Firework Safety, West Nile Virus, Crash kills 3 people

IL Fire Marshal urges firework safetyThe Illinois State Fire Marshal is urging fireworks safety over the July 4th holiday.  The National Fire Protection Association says fireworks started more than 31-thousand fires in 2022.  These fires caused an estimated six deaths, dozens of injuries and 109-million-dollars in direct property damage.  These fires aren't only caused by commercial fireworks, but also by novelty fireworks that are sometimes purchased at local supermarkets.IL officials announce first human West Nile Virus case of the yearThe CDC is confirming the first human case of West Nile virus in Illinois this year.  A person from Southern Illinois was hospitalized due to complications of the infection.  So far in 2025, West Nile has been confirmed in 19 counties.  The first positive mosquito batch of this year was found May 9th in Rockford.  Last year, there were 69 confirmed human cases of the virus including 13 deaths, the highest number since 2018.Rural Champaign County crash kills threeThree people died in a crash in Ludlow Township in Champaign County Tuesday afternoon. In a press release, the Champaign County Sheriff's Police say they were called to a crash between a pick up and a car in rural Ludlow just before five last night. When they got there, deputies say they found the driver of the pick-up, a 62-year-old man from Paxton and the driver of the car, a 56-year-old woman from Paxton had died at the scene of the crash. A passenger in the car, a 30-year-old Ludlow woman was taken to the hospital where she later died of her injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation.Fatal crash on I-57 near AshkumA crash on I-57 near Ashkum Tuesday afternoon killed a 97-year-old woman from Memphis Tennessee. Illinois State Police say the crash happened about noon yesterday on the northbound side of the Interstate, forcing the closure of the northbound lanes for several hours. Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum identifies the deceased as Mattie Robertson of Memphis. State Police say the interstate reopened about five last night. The cause of the crash is under investigation.Friendship Fest kicks off tonightThe 50th Annual Bourbonnais Friendship Festival kicks off today at the Festival Grounds behind Village Hall. Justin Munson has a look at today's events.The Fest runs through Sunday at the Grove in Bourbonnais. Crime Stoppers Tip of the WeekKankakee County Sheriff's Police are looking into a shooting in Pembroke Township earlier this week. Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski has our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week.  Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward.Have a news tip to share? Send us a text!Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)The voices you trust, beyond the dial.