Wednesday, November 26, 2025

• Kankakee Police Provide Update on Sunday Night's Homicide

Kankakee City Police have provided an update on Sunday night's Homicide investigation of a Chicago man on East Court Street. According to a press release, surveillance footage shows 20 year old Donnie Smith of Chicago exit the store, remove a handgun from his waistband, and fire at the driver of a Buick sitting in the parking lot. The driver of the Buick fired back at Smith, striking him several times, then drove off. Smith later died of his injuries at the hospital. Investigators located the Buick yesterday morning around 10:30 inside a garage in the 200 block of South Chicago Avenue. The car has since been seized by police. On Monday night, the driver of the Buick arrived at the Kankakee Police Department with legal counsel to speak with investigators. The person of interest provided a statement consistent with the events of the shooting death. The person was then released pending further investigation and review by the Kankakee County State's Attorney's office. Motive for the shooting remains under investigation.

• Wind Advisory Today 

Most of Illinois and Indiana  will be dealing with very windy conditions today.  The National Weather Service says wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are expected in the region.  Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages.  Travel could be difficult.   A wind advisory will be in effect for much of the day.  

• Beloved Kankakee Journalist and Author Passes Away

A beloved Kankakee area journalist and author has passed away. Jack Klasey died Tuesday at Saint Mary's Hospital in Kankakee at the age of 86. Klasey, who was born and raised in Chicago, moved to Kankakee in the 1960s to work as a reporter for The Daily Journal. Aside from his popular local history column, Klasey authored many books and was one of the Board of Directors for the Kankakee County Historical Society for several years. Visitation for Klasey will be held this Sunday from 2 to 6 at Clancy Gernon in Bourbonnais. A memorial mass will take place 10 Monday morning at Saint John Paul the second's East Campus.

• Bradley Mayor Mike Watson Teases 'Iconic Brand' Wants in on Waterpark 

Bradley Mayor Mike Watson tells us there is an iconic brand that wants to be involved with the indoor water park the village plans to start building soon.  While Mayor Watson said he couldn't tell us exactly who this well known brand is that wants to be a part of the new water park, he did say that multiple generations are very familiar with this brand. Another clue he gave us was that he recently interviewed with this brand in Florida. More details should hopefully be announced at the next Bradley Village Board meeting December 8th. 

• Tips to Travel Safely this Holiday Season

It’s the start of the holiday travel season. If you’re going to be hitting the road, Bradley Police Officer Megan Lanie has a few things for you to remember.  The National Safety Council says some 500 people will die on the nation's roadways this holiday season.

• Skating Rink Opens at Bourbonnais Grove

The Synthetic Ice Skating Rink is now open at The Grove at Goselin Park in Bourbonnais. Village of Bourbonnais Marketing and Community Engagement Director Lindy Casey has the details.  You can learn more at village of bourbonnais dot com. 

• Deep Fry Turkey Tips with Kankakee City Fire Department

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and one of the more recent trends has been to deep-fry the

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