Friday, October 17, 2025

Peotone Police issue community alertPeotone Police are asking folks in the area to be on alert. In a Facebook post, Peotone Police report one of their officers was flagged down about 11 Wednesday night near Beecher Road and Harlem Avenue by two people who said they'd been highjacked at gunpoint. The victims say a white vehicle stopped in front of their 2020 Kia Soul and four men with guns got out and took their car, before taking off northbound on Route 50. Officials say you should always be aware of your surroundings and they say if you are approached by someone that's armed, you shouldn't resist, but instead cooperate, move to safety and call 9-1-1.Drought concerns persistAnother week without much rain and drought concerns continue to grow across the area. The map released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor has about four percent of Kankakee County in the "moderate drought" category with the other 96 percent of the county listed as abnormally dry, those numbers unchanged from last week. Seven percent of Iroquois County is listed as in severe drought, 23 percent in moderate drought and the remaining 70 percent listed as "abnormally dry". 86 percent of Ford County is listed as in severe drought with the rest of the county in moderate drought. 65 percent of Grundy County and 29 percent of Will County is considered to be in moderate drought, the rest of each of those counties listed as simply abnormally dry.Across the state line, the entirety of Newton and Benton Counties in Northwest Indiana are listed as "abnormally dry", while 20 percent of Jasper County is considered in moderate drought and the rest of it listed as abnormally dry. The map just released today includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week. Kankakee County gets State grants for road projectsThe Kankakee County Board's Highways, Waterways and Buildings Committee met today. During the meeting, County Engineer Greg Heiden told the committee he had some good news.  Heiden said the money from the state will cover the county's portion of bridge replacement over Trim Creek and Pike Creek, with the Federal Government covering the rest of the cost. The third project, according to Heiden, is the reconstruction of Guertin Street in St. Anne.  The State has promised the county three-million dollars toward the St. Anne project. The County has until 2029 to complete the work What to do around Kankakee County this weekendThere's a lot going on around Kankakee County this weekend. With a look at a few of the events, here's Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee CountyPolice chase in Channahon nets five arrestsFive people are in custody after a police chase involving a U-Haul packed with stolen Amazon boxes on I-80. Investigators say the suspects stole more than 30-thousand dollars worth of packages from an Amazon facility in Channahon before fleeing in two vehicles. Officers used spike strips to disable their tires and end the pursuit. The suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Police say multiple charges are pending as the investigation continues.Kankakee City Police report gun arrestsA traffic stop Wednesday netted Kankakee City Police a gun arrest. According to reports, it was just before six Wednesday night when officers stopped a car in the 800 block of South Elm for a suspended registration. While talking to those inside the car, officers say they could smell the odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside. Reports say the driver of the car, identified as 21-year-old Gabriel A. Vazquez became argumentative with the officer. A search of the car allegedly turned up a handgun with the serial number scratched off, a tactical plate carrier style vesHave 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.