Monday, October 13, 2025

• Man killed in fatal crash identified

We have a name now of the motorcyclist killed Sunday when his motorcycle collided with a car on Route 17 west of Kankakee. Illinois State Police say the crash happened just before 10 yesterday morning at Route 17 near 3000 West Road. Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner says 31-year-old Trevor Waddell of Braidwood was taken from the scene of the crash to the hospital where he later died of his injuries. State Police say Route 17 had to be closed for about four hours while wreckage was cleared and the crash investigated. No word on the condition of the driver of the car. 

• Notable Night Sky News

Time now to find out what's happening in the sky this week. With our Notable Night Sky News, here's Madeline Shepley, Astronomy Professor and Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet

• It's Columbus Day

It is Columbus Day today, the day set aside to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. History.com says the day was first set aside as a federal holiday in 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. But throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have been proposed since the 1970s including Indigenous People's Day, now celebrated in many U.S. states and cities.  Because of the holiday today, you'll find all State and Federal offices are closed today. Schools are closed as are most banks and other financial institutions. The Post Office is closed today and there will be no mail delivery.

• Jasper County Indiana Sheriff warns of scam

Jasper County Indiana Sheriff Pat Williamson is sounding the alarm about another scam going around the area. Sheriff Williamson says this one is called the T-4 scam.

Williamson says if you get anything in the mail that looks suspicious, you can usually find out if it's a scam or not by doing a quick google search. 

• Rensselaer Police make arrest in shots fired incident

Rensselaer Police have released details on the arrest they made last week after shots were fired in the City. It was last Thursday night when Rensselaer Police were called to a report of an incident where shots were fired after an argument in the 400 block of North McKinley. At the time, officers said they were able to locate a suspect in the incident and a weapon had been recovered. In a press release, that person was identified as 39-year-old Shawn McGan of Rensselaer. The press release says during the argument, McGan allegedly reached into his waistband, pulled out a gun and fired a shot at the other person involved, then reportedly threatened to burn down the house. He was arrested by Rensselaer Police on various gun-related charges.

•  Fatal crash in Kankakee County

There are reports of a fatal traffic crash in Kankakee County Sunday. It happened about 9:45 yesterday morning in the 3000 West and Route 17 in Limestone Township. Few details are available at this time, but it was believed to have been a motorcycle vs car crash. Illinois State Police are investigating.

• ICE, other Federal agents in Kankakee

ICE agents were apparently in Kankakee County over the weekend. In a Facebook post Sunday, Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis said it had been brought to his attention that ICE agents and other Federal agencies were working within the city limits. Curtis went on to say that while he and Police Chief Chris Kidwell were aware

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