot estimates, holiday shopping trends regarding artificial intelligence, and a comprehensive local sports recap. Listen to the full episode for complete details on all of these stories.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West reports on critical local news, government actions, public safety alerts, and community events affecting Kankakee County and the surrounding region. 

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Local Public Safety & Crime: Coverage of a collision near downtown Kankakee involving a 12-year-old e-bike rider, an arrest following a severe battery incident on East Oak Street, and a high-speed police pursuit that exceeded 100 mph following a smash-and-grab burglary at a Bourbonnais business. 
• State & Regional Policy: FEMA's decision to deny Illinois' request for a major disaster declaration following severe August storms, warnings regarding artificial intelligence-driven voice and image scams, and an update on regional gas prices across Illinois and Indiana. 
• Local Government & Community Events: Information on the Village of Bradley's upcoming free document shredding event, Manteno Village Board discussions regarding an interim village administrator, and a roundup of fall activities across Kankakee County, including outdoor movies, haunted historical tours, and harvest festivals. 
• Health & Sports Roundup: Advice from health experts on removing screens during children's mealtimes, national survey statistics on consumer views on haunted real estate, and sports updates for the Chicago White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks. 

Listen to the full episode for all the details, audio clips, and extended reporting on these stories.

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Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West delivers full coverage of essential local news, law enforcement developments, economic announcements, and community events across the region. Key reporting includes a felony arrest by the Will County Sheriff's Office in Lockport, an ongoing death investigation following a discovery at Radzinski Park in Rantoul, and details on a $55 million manufacturing expansion facility in LaSalle. Additional coverage highlights the results of an Illinois State Police crime suppression detail, municipal updates regarding building and zoning in Manteno, mobile food pantry information in Bourbonnais, the opening of Night in Sleepy Hollow at Perry Farm Park, and regional tourism grant funding. The broadcast concludes with current lottery jackpot amounts and a comprehensive roundup of local sports action. Listen to the full episode for all the details on these stories. 

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

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial.