Friday, July 25, 2025

Despite recent rains, drought concerns continue to worsen across the county. The latest map released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor now puts 10 percent of Kankakee County in the “severe drought” category, with just over 70 percent of the county in “moderate drought” and the remaining 20 percent listed as “abnormally dry”. That’s a significant change from last week when about 50 percent of the county was considered in “moderate drought” and none of the county was listed as in “severer drought”. Today’s map lists 80 percent of Iroquois County as “abnormally dry” with the other 20 percent without any drought concern at all, an improvement over last week’s numbers. Meanwhile, about 15 percent of Ford County is considered to be in “Moderate Drought”, 70 percent listed as “abnormally dry” and the rest of the county without any drought concerns at all. About 89 percent of Grundy County is considered to be in moderate drought with the rest of the county listed as “abnormally dry”. More than 70 percent of Will County now falls into the “severe drought” category.

Across the state line, nearly 40 percent of Newton County, 85 percent of Benton County and 39 percent of Jasper County are considered to be in “moderate drought” with the remainder of those counties listed as “abnormally dry”. The latest map includes data gathered through Tuesday of this week.

The Braidwood Police Department reports an arrest in connection with a car theft yesterday.  Officers were called to the 500 block of West Anndon Street yesterday for a report of a stolen car. Officers were able to track the car using license plate recognition technology to the Joliet area,  where the stolen car was seen heading southbound on Larkin Avenue at McDonough Street just after 1:30 yesterday afternoon. The car then entered westbound I-80 and transitioned to southbound I-55. Officers from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department Pro-Active Unit followed the car onto New River Road in Wilmington, where the car pulled into a hunting area. The driver of the car, identified as Gabriel Alvarez of Braidwood, reportedly rammed the car into an unmarked police vehicle in an attempt to flee, but was ultimately boxed in. Alvarez then allegedly fled on food before being detained by officers. Alvarez is charged with Motor Vehicle Theft and Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer among other charges.

Time now to find out what events and activities are happening in the area this weekend with Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

Merchant Street Music Fest kicks off late this afternoon at the Harold and Jean Minor Festival Square in Kankakee. Kankakee Public Library Director Allison Beasley with a run down of today’s events.

The fest runs through Saturday in Downtown Kankakee. More info and tickets at merchant street music fest dot com.

A ComEd lobbyist and confidant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is going to prison.  Michael McClain was sentenced Thursday to two years behind bars for helping run a scheme to benefit Madigan and get legislation for ComEd.  The 77-year-old defendant is the third of four co-defendants to be sentenced in the case. Madigan has officially filed an appeal of his federal corruption conviction.

A new restaurant is set to open soon in Downtown Kankakee. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, aldermen approved a Class G Liquor license for the new spot. Mayor Chris Curtis told us what type of restaurant it will be.

Mayor Curtis added they hope the new Mexican restaurant will open in the next 90 to 120 days. The new business will occupy the former 815 Lounge location at 239 East Court Street. A name of the new bar and eatery was not given.

The Jasper County fair is running all this week in Rensselaer Indiana. With a look at today’s events. here’s Suzanne Frey, publicity director for the fair.

The fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Rensselaer.