Monday, October 27, 2025

Notable Night Sky NewsTime to find out what's going on overhead this week, with our Notable Night Sky News, here's Madeline Shepley, astronomy professor and director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet.Manteno Field FireManteno Fire Protection District Firefighters report a field fire in Rockville Township Friday afternoon. In a press release, firefighters say the fire involved a field of standing corn and nearby farms were called to help cut fire breaks into the fields to help with putting out the blaze. In all, a total of about 10 acres of corn burned, the cause of the fire is under investigation.Jasper Co IN burn ban extendedOfficials in Jasper County Indiana have extended their burn ban through the end of the week. It had been set to expire on Friday, but has now been extended through Friday the 31st. Officials in Benton County Indiana and Iroquois County here in Illinois both lifted their bans earlier this week. Newton County's no burn October continues through Friday the 31st.Boundary Committee meetsThe Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Committee held its first meeting Wednesday, but only Indiana members attended.  Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says Indiana is trying to pull a "stunt" that is "not going to happen."  The Hoosier state is seeking to absorb 33 counties from Illinois that have voted to secede from the state.  Downstate Illinois Succession's Scott Carpenter says they want to be free from "bad Illinois law."Entries being accepted for Kankakee Christmas ParadeEntries are being accepted for the City of Kankakee Christmas Parade. Kankakee Mayor, Chris Curtis.  Christmas Parade entry forms can be found on the City of Kankakee's website.Numbers up at KCCIllinois community colleges have once again recorded steady growth, marking the fourth consecutive year of enrollment increases, according to the Fall 2025 Illinois Community College Opening Enrollment Report released today by the Illinois Community College Board. Kari Nugent, Vice President for Advancement, Marketing and Public Relations at Kankakee Community College says their enrollment numbers are up.  Registration is now underway for the Spring 2026 semester at KCC.Haas pushes for improvements to dangerous intersection79th District State Representative Jackie Haas recently sat down to chat with Rob West for an edition of the WVLI News Update Special Report podcast. During the conversation she addressed several local concerns, among them the intersection of Route 50 and County Line Road in far northern Kankakee County. Representative Haas says she's working to try to make the intersection safer, even though it's not exactly in her district.  Representative Haas says she contacts IDOT every time there's an accident at that intersection since her constituents pass through that intersection, even though it's not in her District. You can hear the complete interview with Representative Haas on our website or wherever you get your podcasts.Primary filing period starts todayToday's the day to start filing your petitions if you want to be on the ballot for the March 17th Primary Election in Kankakee County. County Clerk Dan Hendrickson.  Hendrickson says petitions can be filed in his office anytime during normal business hours.  The County Clerk's office will be open until five o'clock in the evening of November 3rd for last minute filers.Village of Bourbonnais holds first ever Pet Parade and Photo ContestThe Village of Bourbonnais held their first ever Howl-o-ween Pet Parade and photo contest Saturday. Photo contest winners were voted on through the VillageHave 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.