The Salvation Army Kankakee has collected 36% of its $75,000 goal in the annual Red Kettle campaign.

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7

Bradley police made another arrest in an Oct. 2 incident where officers discovered an alleged marijuana growing operation in the 100 block of South Jefferson Avenue while investigating an armed robbery in progress.

The River Valley Wind Ensembles presented its annual Holiday Concert, preceded by Christmas carols, on Sunday at Olivet Nazarene University’s Larsen Fine Arts Center in Bourbonnais.

There are three days left to donate to the United Way’s “Home for the Holidays” drive.

New York and national Catholic media, along with local Catholics, say they hear Bishop Ron Hicks will be named archbishop in New York.

Iroquois West won the tournament trophy over Wilmington and Peotone as the Iroquois West Holiday Hoops Tournament came to a close on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Santa will roll past the downtown Herscher grain bins once again for the 30th annual Christmas in Herscher celebration on Friday evening, Dec. 19.

Bradley-Bourbonnais secured a 59-43 win over Naperville Central on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

Bishop McNamara pulled ahead to a 62-41 victory over Clifton Central in the Watseka Holiday Tournament championship on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

For her excellence in financial operations and for executing key strategic responsibilities with Riverside Healthcare, Patt Vilt has been recognized by Becker’s Healthcare as part of its 2025 “Women hospital and health system CFOs to know” list.

The Kankakee Police Department announced last week that it will be making a special effort to enforce laws regarding drunk driving this holiday season.

The beginning of the end to AT&T landline phone service as it was known for many decades will begin fading from existence beginning in 2027.

Attendees and parade participants braved the cold for the Kankakee Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Single digit temperatures didn’t stop the Kankakee Christmas Parade on Saturday.

The United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties has been hard at work addressing the area’s housing needs.

A list of recent births at Riverside Medical Center.

This week's announcement of Mattel, Inc., joining Bradley's development of an indoor waterpark in the area of Interstate 57 and Northfield Square mall has the region thinking of its impact.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek writes there are concerns with the cash bail system as well as the much-debated SAFE-T Act, but these issues should rest with judges and their ability to make the best decisions.

Kankakee defeated Thornton 83-67 at Kankakee High School on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.

The Bradley Village Board on Monday unanimously approved its $2.37-million property tax levy.

Kankakee defeated Thornwood 82-41 in the Kays' Southland Athletic Conference win on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

Attorneys for Prime Healthcare, the company that owns St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, argues that the suit brought against them by Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe should be dismissed. The filing of the motion by the Chicago law firm of Baker and Hostetler came on Nov.

Pick up some Christmas treats and gifts in one place this Saturday at the Manteno Church of the Nazarene’s Vendor Fair & Cookie Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In this week’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster writes about the upcoming event at the B. Harley Bradley House featuring WVLI radio talent Mike Tomano and Rob West. The Dec. 19 event will be a fundraiser for the historic Kankakee landmark.

County Board OKs slight increase in tax levy for fiscal year 2026

Monica Pizano is once again a trailblazer in Kankakee, this time as the first Hispanic parade marshal for the city's annual Christmas parade.

Bishop McNamara fell 70-51 to Hope Academy in their home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Someone heard this year’s Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign’s theme was Give With Joy. A gold coin was found in a kettle located in Kankakee.

Downtown Manteno was bustling with holiday cheer for the annual Christmas in Manteno celebration on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

Manteno defeated Streator 44-9 in the Illinois Central Eight Conference matchup on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.

The planned indoor waterpark in Bradley has a commitment from Mattel, a nationally recognized producer of youth- and family-based toys, games and movies.

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

Nick Africano, Kankakee County’s treasurer and chairman of the county’s Republican Party, was issued a notice to appear for alleged disorderly conduct following a traffic incident which occurred last week in Kankakee.

Runners braved the cold for the 35th annual Jingle Bell Run at Kankakee Community College on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.

Kankakee property values are once again on the rise, this time by $35 million, officials reported Monday.

Local school districts have begun delving into the student achievement data reported on the 2024-25 Illinois School Report Card, including Bourbonnais, Bradley and Kankakee schools.

Holiday cheer warmed the crowd in the cold weather during the 40th annual Bradley Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.

A list of recent births at Riverside Medical Center.

New Hope Presbyterian Church in Coal City will again host its annual Blue Christmas service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, the the church said in a news release.

In this week's column, Dennis Marek asks that after reading the latest Mitch Albom-authored novel, Twice, would life be better if we could have a do-over or two?

The holiday season officially arrived in Kankakee when Santa Claus came to the city depot.

Despite frigid temperatures, the city of Kankakee welcomed Santa Claus and guests during the 19th annual Lion Wreathing and Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

Kankakee topped Thornton 69-26 as the Kays moved to 7-0 and 2-0 in the Southland Athletic Conference with the home win on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

It appears Kankakee's curbside recycling program will remain in place.

The Kankakee County Museum is officially aglow with the twinkle of Christmas lights for the 47th annual Gallery of Trees, themed "Blast from the Past." The experience kicks off Thursday, Dec. 4, and runs through December with the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The Kankakee County Museum held its 47th annual Gallery of Trees preview party on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. The gallery, themed "Blast from the Past," is now open through December from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Due to the clash of seasons, Kankakee's Department of Public Works will extend its leaf pickup timeline.

In this weekend’s “A Taylor-Made Life,” Taylor Leddin-McMaster remembers the life and work of local historian, Jack Klasey.

Bradley-Bourbonnais hosted Kankakee, Bishop McNamara and Manteno in All-City wrestling on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.