Friday, August 29, 2025

Tourism up in Kankakee CountyTourism in Kankakee County showed major returns in 2024. Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County, breaks down the numbers for us.  According to a press release sent by Gavin, visitor spending dipped slightly last year by one half of a percent but claims that's indicative of a strong and stable tourism sector. What to do around Kankakee County this weekendThere's plenty to do around Kankakee County this Labor Day holiday weekend. With a look at a few of the events, here's Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee CountyKankakee County looks for inputThe Kankakee County Planning Department has started an initiative to make roadways safer in the county. Planner Two for the county, Tyler Goodrich, says this effort starts with asking area residents and travelers to fill out a survey.  Goodrich says if you have any questions about the survey or the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, you can contact her office at 815.937.2940 or email [email protected] County Sheriff's Office warns "Don't Drink and Drive"It's the Labor Day weekend and Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski reminds you not to drink and drive.  Law enforcement around the state will have stepped up patrols this holiday weekend. Last year there were 11 fatal crashes in Illinois over the Labor Day travel period.Kankakee Firefighters put out mattress fireKankakee City Firefighters were called to an apartment building in the 300 block of North Dearborn overnight. Fire Chief Brian LaRoche says the call came in about 3:15 this morning and when they got there they found a mattress on fire in one of the apartments and quickly put it out. Fire crews were on the scene for about an hour checking on medical needs of any of the residents in the apartment building's 60 units. There were no injuries reported.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.