• Firefighter reported injured battling Tuesday evening blaze

There are reports of a firefighter being injured while battling a fire in Essex last night. Few details are available, but what we do know is Essex fire was called to a house fire on Kody Alan Drive in Braidwood Tuesday evening. It's thought a firefighter fell through the floor of the home and had to be rescued. We'll have more details for you as they become available.

• Crime Stopper Tip of the Week

Local law enforcement officials are looking into a theft from a storage unit earlier this week. Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski has our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week. Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward.

• Bradley Police Holiday safety message

Officer Megan Lanie with the Bradley Police Department has a few tips to help make this Christmas Holiday a safe one. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration says in 2023, which is the last year for which numbers are available, there were more than one-thousand traffic related deaths over the Christmas Holiday period

• Kankakee County Sheriff's Department "Don't Drink and Drive"

For a lot of us, the Christmas Holiday has begun, Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski has some tips to make Christmas travel a little safer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expects there to be some 500 traffic related deaths nation-wide over the Christmas Holiday period

• Beware the Holiday Blues

It's that time of year where Holiday Blues could set in for some. Riverside Psychiatry Resident Doctor Breanna Wennberg has some tips on how to cope with those feelings. Doctor Wennberg says when those Holiday Blues last for longer than a week or two, that's a sign there is something more serious going on like Major Depressive Disorder.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• Powerball jackpot grows

The Powerball jackpot is rolling over again with no grand prize winner on Monday night. That puts it at a staggering one-point-seven billion dollars with next drawing on Christmas Eve. There were a number of million-dollar winners on Monday, with those tickets sold in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

• Bradley announces lighting contest winners

Bradley Mayor Mike Watson announced the winners of the 7th Annual Bradley Holiday Homes Lighting Contest at last night's village board meeting.

• Bradley Trustees approve proposal for waterpark plans

Bradley Trustees passed a resolution to approve a proposal for the conceptual design layout for the Mattel Waterpark at Monday night's Village Board meeting. Bradley Mayor Mike Watson says there will be a multiple designs to choose from. It was just two weeks ago when the Bradley Village Board announced their future waterpark would now be Mattel branded. They hope to break ground on the project along I-57 in Bradley sometime this Spring or Summer.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• Man shot/killed Sunday evening

Kankakee City Police are investigating after a man was shot to death in the City Sunday evening. In a press release, City Police say it was just before six last night when they were called to the 12-hundred block of East Oak Street for a report of shots fired. The caller told dispatchers someone was trying to break into his apartment and he had shot at them. When they got there, City Police say they found a 35-year-old man lying outside the apartment where the attempted break-in had allegedly happened. Reports say the man was taken to the hospital where he later died of his wounds. The shooting is under investigation.

• Gas prices down for holiday travelers

Gas prices are down as people hit the roads for the Christmas Holiday. Triple-A says the average cost for a gallon of gas is two-dollars-94 cents across the Land of Lincoln, that's more than 30 cents cheaper than it was a this time last year. Triple-A says gas in Kankakee County is running 2.80 a gallon on average down a penny overnight and down 11 cents in the past week. Gas in Iroquois County is also running 2.80 on average. It's 2.98 on average in Ford County, 2.99 in Livingston County, 2.94 in Grundy County and 2.85 in Will County.

Across the State Line, Triple A says a gallon of gas will set you back two-dollars-66 cents on average in Newton County, 2.90 in Benton County and 2.80 in Jasper County. A gallon of gas is running 2.76 on average across the Hoosier State. The Nation-wide average is two-dollars-85 cents a gallon.

• Griffith IN police make arrest in ice cream heist

Griffith Indiana police say they have arrested a suspect for the theft of 62-hundred-dollars worth of ice cream. Christopher Stewart is accused of stealing 258-cases of ice cream over several weeks and admitted to police he stole and re-sold it. The thefts happened in northwest Indiana and Stewart is charged with two Level 6 Felonies for theft and one misdemeanor for leaving the scene of a crash. The Level 6 Felony charges carry a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence if he is convicted.

• Newton County, IN authorities warn of scam

The Newton County Sheriff's Police are reporting another scam going around the area. In this one, the victim got a call saying someone was being released from custody and would be arriving at the victim's home within an hour. The scammer then pressures the victim to pay for "an emergency protective order" by picking from their "tiers of safety" program. The scammer asks for the money to be sent to an individual and not a business. A Newton County resident was scammed out of some 13-hundred dollars. Authorities remind you that legitimate law enforcement or court services do not demand immediate payment over the phone or ask how much money someone has available. Anyone receiving similar calls is advised to hang up and report the incident to law enforcement.

• Beecher Police look for attempted armed robber

Beecher Police are asking for help to identify those responsible for an attempted armed robbery in the Village. On their Facebook page, Beecher Police say there was an attempted armed robbery with a firearm at a vape shop on Indiana Avenue Friday afternoon. The suspect, who's described as a white man, reportedly got into a car and took off. Beecher Police ask anyone with any information on the incident to contact their office.

• Will County authorities release names of crash victims

Will County Coroner Laurie Summer has released the names of two people killed in a traffic crash

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

🎙️ Listen to Bill Dyche’s exclusive interview with Gayla Peevey, the iconic voice behind “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

• Lawyers for man convicted of Delphi murders files appeal

Attorneys for the man convicted of the Delphi murders have filed an appeal. Richard Allen was found guilty last year of the 2017 murders of Libby German and Abby Williams. Allen's attorneys have filed a 113-page brief appealing the conviction with the Indiana Court of Appeals. They argue that the search of Allen's home was unconstitutional, his confessions during confinement were inadmissible, and that the defense team was not able to provide their complete defense because their alternative theory was not permitted by the judge.

• Holiday Cooking Safety

The holiday season brings with it special issues when it comes to fire safety. Over the last few weeks we've been talking to representatives from the local fire services about some of those issues and what can be done to minimize the risk. Today we hear from Lieutenant Enrique Czako, EMS Coordinator and Community Risk Reduction Officer for the City of Kankakee Fire Department about fire risks when it comes to cooking. Lieutenant Czako says 44 percent of all home fires are caused by carelessness when cooking

• What to do around Kankakee County

There's plenty of fun activities to do in our area this weekend. With a look at a few of the events is Angelina Gear, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

• Auditor touts savings

At this mornings meeting of the Kankakee County Board Finance Committee, County Auditor Colton Ekhoff gave an update on the Staples program that was implemented earlier this year. Ekhoff added most departments don't do their office spending until April or May and that he would have a report on those savings sometime in June.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• IL GOP on possible Madigan pardon

Illinois' Republican Congress members are asking President Trump to not pardon former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. In a letter this week to Trump, U.S. Representative Mike Bost, Darin LaHood, and Mary Miller said pardoning the Chicago Democrat "would send a dangerous message that public officials can betray the public trust with impunity." Madigan filed a clemency petition with the Office of the Pardon Attorney. He is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted earlier this year on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery.

• Bears eye move to Indiana

Indiana could get its second National Football League team. The Chicago Bears are looking at moving to northwest Indiana as their effort to build a new stadium in the Chicago area is at a standstill. The Bears and Illinois lawmakers are at a stalemate over a bill that would give them a tax break with Arlington Heights when the new stadium is built. Team president and CEO Kevin Warren says they will expand their search "and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including Northwest Indiana."

• Kankakee to continue Republic Services

City of Kankakee residents will continue to use Republic Services for garbage and recycle pickup. A resolution was passed at Monday night's city council meeting. Mayor Chris Curtis says Republic had the best proposal. Mayor Curtis says curbside and alleyway pickup remains the same and that the new five year agreement with Republic Services begins January 1st.

• Former Braidwood Mayor Saltzman dead at 84

A former mayor of Braidwood has died. Wayne Thomas Saltzman passed away Friday at the age of 84 according to his obituary. Saltzman was Mayor of Braidwood from 2003 to 2007 and served as the president of the Braidwood Park District for 30 years. During his time as Mayor, he founded the Braidwood Food Pantry, an effort that earned him a Hometown Pride Award. Visitation for Saltzman is being held this afternoon from three to seven at RW Patterson Funeral Home in Braidwood.

• Secret Food Pantry in Bourbonnais today

Another of those Secret Food Pantry mobile pop-up events is planned for the Village of Bourbonnais today. This one runs from 11 til noon at the sight on Briarwood Lane. Organizers of the event recommend a five-dollar donation. They ask you show up no more than a half hour before the start of the event and you follow the route outlined by Bourbonnais Police. You can find that route and get more information the Village of Bourbonnais' website or its Facebook page.

• Kankakee City Police report residential burglary

Kankakee City Police are investigating after a home was broken into Tuesday. According to reports, City Police were called to the home in the 12-hundred block of East Oak Street about 5:30 last night by a man who said he'd left for work at six yesterday morning and came home to find the front door of his house had been kicked in. The victim told police a television and other electronics were missing from the home. City Police continue to investigate.

• VAC gift tree a success

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Executive Committee, Veteran's Assistance Superintendent Eric Peterson told the committee the recent Holiday Honor's program through the VAC has been a success. Peterson noted the success of the program wasn't just a message to the veteran's who will be getting those gift

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• Bradley Police make arrest in October incident

Bradley Police report additional arrests in an incident where shots were fired in the Village back in October. In a press release, Bradley Police say it was just after three in the afternoon on October second when they were called to a home on South Jefferson Avenue for a reported burglary where shots had been fired. Two people were arrested that day after an alleged illegal pot growing operation was found in the garage of the house. The investigation into the incident led to the December fifth arrests of 27-year-old Donte C. Moore of Bradley and 24-year-old Dahnari R. Jones of Pembroke township on burglary and gun-related charges. A 19-year-old and 17-year-old from Joliet were also arrested by Bradley Police.

• City of Kankakee makes plans to celebrate US 250th birthday

Kankakee City Aldermen passed a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting to opt into the state of Illinois's celebration of America's 250th birthday next year. Mayor Chris Curtis says this includes the city's participation in a statewide time capsule. Mayor Curtis added the city will most likely add some extra festivities to next year's 4th of July fireworks display to celebrate America's 250th Birthday.

• Norovirus on the rise in Kankakee County

Cases of Norovirus are on the rise in our area according to Kankakee County Health Department Administrator John Bevis. Bevis says antibiotics do not help with norovirus and only the symptoms can be treated. Bevis also said local hospitals have begun to see more cases of RSV, Flu, and Covid as well.

• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

Local law enforcement is looking for help to identify those involved in a theft to a work truck last Friday. Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowksi has our Crime Stoppers tip of the week. Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward.

• IHSA to expand football playoffs

The Illinois High School Association is expanding the football playoff field. IHSA members approved the expansion of the Football Playoffs from 32 teams per class to 48 teams. That increases the number of total playoff qualifiers from 256 qualifiers to 384. The number of playoff classes in football remains at eight.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847

• Winter plowing cost Bourbonnais some $130,000 so far this winter

At last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, Village Public Works Director Terry Memenga gave an update on Village efforts to keep the streets clear so far this winter. Memenga said keeping the roads clear this winter has so far cost the Village about 130-thousand dollars.

• I57/Rte 54 interchange to be closed overnights starting tonight

The I-57, Route 54 interchange at Onarga will be closed for three nights in a row starting Tuesday night. IDOT says the interchange needs to be closed so they can demolish part of the Route 54 bridge deck over the interstate. Closures start at six each night and the interchange will re-open at six the following morning.

• Bourbonnais agrees to annex new subdivision

During last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, trustees passed an annexation agreement with the developers of the planned "Pony Farm" subdivision. Village Administrator Mike VanMill. It's thought Pony Farm Subdivision would be the first new subdivision in the Village in about 20 years. The new subdivision in planned for across from Turnberry Subdivision

• Bourbonnais sets tax levy request

Bourbonnais Trustees last night passed the Village tax levy request for the new fiscal year. Village Finance Director Tara Latz. Latz pointed out the village portion is about five percent of the total property tax bill in the village.

• Powerball Rollover

The Powerball jackpot is rolling over again. There was no grand prize winner on Monday night so the jackpot jumps to a staggering one-point-two-five billion dollars ahead of the next drawing on Wednesday. There were a couple of million-dollar prize winners on Monday. Those tickets were sold in California and Arizona.

• IL Public Health alcohol study

The Illinois Department of Public Health is releasing its first-ever report on alcohol use by Illinois residents. The report says nearly 23-percent of Illinois high schoolers reported consuming at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days, while more than 11-percent acknowledged binge drinking. Among adults, 57-percent of respondents said they had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage in the past 30-days, while more than 18-percent acknowledged binge drinking. Data from the report can be used by state and local health officials to develop targeted programs and interventions to address health-related concerns linked to alcohol use.

Hear the unforgettable true stories of Kankakee County. Search for "This One Time in Kankakee" wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://pod.link/1843321847