Tuesday March 9

Child Dies

There's sad news today for a family who's home in the 100 block of N. 8th Ave. suffered a serious fire Friday morning.  One of the two children who were being treated at Loyola Medical Center has died.  Kankakee Fire confirming today the death of Fantasia Galderio, 4.  Her 12 year old brother remains hospitalized.

Another Suspected Arson Monday

Arson is suspected in a fire last night in the 500 block of N. Illinois.  The vacant home suffered about $20,000 in damage.  Kankakee Fire saying the damage was confined to a bedroom of the home.  No one was hurt in the blaze.  A cause is still pending.

Coroner Seeks Womans Family

The Kankakee Cty. Coroners Office is looking for relatives of a homeless woman who died last week from natural causes.  Elaine Harnach, 64, is believed to have relatives in the Kankakee area.  Call 802-7190 if you have any information on the womans family.

Easter Seals Beats Goal

The numbers are in on last weekends' Easter Seals Telethon broadcast live from Chalfant Hall at Olivet Nazarene Univ..  When all the pledges were counted up, Easter Seals took in $65,577.

Bradley Meeting

At last nights' Bradley Village Board Meeting, Police Chief Steve Coy presented the board with police stats for last year overall the numbers were down.  Coy says the village did see an up tick in the number of burglaries.

Pile Up On Rte. 1

Illinois State Police say 7 separate accidents involving different vehicles, including 2 semis closed Rte. 1 at 2100 N. Monday morning for about 2 hours.  All the accidents occurred within 5 minutes of each other and sent 6 people to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Police say dense fog was a contributing factor.  4 people were sited by police for driving too fast for conditions.

High School Track Record Broken

Congratulations to Amy Harvoth, a junior at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School, as she broke a 26 yr old record over the weekend.  In the high jump, she cleared 5'8" Saturday at the Lincoln Way Central Indoor Invitational.  As a 2 time IHSA state qualifier, she cleared 5'3" at the state meet last year.

Air Fresh Arrest

An unusual number of air fresheners in a car stopped for speeding on I-57 near Paxton Monday made an Illinois State Police Trooper suspicious enough to call in a drug sniffing dog in the end, a passenger in the vehicle was arrested for possession of a small amount of cannabis, found in his shoe taken into custody was Wesley Bell, 26, of Mt. Vernon.

Crime Index Down In Bradley Last Year

Crime stats for last year was topic number 1 at last nights Bradley Village board meeting.  Police Chief Steve Coy says overall he's pleased with the figures.

Plunge Makes 70K

This years Polar Plunge at Lake Manteno to benefit Special Olympics was a huge success.  Spokesperson Kim Riddering says in The Daily Journal they raised $70,000.  It's a new record.  375 people took part in this years plunge held over the weekend.

Semi Overturns On I-57

A semi driver tells Illinois State Police he was forced off the roadway on I-57 near Ashkum Monday night by a passing SUV.  The driver lost control of his big rig and went into a ditch and overturned.  The driver was not injured.  The SUV kept on going.

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Monday March 8

Infant Dies In Accident

A single vehicle accident Sunday on I-57 near Onarga Township claimed the life of a 2 month old boy.  Illinois State Police say a vehicle driven by Pamela Harris, 51, of Rantoul, left the roadway & overturned in the median.  Police say Jordan Harris, 2 months old, was ejected from the vehicle in the process.  Harris was in a child restraint seat, however the seat was apparently installed improperly.

Search For Manteno Man Resumes

Volunteers, friends & family members joined Momence Fire Fighters and the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Sunday searching for David Smith, 49, of Manteno.  He and his dog have been missing since Jan. 10th.  They are believed to have broken through ice and drowned in the Kankakee River.  Ice on the river has prevented previous searches.

Hunting Accident Claims A Life

Newton County Sheriff's Police are investigating what appears to be an accident over the weekend.  Johnathan Link, 42, of Ravenna, MI, was hunting on private property when he was run over by a pickup truck.  His friend, Robert Rush, 42, also of MI, was driving the truck.  Link died later at Jasper County Hospital.  No word on any charges. 

Easter Seals Raises Over $65K

Our very own, Bob Malkowski & Mike Ruble helped raise over $65,000 for the Easter Seals Sunday.  After only 3 hours of broadcasting, on Comcast channel 4, a little over $12,000 was raised.  A half an hour later, the total reached over $17,000.  After the talent performed until 8pm, the total skyrocketed to over $65,000.

Chain Reaction Accident

Several people have been hospitalized in connection with a chain reaction accident on Rte. 1 & 2100 N. in Iroquois Cty.  Illinois State Police say 12 vehicles & 2 semi-trucks were involved.  Morning fog was to blame for the accident.  No fatalities were reported.  The accident had the road closed for several hours this morning.

KAMEG Drug Arrest

KAMEG agents arrested a Kankakee man Friday on drug charges.  Terry Lawhorn, 47, was charged with possession of crack cocaine & cannabis, with intent to sell.  The agents raided his home in the 300 block of N. Hammas.

Trailer Park Fire

An improperly discarded cigarette is thought to be responsible for a trailer park fire Sunday.  The home, located in the 1900 block of S. Schuyler, was completely destroyed.  Another home close by, suffered minor damage.  The resident and his dog managed to escape serious injury.

Fire On N. Industrial Again

Fire fighters were called to a vacant home in the 400 block of N. Industrial over the weekend.  It was the 2nd time in a week that fire fighters were called to the address.  Police say arson is suspected in both cases.  No one was hurt in the fire.

Text 4 Baby Now Available

The Ford Iroquois Public Health Dept. has incorporated the national Text 4 Baby campaign into their messaging to pregnant women and new moms.  Julie Clark says it's part of the national effort to reduce infant mortality.

Rebuilding Together Needs Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for next months' Rebuilding Together in Kankakee.  The annual event rehabs homes for seniors, the disabled and area veterans.  Spokesperson Toni Hassett says it all started years ago in Texas.  Call 935-8800.

Paper Drive A Success

The Kankakee Cty. American Legion took in over 3600 pounds of paper in last weekends paperdrive to benefit Rebuilding Together in Kankakee Cty.

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Friday March 5

Infant Killed In Vehicle Crash

An SUV, driving near Onarga, drove off of I-57 & flipped killing an infant.  State police say Jordan Harris, 2 months old, was ejected from his seat as the SUV overturned.  Apparently, the child was in a car seat, however, it seemed to have malfunctioned.

Kankakee House Fire Injures 4

4 people, including 2 children, were injured this morning in a home fire.  Kankakee Fire Chief Ron Young says fire fighters entered the 2 story, in the 100 block of N. 8th Ave., after learning 3 people were still inside.

$1 Million Bond For Barker

Bond has been set at $1 Million for Devon Barker, 20, of Kankakee.  Barker has been charged with 1st Degree Murder in the death of Maria O'Connor, 24.  O'Connor died Thursday morning at St. Mary's Hospital.  She was struck by a stray bullet Tuesday in the 200 Block of S. Orchard.  Police say Barker, an alleged gang member was firing at rival gang members from a moving vehicle when one of the rounds struck O'Connor.

Layoffs Today At Sheriff's Dept.

Layoffs in the Iroquois County Sheriff's Dept. will take affect today.  4 Deputies & a Corrections Officer are losing their jobs in response to budget cuts.  Cuts were made necessary when a public safety sale tax referendum failed at the polls last month by 10 votes.

Wisconsin Man Arrested

Illinois State Police arrested a Milwaukee man Thursday in Kankakee on drug charges.  Terrence Wells, 22,  driving on I-57, was pulled over; when police discovered drugs in his vehicle.  Wells was found to be driving on a revoked license, which initiated a search of the vehicle.  Several baggies of suspected marijuana turned up.

Boy Arrested In Bomb Hoax

Kankakee Cty. Sheriff's Police have arrested a 13 yr. old boy in connection with last months bomb threat at St. George School.  The call initiated a search of the building.  Classes were delayed for a couple hours.  Police say they used cell phone records to find the boy.

Bad News For District Officials

State Officials have indicated that district officials can expect funding reductions from 10 to 15% next year.  An expected $1.3 million deficit for Bourbonnais Elementary 53 could balloon to $3.5 million if anticipated education funding cuts take place in Springfield.  The Daily Journal reports that in a letter to district officials, State Rep. Lisa Dugan says they can expect the funding reductions.

Halvorson Returns Money

Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson will donate $16,000 in campaign contributions to charity.  The funds came from NY Congressman Charlie Rangel, who has stepped down as The Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.  The House Ethics Committee found he violated house rules regarding accepting donations.

BVM Holds Open House

Maternity BVM this is year is celebrating 150 years of educating children in the Kankakee area.  Principal, Terry Granger says families are welcome to attend Sunday's open house.

Polar Plunge This Weekend

A weather forecast that includes sunshine and 50 degrees for Saturday is good news for those taking part in this weekends Polar Plunge.  Spokesperson Kim Riddering says they are expecting a huge number of plungers that benefits the Special Olympics.

 

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Thursday March 4

Gunshot Victim Dies

The woman who suffered a gunshot wound Tuesday while walking down Orchard has died.  Maria O'Connor, 24, was struck by a stray bullet as a gang member allegedly fired at rival gang members.  Devon Barker is in custody on a preliminary charge of attempted murder.  However, those charges are expected to be upgraded with O'Connor's death this morning after she was taken off life support.

Onarga Man Arrested

Iroquois County Sheriff Police arrested an Onarga man this week who is wanted on 3 outstanding warrants.  One is for criminal sexual assault.  Jose Gomez, 19, of Onarga was also wanted for domestic battery and driving on a revoked license.

Easter Seals Telethon This Sunday

The annual Easter Seals Telethon is coming up this Sunday.  The big show will be televised live on Comcast Channel 4 from Chalfant Hall at Olivet Nazarene University.

Wilmington Man Dies In Crash

A Wilmington man is dead today following a single vehicle accident this morning on Pine Bluff Rd. near Morris.  Grundy County Sheriff's Police say Jason Forsythe, 34, lost control and struck a utility pole.

Email Causes Concern

Bourbonnais Police today are asking that you disregard an email going around the area about a man stopping in the area to take photos of homes.  The email states that the man had a ski mask, duct tape, rope and a hammer in the vehicle, was questioned and released.  None of it is true.  Police say the alert that apparently went out to area schools was a misunderstanding between Officers.  Police did speak to a man taking photos of homes, however he did not have anything suspicious in his vehicle.

Drug Arrest

A routine stop for speeding on I-57 near Clifton ended with the arrest of the driver on drug and weapons charges.  Illinois State Police initiated a search after detecting the scent of marijuana in the vehicle.  Inside, Police found 32 packages of suspected cannabis, a loaded handgun and a large amount of cash.  Terrance Pringle, 40, of Boerne, Texas was arrested.

Car/Deer Accident

No one was hurt in a single vehicle car/deer accident on Rte. 1 and 2100 N. in Iroquois County.  Police say Dan Henson, 48, of Watseka was on Rte. 1 when a deer ran into the path of his truck.

Dugan Pushes Scholarship Program

State Rep. Lisa Dugan is reminding High School Seniors in the District to apply for one of her community service $500 scholarships.  They are awarded every year to one Senior in each of the 14 High Schools in the District.

 

 

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Wednesday March 3

Drive-By Shooting

Gang related gunfire sent a Kankakee woman to the hospital Tuesday after she was struck by a stray bullet.  The shot was apparently intended for a rival gang member.  The drive-by shooting happend in the 200 block of S. Orchard.  Police found Maria O'Connor, 24, of Kankakee on that same block.  She was unresponsive on the ground, suffering from the gunshot wound to the neck.  O'Connor was rushed to St. Mary's Hospital.  Her condition is still unknown.  Kankakee Police Chief Mike Kincade says officers quickly located the suspects vehicle and made the stop.

Former Watseka Man Arrested

The former General Manager and part owner of a Watseka car dealership has plead guilty to bank fraud charges in Billings, Montana.  The charges come from a dealership he owned in MT.  The Daily Journal reports that Radolfo Gutierrez Jr. faces a possible 30 year jail sentence and a $1 million dollar fine.

Daniels Yet To Sign Illiana Bill

The Indiana State Legislature has passed the Illinois Expressway Bill allowing for all private/public partnerships in the construction.  However, Gov. Mitch Daniels said there is still no guarantee the long sought highway will ever be built.  Daniels has yet to sign the bill approved last week, but indicates he will.  The expressway would connect I-65 in Indiana with I-57 and I-55 in Illinois.  Illinois Lawmakers have yet to act on the Illiana Bill in Springfield.

Pontiac Man Arrested On Sex Charges

A Pontiac man is being held at the Livingston County Jail on a charge of sexual assault of a child.  The incident occurred more than 10 yrs. ago.  Michael Vitzthum, 33, allegedly assaulted a girl between the ages of 3 and 8 in 1999.  He's being held on a $20,000 bond.

New GI Bill Helpline Operational

Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson is urging all area Veterans to take advantage of the new GI Bill Helpline.  It's designed to help Vets with questions on how to benefit from the post 911 GI  Bill.

Goselin Now Has Podcast

Parents with students at Bradley Elementary School District now have a new way of being informed of happenings in the district.  Bradley Superintendent Scott Goselin has recently started a bi-weekly podcast.


 

 

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Tuesday March 2

2 Dead

2 People are dead following a single vehicle acident on US 24 in Remington, IN.  Police say George Chrisner, 64, of Goodland and Mary Jacobs, 59, of Remington died when their vehicle swerved off the roadway.  They struck a tree and burst into flames.  Both were ejected from the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Arson Suspected In Fire

Arson is suspected in a fire early this morning in the 400 block of N. Industrial Ave. in Kankakee.  Kankakee Fire says that smoke was already coming from the building when they arrived at the abandoned single story home.  Inside they found multiple points of origin.  No one was hurt.  Damage is estimated at $7,000.

Fitz Sentencing Date Expected

After a number of previous attempts, a sentencing date for former Grant Park Police Chief Scott Fitz is expected to be set with prosecutors tomorrow.  Fitz has pled guilty to his part in a prostitution sting that netted him $400,000.  Fitz has been free on $90,000 since pleading guilty last May.

Martinton Fire Investigation Continues

State Fire Marshalls were on the scene of a weekend home fire in Martinton that destroyed the 2 story structure.  Officials are still looking for a cause to the blaze.  The home, in the 100 block of S. 2nd St., was undergoing renovations.  It was not occupied at the time of the fire.

Windows Shot Out

Someone shot out the side windows & damaged the windsheild of a Peterbilt Tractor Monday morning.  The tractor was parked in the 800 block of S. McMulen Dr. in Kankakee.  Police believe a BB Gun is responsible for the damage.  The owner says he parked the rig last Friday and found the damage Monday morning.

Shore Pushes Census

At last nights Bourbonnais Village Board meeting, Mayor Paul Shore reminded all village residents to fill out their census forms.  They should be arriving this week.  Shore says it's important that you fill it out and mail it back.

City Paves Brookmont

Also last night at the board meeting, the board took a moment to congratulate the Bishop Mac Girls B-Ball Team for the trip to the statewide playoffs last weekend.  The girls brought home the 4th Place Trouphy.  Mayor Shore says the whole village is proud of what the team did.

Nina Goes To Washington

At last nights Kankakee City Council meeting, Mayor Nina Epsteen says she will be flying to Washington today to speak with members of the Illinois Delegation about funding to widen Brookmont Blvd. Railroad Underpass to 4 lanes; after the Council voted to resurface the roadway from Schuyler to Rte. 50 this Spring.  City Engineer Dave Tyson says the project cost was cheaper than expected.


 

 

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Monday March 1

Phagan Sentenced To 25 Years

Marchell Phagan, 24, of Kankakee, initially charged with murder in the 2006 death of her 2 year old daughter, Tanashia, later pled guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated battery to a child.  She was sentenced to 25 years in jail.  Her former boyfriend, Breck Brooksaw was found guilty of the murder in 2008 and is serving 60 years.  Authorities believe the 2 year old was the victim of habitual abuse by the couple.

Fatal Accident In Jasper County

A snow covered roadway is thought to have contributed to the weekend death of a Rensselaer man.  Justin Holbrook, 27, was found lying in a ditch on County Road 300 S. near 2111 W. .  Police believe Holbrook lost control on the snow and struck a guardrail, then flipped his vehicle into a ditch.  Holbrook was ejected in the process.  The accident occured just after 12:30 am Saturday.  He was not recovered until 6 hours later.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kankakee Man Given 21 Years In Jail

A Kankakee man was sentenced last week to 21 years in Federal Prison after being found guilty of possession of a handgun by a Felon and for committing perjury when he testified at his trial.  Deandre Hampton, 28, was arrested Sept, 2008 by the Kankakee project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force.

Hoopeston Home Fire

Hoopeston fire fighters were called to a home in the 1100 block of S. 2nd Ave. over the weekend.  There were no reports of any injuries.  No word of the cause yet.

Barn Burns, Horses Escape

2 horses saved themselves Sat. when their barn caught fire in the 900 block of W. Dralle in Will Cty..  At one point, flames were shooting 30 ft. into the air, but the owners say the animals managed to make their way out of the barn and were waiting, unharmed in the paddock.  No word on the cause of the fire.

Martinton Fire Claims Home

A fire Sat. destroyed a 2 story Martinton home in the 100 block of S. 2nd St..  Nobody was reported hurt in the blaze and damage estimates are still pending.

Nuzzi Case Thrown Out Of Court

A 2007 lawsuit filed against the St. George Elementary School District by its former Superintendent and School Principal has been dismissed.  According to The Daily Journal, US Dist. Judge Mike McCuskey issued a rare court sanction against both Tom and Deborah Nuzzi for some 200 alleged inappropriate statements made in their sworn affidavits.

Teen Safe After Fire

A teenager managed to escape a house fire unharmed early Sunday in the 600 block of N. Indiana.  Kankakee fire says damages have been set at $50,000.  A cause is still undetermined.

Whale Trainer Funeral Today

Funeral services will be held today for a former Cedar Lake woman who was killed in a whale attack at Sea World last week.  Dawn Brancheau, 40, was a trainer at the park in Orlando when a 6 ton Orca pulled her underwater.

Teen Idol DVD Debuts This Week

The JR. Teen Idols in Kankakee and friends have produced a DVD to help the children in Haiti.  The video will be sold starting this Thursday at the Kankakee Public Library.  Call 685-9220 for more info.


 

 

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Friday February 26

Great Season Ends For Manteno

The Manteno boys basketball team came up a bucket short of winning a championship Friday night.  Seton Academy defeated the Panthers 60-58.  Congratulations going out the boys for ending the season with an excellent 20-8 record.

Congratulations To Herscher Boys B-Ball

The Tigers (26-1) had a very impressive game Friday Night against The Irish.  Herscher topped Bishop McNamara 41-29 to win the Class 2A Wilmington Regional tournament championship game.

Heartfest 2010 Is Saturday

Heartfest 2010 sponsored by Riverside Medical Center is tomorrow at The Quality Inn in Bradley.  Along with FREE screenings and risk assesments, giveaways and refreshments.  Brenda Gundling says there will be many demonstrations and speakers to show you how to live a more heart healthy lifestyle.

Illiana A Go In Indiana

The Indiana House today overwhelmingly approved a public/private partnership to build the proposed Illiana Expressway connecting I-65 in Indiana & I-57 in Illinois.  The measure still needs final approval from the Indiana Senate where it's expected to approve minor changes to the Bill made by The House.  10 Miles of the expressway in Indiana would be a toll road.  The Illinois Legislature has yet to take up the issues, although Gov. Pat Quinn has signaled support for the project.

Recount Goes No Where

Iroquois County Clerk Lisa Francher reports that a discovery recount yesterday on the recently defeated public safety sales tax referendum, found no discrepencies in the count.  So the referendum is defeated.  The failure will mean the layoff of 5 people in the Sheriff's Department including 4 Deputies.

Talents Of Our Town Is Saturday

Aquinas Academy's Annual Talents Of Our Town is coming tomorrow night at the K of C in Kankakee.  It is a fund raiser for the school, along with the finest local entertainment.  You will also find some terrific items auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Home In Sun River

A home fire in Sun River Terrace Thursday brought Fire Departments from around the area to assist in fighting the blaze.  No word yet on any injuries, cause or damage estimates.

Last Day To Nominate Your Boss

The Bradley Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce reminds you that today is the last day you can nominate your boss for outstanding business person of the year.  Spokesperson Erica McGrath.

Tea Party Takes On Debbie

The right wing Tea Party Group in Illinois today is setting it's sites on Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson.  Tea Party organizers will hold a rally tonight dubbed "Done with Debbie".   It'll be held at a restaurant in New Lenox.  The Keynote Speaker will be Halvorson's Republican opponent in November, Adam Kizinger.

Truck Rolls Over

The Northbound ramp to I-57 at exit 308 was closed for a while yesterday when a flat bed semi over turned a minor injury

 

 

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Thursday February 25

HMO Pilot Program Delayed

Some Springfield lawmakers are calling for a delay in a pilot program that would place some elderly and disabled Medicaid patients in Kankakee, Will, DuPage, Kane and Suburban Cook Counties into HMOs.  Legislators say the state is trying to launch a program before its adequately vetted by lawmakers, medical care providers and other groups.  The Chicago Tribune reports that legislation in both the State House and Senate would first create a task force to look at the possibility of the state going to a mandatory managed care program for Medicaid patients.

Iroquois County Finance Committee Met Last Night

In the wake of the failure of the Iroquois County Public Safety Referendum, a special meeting of the Iroquois County Finance Committee was held last night, to try to find a  way to avoid the layoffs of four Sherriffs Deputies & a Corrections Officer.  The Committee could not find a way to save the jobs without incurring more debt.  The layoffs are scheduled to take affect March 5th.

DCFS Visited Perez Home

The Daily Journal reports that The Department of Children and Family Services were in the middle of an investigation about alleged child abuse at the home of one year old Alma Perez.  Perez died last Friday, allegedly at the hands of her mother, 23 year old Gregoria Perez.  Though no details were released, DCFS officials say the investigation began 16 days earlier.  Gregoria Perez has been charged with First Degree Murder and is being held on $1 Million Dollars Bond.

Halvorson Supports The President

Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson is applauding President Obama and Capitol Hill Democrats for opening a dialogue on healthcare reform with Republicans today at a televised meeting in Washington.  Halvorson says Democrats are showing Bi-Partisan support for people suffering from the high cost of Healthcare.

Hite In Court This Week

The trial date of accused killer Jeffrey Hite of Watseka could be set next month after DNA results were returned to the Iroquois County States Attorney's Office this week.  However, The Times Republic reports that Hite's Attorney warns that they may need time to find their own DNA Expert.  The 30 year old Hite is accused in the April 2009 shooting death of 40 year old Roger McVay outside a Watseka tavern.

Hospice Free Health Screenings Tonight

Hospice of Kankakee invites you to their Tropical Retreat Health Fair tonight at their offices in the 400 Block of Main St. Northwest in Bourbonnais.  Hours are 6-9pm.

Indiana Vote Today On Illiana

After withstanding weeks of Local and State Political Posturing, a measure authorizing a Public Private Partnership to build the proposed Illiana Expressway is expected to win approval in the Indiana House today.  The Senate has already approved the proposal, but would have to revisit the question Amendments added by The House.  None are thought to be Bill Busters.  The Illiana would connect I-65 in Indiana with I-57 in Illinois.

Public Safety Discovery Recount Today

A Discovery Recount is taking place in Iroquois County today.  Supporters of the failed Public Safety Referendum are checking the results of the vote that showed the measure loosing by 10 votes.  Iroquois County Clerk Lisa Francher says it's a lenghty process that is expected to take most of the day.


I-65 between Lowell and Demotte was closed for several hours Tuesday morning following a double fatal accident. Indiana State Police say the driver of an SUV lost control and crossed the median striking a semi head on. The victims were both from Virginia. One was six months pregnant. The semi driver was not injured.

Bond Set For Accused Killer

Bond has been set at one million dollars for a Kankakee woman under arrest for first degree murder charges in last Fridays death of 1 year old Alma Perez. Court papers indicate that the child’s mother, 23 year old Gregoria Perez, allegedly struck the child about the head and blocked the child’s airway. She’s being held at the Kankakee County Jail.

Bourbonnais Man Dies From Exposure

Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner says the Bourbonnais man found dead last December next to the Bradley Kmart, died from exposure to the cold. Gessner says in the Daily Journal that 27 year old Horace Gee died of Hypothermia.

Census Forms Coming Next Week

Census forms should be arriving in your mail box beginning next week. The City of Kankakee is hoping to better it’s 60 percent return rate during the last census. It’s believed the undercount cost the city hundreds of thousands of Federal dollars. Kankakee Mayor Nina Epsteen requests you fill out that form promptly.

Dugan Coffee Stops Scheduled

State Rep. Lisa Dugan this week kicked off a series of coffee shop stops. The first was Monday in Manteno, the next is on March 1st in Kankakee. Dugan says the coffee stops keep her in touch with the people she serves.

Good And Bad School News

According to The Times Republic, 2 Unit 9 District Schools have been named by the Illinois Board of Education as spotlight schools. The honors going to Woodland Grade School and Wanda Kendall Schools. The awards are given each year to schools that perform at a level that exceeds expectations on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test and where at least half the students are from low income families. Meanwhile, The Central District 4 Board of Education says 11 employees including five teachers will not be asked back next year. The district is making the cuts in an effort to trim $750,000 from next years budget.

KAMEG Finds 3 Pounds Of Pot

KAMEG Officials say Agents discovered over 3 pounds of marijuana during a raid on a home in the 600 Block of South Fraser in Kankakee last weekend.  Arrested on multiple drug charges was 35 year old Jacob Hayden.

Kinzinger On Healthcare

Republican Congressional Candidate Adam Kinzinger was in the Kankakee area today talking about the latest Healthcare proposals put forth by President Obama this week.  Kinzinger says a meeting Thursday at the White House between Republicans and Democrats to supposedly try to come to a Bi-Partisan agreement on a final bill is all just for show.

Man Charged With DUI

Illinois State Police arrested a Glenview, IL man Tuesday after he ran off the road on I-57 near Danforth and put his vehicle in a ditch.  Police say 25 year old Dimitri Juste was found to be driving under the influence and driving on a revoked license.

Peotone Speller Goes to Scripps

Congratulations to 13 year old Michaela Minock of Peotone.  The Peotone Jr. High 8th Grader is heading to Washington after winning last nights Will County Spelling Bee at Louis University.  Minock beat out 50 other spellers to earn a trip to The Scripps National Spelling Bee in June.  The winning word was "amorous".

Wilmington Jumper, Not

The Herald News reports that a Wilmington man is under arrest for allegedly calling in a false report about a man who had supposedly jumped into the Kankakee River.  The caller said a man with a name thought to be Jeremy Hicks had just jumped into the river and needed help.  A search was conducted.  Police traced the call to 19 year old Jeremy Hicks of Wilmington.  Police believed Hicks may have made the call in retaliation for a traffic ticket issued earlier that day.  Hicks has been charged with Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing The Peace.  He could have to pay for the cost of the search.

 

 

 

 

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WEDNESDAY February 24

Accident Claims 2 Lives

 

 

 

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TUESDAY February 23

Lady Irish Move On

The next stop for the Lady Irish is the Final Four after last night’s win in super-sectional action against Walther Lutheran. The final score was Bishop Mac 51, Lutheran 38. Forward Erica Tatum, who scored 27 last night says, “It feels good!”

New Plan for Bourbonnais

A new plan for the downtown Bourbonnais area from North Street to Latham Drive was unveiled last night at Bourbonnais Village Hall. The plan which would feature a new streetscape and round-a-bouts instead of traffic lights. Mayor Paul Shore says he hopes the plan will spur development…so far the people who have seen the plan like it.
The plan cost the village $60,000 to develop and could take up to 20 years to complete if funding can be found.

Walwer Sentenced

The man charged with supplying the gun to accused killer Jeffery Hite in the April 2009 shooting death of 40 year old Roger McVay was sentenced in Iroquois County Court Monday. 24 year old Chad Walwer was given 9 years behind bars. He had earlier pled guilty to a charge of possession of a weapon by a felon in exchange for prosecutors dropping a murder charge. The 30 year old Hite has yet to be tried for the shooting that took place outside a Watseka tavern.

Murder Charges

A Kankakee woman is under arrest on murder charges after fire personnel were called to an apartment in the 500 block of South Chicago Ave. Friday afternoon in reference to an infant that was not breathing. Kankakee Police say 1 year old Alma Perez was rushed to St Marys Hospital where the baby was pronounced dead. According to police, following an autopsy Saturday the child’s mother, 23 year old Gregoria Perez was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder.

Health Study

The results of a new study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, finds that out of Illinois' 101 counties, Kankakee is ranked 81st in overall health. Iroquois County came in 30th, Will County took 17th place. Kendall County was rated the healthiest in the state. Harden County ranked the worst.

Dog Winners

The Daily Journal reports that a Limestone woman's dogs took home two Best of Breed awards at last weeks prestigious, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Karen Fitzpatrick and her dog Maya, won in the Border Terrier category. Her dog Davis, took the title in the Parson Jack Russell Terrier category.

MONDAY February 22

Murder Charges

A Kankakee woman is under arrest this morning on murder charges after fire personnel were called to an apartment in the 500 block of South Chicago Ave. Friday afternoon in reference to an infant that was not breathing. Kankakee Police say 1 year old Alma Perez was rushed to St Marys hospital where the baby was pronounced dead. According to police, following an autopsy Saturday the child’s mother, 23 year old Gregoria Perez was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder.

Fire

A fire Saturday night in the 900 block of Wilson Drive in Kankakee, has temporarily driven a family from their home. Kankakee Fire says the blaze began in the kitchen area of the home. The cause is still pending an investigation. No one hurt. Damage estimates are not available.

Accident

A Wilmington woman was hospitalized over the weekend following a three vehicle accident at Route 102 and Sportsman Club Road. Illinois State Police say 20 year old Nicole Spicuzza was on Rte102 waiting to make a left hand turn when she was rear ended by a vehicle driven by 40 year old Theresa Ragan of Braceville. Police say the impact pushed the Spicuzza vehicle into oncoming traffic where the vehicle was then struck again. Spicuzza's injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Drug Arrest

A rural St. Anne man, who was arrested over the weekend on an outstanding warrant, is also facing drug charges today. Kankakee County Sheriffs Police say 21 year old Michael Logan was stopped on the warrant while leaving a Pembroke gas station before being cuffed, police say Logan allegedly tried to stash 17 baggies of marijuana on a store shelf.

Dog Winners

The Daily Journal reports that a Limestone woman's dogs took home two Best of Breed awards at last week’s prestigious, Westminster Kennel Club dog show held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Karen Fitzpatrick and her dog Maya, won in the Border Terrier category. Her dog Davis, took the title in the Parson Jack Russell Terrier category.

Lady Irish

The Lady Irish take on Walther Lutheran tonight in super-section girls basketball action at Willowbrook. Coach Jeff Bennett says it should be a great game, Lutheran has a good team.

Health Study

The results of a new study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, finds that out of Illinois' 101 counties, Kankakee is ranked 81st in overall health. Iroquois County came in 30th, Will County took 17th place. Kendall County was rated the healthiest in the state. Harden County ranked the worst.

Bourbonnais Downtown Plan

A new plan for the downtown Bourbonnais area from North Street to Latham Drive on Route 45, will be unveiled tonight in the community room at Bourbonnais Village Hall. The plan can be viewed from 5-7 p.m. tonight with a presentation scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.

Snowmobile Record

A former Watseka man has set a new world record for riding a snowmobile. Dustin Shoemaker who now lives in Wisconsin, rode his snow ski, stopping only for fuel, for 24 consecutive hours traveling over 1400 miles in the process, beating the old record by 62 miles. Shoemaker says in the Times Republic that it was an effort to raise awareness for a rare disease of the liver and bile ducts that will require a transplant for his daughter.

FRIDAY February 19

Go Red For Women

Iroquois Memorial Hospital will be hosting a Go Red For Women event Saturday morning from 9 until noon at the Regional Health Center. Developmental Director Renee Sier says the morning will be full of heart-healthy activities. Sier says reservations are not require for Saturday morning's event. Iroquois Memorial Hospital has been recognizing Cardiac Rehab Week all this week.

New Rensselaer School?

Voters in the Rensselaer school district will be voting on a building referendum in the May primary. Superintendent Ned Spiecher, says Monnett Elementary School is overdue for upgrades. Speicher said a recent study calls for replacement of the building. Speicher spoke at this week's Rensselaer Chamber Luncheon.

Iroquois Warrant

Iroquois County Sheriff's Police report that 35-year-old Jabari Debose of Harvey was returned to Iroquois County by the Markham Police Department this week. Debose was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for burglary, criminal damage to property and theft. Debose was being held in the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

Woman Beaten

Kankakee City Police responding to a call on North East Avenue Thursday night wound up arresting three women on mob action and battery charges. A resident told police she had let the three women into her home because she knew one of them through her boyfriend. But the three visitors began fighting with the resident and another female in the residence. Police arrested 27-year old Octavia Mallette, 27-year old Leeangela Smith, and 28-year old Kritian Bush, all of Kankakee.

Illiana Expressway

At this week's village board meeting, Bourbonnais joined a chorus of Kankakee County municipalities passing resolutions asking area lawmakers to support the proposed Illiana Expressway. Bourbonnais Mayor Paul Schore said the thoroughfare is important to the economic development of the area. The Kankakee City Council passed a similar resolution on Tuesday night.

Pot Bust

Kankakee City Police were called to some apartments in the 1000-block of South Curtis Avenue Thursday night where residents had reported a suspicious vehicle. Officers found the car in the parking lot with the motor running and two individuals inside. When the driver rolled down his window, officers reported smelling burnt cannabis. A search of the vehicle uncovered three bags of suspected cannabis and a digital scale. Police arrested 20-year-old Jose Andrade of Kankakee on charges of possession of cannabis.

Campus Shooting

The Northern Illinois University police are investigating a shooting which injured one student early Friday at the DeKalb campus. The Northern Illinois University campus was on lockdown after the shooting, which has been described as an isolated incident by university officials. The shooting occurred near the Stevenson Residence Hall. The university website says police have one person in custody. DeKalb police confirmed a person was in custody but would not give further details. The school website says the campus remains open and classes will be held as usual.
This past Sunday marked the second-year anniversary of a shooting rampage at the university that left five students dead.

THURSDAY February 18

Jasper County Meth Bust

Acting on a tip, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department Tactical Squad and Indiana State Police shut down and active meth lab early yesterday morning. Police obtained a warrant to search a residence in rural Wheatfield. Nobody was home when the officers arrived, but a search of the home uncovered precursors and paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine production. Officers later spotted the suspect's vehicle, a Ford Ranger pickup and placed 37-year-old Michelle Howes of Wheatfield, and 31-year-old Joshua Warner under arrest. During the stop, police say Warner tried to hide a small plastic baggie containing a substance that reports say later tested positive for methamphetamine. Investigation by the State Police Clandestine Lab Team found an active meth lab in the truck's bed. Howes reportedly admitted to police she provided material and a location for the manufacturing of the drug. Both suspects were taken to the Jasper County Jail.

Bourbonnais Soldier Honored

U. S. Army Sergeant Justin Sikma of Bourbonnais was recently honored after he discovered an unexploded ordnance last month while working at a project site in Baghdad. Sikma, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge at the site, was the first to spot the bomb and immediately took steps to shut down the work. The ordnance was identified as a live Chinese Type 69 Bouncing 75 millimeter Rocket Propelled Grenade that's designed to bounce to about chest high and fire about 800 steel balls over a 15 meter radius. Sergeant Sikma was presented a letter of appreciation, the brigade coin, The Ohio State National Guard Safety Impact Coin and the Army Achievement Award at a ceremony in Baghdad.

Stolen Bikes

The Bradley Police Department is in possession of numerous bicycles that have been found or abandoned in the village. If your bike has been lost or stolen, you can contact Property Officer John Boudreau at 815-936-5128. Any unclaimed bikes will be donated to charity after March 25th.

Dominos Fight

It seems a game of dominos turned ugly in Kankakee the other night. City police were called to the 600 block of South Myrtle Avenue, where the patrolman found a man bleeding from the head. Further investigation revealed an argument over a game of dominos led to a fight and the injured man had been struck in the head with an ashtray. 22-year-old Andre Manuel, Sr. was taken into custody on domestic battery charges.

Jasper Family Honored

The Skinner family of Jasper County will be one of 35 families to be presented with the Hoosier Homestead Award by Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and State Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay Friday in a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse. To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of 20 or more acres or produce at least $1,000 of agricultural products per year. The award was created to recognize the contribution family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana.

IMH Cardiac Rehab

Iroquois Memorial Hospital has been observing Cardiac Rehab Week. Marsha Hubert is the Director of Cardiac Rehab at the hospital and says studies show heart patients who complete a full rehab program can expect a better quality of life than those who don't. The hospital is hosting a "Go Red for Women" event Saturday morning from 9 until noon at the Iroquois Regional Health Center.

KAMEG Bust

Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group Agents served a search warrant at a residence in the1200 block of South 3rd Avenue in Kankakee on Tuesday and report finding crack cocaine, cocaine, cannabis and a digital scale. The agents arrested 24-year-old Maurice Terrell of Memphis, Tennessee, who was staying at the home, for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. A 22-year old resident, Jonathan Hawkins, was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. The report indicates the street value of the drugs found to be $1,500.

Public Safety Referendum

The final vote is in from the February 2nd public safety referendum in Iroquois County, but the fight may not be over. Tuesday was the deadline for the return of mailed ballots and the final result remained the same, as only six ballots were returned with four voting against the referendum. But Iroquois County officials reported expect proponents of the sales tax increase to seek a discovery recount.

WEDNESDAY February 17

Sheriff's Police Arrests

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police arrested a Fowler, Indiana man Sunday afternoon in Pembroke Township. The patrolman said he found a bullet in the glove box of the man's car. 41-year-old Matthew Daws was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition for a felon and driving with a suspended license.

Kankakee County Sheriff's Deputies investigating a crash Sunday night on the 9000 North Road west of Manteno arrested a Peotone man for DUI alcohol and DUI over .08. Reports say 44-year old Robert J. Hanson blew a .165 on the breathalyzer.

Blotter

A Kankakee resident told city police Friday that a gun had been taken from a dresser draw in her home on Hillcrest Avenue. The woman said she had seen the gun in the past week, but couldn't say when it might have been taken. Nothing else was reported missing.

A traffic stop on Friday afternoon led to the arrest of two Kankakee men. 23-year-old Jose Rodriguez, of South Fourth Avenue, was found to be driving on a suspended license and his passenger, 25-year-old Juan Rodriguez, of South Washington Avenue, was wanted on a DuPage County warrant. Both were taken into custody at the Jerome Combs Detention Center, where Jose Rodriguez was reportedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance and he was charged by police for bringing contraband into a penal institution.

A traffic stop in the 700-block of north Indiana Avenue in Kankakee on Friday afternoon led to the arrest of the passenger. When police caught up to the vehicle, the driver had fled, leaving behind his passenger and a bag of suspected cannabis under the seat. The passenger was ticketed for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

A residential burglary in the 100-block of West Hawkins was reported to Kankakee City Police on Friday. The victim told police that sometime between 9 am and 4 pm someone forced their way through a door and took a 32-inch flat-screen tv, a 42-inch tv, a Playstation Two, a digital camera, computer and a safe containing personal papers and $1,000 in cash. Kankakee detectives are investigating the burglary.

Kankakee City Police were called to the 600 block of Country Club Drive late Saturday night where residents reported hearing shots fired. One resident reported bullet holes in the side of his home. Witnesses told police that, after hearing the gunshots, they saw two people jump into a dark van and drive away. Police recovered a bullet fragment from the residence and 2 shell casings from the street.

A traffic stop in Kankakee on Sunday led to several charges against a Bourbonnais man. 17-year-old Edwin Ruiz was taken into custody after Kankakee City Police discovered a loaded hand gun, fake permanent residence card, and four bags of suspected cannabis. The gun was later discovered to be stolen, leading to an additional charge of possession of stolen property.

Several area law enforcement agencies responded to an incident outside the Kohl Center in the 400 block of East Oak Street in the early hours of Monday morning. Kankakee City Police received aid from Illinois State Police, Bradley Police, Kankakee County Sheriff's Deputies and Manteno Police to break up a fight involving a large crowd in the street and parking lot. Officers ordered the crowd to disperse, but wound up arresting four people. 24-year-old Dennarius Fisher of Kankakee was arrested on charges of mob action and resisting a peace officer. 26-year-old Warren Thomas of Kankakee was arrested and charged with mob action and criminal trespass. 25-year old Anthony Williams and 21-year-old Cordney Cannon were both arrested and charged with criminal trespass. All four were taken to the Jerome Combs Detention Center.

Gun-Toting Boy Expelled

The Daily Journal reports that a 7-year-old Kankakee boy who brought a gun to Taft Elementary School has been suspended for the rest of the school year. The report says the boy believed it was a toy cap pistol. The boy's father is quoted in the story as saying the school's principal initially believed the gun was a toy before police told her otherwise. The report indicated the expulsion is actually for less than the minimum discipline spelled out by school policy, but that the policy also allows the school board to modify the policy on a case-by-case basis.

New Bourbonnais Officer

The Village of Bourbonnais officially welcomed a new police officer with the swearing in of Kevin Lowe at last night's village board meeting. The 25-year-old officer is a native of Tinley Park and a 2008 graduate of St. Xavier University.

Public Safety Vote Final in Iroquois County

The final tally is in from the February 2nd vote on the proposed sales tax for public safety in Iroquois County, with the referendum failing. The deadline for the return of mailed ballots was yesterday and only 6 of 65 outstanding ballots were returned, with four voting against the tax and two in favor, leaving the final margin at ten votes, 3,434 to 3,424. However, a report on Daily-Journal.com indicated proponents are considering a discovery recount.

Marriage, Inc.

This past Sunday, about 50 area ministers met at the Kankakee County Courthouse for a signing ceremony, showing their commitment to promote healthy marriages. The effort is being led by Marriage, Inc, an area agency formed in 2008 after an area businessman expressed his concern over the locally high divorce rate. The group utilizes couples in healthy marriages to coach other couples to a successful union.
Marriage, Inc. will be hosting a seminar later this month at Calvary Bible Church in Bradley. More information is available on their website: marriageinc.org

Guilty Plea in Bank Robbery

A plea agreement has resulted in a guilty plea by a Chicago woman in the December 2007 armed robbery of a Clifton savings and loan. During an appearance in a Watseka courtroom Tuesday, 24-year-old Noelle Huss of Chicago pleaded guilty to armed robbery after prosecutors reportedly agreed to drop an additional charge of theft. According to the Daily Journal, the defense attorney in the case says prosecutors have agreed to a 12-year cap on the defendant's sentence. Huss is scheduled back in court on March 30th for sentencing. Her co-defendant, 32-year-old Jason Satterfield was sentenced in January to 18 years in prison.

Car Windows Shot Out

Kankakee City Police were called to the 1200-block of East Maple Street Tuesday night, where a resident told them the windows had been shot out of her car. Police say the front and rear windows were broken out of the car, and four spent bullet casings were found at the scene, along with a bullet fragment on a wiper blade. The victim could not provide motive or suspect information so no formal complaints were taken.

TUESDAY February 16

KAMEG Arrest

The Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group reports the arrest of a Kankakee man. Agents investigating possible illegal activity in the 300-block of South Harrison Avenue say they observed 48-year-old Robert T. Taylor of Kankakee drop a baggie of crack cocaine on the ground. Taylor was arrested for possession of crack cocaine and incarcerated at the Jerome Combs Detention Center.

Kankakee River Meeting

The Illinois River Coordinating Council will hold a meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the Bourbonnais Sportsman's Club. The group will address restoration efforts involving the Kankakee River. The meeting is open to the public.

Lowell Arrest

Lowell Police aided the Cedar Lake department in arresting an 18-year old Cedar Lake man on charges of battery and robbery Sunday. The Post Tribune reports Andrew Clark was arrested after his victim reported the incident at the Lowell Police Department. The victim told police that Clark had entered the victim's home early Sunday and woke him by striking him in the face with a pistol. The victim also said the suspect tried to take some cash. During the arrest, police reportedly discovered marijuana, cocaine, paraphernalia and firearms. Clark was taken to the Lake County Jail on charges of armed robbery, intimidation and battery with a deadly weapon. Additional drug charges are also expected to be filed.

Rensselaer Soldier Receives Purple Heart

Private First Class Christopher Allen of Rensselaer was awarded the Purple Heart during a ceremony at Walter Reed in Washington last month. Allen was injured during a mortar attack in Afghanistan last November. Allen suffered shrapnel wounds near his heart and in his right thigh.

Irwin Rectory For Sale

You can buy the St. James Church rectory in Irwin for just one dollar, but it comes with a catch…you would be required to tear it down or have it moved. Daily-Journal.com reports that parishioners were told Sunday that the 100-plus-year-old building is for sale as it has been unused for most of the past 30 years.

Rensselaer Tower Bids

Rensselaer accepted bids last week for the proposed repair of the Drexel Water Tower. The good news is the lowest three bids came in about 10-percent lower than engineer estimates of 110 thousand dollars. A study of the tower last year revealed rust spots causing problems on both the interior and exterior of the structure.

Marriage, Inc.

This past Sunday, about 50 area ministers met at the Kankakee County Courthouse for a signing ceremony, showing their commitment to promote healthy marriages. The effort is being led by Marriage, Inc, an area agency formed in 2008 after an area businessman expressed his concern over the locally high divorce rate. The group utilizes couples in healthy marriages to coach other couples to a successful union.
Marriage, Inc. will be hosting a seminar later this month at Calvary Bible Church in Bradley. More information is available on their website: marriageinc.org

Blotter

A Kankakee resident told city police Friday that a gun had been taken from a dresser draw in her home on Hillcrest Avenue. The woman said she had seen the gun in the past week, but couldn't say when it might have been taken. Nothing else was reported missing.

A traffic stop on Friday afternoon led to the arrest of two Kankakee men. 23-year-old Jose Rodriguez, of South Fourth Avenue, was found to be driving on a suspended license and his passenger, 25-year-old Juan Rodriguez, of South Washington Avenue, was wanted on a DuPage County warrant. Both were taken into custody at the Jerome Combs Detention Center, where Jose Rodriguez was reportedly found to be in possession of a controlled substance and he was charged by police for bringing contraband into a penal institution.

A traffic stop in the 700-block of north Indiana Avenue in Kankakee on Friday afternoon led to the arrest of the passenger. When police caught up to the vehicle, the driver had fled, leaving behind his passenger and a bag of suspected cannabis under the seat. The passenger was ticketed for unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

A residential burglary in the 100-block of West Hawkins was reported to Kankakee City Police on Friday. The victim told police that sometime between 9 am and 4 pm someone forced their way through a door and took a 32-inch flat-screen tv, a 42-inch tv, a Playstation Two, a digital camera, computer and a safe containing personal papers and $1,000 in cash. Kankakee detectives are investigating the burglary.

Kankakee City Police were called to the 600 block of Country Club Drive late Saturday night where residents reported hearing shots fired. One resident reported bullet holes in the side of his home. Witnesses told police that, after hearing the gunshots, they saw two people jump into a dark van and drive away. Police recovered a bullet fragment from the residence and 2 shell casings from the street.

A traffic stop in Kankakee on Sunday led to several charges against a Bourbonnais man. 17-year-old Edwin Ruiz was taken into custody after Kankakee City Police discovered a loaded hand gun, fake permanent residence card, and four bags of suspected cannabis. The gun was later discovered to be stolen, leading to an additional charge of possession of stolen property.




Several area law enforcement agencies responded to an incident outside the Kohl Center in the 400 block of East Oak Street in the early hours of Monday morning. Kankakee City Police received aid from Illinois State Police, Bradley Police, Kankakee County Sheriff's Deputies and Manteno Police to break up a fight involving a large crowd in the street and parking lot. Officers ordered the crowd to disperse, but wound up arresting four people. 24-year-old Dennarius Fisher of Kankakee was arrested on charges of mob action and resisting a peace officer. 26-year-old Warren Thomas of Kankakee was arrested and charged with mob action and criminal trespass. 25-year old Anthony Williams and 21-year-old Cordney Cannon were both arrested and charged with criminal trespass. All four were taken to the Jerome Combs Detention Center.




MONDAY February 15

Alleged Puppy Mill Raid in St. Anne

The Cook County Sheriff’s Animal Crimes Unit, Illinois State Police and the South Suburban Humane Society of Chicago Heights rescued dozens of dogs Friday on an alleged puppy mill in St. Anne. Chicago media outlets reported on the raid, saying 52 puppies were stuffed into two small sheds on a property in St. Anne. Reports quote officials as describing the conditions at the property as “deplorable” with many of the dogs infested with mites, fleas and ticks and at least two dogs requiring veterinary treatment. Reports say the target of the investigation is a 59-year-old Joliet woman who was not named. She reportedly faces felony animal cruelty charges. The animals were moved to a Humane Society Shelter in Chicago Heights, where volunteers were caring for the dogs.

Fourth Taser Lawsuit Filed

The Daily Journal reports a fourth lawsuit has been filed in connection with the alleged shocking of three Kankakee Junior High School students, who reportedly volunteered for demonstrations of a taser gun wielded by a school resource officer. According to the Journal, the latest suit, which seeks 33 million dollars in damages, alleges the school resource officer used a taser gun on a 13-year-old boy’s leg in a hallway during October of last year, that the officer used a taser gun on a 12-year-old boy on January 12th while supervised by two teachers, and that the officer shocked a 12-year-old boy who suffers from mental illness on January 12th while supervised by another teacher. Both the school and police officials are conducting investigations into the incidents.

Accident Knocks Out Power...

Route 50 north of Manteno was shut down for a couple hours overnight Saturday, and some area residents were without power most of the day Sunday after a single vehicle accident. Illinois State Police say an SUV traveling southbound near the 11000 North Road veered left across the northbound lanes, leaving the roadway into the northbound ditch, striking a phone box and stop sign, then striking a utility pole before coming to rest on its side. No injuries were reported to the driver, 27-year old Grant Rathert of Manteno, who was cited for leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report the accident after striking unattended property, and failure to notify the police of an accident and improper lane usage.

Bourbonnais Scam Artists

A sketch of a scam artist that victimized two Bourbonnais residents in separate incidents last Thursday has been released by police and can be seen in the weekend edition of the Daily Journal. Reports say the man claimed to be a ComEd worker in one case and claimed to be installing a fence in the other instance. While the residents were distracted by the suspect, an unseen accomplice grabbed cash, jewelry and other valuables. The suspect has been described as possibly middle-aged Hispanic, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build and short hair, reportedly driving a dark-colored SUV. In both cases, elderly residents were the victims. Bourbonnais residents are asked to call police at 815-937-3577 or dial 9-1-1 if a stranger comes to their door.

Bourbonnais Cocaine Arrest

The Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the U.S. Marshals arrested a Bourbonnais man last week on charges of delivery of crack cocaine. Officers arrested 31-year-old Anthony Sherrod last Wednesday. He remains in custody of U.S. Marshals, awaiting an appearance in federal court this week.

Rensselaer Arrest

Rensselaer Police responding to a domestic dispute call last week wound up arresting a man on drug charges. 25-year-old Jose Cantu, Jr. of Rensselaer was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and resisting law enforcement.

Limestone Fire Receives Grant

The Limestone Fire Protection District will be receiving grant money totaling $3,250. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced the grants on Saturday. The Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program reimburses 50% of the recipient's cost for providing training and acquiring equipment to assist local firefighters. A little over 500 thousand dollars in grant money was awarded statewide.

GSU Receives Grant

Governor's State University was the only Illinois school to receive one of 55 grants recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The money is intended to assist unemployed, dislocated and low-wage workers in the health care industry. GSU will receive 5 million dollars under the grant, which has distributed 225 million dollars nationwide.

Donna's Closing

A local institution has closed its doors after nearly 30 years of business. Donna's, on Route 50 in Bradley, has closed after selling upscale apparel for infants, toddlers, juniors and women. The store opened in 1981.

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FRIDAY February 12

Census 2010 Kick-Off in Kankakee

Kankakee Mayor Nina Epstein held a census 2010 kick-off gathering at the Kankakee Public Library this morning. Epstein says it's vital that everyone in the city fill out a census form when it arrives in your mail box.

Epstein: “The City of Kankakee only had a 60% count rate at the last census count ten years ago and so, we estimate we have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to that undercount. So we are encouraging all residents to fill out the census form when it is mailed to you and to send it back, so that we can get our fair share of the money coming out of Washington.”

Epstein says all your information will remain confidential.

Epstein: “This form is very simple there’s a question of who lives in your residence, I believe how old they are, but the personal information cannot be used, by law, by any other entity but the census. So we’re trying eliminate any fears that people may have about this private information being disseminated in any other way.”

Forms should be arriving in the first week of March. If you fail to fill out the form, a census worker will eventually show up at your front door.

Rep. Dugan on Lt. Governor Amendment

There's talk in Springfield about doing away with the office of Lt. Governor. House Speaker Michael Madigan says he plans to introduce a constitutional amendment for just that purpose. State Rep. Lisa Dugan says it's an idea who's time may have come.

Dugan: “When we look at especially the financial condition of the state, you know, is there a way to consolidate, and many of us have thought for awhile, that might be one of the offices that we could. So when Speaker Madigan introduced a bill, well of course it will go through a committee and there will be a lot of discussion, but personally I think we’ve kind of shown that maybe it’s an office that isn’t technically needed to spend the of kind of money that we spend to run that office and maybe we need to pick up the slack in other areas.”

The amendment would first need the approval of Illinois voters.

Home Invasion on Crestlane in Kankakee

Kankakee City Police are investigating a home invasion Thursday afternoon in the 200 block of Crestlane. Police say no one was hurt when five men, one armed with a shotgun forced their way inside the apartment and took off with a several thousand dollars in cash, a laptop computer and X-box game system.

Sales Tax Referendum Down to 8
The difference between defeat and passage of the Iroquois County sales tax referendum is now down to 8. The Times Republic reports that a ballot with a “yes” vote on the question has been found stuck in a Middleport ballot box. As for absentee ballots, six have been returned to the County Clerks office leaving 59 still out there. Absentee ballots will be counted on Tuesday. The outcome will determine if four County Sheriffs Deputies and Corrections Officer get to keep their jobs or be laid-off in massive budget cuts.

ONU President Makes Acting Debut

Olivet Nazarene University President John Bowling will make his theatrical debut in the university's upcoming production of Little Women, the musical, February 25, 26th and 27th. Bowling will play the part of Mr Lawrence. Bowling last appeared on stage in 1966 in a high school production of Little Mary Sunshine.

Rosie Fund Buffet Breakfast

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Rosie Fund buffet breakfast. Spokeperson Gwen Hopkins says the keynote speaker March 6th at the Kankakee Country Club will be author Sam Glenn.

Hopkins: “We’re really excited about our speaker, Sam Glenn, who is the authority on attitude. He also has authored some books “Who Put a Lizard in My Lasagna” and “A Kick in the Attitude.” So we’re really excited to have him come and inspire us and help us adjust our attitudes.”

For more information call 815-939-1611. The Rosie Fund assists victims of domestic violence.

Robbery Trial of Iroquois Federal

The Daily Journal reports that a Chicago woman, charged in the 2007 armed robbery of Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan in Clifton, is scheduled to go on trail next week in Iroquois County Court. 24 year old Noelle Huss of Chicago could get 30 years behind bars if convicted.

Kankakee Valley Park District Lawsuit Going to Trial

The Daily Journal reports that Kankakee Valley Park District commissioners will go to trial rather than settle a lawsuit filed by former executive director Dave O'Connell. O'Connell sued the park district for breach of agreement, violation of due process and violations of the open meetings act. A tentative trial date has been set for April 26th.

Little Lotto Winner in Dwight

Someone who purchased a Little Lotto ticket at a liquor store in Dwight for Wednesday’s drawing is $250,000 richer. The ticket was sold at Old World Liqour. So far no one has claimed the prize.

Running for Newton County Prosecuter

A Kentland Indiana man has filed to run for Newton County Prosecuter. 44 year-old Jeff Drinski told the Enterprise Newspaper that he went to law school with one purpose, to be Newton County Prosecutor. Drinski is a lifelong resident of Newton County.

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THURSDAY February 11th

Bomb Threat at St. George School

A bomb threat this morning at St. George School turned out to be nothing more than a hoax. Police were called and a search of the building was conducted. In addition, Superintendent Rich Angel, says all students were searched as they arrived at school. No explosives were found and classes are underway.

Applications for ONU Anita Grant Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for a $1000 Anita Grant Scholarship. It's presented every year at the annual Women in Business seminar at Olivet Nazarene University.

Spokesperson Jackie Bruhn: “This will be the 14th year that the Women in Business executive committee is offering this scholarship in the memory of Anita Grant who was our former Kankakee County Circuit Clerk, and this scholarship is unique in the fact that it isn’t for the high school senior just entering college, it is for that working woman or the woman that has stayed home to raise her children and is wanting to go back and further her education.”

Up to three scholarships could be awarded. For an application go to www.chamberwib.org or call 815-933-7721. The deadline is April 15th.

Lumpkins Could Be Resentenced

A hearing to determine if 31 year old Shontay Lumpkins can be resentenced was rescheduled for today after Lumpkins’ attorney failed to show up in court Tuesday. Lumpkins was sentenced to a year in jail in January, for calling in a false police report about bodies found at a home in Pembroke Township. That led to a Kankakee County Sheriffs Deputy being seriously injured in an accident while rushing to the scene.

Hearing on Illiana Expressway

A hearing scheduled for later this month on the proposed Illiana expressway now has a hearing site. The hearing will be held February 18th, at Crown Point High School. Indiana officials say the general public will have a chance to make their feelings known during a special session of the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee. Speakers will each get three minutes to speak. The Illiana would connect I-65 in Indiana with I-57 and I-55 in Illinois.

Guilty Plea to Harboring a Runaway

A Crescent City woman charged with harboring a 15 year old Martinton runaway girl in her home for a week last year while family, friends and police searched for the teen, pled guilty in Iroquois County court Wednesday. 40 year old Joanne Duits could get a year in jail. Her son, Kyle pled guilty last month. Kyle Duits and the runaway were dating at the time.

Badenhorst Trial Remains on Hold

The legal process for accused killer Leonard Badenhorst remains on hold because of the price tag for a psychological evaluation. The court had allotted $5,000 for the exam, but the bill came in at $14,000. The Times Republic reports that at a hearing this week Judge Gordon Lustfeldt said the court has received a letter from Isaac Ray Forensic Group that indicated they would be willing to negotiate a settlement on the matter. For now, Lustfeldt says Badenhorst's trial will begin on March 15th. The 22 year old is charged in the 2008 beating death of his grandfather, 79 year old Herschel Flemming of Milford.

Volunteer for Easter Seals

The annual Easter Seals Telethon is coming up on March 7th, broadcast live from Olivet Nazarene University. Organizers are looking for volunteers to man the phones.

Spokesperson Jackie Havener: “We need people to help man the phones, we need people to help in the clerical areas. Once your at Chalfant Hall you’re able to partake in all of the entertainment that is involved and we’ll also have great refreshments. This year Vito’s is our hospitality sponsor, so there will be all kinds of great food there that day also.”

To volunteer call 815-932-0623.

Earthquake in Illinois

The Wednesday early morning earthquake in northern Illinois was felt by a bunch of folks in the Kankakee area. The Daily Journal reports that the shaking was felt in Beecher, Braidwood, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Dwight, Kankakee, Manteno, Momence, as well as parts of 10 other states. No damage was reported.

Fire at Armstrong Industries in Kankakee

Kankakee Fire called-in to Armstrong Industries early this morning for a fire in the ventilation system. The plant’s sprinkler system kept the fire in check until fire fighters arrived. Damage is reportedly minor. No one was hurt.

Kankakee Man Arrested on Drug Charges

A KMEG undercover investigation has lead to the arrest of a Kankakee man on drug charges. Police say 37 year old Johtome Hawkins allegedly delivered a bag of crack cocaine to the 400 block of North Schuyler in Kankakee.

Child Brings Handgun to School

Kankakee City Police say a seven year old brought a handgun to Taft Elementary in Kankakee earlier this week. The principal was alerted by another student, police were called. The gun, a 22, was not loaded according to police.

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WEDNESDAY February 10th

Roads Still Feel Winter Effects

While Tuesday’s snow storm has moved off to the east, some area roadways are still feeling the effects of the storm.

County Highway Engineer Jim Piekarczyk: “Blowing and drifting ongoing, likely, will continue throughout the remainder of the day until it gets dark, winds are supposed to lay down after six o’clock tonight. So, motorists can expect to encounter some drifting, especially in open areas, they might run across some dry pavement in areas where its not blowing across and suddenly encounter an area where there’s a slick spot as a result of the snow that’s drifting over the top of the pavement.”

Kankakee Boy Shoots Himself in the Leg

A 15 year old boy shot himself in the leg Tuesday. Kankakee City Police say the lad first told investigators that he was shot while walking to his cousin’s house on South Lincoln, but later told police the gun discharged when he reached into his pocket. The boy was struck in the upper thigh.

How to keep Iroquois County Deputies

At Tuesday’s Iroquois County board meeting, the board discussed ways of keeping four Sheriff’s deputies and a corrections officer from being laid off if a final vote count shows the public safety tax referendum was indeed defeated last Tuesday. That total won’t be known until next Tuesday when absentee ballots are counted. Yesterday the county board approved a special finance committee meeting to further investigate the matter. On election day the referendum that would have provided 1.2 million dollars for public safety lost by 9 votes.

Public Hearing on the Illiana Expressway

A public hearing has been scheduled in Lake County Indiana next month on a senate bill that would authorize a private public partnership to build the proposed Illiana expressway connecting I-65 in the Hoosier state with I-57 and I-55 in the Land of Lincoln. The senate passed the measure 48 to nothing, but a house version of the bill is bogged down. Some house members would like see a route chosen and an investor named before giving approval to the proposed partnership. Supporters are hailing the measure as a jobs bill. According to the Post Tribune, no location has yet been chosen for the February 18th meeting in Lake County. Two additional hearings would be held in Indianapolis.

Ronald Gerts Replaces Judge Schmidt

The Illinois Courts Administrative Office this week named Bourbonnais attorney Ronald Gerts to the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. Gerts has been chosen to replace Judge William Schmidt who has resigned. Gerts has practiced law for the last 33 years with a seven year stint at the Kankakee County States Attorney’s Office.

Tornado Sirens Operational in Grant Park

Grant Park officials say a tornado siren that failed to sound in a December test has been repaired and was expected to be back in service as of Tuesday. Grant Park mayor J.R. Meyer says the repairs cost twelve hundred dollars, but all three of the village’s tornado sirens are once again operational.

Copper Piping Theft at Swissland in Ashkum

Two south suburban men have been indicted by an Iroquois County grand jury in connection with the theft of copper piping and wiring at the old Swissland Packing building in Ashkum. Police say 49 year old Roderick Fair of Harvey and 51 year old Charles Petty of Matteson are both facing a charge of burglary, theft and criminal damage to property.

Winter Fender Benders

Tuesday snow fall caused a number of fender benders throughout the region. One of the more serious was on Route 102 just east of 2250 East Road. Illinois State Police say a Bradley woman lost control in the snow, went into a ditch, and struck a tree before spinning back on the roadway facing the wrong direction. 38 year old Elizabeth Bidle of Bradley was taken to St. Marys with non life threatening injuries.

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TUESDAY February 9th

More Details on Kankakee Shooting

We have more today on a shooting we first told you about Monday morning. A Kankakee man was walking with a friend in the area of Elm and Court when he was shot in the leg. The men say they heard two shots fired and ran for cover. The two tell police they don’t know why anyone would want to take a shot at them.

Bradley to Buy Building to Expand Offices

At last nights Bradley Village board meeting the board approved an agreement in principle to buy the Wilder and Associates building at 111 North Michigan for additional village office space. Mayor Bruce Adams-

Adams: “What our plans are for that building is that we are going to put our Building Standards Department, our Code Enforcement Department and we are going to bring the folks up from the Sewer Plant that have had their offices down at the sewer plant for so long. There’s a garage in the back. We’ll use storage of the big equipment at the sewer plant still but everything they need to start work during the day, they’ll have over across the street.”

The mayor says they hope to be in the building by June.

Drivers Take Care as Wind Picks Up

Roads are snow packed and slippery this morning, but when the winds pick up, county highway engineer, Jim Piekarczyk says driving will be a real challenge.

Piekarczyk: “…usually never so much about the amount of snow that we get or the accumulation. It’s all about the wind and later this afternoon we’re expecting the winds to pick up well over 15 miles per hour, gusting over 20, perhaps as much as 30, 35 beginning around 5pm. And, lasting through the evening and into tomorrow and it won’t lay down until tomorrow evening around 4 or 5 o’clock. So, we’ll keep moving the snow off of the highway and it will likely keep blowing back over. Difficult travel beginning this evening’s rush hour through the day tomorrow.”

90 Mile Per Hour Drug Bust

Two Louisville, Kentucky men, clocked doing 90 miles an hour on I-65 are facing drug charges today after a search of their vehicle turned up a stash of marijuana under the hood, and over $3000 in cash in the car. Police say they found more pot on the pair while they were being searched at the Jasper County Jail.

Inmate Escapes Using a Dummy

A Pontiac Correctional Center inmate is facing escape charges today after trying to use a dummy to fool the guards. No details are available. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, 23 year old John Anderson is serving an 8 year sentence for preditory criminal sexual assault and could get 10 additional years if convicted on the escape charge.

Possibilities for Iroquois County Officers

At today’s Iroquois County board meeting, Sheriff Eldon Sprau will address ways to possibly prevent the layoffs of four deputies and a corrections officer . The layoffs will be necessary if a final vote on the public safety sales tax referendum sends it down to defeat. The vote was so close, absentee ballots will make the difference.

Scam at a Currency Exchange in Kankakee

Staff at a currency exchange in the 100 block of East Oak Street in Kankakee, stopped a scam in progress over the weekend. Kankakee City Police say today that a 91 year old woman was about to send over $900 to a woman in Mississippi who had called the senior and told her she had won 5 million dollars but to collect, she first needed to send the $900. When employees became aware of the story, they stopped the transfer and called police.

Fire in Rensselaer

Fire officials in Rensselaer are investigating a fire early this morning in the 700 block of East Elm Street. The fire was contained to the second floor and a first floor bathroom. One of the residents suffered second and third degree burns in the blaze. No fire fighters were hurt. Damage estimates and a cause are pending.

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MONDAY February 8th

Teen Attempts Robbery Of Watseka Dollar General

Watseka Police today, say a quick thinking clerk disarmed a knife wielding teenager who was trying to rob the Watseka Dollar General Store last Thursday. Police say several customers held the 14-year-old until police arrived. No one was hurt. The boy is facing several charges including armed robbery.

Largest Donation This Year For United Way

The United Way of Kankakee County took a big step in reaching this year’s goal of 1.2 million dollars when CSL Behring Corporation Friday, presented the United Way with the largest pledge yet this year, 136 thousand dollars. Executive Director Greg Carol says he hopes other area corporations will follow suit. To reach their goal, the United Way needs to collect 516 thousand dollars in the next 54 days.

Braidwood Man Dies Of Exposure To Cold

A 19-year-old Braidwood man whose body was found in a ditch last month, died from exposure to the cold. The Will County Coroners’ Office says a mixture of over the counter cold medications contributed to the death of Erich Alley. Alley disappeared on December 30th after leaving his home to visit friends. Toxicology reports were returned last week.

Fatal Four Car Pileup On I-80 Sunday

A University Park man was killed Sunday in a four car pileup on I-80 in the Mokena area. An I.D. on the victim is still pending notification. Illinois State Police say it began when the driver of a vehicle lost control, flipped over the median wall and landed on top of an eastbound Chevy Impala. The Impala was being driven by the University Park man.

Recent KAMEG Drug Busts In Kankakee

KAMEG agents were busy last week, raiding a home in the 1200 block of East Maple where they allegedly discovered about a half pound of marijuana and packaging materials. Arrested on drug charges was 29-year-old Donnell Sanchez. Also last week, following an undercover investigation, KAMEG agents arrested 25-year-old Tehinnah Grant of Kankakee for delivery of crack cocaine to the 700 block of North Greenwood.

Shooting In Kankakee Near Court And Elm

We don’t have any details on this yet, but we understand one person was hospitalized early this morning with a gunshot wound to the leg, following a shooting near Court and Elm in Kankakee. More details when they become available.

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Primary Election Results

Voter Turnout

Iroquois County: 39%
Kankakee County: 15.8%

Governor Race

Democrat: Unofficial results show the primaries for Governor are too close to call. Governor Pat Quinn declared victory but challenger Dan Hines vows to fight on.

Republican: State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington barely lead Kirk Dillard. It takes two weeks for election officials to check results and to declare an official winner, so this could take a while.

Senate Race

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk will face off in the race for Barack Obama’s old senate seat. This state is being closely watched after an upset win by the GOP in Massachusetts a few weeks ago.

Kankakee County Board

The county needs a new Vice Chair and Glenn Nixon beat Steve Liehr 43 to 39 percent.

Congressional Race

Republican: 11th Congressional District primary went to Adam Kinzinger, picking up more than 60 percent of the vote in both Kankakee and Will County. Kinzinger says he’s ready to face incumbent Debbie Halvorson in November.

Kinzinger: “It’s going to be jobs, spending, cap & trade. Basically the over-arching thing is that Debbie Halvorson has a 96 percent voting record with Nancy Pelosi and I’ll tell you what…I can guarantee you Nancy Pelosi would not win a congressional election here. And, I can guarantee you Debbie Halvorson is not going to win reelection here.”

Iroquois County Public Safety Sales Tax Referendum

It appears the referendum has been defeated. The vote is so close, 65 absentee ballots need to be counted before the question can be answered for sure. Right now it’s a difference of 9 votes.

Iroquois County Sherriff

Derek Hagen is the new Sherriff in Iroquois County defeating Dan Sukel with 76 percent of the vote.

Iroquois County Clerk

A. Francher wins with 50 percent of the vote. Lisa milelr received 30 percent and Donna Crow received 19 percent of the vote.

Iroquois County Board

District 2: Storm, Hubert and Anderson

District 3: Zumwalt, Wasmer, and Deany

District 4: Copas, Mctaggert and Whitlow


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MONDAY February 1st

Murder Suicide Attempt In Bradley

Two senior citizens cling to life today, following what Bradley Police are calling, a murder suicide attempt Sunday morning. Police say 86-year-old Bobbie Karr and 84-year-old Dorothy Karr suffered gunshot wounds to the head at their home in the 600 block of Juniper Lane. Police responded to a call from Dorothy Karr complaining of back pain. Bradley Police Chief Steve Coy picks up the story from there.

Coy: “The Bradley police officer who was at the scene stepped out to talk to fire personnel when he heard some gunshots. Upon entering the residence, discovered that two residents had been shot and they were transported to local hospitals and then transported to Chicago hospitals. They are still alive.”

Voting In The Primary Tomorrow

Tomorrow is election day in Illinois. When you go to the polls Tuesday to cast your vote, remember this is a primary and you will have to declare your party affiliation. County Clerk Bruce Clark-

Clark: “It’s a partisan election, so people need to either request a Republican, Democratic or Green party ballot. Polls open at 6:00am and close at 7:00pm. And, we encourage everyone to vote.”

Stukenborg Benefit Held Over The Weekend

There was a weekend benefit at the Quality Inn in Bradley for injured Kankakee County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Stukenborg. Stukenborg was paralyzed from the waist down in an accident while responding to what turned out to be a false report. Dave‘s brother John, says even though the woman responsible for making that call received the maximum in Kankakee court last week it doesn’t change anything.

Stukenborg: “It’s the maximum sentence that they could have handed down, so in that case it makes us feel good. But, it is what it is, it really doesn’t have much of an impact on Dave getting better, and that’s really our focus. Our hope is that no one else does it again. I know that’s what the judge tried to convey as he handed down the sentence. When you do something like that, you’re putting not only the police officers in jeopardy but the general public when you have cars driving that fast to try and react. So, I think that’s really the hope of the family, is so that something like this won’t happen again.”

No word yet on how much money was raised. Some 600, maybe more, attended.

Weight Restrictions In Effect For Roadways

Today is February 1st and that means that seasonal weight restricts are now in effect for some county and most township roadways throughout the state because of the freeze and thaw cycle. County highway Engineer Jim Piekarczyk-

Piekarczyk: “While many township roads are posted at 5 ton load limits, we have a percentage of our county highway system that’s posted at 10 ton load limit. Not the entire system, but approximately a quarter of the system is posted at 10 tons. But, again, a lot of the secondary roads, a lot of the township roads have 5 ton load limits during this season.”

Weight restrictions continue until April 30th.

Sukel Not Officially Endorsed

One of two Republican Iroquois County Sheriff’s Candidates in tomorrow’s election, says he may have jumped the gun on issuing campaign materials that claim the endorsement of the Illinois Police Association and the Illinois Crime Commission. While Dan Sukel says that he has received personal support from some members of the crime commission, however, those members cannot give endorsements publicly. According to the Daily Journal, spokesmen for both groups say they don’t make endorsements.

Widdowson Admits To Eight Armed Robberies

A South Holland man, who has reportedly admitted to committing eight armed robberies, including two in Grant Park and two in Ashkum, will face federal, not state charges. Iroquois County State’s Attorney Jim Devine says in the Times Republic that 33-year-old John Widdowson has prior felonies. He could get life in prison according to Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police.

Shooting At The Eclipse Club In Kankakee

A 44-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the hand Saturday while on the dance floor at the Eclipse Club in the 1000 block of East Avenue. Kankakee City Police say another man flashed gang signs at the victim before opening fire. Police are looking for the gunman.

Paxton Man Falls Asleep At The Wheel

A Paxton man escaped injuries Saturday when he apparently fell asleep behind the wheel and put his vehicle into a ditch on 300 East. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police say 21-year-old William Luhrsen was not ticketed.

Clifton Man Killed In Single Vehicle Accident

A Clifton man was killed in a single vehicle accident Sunday on county road 300 East at 2447 North. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police identify the victim as 27-year-old Randy Schultz. Police say Schultz lost control, struck a tree and spun into a ditch embankment, coming to rest in a drainage ditch.

Primary Election Coverage

Be sure to join us for live primary election coverage tomorrow night. We’ll be watching national and state races as well as local races in Kankakee and Iroquois counties. Beginning tomorrow night at 7:30pm.

Grant Park Woman Dies In Snow Boarding Accident

A Grant Park area woman has been killed in Colorado, in a snow boarding accident. According to CBS 2 Chicago, Ericka Schriefer was found near some trees on Copper Mountain, suffering from head and neck injuries. She died later at a local hospital.

High Speed Chase Ends In Fatal Accident

A Remington, Indiana man was killed when he crashed into a pile of lumber at Industrial Pallet Company in Remington early Sunday morning, while being chased by police. 26-year-old Philip Farler was initially stopped in Rensselaer for crossing the center line. As officers attempted to get license information, police say Farler took off and the chase was on. The crash at U.S. 231 and 24 occurred when Farler tried to turn too fast.

Mailman Finds Gun, Then Delivers To Police

A mailman making his rounds in the 500 block of South Schuyler Saturday, ended up making a delivery to the police department. The mailman found a gun lying on the sidewalk.

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FRIDAY January 29th

Lumpkins Gets Max Sentence

A woman who called in a false police report about 5 dead bodies at a home in Pembroke Township, a call that lead to a accident that left a Kankakee County Sheriff’s Deputy paralyzed from the chest down, was given the maximum at a sentencing hearing in Kankakee County court this week. 31-year-old Shontay Lumpkins was sentenced to a year in jail and fined $2,500.

Illiana Expressway Hits A Roadblock

The bill authorizing a public private partnership to build the proposed Illiana Expressway connecting I-65 in Indiana with I-57 in Illinois, has hit a roadblock in the Indiana legislature. The bill is reportedly bogged down in local and state election year politics. According to the Post Tribune, a killer amendment has been attached to the Indiana House version of the bill.

Tickets Available For Stukenborg Benefit

Tickets are still available for a benefit to assist Kankakee County Sheriff’s Police Deputy David Stukenborg who was paralyzed from the chest down in an accident while responding to a false report. Stukenborg’s brother, John, says the event Saturday night at the Quality Inn in Bradley will feature food, fun and some great items up for auction.

Stukenborg: “We’ve had a number of gifts donated over the last month or so. We got a pair of diamond earrings. There are some sports tickets to the Indy 500, as well as, I believe, some Blackhawks tickets. The Indy race in Chicago. We’ve got a video game system, an MP3 player. So, we’ve got a lot of silent auction items and, in fact, we’ll even have a live auctioneer there for a short period of time to help us auction off some of the larger items.”

Tickets are just 10 dollars and available at the door. That’s at the Quality Inn in Bradley Saturday from 3:00pm until 11:00pm.

Health Screenings For Smokers At Riverside

Smokers may want to head to Riverside Medical Plaza in Bourbonnais tomorrow for a Riverside Medical Center heart screening. Along with hemoglobin, good heart, pre-diabetes and sleep disorder screenings, the hospital will be rolling out a new test for smokers. Spokesperson Brenda Gundling-

Gundling: “This screening is used to determine any long and short term lung disease from smoking. You know you’re not really ready to quit yet? There’s a little assessment to find out where you stand and that readiness to quit. Not only that but we’ll do the pulmonary function test to determine how your lungs are. And, the carbon monoxide monitoring, because we know with smoking that carbon monoxide can increase and really it creates issues with the whole body itself. We’ll do a blood pressure check and then a consultation with the respiratory therapist and a cardiovascular RN to kind of get you into, where are you with this process.”

The screenings are tomorrow from 8:00am until 12:00pm at Riverside Medical Plaza in Bourbonnais just off Route 45. There is a charge for each of the tests.

Piper City Man Gets 18 Years Behind Bars

It’s 18 years behind bars for a former Piper City man. The Daily Journal reports that 32-year-old Jason Satterfield was sentenced this week in Iroquois County court for the December 2007 armed robbery of Iroquois Federal Savings and Loan in Clifton. Sattefield got away with about 12 thousand dollars in the holdup.

Kankakee Area Unemployment Increase

The unemployment rate in Kankakee for the month of December topped the 14 percent mark, coming in at 14.3 percent. That’s up from the November number of 13.6 percent and way up from the 10.6 of a year ago. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports, the highest jobless rate in the state is in the Rockford area at 16 percent. The lowest in the Bloomington-Normal area at 7.7 percent.

Fitts May Receive Sentencing Date Today

Former Grant Park Police Chief Scott Fitts could be assigned a sentencing date today. A sentencing conference is being held today in federal court in Urbana and it’s expected that a date will be set for Fitts who plead guilty to money laundering, wire fraud, and filing a false income tax return in connection with a prostitution sting he allegedly ran out of the Grant Park Police Department.

Kankakee Man Arrested On Weapons Charges

A drug investigation lead to the arrest Thursday of a Kankakee man on weapons charges. 26-year-old Jamie Williams of Kankakee was arrested by agents of the major crimes task force at his home in the 300 block of South Lincoln after officers discovered he was in illegal possession of a handgun.

Single Vehicle Accident On 100 East In Loda

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police report no injuries to a Loda man involved in a single vehicle accident in Loda Township Thursday. Police say 27-year-old Sean Smith Peters lost control on 100 East slid off the roadway and into a ditch where he struck a fence and a tree.

Kankakee Apartment Door Kicked In

Someone kicked in the door to an apartment in the 400 block of South Harrison Thursday. Kankakee City Police say, though there was damage to the door frame, nothing was taken.

Burglary On West Bourbonnais Street In Kankakee

There was a burglary Thursday in the 200 block of West Bourbonnais Street in Kankakee. City police say someone kicked in a door and took off with a Nintendo game system.

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THURSDAY January 28th

Democrat Reaction To Obama State Of The Union

Reaction to last night’s state of the union address is coming in today. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson liked what she heard from President Barack Obama.

Halvorson: “I was excited to hear that he’s interested in more infrastructure, high speed rail and wind power investments. All of those projects mean jobs for my district. He’s also interested in small business tax breaks and helping our small businesses obtain credit. That’s so important for my district.”

Republican Reaction To Obama State Of The Union

Republican congressional front runner in next weeks primary, Adam Kinzinger, says today, even though president Barack Obama did talk about cutting taxes on small business, there wasn‘t much to get excited about.

Kinzinger: “It’s seems like too little too late. It’s seems like he tried to make a little bit of a pivot only because of what happened last Tuesday. He doubled down on healthcare which I think people have said, look we have to address healthcare, but the prime issue right now is jobs and spending. That’s what matters.”

Time To Apply For Scholarship At KCC

It’s time to apply for scholarship money at Kankakee Community College. Spokesperson Becky Wilder says more than 70 scholarships will be awarded.

Wilder: “Students can apply for over 75 different awards, totaling up to about 200,000 dollars in scholarships that will go out for the 2010-2011 academic year. Students often think that, well I shouldn’t apply I wouldn’t qualify. But, that’s not necessarily true and it’s worth taking a chance. If they can maintain pretty much a minimum of about a 2.5 grade point average, there might be something out there for them. Our scholarships are from everywhere from the average student to the straight A student, students who are interested in healthcare, business, who live in certain parts of the community who are maybe a non-traditional student like a mother who has stayed home to raise her kids but now wants to go back to school. There’s a little something for everybody.”

Applications available at the college or www.kcc.edu.

Senator Brady Says It’s About Jobs

State Senator Bill Brady was in Bourbonnais today for a meet and greet sponsored by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce. Brady spent about an hour at Aava Java in Bourbonnais and says everywhere he goes the issue is the same, jobs.

Brady: “We need to keep jobs here and we need to bring jobs here. They both go hand and glove together. By making Illinois a more competitive place for business investment, that business investment will create jobs and that helps keep jobs here. The only way we’re going to grow revenues to the state is through economic development. More jobs. We lost over 700,000 jobs in Illinois in the last ten years because the Chicago politicians have increased the cost of doing business and businesses have made a decision. They are going to go where they can be competitive, where they can profit. Unfortunately the Chicago politicians have been sending the message that we don’t care. I’m going to cut back those costs.”

Brady is one of six men seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Illinois.

3rd Arrest In Connection To Swiss Land Burglary

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police have made a third arrest in connection with a burglary January 9th at the former Swiss Land Packing Company in rural Ashkum. 36-year-old Ivan Muhammad of Harvey is being held on $75,000 bond. Two other suspects, 49-year-old Roderick Fair and 51-year-old Charles Petty of Matteson, are also being held. The three allegedly did tens of thousands of dollars in damage on several occasions to the building in an attempt to steel copper wire.

Settlement Close For O’Connel And KVPD

The Daily Journal reports the Kankakee Valley Park District and former Executive Director Davie O’Connell could be nearing a settlement in a 3 and a half year old lawsuit. O’Connell sued the park district, in part for breach of agreement, after he was let go with a year left on the contract.

Robbery At A Bank In Rensselaer

There was a bank robbery this morning in Rensselaer. Police say a man who did not display a weapon, robbed the 5th 3rd bank of an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was hurt. The suspect is described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall about 180 pounds wearing a gray hat with a gray sweat shirt. Police say he was last seen driving north on I-65 in a gray or silver Chevrolet.

Autopsy Of Braidwood 19-Year-Old Inconclusive

An autopsy Wednesday failed to show what killed 19-year-old Erich Alley of Braidwood. Alley’s body was found in a ditch Monday near Bergera Road and Stacey Court in Braidwood. The Will County coroners office says there were no signs of trauma found on the body.

Free Rides On River Valley Metro Due To Cold

With wind chills below zero today, River Valley Metro is again offering free rides for anyone who needs a place to warm up. You’re welcome to ride the bus for as long as you’d like today at no cost.

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WEDNESDAY January 27th

Powerful Changes At Kankakee High School

There could be some changes coming to Kankakee High School. Kankakee High School has been on the state’s academic watch list for six consecutive years because of low math and reading scores. Superintendent Colleen Legge says the changes are designed to improve those scores.

Legge: “While it certainly does address assisting in reading and math, there are other pieces that address student learning. And, that is a relationship with a small group of teachers who work as a team, more time for teachers to plan together. They have their own planning time but they plan together, all of those pieces. Throughout the country the schools that have found success have found that rigor, relevance and relationship were always pieces of that.”

The changes would mean the hire of additional teachers and would effect just about everything at the school including the number of class periods to eight.

State Senator Brady In Kankakee Thursday Morning

State Senator and Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Brady will be in the Kankakee area Thursday morning. Brady will be holding a meet and greet with business and community leaders in an event hosted by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce at Aava Java in Bourbonnais.

Tickets On Sale For 5th Annual Wine Tasting

Tickets are on sale now for the 5th Annual Wine Tasting sponsored by the Bourbonnais Park District. Spokesman Tom Schelling says all the wines sampled were bottled in Illinois.

Schelling: “…show people that there is some great wines right in their own backyard, and obviously we can’t show them all because there’s 70-plus wineries in the state of Illinois currently. But, this evening we will have a selection from four wineries from the state of Illinois. Those include Linfred Winery. Along with that we will have some small orderves that will be there for people to snack on. Also back again this year, we will be hosting a silent auction.”

The wine tasting is February 5th at the Recreation Station in Bradley. Tickets are 10 dollars. For more information call 815-933-9905.

Boil Order For Goodland

A water main break Tuesday is the cause of a boil order for the town of Goodland. The Newton County Health Department, saying the boil order will remain in effect for Goodland until late Thursday afternoon. Be sure to boil all drinking and cooking water for at least five minutes before using.

No Answers After Autopsy Of 4-Year-Old

An autopsy this week failed to shed any light on the weekend death of 4-year-old Tashawn Carter of Kankakee. Carter was found unresponsive Friday at an apartment in the 200 block of Crestlane Drive. Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner says they are waiting on further test results, but the child’s death appears to be accidental.

Two Kankakee Men Indicted For Armed Robbery

A Kankakee County grand jury has indicted two Kankakee men on a charge of armed robbery. Police alleged, that in early December of last year, 17-year-old Dana Martin of Kankakee and a 16-year-old accomplice robbed a man at gunpoint in the 1200 block of East Oak Street.

Remington Police Seek Hit And Run Suspect

Remington, Indiana police today continue to search for a man suspected of running down a 25-year-old man Sunday night with a Pontiac Sunfire. It happened in the area of Illinois Street. Remington Police say in the Rensselaer Republican that the victim was standing in front of the vehicle which was parked until the driver hit the gas. The victim struck the hood of his vehicle and rolled off. He’s listed in fair condition.

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TUESDAY January 26th

Kankakee Board Of Education Approves Contract

At a special meeting last night, the Kankakee School District 111 Board of Education approved a new three year contract with the teachers union. The agreement gives teachers a 3.2 percent increase in each of the first two years of the contract. However, negotiations have to be reopened at a later date to workout terms of year three. Superintendent Colleen Legge-

Legge: “The re-opener is for the third year and that would be on salary and insurance. Because, we do not have the salary and insurance in there right now for year three, we only have it for year one and two.”

Teachers did get 2,300 dollars for teachers who retire during the contract. That’s down from 10,000 in the last contract. And the days missed because of the strike will be made up.

Gilman Chamber Meeting Last Night

The Gilman Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner meeting last night at Haven Home Style in Gilman. Chamber President Ernie Potter says everyone seemed to have a good time.

Potter: “Bob Lang talked about his work in Africa, which is always interesting to all of us. We saw a lot of excitement tonight from the people when we talked about things that we’ve got planned for 2010. A lot of times people don’t realize that small town communities and chamber of commerce’s do a lot. They’re not out there beating their drum. Tonight, hopefully we beat our drum a little bit, so that people will understand we we’re doing for them.”

About 60 attended last night’s dinner.

Armed Robbery Goes Awry On 9th Ave In Kankakee

There was an armed robbery near east Gregg and North 9th Avenue in Kankakee Monday. Two women tell police they were walking in the area when a man armed with a hand gun, put the gun to the forehead of one of the women and demanded cash. Kankakee City Police say her friend then tackled the man and began hitting him about the head. The gunman had enough at that point and fled the scene. The women were not hurt. A short time later, police stopped a van with a passenger matching the description of the suspect. Under arrest on a charge of armed robbery is 28-year-old Jeremy Rogers the third of St. Anne. 24-year-old Frances Rogers was charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

Braidwood Man’s Body Found In Ditch

The body of a missing 19-year-old Braidwood man was found Monday in a ditch at Bergera Road and Stacey Court. The Herald News reports that his family says Erich Alley left with friends on December 30th and never returned home. Police say foul play is not suspected in alley’s death. An autopsy will be conducted tomorrow.

No Court Appointed Attorney For Henrichs

Convicted former Iroquois County Clerk Mark Henrichs will have to use his own money to fund an appeal attempt. Henrichs was convicted in 2009 of attempting to sell the county a travel trailer to be used as a mobile voting station for 17,000 dollars without first disclosing that he was the owner. The judge in the case had earlier ruled that Henrichs was entitled to a court appointed lawyer for the appeal process, but yesterday the judge reversed his decision after hearing arguments from the Illinois Attorney General’s office on the ability for Henrichs to pay.

Sugar Creek In Milford Receding Today

Sugar Creek in Milford is expected to begin receding today following the weekend rain and snow melt that led to some minor flooding the past few days. The waterway crested Monday at two feet above flood stage.

Kankakee Area Doctors Return From Haiti

The Daily Journal reports that a team of medical personnel from the Kankakee area are back home today after a nearly week long stay in earthquake ravaged Port Au Prince Haiti. The group was part of a larger effort delivering medical care and supplies to the region.

Manteno Man Still Missing

There’s still no sign of a missing Manteno man, believed to have fallen through the ice while exercising his dog on the Kankakee River two weeks ago. Authorities believe 49-year-old David Smith broke through the ice on property he owns in Sumava Resorts Indiana while possibly trying to rescue his dog from the water. A search of the waterway in Indiana has, so far, produced no results.

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MONDAY January 25th

School Board To Vote On Three Year Agreement

It’s back to school today for students in School District 111 after teachers and the school board came to an agreement on a new three year contract Thursday. Details are pending school board approval, that’s expected during a special meeting tonight. Teachers approved the new contract by an overwhelming margin on Friday.

Nick Lynch Of Bradley On American Idol

There’s reason to watch the upcoming season of American Idol. Nick Lynch of Bradley has made it through the Chicago audition portion of qualification and has been invited to L.A. to compete with other idol contestants. Pat Polk is in charge of all things idol in the Kankakee area and says if you looked closely you saw Nick on last week’s audition program.

Polk: “They showed him when he went in to see Randy, Simon and everybody. They showed that. You didn’t get to hear him sing, but the next thing you saw him come out of the room and he had his ticket to go to California.”

Badenhorst Is Fit To Stand Trial

The Times Republic reports that a psychological evaluation has found 22-year-old Leonard Badenhorst fit to stand trial in the September 2008 beating death of his grandfather, 79-year-old Herschel Flemming of Stockland. But that’s not official yet, and won’t be until the bill for the evaluation is paid. The courts had allowed 5 thousand dollars for the process, but the bill came in a 14 thousand. The case is on hold until the finding can be delivered to the courts.

Attempted Abduction In Braidwood

Will County Sheriff’s Police Department is asking for your help in locating a man who reportedly tried to abduct a young Braidwood girl last week from in front of her home on Route 113. The man is described as white, with brown hair and a goatee, between 38 and 40 years old driving a gray minivan with a possible partial license plate that begins with the number 48. If you can help call Will County Police at 815-727-8575.

Coupon Payment Plan For Real Estate Taxes

If you signed up for the coupon payment plan for real estate taxes, the Kankakee County Treasurer Office reminds you to watch your mailbox for your first of four bills this year. County Treasurer Mark Frechette-

Frechette: “What’s going to happen is, on Tuesday they will get a tax bill. It will be on a purple piece of paper and what it is…it will be due at the end of February and the end of April. And, the thousand people that have signed up so far will be able to spread out their real estate tax payments into four installments. So, it won’t be such a heavy burden come June and September.”

Frechette says this bill and your third bill must be paid in person or by mail at the treasurer’s office at 192 East Avenue in Kankakee. Call 815-937-2960 for more information.

Inmates Donate To Relief In Haiti

The devastation in earthquake ravaged Haiti has prompted inmates and staff at the Dwight Maximum Security Women’s Prison to start collecting donations for the American Red Cross. According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, the inmates make between 10 and 150 dollars a month in work programs and are typically donating from 5 to 20 dollars for relief efforts in Haiti.

Duits Reports To Serve 90-Day Sentence

A Watseka man, accused of hiding his 15-year-old girlfriend at his home while the girl’s family, friends and police searched for her, turned himself into authorities Saturday to begin serving his 90 day sentence. Wednesday, 19-year-old Kyle Duits plead guilty to harboring a runaway in exchange for prosecutors dropping a charge of criminal sexual abuse. In the summer of 2009, officials spent about a week looking for the girl, only to find out in the end that she was hiding out with her boyfriend’s family.

Guilty Verdict For Lumpkins

It was a guilty verdict Friday for 31-year-old Shantay Lumpkins of Kankakee, who called in a false police report that lead to a Kankakee Sheriff’s deputy being injured in a serious accident. 47-year-old Deputy David Stukenborg was responding to the call when a tire blew on his squad car. The vehicle rolled several times leaving Stukenborg paralyzed from the chest down. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday. Lumpkins cold get a year in jail and a 25 hundred dollar fine.

Fire To Home In Manteno On West Adams

A family of seven is being cared for by relatives and the Red Cross following a fire Friday to the home they were renting in the 300 block of West Adams Street in Manteno. The blaze is believed to have started in the kitchen area while the family was attending a wrestling meet. The Daily Journal reports that the family did not have renter’s insurance and donations are being taken at 815-549-0825.

Routine Stop Turns Up Drugs

A routine traffic stop for a broken headlight, lead to the arrest of a man over the weekend after he failed to stop, pulled into a nearby trailer park and then fled on foot. 21-year-old Jose Munoz was captured a short time later. It turns out Munoz was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Champaign. Police say they also found a small amount of suspected marijuana in the vehicle. He’s facing multiple charges today, including fleeing and attempting to elude police.

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FRIDAY January 22nd

Teachers Vote Today On The Tentative Agreement

No school again today for students in District 111. But kids could be back in school on Monday if teachers ratify an agreement worked out with board members Thursday afternoon after 7 hours of negotiations at the Kankakee Public Library. Teachers union President Sue Siedentop says negotiations were helped yesterday by the presence of board members instead of just a federal mediator.

Siedentop: “We met face to face several times with them on Tuesday and today kind of works, sometimes we were all together in this room, sometimes just a couple people from them came down to us, sometimes we went up to them. However it was going to work to finish it, is pretty much what we did.”

The teaches will vote on the proposed contract today. Ratification would put students back in the classroom Monday.

Watseka Roads May Get A Face Lift

Some streets in Watseka could get a face lift thanks to the federal government. Officials say in the Times Republic, that stimulus funding could be used to resurface 5th, 8th and Elm streets. Bids for the project came in higher than the funding available by about 50,000 dollars. There’s talk of using motor fuel tax funds to make up the difference.

State Senator Hutchinson Has Announced Candidacy

State Senator Toi Hutchinson has announced her candidacy for her own term in office. Hutchinson was appointed to take Debbie Halverson’s seat in the senate when Halvorson won election to the U.S. House. Hutchinson says the state, now some 11 billion dollars in debt, can not continue to mortgage it’s future.

Hutchinson: “Don’t run on borrowed time, it’s very difficult to run a house or a business in 2010 on 1989 dollars. And, we cannot keep acting like we have unlimited amounts of money to spend and we’re mortgaging the future of our kids on this debt today. So, we have to be loud about it, we have to let folks know, yes I know there’s competing ideas about how to fix this. However, we’re going to have to fix this.”

Case Of Tasing Kankakee Students Expands

The recent police tasing of three volunteer students at Kankakee Junior High as part of a demonstration, may not have been the first such instance. The Daily Journal reports that a lawsuit filed this week alleges that three other students may have been tased as far back as March 2009.

Kankakee Man Gets 7 Years For Weapons Charges

A Kankakee man will spend the next 7 years behind bars after being sentenced in federal court last week on weapon charges. 24-year-old Junius Nickens pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nickens arrest came after a year long investigation by the Kankakee Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force.

Lumpkin Trial Continues

A trial for a woman who allegedly called in a false police report that lead to a Kankakee Sheriff’s deputy being injured in an accident will continue today in Kankakee County court. 47-year-old Deputy David Stukenborg was responding to the call when a tire blew on his squad car. The vehicle rolled several times, leaving Stukenborg paralyzed from the chest down. 31-year-old Shantay Lumpkin could get a year in jail if found guilty.

Widdowson Suspected In 4 Robberies After All

There’s more trouble for a South Holland man suspected in two Grant Park armed robberies in the past week, and the weekend armed robbery of a BP station in Ashkum. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police say today that 33-year-old John Widdowson will be charged with robbing that same BP at gunpoint in November. Police said Thursday that Widdowson was not involved in that theft, but a review of the evidence changed their thinking.

Trial Set In A Hoopeston Stabbing Case

A trial date for a Hoopeston man accused of stabbing to death, 27-year-old Kelly Lynn Wright of Hoopeston in December of last year, has been set for March 26th. Police alleged 24-year-old Brandyn Calloway stabbed Wright multiple times at a home in the 500 block of South 5th Street in Hoopeston. Calloway is being held without bond. He could get 60 years if convicted.

Kankakee Man Did Not Go Quietly During Arrest

A domestic dispute lead to the arrest of a Kankakee man Thursday. 24-year-old Waddell Smith was taken into custody after allegedly breaking a window and a door frame at the home. Smith apparently did not go quietly. He is charged with resisting arrest, obstruction, trying to disarm an officer and criminal damage to property.

Rensselaer School Workmen’s Comp Cost Going Up

After what Rensselaer school officials call one bad year, workmen’s compensation insurance costs to the district are going up by close to 16 thousand dollars. Jumping from 58,000 dollars last year to 74,000 dollars this year. The school board approved the increase at their meeting Tuesday.

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THURSDAY January 21st

Kankakee Teachers At The Negotiating Table Today

School district #111 students remain out of the class room for a third day today as a teachers strike in Kankakee continues. Both sides were at the negotiating table today at the Kankakee Public Library in hopes of reaching an agreement. Teachers union President Sue Siedentop says teachers walking the picket lines are receiving a lot of support.

Siedentop: “We’ve got a lot of support, we’ve got parents walking the line with us, we’ve got students walking the line with us. We’ve got other unions that their employees, it’s their day off…they’re coming out and walking the line with us. We’ve got a lot of support.”

Those negotiations today at the library began at 9:15am.

300 People At Kaiser’s Funeral In Watseka

Funeral services for 33-year-old Justin Kaiser were held last night at the Glen Raymond gymnasium in Watseka. About 300 people came out to say goodbye to the longtime area broadcaster. Jenny Dombrowski was Kaiser’s co-host on the morning show at WGFA, and says he will be missed by many.

Dombrowski: “You know, he was a man that had his hands in absolutely everything. The legacy he leaves, nobody can fill. His shoes…doing as many things as he had done for the community…he’s various…all surrounding communities as well.”

Kaiser died over the weekend from complications of surgery.

Stukenborg Benefit Moved To Quality Inn

A trial was scheduled to get underway Wednesday in Kankakee County court for a woman who allegedly called in a false police report that lead to a Kankakee Sheriff’s deputy being injured in an accident. 31-year-old Shontay Lumpkin of Kankakee allegedly called in a report of dead bodies in Pembroke Township at her former boyfriend’s house. 47-year-old Deputy David Stukenborg was responding to the call when a tire blew on his squad car. The vehicle rolled several times leaving Stukenborg Paralyzed from the chest down. Lumpkin is facing a year in jail if convicted. Meanwhile, plans for a benefit for Stukenborg continue for January 30th. But, Stukenborg’s mother in-law, Benay McCue says the event has been moved.

McCue: “We have changed the venue from the Kankakee Boat Club to The Quality Inn in Bradley, due to the overwhelming response from the community which is wonderful, we are very happy about that. It is the same date, it is January 30th from 3 to 11. Tickets are of course available at the door. We hope to see a lot of people that night.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance at 815-405-7035.

Duits Pleads Guilty To Harboring A Runaway

A Crescent City man accused of hiding his 15-year-old girlfriend at his home while the girl’s family, friends and police searched for her, plead guilty in Iroquois County court Wednesday to a lesser charge. 19-year-old Kyle Duits plead guilty to harboring a runaway in exchange for prosecutors dropping a charge of criminal sexual abuse. Duits was sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined 500 dollars. His 40-year-old mother, Joanne Duits, is awaiting trial next month. In the summer of 2009, officials spent about a week looking for the girl, only to find out in the end that she was hiding out with her boyfriend’s family.

Widdowson Receives Third Armed Robbery Charge

More charges on the way for the man suspected of robbing the Shell gas station in Grant Park this week and Casey’s General Store in Grant Park last week. Police in Ashkum, and the Iroquois County Sheriff’s office, say that 33-year-old john Widdowson of South Holland, will also be charged with the weekend armed robbery of the BP station in Ashkum. However, police say Widdowson is not responsible for a robbery at the BP in November.

Armed Robbery At Honey Maple Salon In Kankakee

There was an armed robbery Wednesday afternoon at a salon in the 2600 block of East Court Street in Kankakee. The owner of Honey Maple Salon tells police, two masked men armed with a handgun, took an undisclosed amount of cash and a handful of cigars before fleeing on foot. No one was hurt.

Local Medical Team Makes It To Haiti

The Daily Journal reports that a group of local medical personnel, who have trying to get to Haiti to lend a helping hand since last Friday, finally arrived in the earthquake ravaged city of Port Au Prince Wednesday. Congestion at the Port Au Prince airport kept the team in New York for a couple of days.

Watseka Murder Trial Delayed For Lab Results

The only thing holding back the start of the murder trial of a Watseka man is the test results from a DNA sample sent to the state police crime lab. 30-year-old Jeffery Hite is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of 40-year-old Roger McVay outside a Watseka tavern in April of last year. The Times Republic reports that when the DNA results come in, the trial can begin. The lab is backed up.

Former Watseka Woman Dies After Truck Accident

A former Watseka woman, who now calls Mazon home, has died from injuries suffered in a weekend accident in Livingston County near Reddick. Police say 27-year-old Amanda Harris lost control of her pickup truck on an icy road, went into a ditch and rolled over. Police say Harris was thrown from the vehicle in the process.

Wind Farm Could Come To Wilmington

Could a wind farm be coming to the Wilmington area? The Herald News reports that the Wilmington planning and zoning commission will hear a development proposal next week that may include a wind farm. The meeting is scheduled for next Thursday at 7 pm at city hall.

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WEDNESDAY January 20th

Teachers Strike Continues In Kankakee

Students are out of the classroom in district 111 again today as the teachers strike continues. The two sides met for four hours Tuesday at the Kankakee Public Library. While it did not produce a contract, teachers union president Sue Siedentop says it was nice to finally get some face to face time with board members who have been absent from negotiations so far.

Siedentop: “It was nice to have them there. I thought we had some good discussion with them. I thought they listened to what we had to say, but again we were not able to formalize anything, so it didn’t result in any kind of agreement. But, we were very glad to see them.”

Longtime Kankakee Alderman Williams Retires

At last night’s Kankakee City Council Meeting, longtime fifth ward Alderman Hank Williams announced his retirement from the council. Williams says he’s enjoyed his tenure representing the fifth ward in Kankakee.

Williams: “I never intended to make a career out of this, I just wanted to come in and help people in my ward, in my jurisdiction. And, give them the best that I had to give, as far as the delivery of services for the city and I have other things now that I need to do.”

Williams’ retirement is effective January 31st.

Attorney General Madigan In Kankakee Yesterday

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan was in Kankakee Tuesday. Madigan held a meeting at the Kankakee Public Library warning about rip offs in the wake of the housing market meltdown. Madigan says if you’re a home owner underwater and facing foreclosure, there is legitimate help out there for you.

Madigan: “You should reach out as soon as you’re having a problem to see what can be done to save your home. In addition you have to be very careful because there a lot of scam artists out there right know that are engaged in what we call mortgage rescue fraud. So, people who for a fee, say that they will reach out to your lender, get you a modification, help save your home, when in fact all they do is take your money and you ultimately end up losing your home and more money.”

Madigan says help is available through her web site, Illinois Attorney General Dot Gov or call 866-544-7151.

Bourbonnais Seeks Grant To Repair Sewer System

Sewer repairs in Tri-Star Estates dominated last night’s Bourbonnais Village Board meeting. Mayor Paul Schore says, it has to be done.

Schore: “Tri-Star Estates, of course, has an extremely old sewer system in it and a lot of ground water is getting into there. It’s been an ongoing issue around the village and, of course, all that water then continues through the rest of our town. So to try and alleviate that, we’re seeking federal grant money to replace the lift station and to line all the pipes out there in the mains, to keep storm water out and also to improve the sanitary sewer service to that area. And, that in turn will help the rest of our system because now we don’t have the added millions of gallons of water that come into that system that’s really storm water that should be in the sanitary system.”

Schore hopes to get a federal grant to offset at least 75 percent of the cost.

Candidates’ Forum Last Night In Gilman

Candidates for Iroquois County Sheriff, Treasurer, Clerk and County Board District 4 all took part in last night’s candidates’ forum in Gilman. The event was sponsored by the Gilman Chamber of Commerce. The proposed public safety tax referendum was topic one. Sheriffs candidate Dan Sukel is on the record opposing the referendum, while opponent Derek Hagan is for it. Also opposing the proposed tax is 4th district incumbent board member Rodney Copus. Copus says Iroquois County residents are already over taxed.

Copus: “We’ve got a tax coming up in November for all the county schools, the states asking for more money, the feds are asking for more money and the county’s over spent for years and years. We need to get within a balanced budget, an appropriate budget where we don’t inflate the revenues and then authorize excess spending. Go back and look over the last 5 to 7 years, and we have over spent every year.”

About 125 people turned out for last night’s forum in Gilman.

Kankakee Man Honored With Heroism Award

At last night’s Kankakee City Council meeting, a Kankakee man was honored for saving a woman’s life in October. 67-year-old Don Miller was awarded a Citizens Heroism Award for wading into the Kankakee river, up to his chin, in the 300 block of East River Street and pulling an 82-year-old woman out of the water. Miller says even though he can’t swim, he knew he had to take action.

Miller: “When she came outside, she wasn’t looking anywhere except for at the river. There’s a fence you have to walk down to go around. Normally she would come out and talk to me. She didn’t. She just kept staring at the river. Well, I started throwing stuff in the trunk and shut the trunk because I had all kinds of stuff out. By the time I got to the fence to see where I could see where she went o, she was already in the water.”

Three Separate Shootings In Kankakee

Kankakee City Police today continue to investigate three separate shootings that occurred over the past few days. Friday night, shots were fired at a home in the 700 block of North Rosewood. Police report three or four shots at the home from a car. Early Sunday morning, shots were fired at a home and two vehicles in the 300 block of Longwood. Police say they recovered a bullet from inside the home. Monday, police were called to the 1200 block of East Maple after gunshots were fired at a home. Two bullets recovered there, one in a dresser and the other in the wall of a bedroom. No one was hurt in any of the shootings.

Third Lawsuit In Alleged Tasing Of 3 Students

The Daily Journal reports that a third lawsuit is expected to be filed in federal court today in connection with the recent alleged police tasing of three students at Kankakee Junior High School. Each of the suits seeks 11 million dollars. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave as city officials, the police department and school district all investigate. The attorney representing the students made the announcement on CNN earlier this week.

Armed Robbery On Entrance In Kankakee

There was an armed robbery Tuesday in the 200 block of South Entrance Avenue in Kankakee. The victim tells city police he was carrying his laptop when two men approached, pulled a gun, struck him in the chin with the weapon and took off with the laptop. Police are looking for the pair.

Shell Station Robber May Have Robbed Casey’s Too

Grant Park Police say today that a man under arrest for Tuesday’s armed robbery of the Circle K Shell in Grant Park is also believed responsible for an armed robbery last week at Casey’s General Store in Grant Park. Lake County Indiana Police identify the suspect as 33-year-old John Widowson of Shererville. Widowson was arrested in Indiana where he allegedly led police on a high speed chase following the robbery.

KAMEG Raid Turns Up Crack Cocaine And Marijuana

KAMEG agents raided an apartment in the 400 block of South Indiana in Kankakee Wednesday and came away with a stash of crack cocaine and marijuana. Arrested on drug charges was 30-year-old Milton Sykes Jr.

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TUESDAY January 19th

Strike Negotiations Break Down In Kankakee

Negotiations between the teachers and administration of Kankakee School District 111 are over for the day with no progress to report. Teacher’s union president Sue Siedentop summarized today’s talks.

Siedentop: “We met for about four hours. There were two board members present. We did meet face to face with their team. We had a lot of discussion. We made some progress on our issues with meeting with the board. We were not able to make any progress on any financial areas. We asked for a meeting tomorrow and they were unable to meet. We do not have another meeting set up.”

Repeating…the negotiations between the striking District 111 teachers and the administration have ended for the day, with no significant progress reported and no new talks scheduled.

Kankakee Teachers Walk The Picket Lines

District #111 teachers set up picket lines at all Kankakee schools this morning even as both sides headed back to talks at the Kankakee Public Library. Last minute negotiations between the board and the teachers union were arranged Monday in hopes of making the work stoppage a short one. Kankakee Federation of Teachers President, Sue Siedentop told us yesterday that she hopes the strike can be resolved soon because the kids are the ones being hurt.

Siedentop: “There’s a lot of things going on, we have ISATs coming on in the Spring, this is ISAT prep, we’ve got PSEs coming in April. This is not helping the kids, and we’re not trying to harm the kids, but we’ve used every last resort that we have available to us. And, I have postponed this strike for over a month, trying to give them the opportunity to do something.”

One of the sticking points for teachers is a lack of face to face time with board members during negotiations and a board member is involved in the talks today.

Strike Daycare At The Y

Parents left scrambling for day care because of the teachers strike need look no further than the Kankakee YMCA. Spokesperson Katy Laclair-

Laclair: “We have Days Off Camp her at the Y from 6:30 in the morning until 6:00 at night. There is a quick registration form that would need to be filled out. We ask that parents send their kids with a lunch and then we’ll provide all the activities for the day. The kids will go swimming, play in our tumbling room, our kidzone, our youth lobby…they’ll have some free time in the gym and we’ll also do some arts and crafts activities with them.”

The cost is 25 dollars a day. To find out more, call the Y at 815-933-1741.

High Speed Chase Just Outside Lowell This Morning

A Shererville, Indiana man suspected in this morning’s armed robbery of the Grant Park Shell station, was arrested just outside Lowell on Route 41, a short time later, but not before first leading police on a high speed chase. Lake County Sheriff’s Police identify the man as 33-year-old John Widdowson of Shererville. Widdowson allegedly robbed the Shell at gun point, then took off with police in pursuit. The chase ended in a crash with Widdowson reportedly running into a wooded area. He was arrested a short time later.

River Valley Metro Resolves Safety Issue

You may see some Rockford Mass Transit District buses on the streets of the Kankakee area for a while. It’s because of potential safety issues with certain model metro buses. Spokesperson Michelle Brutlog.

Brutlog: “River Valley Metro has five buses on loan from the Rockford Mass Transit District. They were generous enough to loan us the buses. We have some buses in our fleet that we have down due to a potential safety issue, and our passenger safety is the utmost of importance to us, so until that situation is resolved, we will be using Rockford buses. And then, possibly in the future if we need to, some other loner type buses.”

Iroquois County Candidate's Forum Tonight

Candidates for Iroquois County Sheriff, Treasurer, Clerk and County Board District 4 have all been invited to attend a candidate’s forum tonight in Gilman. The event is sponsored by the Gilman Chamber of Commerce at the Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau building in Gilman at 7:00pm. The proposed public safety tax referendum will be discussed.

BP In Ashkum Robbed For A Second Time

Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police Monday reported an armed robbery at the BP gas station in Ashkum over the weekend. A man armed with a handgun took off with an undetermined amount of cash. No one was hurt. It was the second time in the last couple of months the station has been robbed.

Onarga Man Arrested For Stolen Vehicle

An Onarga man was arrested by Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police Monday, allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle. Police identify the man as 20-year-old Fernando Pantoja of Onarga. The vehicle was reported stolen out of St. Louis.

Kankakee Area Doctors For Relief In Haiti

Four Kankakee area doctors trying to get to Port Au Price airport in Haiti, a part of a relief mission, hope to fly out of New York today. Dr. Rodney Alford tells the Daily Journal, the mission has been delayed twice because of congestion at the airport in Haiti. The group had originally hoped to fly out Saturday.

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