WVLI News Update

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Kankakee City Police apprehend a 28-year-old Bourbonnais man following a Monday morning shooting on East Court Street that left one person hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The episode provides coverage of the contested Kankakee County Clerk election ahead of Election Day, featuring statements from incumbent Dan Hendrickson and challenger Brian Vaughn regarding office accessibility, budgets, and voting expansion. 

Additional stories include an arrest linked to an intentional dumpster fire in Kankakee, an undercover narcotics arrest by the Iroquois County Sheriff's Police in Sheldon, the upcoming return of D...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive coverage of breaking local news and key civic developments across Kankakee County and the surrounding region. 

Topics covered in this episode include:

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, comprehensive local and regional coverage spans breaking public safety news, local governance, infrastructure, and community events across Kankakee, Will, and Iroquois counties. 

Will County authorities are investigating a fatal crash on Peotone-Wilmington Road at Center Road involving a passenger car and a semi-truck that resulted in two fatalities. In Iroquois County, sheriff's deputies report several juveniles were hospitalized following a rollover golf cart accident in Loda. Meanwhile, emergency repairs by IDOT lead to lane closures and anticipated delays on Interstate 80 in Joliet. 

Local government re...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers critical developments across Kankakee County and surrounding areas. 

Bradley police are actively investigating an isolated shooting incident on the North Street I-57 overpass that left two people dead late Thursday night. In economic news, Illinois drivers are seeing another sudden spike at the pump, with Kankakee area gas prices surging 32 cents overnight to an average of $4.80 per gallon. 

This update also details the latest Kankakee County Board Finance Committee meeting regarding the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and fund balances, the city of Kankakee's ap...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local reporting covers key county government decisions, township governance disputes, election preparations, and community headlines across Kankakee County. The Kankakee County Board Executive Committee examines a proposal to withdraw from the Kankakee Regional Land Bank, centering on questions of municipal tax equity and program jurisdiction. In Bourbonnais Township, the ongoing debate over eliminating the road department develops further after Highway Commissioner Jason Diaz releases audio of a voicemail reportedly left by Township Assessor Doug Anderson. 

Additional local reports featured in this episode:

On the November 3 ballot, voters within the Bourbonnais Public Library District will decide on a proposed funding referendum. In this WVLI News Update Special Report, host Jake LaMore sits down with Jeremy Van Kley of the Vote Yes for Bourbonnais Public Library campaign committee to break down the details, numbers, and community impact behind the measure. 

The discussion covers key topics every district resident should consider ahead of election day:

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 Aven...

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 Ka...

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 p...

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 pl...

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 p...

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 a...

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...

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 v...

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:

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...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key local news, public safety alerts, community announcements, and regional sports updates across Kankakee and Iroquois counties. Kankakee City Police are investigating an early morning garage break-in on South Winfield, supported by surveillance footage showing multiple suspects. Kankakee County Health Department Administrator John Beevis details an anonymous 10-minute community survey designed to identify top local health priorities for the next three years. 

In local entertainment, area singer Logan Miller shares an update regarding his blind audition for Season 30 of NBC's The Voice. Kankakee County Sheriff's Police C...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West delivers key local headlines, health advisories, community developments, and sports news. 

In local governance, the Manteno Village Board meeting saw praise for Mayor Annette LaMore from Trustee Joel Gesky following months of tension, while Mayor LaMore issued an apology regarding a recent incident with student volunteers. Meanwhile, data from Visit Kankakee County reveals that Manteno Oktoberfest recorded over 30,000 visits, ranking among the top attractions in Illinois. 

The report also details a major FDA recall of more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade across 37 states due to...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key local headlines, public safety advisories, community achievements, and regional sports updates across Kankakee and surrounding counties. 

Jake LaMore reports from the Kankakee County Courthouse lawn on the annual Firefighters Memorial ceremony. The event featured remarks from Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe and retired Fire Chief Frank Hasik IV, honoring the eight local firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since 1921. 

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week and Fire Safety Month, Lt. Enrique Czako, community risk reduction officer an...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe announces that the Third District Appellate Court has upheld the murder convictions and life sentences for Dee Eastman and Phillip Horrell. The update also highlights the annual Fallen Heroes Memorial ceremony on the Kankakee Courthouse lawn, historical folklore traditions surrounding October, and a routine Illinois State Police traffic stop in Kankakee that resulted in a major cannabis trafficking arrest of a Momence resident. 

Additional coverage includes highlights from the Kankakee County Chamber State of the Municipality event, information on the f...

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, guest host Jake LaMore fills in for Rob West to deliver essential local and regional headlines. Coverage begins with a report from the Frankfort Police Department regarding a fatal two-vehicle crash on Lincoln Highway. The update also highlights Indiana Governor Mike Braun's decision to extend the state's gas tax suspension for another 30 days, keeping state gas prices well below the national average. 

Listeners will hear about Silver Dome Award recognition for WVLI's morning show from the Illinois Broadcasters Association, alongside law enforcement reports including a weapons and drug arrest i...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key developments and headlines across Illinois and Indiana.

Key stories in this broadcast include:

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

Key topics covered in this episode:

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West delivers complete coverage of critical local headlines, law enforcement developments, and community news across Kankakee County and surrounding areas.

Coverage opens with a federal jury conviction of a Chicago man following an assault on two correctional officers with a wooden broom handle at the Jerome Combs Detention Center. In Champaign County, an arrest has been made on preliminary attempted murder charges following a shooting on Cunningham Avenue in Urbana.

In local government news, the Manteno Community Fire Protection District has been awarded an $832,000 FEMA SAFER...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers critical local news, legal developments, and community events across Kankakee and Will counties.

A Village of Bradley Police Sergeant has filed a whistleblower lawsuit in Kankakee County Circuit Court against the village and Police Chief Don Barber, alleging a 15-day suspension for refusing to violate Illinois' SAFE-T Act. The update also covers an ongoing police investigation into early-morning business burglaries in Bradley and Will County, as well as United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties' annual meeting highlighting over $655,000 raised for tornado relief.

Additional...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, Kankakee City Police investigate multiple local incidents, including a shots-fired call on South 4th Avenue and recent arrests involving assault and battery charges. The broadcast highlights discussions from the Kankakee City Council regarding environmental and water usage concerns surrounding a planned Amazon data center near the Kankakee River watershed in Jasper County, Indiana.

Additional updates cover local community services and events, including the kickoff of Manteno Oktoberfest, a mobile food pantry pop-up in Bourbonnais, details on National Suicide Prevention Month resources through Thresholds, and the announcement...

The latest edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers key economic development, infrastructure, and community news across Kankakee County. Highlights include the official groundbreaking of a $60 million warehouse development at the Bourbonnais Parkway Business Park, an $800,000 pre-development loan approval by the Kankakee City Council for a proposed 35-room downtown boutique hotel on Indiana Avenue, and municipal funding commitments toward a $9 million West Avenue streetscape overhaul.

This update also details critical safety guidelines for families attending Manteno Oktoberfest from Officer Jeremy Marsek, seasonal harvest road safety advice from the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office, and coverage...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, police investigate a shots-fired incident in the 1600 block of East Maple Street in Kankakee that left damage on a local business and a nearby vehicle. In Bourbonnais, trustees approve new occupation and rental taxes on rental cars effective November 1, as Village Administrator Mike Van Mill prepares to step down. Tensions rise at the Manteno Village Board meeting where Mayor Annette LaMore vetoes actions from a recent special meeting and Village Clerk Crystal Wolfe resigns after two weeks in office. Additional stories cover two free higher education fairs hosted...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, oral arguments begin in the appeal of Richard Allen, who was convicted in the 2017 Delphi murders of Abby Williams and Libby German. Defence attorneys present arguments regarding search warrants, jailhouse confessions, and defense limits before the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Local community coverage includes progress on the Manteno Walk to End Alzheimer’s fundraising goals, details on tonight's "Pops in the Park" concert hosted by Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, and felony theft charges filed against a former booster club treasurer in Paxton. Legislative insights from st...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers critical updates across Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Gas prices have taken another sharp overnight jump across Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Grundy, Will, Newton, Benton, and Jasper counties.

Coverage includes highlights from the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce annual legislative reception, featuring comments from Representative Jackie Haas, Senator Patrick Joyce, and Representative Jason Bunting on small business regulation and healthcare challenges. Additional stories include funeral arrangements for former Manteno Trustee Wendell Phillips, updated US Drought Monitor classifications for the area, and Kankakee County Board Finance Committee reports on...

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West delivers full coverage of pressing local stories across Kankakee County and surrounding communities. Headlines begin in Manteno, where Mayor Annette LaMore issued a statement challenging the legality of a special village board meeting called by rival trustees, pledging to veto all measures passed during the session. The episode details an active Kankakee Police Department investigation into a shots-fired incident on Crestlane Drive, along with the successful search for a missing child in a Rensselaer cornfield.

Listeners will also hear key updates from the Kankakee County Board Executive...

Gas prices continue to climb across Illinois and Indiana, with regional averages seeing notable overnight increases. In state news, Indiana officials allocate $139 million to reimburse municipalities for road funding lost during the state's gas tax holiday. Locally, the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force investigates recent vehicle thefts in Bourbonnais, while the Will County Sheriff's Office seeks public assistance regarding an unreported shooting in Lockport. Meanwhile, the Village of Bradley approves the demolition of a property for potential commercial redevelopment, Manteno honors a long-serving former trustee, and details are released for an upcoming local history bus tour. Listen to the...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers key coverage from the Bradley Village Board meeting, including public discussions regarding Flock license plate cameras and the announcement of the village's fifth annual property tax rebate application timeline. The report also highlights regional gas price increases reported by AAA across Kankakee, Will, Iroquois, and neighboring Indiana counties, as well as an arrest made by Kankakee City Police following a weapon incident at a local bar. Additional reporting includes volunteer opportunities for the upcoming Manteno Oktoberfest and a comprehensive breakdown of recent scores for the White Sox...

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West delivers comprehensive local reporting on critical events across Kankakee County, Will County, and surrounding communities.

Key topics covered in this update include:

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers essential local news, community updates, and regional developments across Kankakee County and surrounding areas. Coverage opens with 9/11 remembrance ceremonies held throughout the county, including a flag-raising ceremony at the Kankakee Public Safety Building featuring unity remarks from Mayor Chris Curtis, as well as local gatherings in Manteno.

Six months after severe tornadoes impacted the area, United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties Executive Director Mariah Vail provides an update on storm recovery efforts, highlighting over $470,000 granted to assist more than 200 families through the Emergency Response Fund.

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local coverage highlights recent police activity across Kankakee County, including arrests following a stabbing incident on Wednesday morning and a knife threat on South 6th Avenue. Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey addresses the County Board Criminal Justice Committee regarding the lack of state mental health resources and the ongoing impact of the SAFE-T Act on local enforcement. Additional coverage includes a joint law enforcement arrest in Chebanse on sex-related charges, scam warnings from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and details regarding an upcoming 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Kankakee...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update hosted by Rob West, comprehensive local reporting covers major public safety, municipal government, and community developments across Kankakee County and surrounding areas.

Coverage opens with details on the arrest of 24-year-old Jaciah D. L. Eason by Kankakee City Police on kidnapping charges following an investigation that led officers to the Peotone Travel Center. In municipal government news, the Kankakee City Council reviews ongoing discussions regarding feral cat management, progress on the Kankakee Riverwalk development, and a successful turnout for the Kankakee River Regatta, which will host national championship races...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, top regional news stories cover the reopening of US 231 in Jasper County following a multi-day closure due to a cooking oil spill, key guidance from pediatric psychologist Dr. Bakht Siddiqui for Suicide Awareness Prevention Month, and new findings published in The Lancet suggesting that 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modifications.

Additional news coverage includes first-degree murder charges filed against a Frankfort woman, registration opening for the 13th Annual Scarecrow Contest at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais, findings from a Cleveland Clinic survey...

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, key news headlines and holiday weekend updates across Kankakee County, Will County, and surrounding areas in Illinois and Indiana are covered in detail.

The report begins with an ongoing heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service, bringing heat index values near 105 degrees ahead of expected relief by Sunday. Regional travel updates highlight a minor drop in Labor Day weekend gas prices across Illinois and Indiana, along with coverage of Indiana Governor Mike Braun’s decision to extend the state’s gas tax holiday.

Crim...

Stay informed with the latest regional news, weather, and sports coverage on this episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West. High temperatures and excessive heat advisories continue across Illinois, with heat index values projected to reach as high as 110 degrees. Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, gas prices see an uptick across Illinois and Indiana as Indiana prepares to re-implement its state gas tax.

In local community updates, the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual awards dinner, recognizing local educator Phil Wilkey as Citizen of the Year alongside Lifetime Achievement Award winners...