WVLI News Update

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West provides comprehensive coverage of key civic decisions, infrastructure updates, and community events impacting Kankakee County and the surrounding regions.

The update begins with details from the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee meeting, where 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Bill Dickenson shared plans for upcoming courthouse renovations starting in September and discussed a new public feedback survey. The report also highlights the recent Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education vote regarding superintendent residency requirements and contract extensions.

Additional features in this episode include:

• Community Resources: Details on today's Secret Food Pantry mobile pop-up event on Briarwood Lane in Bourbonnais.
• Local Festivities: A complete rundown of today's events at the Newton County Punkin Vine Fair in Kentland, including 4-H showcases and evening entertainment.
• Historic Rail Tour: Schedule and safety viewing information shared by Braidwood Police Chief Eric Allen for the upcoming passage of the Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive.
• Regional Recognition: Highlights of John Keigher receiving the 2026 John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award from Kankakee Community College.
• Arts and Entertainment: Information on tonight's Kankakee Municipal Band summer concert series at Bird Park.
• National and Sports News: A look at the growing Mega Millions jackpot, state tributes, and the latest updates across MLB, the NBA Summer League, and the World Cup.

To get the complete breakdown, context, and schedules for all of these stories, listen to the full episode.

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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. 

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive coverage of the top stories impacting the region. Kankakee City Police are actively investigating a shots fired incident on the city's east side that resulted in gunfire damage to a residential vehicle. In infrastructure developments, the Iroquois County Board has approved substantial funding for County Highway 9 improvements near Milford, awarding contracts to local paving corporations.

The update also features an urgent public safety announcement from the Watseka Police Department, which is seeking information regarding missing 43-year-old resident Thomas L. Boyer. Additionally, public health updates are highlighted, including a rise in parasitic Cyclospora cases across Illinois and the confirmation of the first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pool in Ford County for the year.

Listeners will also hear updates on Kankakee County Board approvals for storm damage repairs on county buildings, ongoing investigations into copper wire thefts in rural Manteno, and a consumer security report detailing the privacy vulnerabilities linked to retail loyalty programs. Local entertainment highlights include the continuing schedule for the Newton County Fair and the upcoming opening of "Annie" by the Acting Out Theater Company in Momence. Please listen to the full episode for all the details, including the latest lottery jackpot figures and regional sports updates.

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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 crucial local developments across Kankakee and Newton counties, alongside essential regional news.

The report begins with a legal dispute filed in Kankakee County Circuit Court involving the Village of Manteno and four village trustees regarding a controversial meeting to reinstate the village attorney. In business news, the Village of Bradley provides construction updates and revised opening timelines for highly anticipated establishments, including 7 Brew, Dutch Bros, and Longhorn Steakhouse, as well as announcing the theme for this year's Lighted Christmas Parade.

Additional coverage includes the latest developments in the Xandria Harris murder trial, an investigation into a home invasion in Bradley, and special recognition for Lieutenant Phil Trudeau's 25 years of service with the Bradley Police Department. The update also features schedule highlights for the Newton County Punkin Vine Fair, details on an urgent nationwide FDA recall of select Pedigree canned dog food, regional sports results, and growing lottery jackpots exceeding $1 billion combined.

Be sure to listen to the full episode for complete coverage, direct statements, and in-depth details on all of these top 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. 

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key local news, community events, legal developments, and sports from across Kankakee County and the surrounding areas.

Top stories include an investigation into an early morning residential fire in the 900 block of North Cleveland Avenue in Kankakee, a stern warning from Kankakee County Animal Control regarding the illegal abandonment of pets, and details on the opening day schedule for the Newton County Punkin Vine Fair.

Additional coverage includes the arrest of two individuals by the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force following an investigation in Manteno, the Kankakee City Council's approval to acquire property at 595 Southwest Avenue for the future West Riverwalk project, an upcoming Real Justice Fishing Club event hosted by State's Attorney Jim Rowe, and a residential burglary report under investigation by Bradley police.

Rounding out the episode are the winning draw results for the Riverside Healthcare Foundation playhouse fundraiser, Night Sky astronomy highlights with Madeline Shepley from Olivet Nazarene University, and regional sports updates covering baseball, basketball, NASCAR, and soccer.

Listen to the full episode for all the details and full reports.

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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. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, stay informed on the major headlines shaping Kankakee County and northwest Indiana heading into the weekend.

Key Topics Covered in This Update

• Public Safety & Local Investigations: Law enforcement updates from across the region, including an active home invasion investigation by Bourbonnais police, recent narcotics arrests, and a serious kidnapping charge filed in Kankakee.
• Gas Price Fluctuations: A breakdown of the latest fuel cost trends affecting local drivers across Kankakee, Will, Ford, and surrounding counties.
• Indiana Legislative Impact: An analysis of the projected savings for motorists under the current gas tax holiday, alongside its potential long-term effects on local road funding infrastructure.
• Community Events & Weekend Previews: Upcoming family-friendly activities, including the Kankakee Public Library's annual events, local county fair previews, and regional festivals.
• Sports Roundup: Recent scores and weekend outlooks for the White Sox, Cubs, and Cardinals, plus updates on the Chicago Sky, NASCAR, and the World Cup.

Listen to the full episode for all the details.

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. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive coverage of top stories impacting Kankakee County and surrounding areas.

Coverage begins with reports of a federal drug enforcement agency search warrant executed at an animal hospital in Lowell, Indiana, regarding the alleged diversion of controlled substances. In local business news, Frank’s Appliance Center and Sleep Source announces the closure of its Manteno storefront to consolidate operations in Bradley, while Lush Wine Bar prepares to expand into Manteno.

Additional stories include new honorary street designations approved by the Kankakee City Council for Frank Lloyd Wright Way and Ira D. Nelson Avenue, a sheriff’s investigation into significant copper cable theft in rural Manteno, and a proposed $26.5 million rate increase request filed by Aqua Illinois. The update also covers Ford’s nationwide vehicle recall, the designation of Illinois’ new official state bee, details on the upcoming Kankakee Municipal Band concert, and local sports scores.

Listen to the full episode for all the details and in-depth reporting on these local and regional 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. 

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local coverage highlights key developments across Kankakee and the surrounding regions. Reports open with a Kankakee police investigation into an alleged threat involving a firearm between co-workers on East Eagle Street. Additionally, Kankakee City Engineer Neil Piggish provides an update on the East Riverwalk project, explaining how recent soil testing has temporarily adjusted construction timelines.

The broadcast also features city leadership news as Mayor Chris Curtis presents the preliminary steps for the 2026–2027 Kankakee municipal budget following storm repair costs. Viewers and listeners will also hear public safety information, including a Kankakee County Crime Stoppers alert on a distraction theft scam in Aroma Park and traffic crash investigations in Jasper County, Indiana. Further updates cover a multi-state Cyclosporiasis outbreak reported by the CDC, FTC consumer warnings on utility scams, proposed USPS stamp price increases, and recent game results for the Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, and Chicago Sky.

Listen to the full episode for all the details, official commentary, and complete news coverage.

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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. 

Welcome to the WVLI News Update with Rob West. In this episode, we cover a developing situation from the Manteno Village Board meeting, where internal disagreements persist regarding the appointment of the acting village attorney. The board also approved a rezoning ordinance for a new substance use disorder inpatient facility.

In Bourbonnais, the village administration addresses public criticism regarding its mosquito abatement program, outlines new traffic safety measures at nine intersections, and approves a variance for a new 100-foot radio tower.

Additionally, this update provides crucial information for Kankakee County residents regarding extended deadlines for SBA physical damage disaster loans following the March storms. We also report on a Kankakee police investigation into an attempted armed robbery that led to a rollover crash, upcoming structural changes within the Kankakee Fire Department, and an agreement with IDOT for a $100 million reconstruction of the I-57 interchange.

Stay tuned for updates on local sports, the multi-million dollar Mega Millions jackpot, and the return of the Art in the Park series. Listen to the full episode for all the details 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 a comprehensive look at the latest developments affecting the region. Host Rob West covers a busy weekend for the Kankakee Fire Department following multiple emergency responses, alongside a critical public safety warning issued by the Will County Sheriff's Office regarding deceptive door-to-door practices. The briefing also tracks significant financial updates, including an extension on Indiana's gas tax suspension and upcoming property tax deadlines for Iroquois County residents. Listeners will also hear updates on local community celebrations, essential seasonal safety reminders from regional officials, an astronomical look at the night sky, and a full recap of recent scores in professional sports and regional racing. Listen to the full episode to get all the details and stay informed on the stories shaping your community.

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. 

Welcome to this edition of the WVLI News Update, with Jake LaMore filling in for Rob West. This episode covers critical community and safety announcements ahead of the holiday weekend, beginning with municipal closures and a vital warning from the Will County Sheriff's Office regarding organized door-to-door scam crews targeting area seniors.

Listeners will also get the latest local crime updates from the Kankakee City Police Department, detailing a stabbing incident on the city's east side and a separate street disturbance resulting in an officer assault. In community recovery news, Mariah Vail of the United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties provides a major update on storm relief fundraising, which has successfully raised over $600,000 for families affected by the March 10th tornadoes.

Additionally, the episode highlights regional events celebrating America's 250th anniversary in Kankakee, Watseka, and Jasper County, alongside crucial holiday weekend advisories. These include an IDOT warning about heat-induced road buckling, river safety protocols from Kankakee City Fire Department Lieutenant Enrique Czako, and pet care strategies during fireworks from Dr. Jennifer Kimkey of the Bradley Animal Hospital. Please listen to the full episode to get all the essential details and schedules for your weekend.

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.