Thursday, July 17, 2025

Word reached us Wednesday afternoon of the passing of Milner Media Farm Services Director Mike Perrine. Mike’s radio career spanned some six decades, including a stint with Tribune Radio Networks, where he worked alongside industry giants Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson. In 1995 Mike came to the Kankakee area to begin his time as farm director for another local radio station, before moving to Milner Media in 2013. In November 2023, he was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Mike was 83 years old.

The Iroquois County Fair continues today at the fairgrounds just outside Crescent City. Fair Publicity Director Debbie Krones has a rundown of today’s events. (IroqCoFair071725) The Iroquois County Fair runs through Sunday at the fairgrounds in Crescent City.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza isn’t running for re-election.  The Chicago native announced yesterday that she isn’t seeking a fourth term as the state’s chief fiscal control officer.  Mendoza didn’t rule out a 2027 run for Chicago mayor, saying “Chicago is in dire need of competency.”   The former state representative and Chicago city clerk unsuccessfully ran for Chicago mayor in 2019.

A batch of mosquitoes collected in Kankakee  County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. In a press release,  the Kankakee County Health Department says it’s the first pool of mosquitoes in Kankakee County to test positive for the virus. So far this year, the State Department of Public Health has reported 30 west nile positive counties. The health department urges everyone to wear long sleeves and pants when possible and to apply insect repellent when outdoors.

The Kankakee City Police and Fire Departments are investigating a pair of apparent arsons overnight Tuesday night. Reports say the first happened about 9:15 Tuesday night when firefighters were called to a home in the 100 block of North Evergreen Avenue for a porch fire. Witnesses told authorities a woman started the fire on the porch, which was quickly put out causing minimal damage to the home. The other happened just before five Wednesday morning when firefighters were called to a home in the 18-hundred block of East Marmion. When they got there firefighters found two cars on fire. Reports say someone used molotov cocktails to start the fires. The cars had moderate damage, nobody was injured. Arson investigators and Kankakee City Police are looking for suspects in both cases.

The Kankakee Municipal Band Summer Concert series continues tonight at seven at the Palzer Band Shell at Bird Park. Bob Evans is conductor of the band

The Municipal Band Concert Series runs through August seventh at the Palzer Band Shell at Bird Park.

During Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Executive Committee, County Recorder of Deeds Lori Gadbois gave an update on her office’s property fraud alert system

County Board Vice-Chair Craig Long told the committee he’d recently taken the time to register in the system.

Gadbois also noted there are a couple of property fraud cases going on in the county right now. She added you can actually sign up through the County Recorder of Deed’s website.

During Wednesday morning’s meeting of the Kankakee County Board’s Executive Committee, County Veteran’s Assistance Commission Superintendent Eric Peterson addressed rumors that the Prince Home at the Manteno Veteran’s home could be closing down

Peterson said he’s okay with the State’s plans for the home, adding the change will add to the county’s continuum of care for homeless veterans in Kankakee County.