Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) is distributing food to area families facing food insecurity. The Foodmobile will travel throughout southern Iroquois County on 05/16/2024 and northern Iroquois County on 05/22/2024, with distribution sites and times and for each town listed at https://www.eifoodbank.org/help/mobile.html.

The distribution is part of the Foodbank’s Foodmobile Program, a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to rural or underserved areas. Those planning to attend should pre-register at www.EIFclient.com, although doing so does not guarantee a place in line. Income guidelines are as follows:

Updates regarding future food distributions can be found at the Foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org.

On 04/20/2024 at approximately 3:44 AM, Newton County Dispatch received a 911 call in reference to a car versus tree and utility pole crash on State Road 16 near George Ade.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a westbound passenger car (driven by a 63 year old Lake Village man) was entering the curves on SR 16 near George Ade when he fell asleep while driving causing the vehicle to exit the roadway and collide with a NIPSCO utility pole and a tree before coming to rest.

The driver of the passenger car was uninjured and refused medical treatment at the scene. A female passenger was treated for minor injuries on scene and released.

Assisting Agencies: Newton County Dispatch, Newton County EMS, Brook Fire Department, NIPSCOWTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

On 04/20/2024 at approximately 7:56 PM, Newton County Dispatch received a 911 call in reference to a car in the ditch with hazards on at the intersection of US 24 and SR 55.  Preliminary investigation indicates that a Chevrolet Traverse (driven by a 35 year old Kentland man) was traveling eastbound on US 24 approaching SR 55 when for unknown reasons left the roadway on the south side of US 24, the vehicle then collided with a culvert before coming to rest on the southeast corner of the intersection. The driver of the vehicle was provided CPR on scene and transported to Riverside Memorial Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Assisting Agencies: Newton County Dispatch, Newton County EMS, Goodland Fire Department, Kentland Police Department, Goodland Police Department, Brook Police Department.

At 6:15 pm on Wednesday April 17, a ballot placement lottery was held at the Iroquois County administrative building. Democrats won the ballot placement lottery and will appear first on the ballot in November. Republicans will appear second on the ballot.

Then it was the Iroquois County Republican Party county convention at 7:00.

Seventeen of the nineteen elected precinct committeepersons attended the county convention.

Challenger Mitchell Bence defeated the incumbent Lyle Behrends to become the new Iroquois County Republican Party chairman. The vote was 9-8 for Bence. Behrends had served as chairman since 2016.

Dan Huse was reelected vice chairman. He defeated challenger Lindsey Ishmiel. Huse also received 9 votes.

Kurt Albers was reelected treasurer without opposition.

Joseph Monack was elected secretary without opposition.

A Watseka man will be in court May 20 on a felony criminal damage to government property charge.

Brandon J. Wood, 40, homeless, is also charged with a class A misdemeanor criminal trespass to state land charge.

According to reports from Illinois State Police, at 8:43 am. April 15, ISP Trooper 5 responded to a trespasser under the bridge on U.S. 24 over the Iroquois River.

“Wood had been previously advised to vacate the area,” reads the report. “Wood refused to vacate and was placed under arrest and transported to the Iroquois County Jail.”

Illinois Department of Transportation crews were called to move many items that were under the bridge area. Those items were then taken to the Watseka city dumpster to be disposed of. Public Works Director Loren Grosvenor said the crews worked much of the day and filled a 30-yard dumpster.

Wood is scheduled to be in court at 9:30 a.m. May 20.

On 04/16/2024 at approximately 5:05PM, Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of CR1200S and CR350E for a single vehicle crash with injuries.

The preliminary investigation indicated that a single vehicle (driven by a 20-year-old Brook, IN man) passenger car was traveling northbound on CR350E near CR1200S. The driver lost control on the gravel causing the vehicle to travel off the roadway and roll multiple times coming to a rest in a field. The male driver was ejected from the vehicle during the collision.

The male driver was immediately transported to the hospital for injuries; his injury status is unknown at this time.

Assisting agencies; Newton County 911 Communications, Newton County EMS and Brook Fire Department

The Iroquois County Fair Board is excited to announce the headliner for the 2024 Christian Concert, presented by 89.7 Shine FM. Christian music hitmaker Colton Dixon is set to headline the concert on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Iroquois County Fair in Crescent City, Illinois.

After finishing in the top seven on Season 11 of Fox’s American Idol, Colton Dixon first emerged as a phenomenon. Delivering a series of fan-favorite albums, 2013’s A Messenger achieved “the biggest first-week sales by a new solo Christian act” and catapulted into the Top 15 of the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart. A year later, Anchor yielded his third and fourth #1 hits on Christian Hot AC with “More of You” and “Through It All.” In 2017, he returned to #1 on the Christian Albums Chart for the third time. He has collected a pair of Dove Awards in “Rock/Contemporary Album” and “Recorded Music Packaging.” Following an invite from the White House, he also shined at the 2019 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. He performed on Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, and in the pages of People magazine. During 2020, he embarked on a new chapter with Atlantic Records ignited by the self-titled Colton Dixon EP and runaway hit “Miracles”—one of his most popular tracks to date. 2022 saw him make his show-stopping debut at the Grand Ole Opry in the midst of kicking off another era and experiencing a creative breakthrough with “Build A Boat.” Between the original and duet version with multiplatinum country songstress Gabby Barrett, it reeled in over 20 million streams. It stood out as “the longest-running Mediabase Christian AC #1 song of 2022” and locked down #1 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs Chart and Christian AC Airplay Chart.

Tickets for the concert will go on sale at 8 AM CST on Friday, April 12, 2024. Grandstand seating and track section tickets will be available. Tickets will be available at www.iroquoiscofair.com.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 arrested 26-year-old Grant W. Pate of Westville, IL for 11 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony) and 11 counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography (Class X Felony).

On March 26, 2024, ISP conducted a residential search warrant in Westville, Illinois.  The search warrant was in reference to multiple Cyber Tips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding child pornography.  During the execution of the search warrant, Grant W. Pate was taken into custody and transported to the Vermilion County Jail.

This investigation was a collaborative effort between the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Westville Police Department, and ISP. “The dissemination of child pornography is not only disturbing, but dangerous for the victims depicted in the images stated Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. Working with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program to bring offenders to justice is necessary to keep our children safe.”

The Illinois State Police provide the following resource for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery. Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the NCMEC CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com. To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org ; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources .

The Watseka Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace - No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town is having bed build at the Gibson Area Hospital Clinic in Watseka from 9 to noon on Saturday, April 13.  Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register at shpbeds.org > find my chapter > click on the event. https://volunteer.shpbeds.org/ 

No building skills or tools are needed.  Training and equipment will be provided.  We plan to build the components for 30 beds for kids ages 3 - 17 in Iroquois and part of Vermilion County, including Hoopeston, East Lynn and Rankin.

 The frequency of and damages caused by severe storms and other natural hazards in Iroquois County will be discussed when the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meets at the MABAS 37 Building, 103½ Main St., Crescent City (behind Ailey’s Welding Shop), at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. This Committee, comprised of County, township, municipal, school, fire protection district (FPD), and EMS representatives as well as technical partners and stakeholders, will meet over the next several months to update the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. All Committee meetings are open to the public. “The goal of this meeting is to identify how often severe weather events occur within the County and what kinds of damages have resulted. Based on this information we will begin to compile lists of activities and projects to reduce damages caused by these events,” said Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Scott Anderson. The focus of this effort is on natural hazards — severe thunderstorms with damaging winds or hail, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, floods, drought, and excessive heat. Interested people can provide input at these Planning Committee meetings or submit their comments and questions to their appropriate representatives. Participants to date include the County, Ashkum Township FPD, Ashkum, Beaver FPD, Beaverville FPD, Belmont Township, Buckley FPD, Central CUSD #4, Chebanse Township Rural FPD, Chebanse, Cissna Park FPD, Cissna Park, Concord FPD, Crescent City, Crescent Township, Crescent-Iroquois EMS, Crescent-Iroquois FPD, Danforth FPD, Danforth, Gilman Community FPD, Gilman, Iroquois County CUSD #9, Iroquois-Ford FPD, Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education, Loda FPD, Lovejoy Township, Milford FPD, Milford, Onarga FPD, Onarga, Ridgeland Township, Watseka Fire Department, Watseka, Wellington-Greer FPD, Woodland FPD, Woodland Firefighters Association, and Woodland. Jurisdictions that have yet to participate in a committee meeting are encouraged to attend. “This Plan will be our best resource for determining how to prepare for storms and other natural hazards. After the Plan is completed, comprehensive information will be available in one document to help guide those who are making decisions about how to better protect Iroquois County residents,” added Anderson.

When: Thursday, April 18 2024 & Wednesday, April 24 2024 Where: Iroquois County Iroquois County, IL – Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) is distributing food to area families facing food insecurity. The Foodmobile will travel throughout southern Iroquois County on 04/18/2024 and northern Iroquois County on 04/24/2024, with distribution sites and times and for each town listed at https://www.eifoodbank.org/help/mobile.html. Those attending are asked to bring boxes or bags to transport food. The distribution is part of the Foodbank’s Foodmobile Program, a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to rural or underserved areas. Those planning to attend should pre-register at www.EIFclient.com, although doing so does not guarantee a place in line. Income guidelines are as follows: Updates regarding future food distributions can be found at the Foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org. ### Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) works to alleviate hunger in eastern Illinois as the primary food source to a network of 170 food pantries, agencies, and other programs throughout our 18-county service area. Through these agencies, the Foodbank provides meals to more than 1 million people each year. Since 1983, EIF has led the fight against hunger and strengthened communities by providing food access, emergency relief, education, and advocacy to families in eastcentral Illinois. EIF is a member of Feeding America, Feeding Illinois, the United Way of Coles County, and the United Way of Champaign County. For more information, visit eifoodbank.org. 

A former public health administrator was before a judge March 21 after being charged by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office on theft and official misconduct charges.

Dee Ann Schippert, 57, Watseka, was charged by Attorney General Kwame Raoul “with allegedly submitting fraudulent time sheets to the Iroquois County Public Health Board claiming to have worked hours she did not actually work, valued in excess of $100,000,” reads a press release from Raoul’s office.

Schippert was arrested by Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit March 20 in Champaign.

Schippert is charged with two counts of theft of government property, which are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, six Class 1 felonies of theft of government property, which are punishable up to five years in prison, and 17 Class 3 felony counts of official misconduct, which are punishable by up to five years in prison. “Sentences are ultimately determined by the court and can run concurrently,” reads the statement from Raoul.

Judge William Dickenson presided over court proceedings March 21. Iroquois County judges Michael Sabol and Kara Bartucci have recused themselves from the case.

According to judici.com information, Schippert appeared at the Zoom video hearing March 21 in the custody of the sheriff’s department. Public Defender Lance Cagle was also present as was Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo. It was noted that Schippert may hire private counsel instead of a public defender. Part of the March 21 proceedings indicate that she is not to leave the State of Illinois and refrain from going to areas of the health department and Iroquois County departments that are not open to the public. She is to report to pre-trial services within 24 hours. She was read her appeal rights.

She will next go before a judge at 9:30 a.m. April 4 when the next status hearing is set. That hearing is set to be in a Kankakee courtroom.

In the press release, Raoul says that Schippert began her time as Iroquois County Public Health Department administrator in 2015, and had worked at the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department for more than 20 years before that.

“While in the administrator role, Raoul’s office alleges from May 2020 to July 2022, Schippert knowingly deceived the government by misrepresenting to Iroquois County’s Board of Health how much work and what type of work she did,” reads the release. “This included submitting multiple fraudulent time sheets claiming regular and overtime work hours she did not actually work. Raoul alleges that, as a result, Schippert was paid more than $100,000 she should not have received.”

“Public officials who abuse their position for their own financial gain must be held accountable,” Raoul said in the release. “I would like to thank the Illinois State Police for their assistance in investigating this case. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to investigate and

hold accountable government employees who take advantage of the trust their communities have placed in them.”

"No one is above the law and when we learn of possible public corruption, the Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit will be there to hold offenders accountable on behalf of the public," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 35-year-old Kenneth L. Brown of Kankakee, IL for three counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony).

On March 6, 2024, ISP agents executed a search warrant at a residence in the 4800 block of West Doris Drive in Kankakee, IL.  Evidence of Child Pornography was gathered as a result of the search warrant.  On March 20, 2024, after an extensive investigation, the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the above charges against Brown.  ISP agents took Brown into custody and transported him to the Kankakee County Jail.  No further information will be disseminated.

The Illinois State Police provide the following resource for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery.  Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.  To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org ;  For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources.

IEDA NEWS COUNTY BOARD MEETING 3/12/24 At the end of February,I attended the 35th Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs-Annual Rural Community and Economic Development Conference in Springfield and here are some programs that were highlighted this year! ? Ryan Tate & Brenda Matherly-Illinois Farm Bureau: They spoke about the Rural Development Grant Program released last year & the New Code of Country Living Guide that was just released last month! I’ve attended numerous meetings in Iroquois County, where this very idea was discussed, so I’m glad to see it come to fruition! This will be a great tool for towns to share with new residents. Ryan let me know that this is the first draft, so if you have additional ideas, please contact Kacie Claire at the Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau in Gilman and let her know! ? Molly Hammond, Mike McKee & Mary Warren-USDA Rural Development: They spoke about the USDA Rural Business Development Grant (City of Murphysboro -example of Facade Replacement) and the USDA Intermediary Relending Program or Revolving Loan Fund for towns to help lend to businesses to help improve economic conditions and create jobs in rural communities at a 1% interest rate. ? Stacy Mullinex-Iowa Center for Employee Ownership: She spoke about Worker cooperatives as an alternative business ownership transition model for business owners wanting to retire, but keep their business going for their communities and local workers. These are just a few of the many sessions that were held during this week-long conference. I look forward to sharing all this information (& MORE!) with all Iroquois County businesses and towns in the future! 3 IEDA NEWS COUNTY BOARD MEETING 3/12/24 This month celebrates Women’s History Month and I was honored by State Representative Jason Bunting and the Illinois House of Republican Caucus to receive recognition to be one of the Statewide Emerging Women recipients of 2024! I attended the this conference with numerous other leading ladies learning about challenges, achievements and how women are working continually to create great accomplishments. I would like to thank Representative Bunting for this honor and opportunity to meet so many amazing women leaders throughout this wonderful State of Illinois! In closing, here are some upcoming events and NEW local news! Last week, the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Watseka Family Festival at the Watseka American Legion and announced this year's Entertainment for the festival! Headlining the 2024 Watseka Family Festival on Saturday, Aug 24th, is country music artist Tracy Lawrence, who has sold over thirteen million albums and charted eighteen number-one hits! Opening for Lawrence is Central Illinois' favorite country party band, The Feudin’ Hillbillys! Also Announced: Headlining Friday, August 23, is The Boat Drunks ~ a Jimmy Buffet Tribute band. Be sure to get your tickets today at www.watsekafamilyfest.com before they sell out! Here are some NEW businesses in Iroquois County! ? In WATSEKA the owners of Alliance Polysacks, USA proudly announce the opening of its state-of-the-art facility in Watseka, Illinois. At their facility, they will manufacture interwoven plastic bags primarily used for sakrete and farm seed and they plan to hire around 60 employees. 4 IEDA NEWS COUNTY BOARD MEETING 3/12/24 ? In ASHKUM, Cameron & Dee Charles from Ashkum will be opening the Blue Barn Market store in mid-summer. It will be located next to Beans, Barley & Brew in Ashkum and will be the place to go to get bulk dry foods and locally produced food products. ? In WATSEKA, Tyler Hayes (who is also owner of Steak & Shake in Watseka) is making plans to open Cluck Bucket. It will be located in the old KFC building and will feature a fried chicken buffet. Tyler plans to open around June and hire around 30 employees. ? In MILFORD, Brandyn & Courtney Wallace have opened Wallace Automotive Brandyn has worked in dealerships and private shops locally as well as in other states and looks forward to serving Iroquois County residents. Brandyn & Courtney also own the Milford Laundromat that offers custom laundry services. ? In MILFORD, Tamar Walder will be opening the So Fetch dog grooming shop. She has numerous years of dog grooming experience and is a member of the Illinois Professional Pet Groomers Association! Her opening date is April 1, online booking is available now if you would like to pre book or email inquiries are available. If you know a business that is opening up in Iroquois County, a event happening in your town that you would like to promote or would like to sign up for our notifications, please call our office. Also, be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for all the exciting things happening in Iroquois County! at (815) 432-0072. Thank you!

 The Watseka Family Festival Committee is proud to announce the entertainment lineup for the 2024 festival. Headlining Saturday Night (AUG 24) is a country music artist who has sold over thirteen million albums and charted eighteen number-one hits! Tracy Lawrence is coming to the Watseka Family Festival! Opening for Lawrence is Champaign’s favorite country party band, Feudin’ Hillbillys!

Headlining Friday, August 23, is another Champaign-based band, The Boat Drunks, a Jimmy Buffet Tribute band that has been voted the Trop Rock Band of the Year six times, most recently in 2021, by the Trop Rock Music Association’s members. Additionally, the members of Trop Rockin’ Magazine voted the band as Band of the Year in 2019 for the second consecutive year.

The concerts will occur at the Watseka American Legion Park in Watseka, IL, on August 23 & 24, 2024. Gates will open at 6PM each night. The music will begin at 7:30 PM. General Admission to Friday Night will be $10; there is a $5 discount (online only) if you purchase Saturday Night and Friday tickets. General Admission for Saturday Night is $20 if purchased in advance, and the Party Pit (the section closest to the stage) will be $25. Saturday Night tickets will increase by $10 on August 24, 2024.

Chairs are allowed in designated areas of the General Admission area on both nights. Tickets for both nights will be available online at www.watsekafamilyfest.com starting at 8 AM on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Other activities during the festival include a carnival, craft-flea markets, a car show, a bags tournament, a beer garden, food vendors, and more. There is no entry fee to attend any activities outside of the concerts. Once available, details on all events can be found at www.watsekafamilyfest.com.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 5 Commander, Capt. Tim Sweeney, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Livingston, and McLean Counties in February. These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up. Violations Enforcement Activity Safety Belt Citations 27 Child Restraint Citations 1 Total Citations 57 Total Written Warnings 22 Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice choking rescue and CPR. Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering. First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role play. The Iroquois County Public Health Department will be hosting our next class on March 27, 2024 at the Iroquois County Administrative Center located at 1001 East Grant Street in Watseka, IL. Registration and payment are due March 13, 2024 by calling 815-432-2483 or emailing icphd@co.iroquois.il.us. Cost: $35 Date: March 27, 2024 Time: 9:00am - 3:30pm Payment Method: In person or mail cash/check made out to ICPHD for Safe Sitter® class.

 The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency invites you to celebrate a historic milestone for Iroquois County! Please join us at 11:30 AM on Monday, March 4th, 2024, at the Iroquois County Courthouse, 550 S. 10th Ave, Watseka, IL 60970 as Iroquois County formally receives their StormReady accreditation from the National Weather Service. The ceremony will take place outside the main entrance (on the west side) of the courthouse, weather permitting. The StormReady program uses a grassroots approach to help communities develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather- from tornadoes to winter storms. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations. The StormReady program helps arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property- before, during and after an extreme weather event, from tornadoes to winter storms. StormReady areas are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education, and awareness. No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives. Iroquois County is the 39th county in Illinois to receive this prestigious accreditation. Special guests are scheduled to include Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Mike Bardou from the National Weather Service office in Chicago, State Senator Tom Bennett, State Representative Jason Bunting, County Board Chairman John Shure and other members of the county board. Remarks will be made by Mike Bardou from the National Weather Service, Iroquois County’s Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Scott Anderson, as well as others. The ceremony will include the presentation of a certificate as well as a StormReady sign from the National Weather Service. A photo opportunity will be made available. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Anderson at sanderson@co.iroquois.il.us .

 Two people died in a head-on crash Monday on Illinois Route 1 near East 11000N Road, approximately 2.5 miles north of Grant Park.

The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Ricky A. Castillo, 31, of Grant Park, and Penelope A. Manthey, 54, of Crete.

According to a Kankakee County Coroner’s Office press release, at approximately 11:26 p.m., the Grant Park Fire Department, Grant Park Police Department, Illinois State Police Troop 5 and Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department were notified of the crash.

Upon arrival, the Grant Park Fire Department determined the driver of each vehicle had died and requested assistance from the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office.

The preliminary investigation determined a 2009 Ford Fusion driven by Castillo was traveling south on Illinois Route 1 when it crossed the centerline and struck the northbound 2018 Ford Edge driven by Manthey.

The collision resulted in extensive fire damage to the Ford Fusion. Both individuals were pronounced dead on scene at 12:05 a.m., Tuesday.

Autopsies on both individuals were completed Tuesday. The incident remains under investigation by the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police Troop 5.

 The Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested 45-year-old Juan Carlos Oliva Lopez from Houston, TX for Controlled Substance Trafficking (Class X Felony). On February 19, 2024 at approximately 3:01 p.m., an ISP trooper conducted a federal motor carrier safety compliance inspection traffic stop on a Freightliner semi on Interstate 57 northbound just south of Ashkum, in Iroquois County. During the traffic stop, numerous indicators of criminal activity were observed. A consent search revealed approximately 49 lbs. of suspected cocaine/fentanyl, with a street value of almost $700,000. Lopez was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail. The Iroquois County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Lopez with Controlled Substance Trafficking. No further information is available.

– Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) is distributing food to area families facing food insecurity. The Foodmobile will travel throughout southern Iroquois County on 03/21/2024 and northern Iroquois County on 03/27/2024, with distribution sites and times and for each town listed at https://www.eifoodbank.org/help/mobile.html. Those attending are asked to bring boxes or bags to transport food. The distribution is part of the Foodbank’s Foodmobile Program, a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to rural or underserved areas. This month’s distributions are made possible with support from Illinois American Water. Those planning to attend should pre-register at www.EIFclient.com, although doing so does not guarantee a place in line. 

Information and forms for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral program are available from the office of Iroquois County Treasurer, Kurt Albers, according to an announcement made by the Treasurer’s Office. The program allows qualified senior citizens to defer all or part of their 2023 property taxes up to $5,000 on their personal residence. Applications must be filed with the Treasurer’s office by March 1, 2023 in order to defer 2023 taxes billed in 2024. To qualify, a person must be 65 or over by June 1, 2023, have a total household income of $55,000 or less, and have lived in the property for at least three years. In addition, there must be no delinquent taxes on the property. Qualified taxpayers can defer taxes totaling up to 80 percent of the equity interest they have in the home. The program sets up a form of a loan with a six percent interest rate which doesn’t become due until the taxpayer sells the property or until after the taxpayer’s death. To apply for the program, the person has to file two forms with the County Treasurer’s office. The first form (IL1017 TD) asks for basic information on the taxpayer, their income and their property. It also requires that joint owners agree to the tax deferral. In addition, it requires that evidence be presented of adequate insurance on the property. The second form (IL1018 TD) is the agreement for the tax deferral. It sets out the conditions of the deferral, including the amount which can be deferred, the interest rate and the arrangements for paying back the “loan”. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the County Treasurer’s office in the Iroquois County Administrative Center, 1001 E. Grant Street, Watseka. The phone number is 815-432-6985. 

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Jasper County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Office, arrested John E. Brown, age 52, of rural Beaverville, IL, at a residence in DeMotte, IN, following an investigation in to a shooting that occurred on Friday, December 29, 2023, at a residence in northeastern Iroquois County near the Indiana State Line. Mr. Brown was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant charging him with Aggravated Battery, Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm following an investigation in to the late night shooting that sent one person to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The victim was transported to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee, IL, following the shooting, where they were treated for a gunshot wound to the lower extremity. Mr. Brown was taken in to custody without incident by U.S. Marshals and transported to the Jasper County Jail, where he remains awaiting extradition to Illinois.

The Chicago office of the National Weather Service, in cooperation with Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency, will be conducting a SKYWARN spotter training seminar at the “Hub” in Watseka, 114 N 3rd Street, Watseka, IL 60970. The training will begin at 6:30pm and last about two hours on Thursday February 15th . A special program by Danny Neal will follow immediately thereafter. Danny boasts over 350,000 followers on his Illinois Storm Chasers Facebook Page. SKYWARN is a national effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies with an expanding network of trained volunteer weather spotters. SKYWARN spotters support their local community and government by providing reports of severe weather directly to the National Weather Service in Chicago by phone using the NWS spotter hotline, or by online reporting. The services performed by SKYWARN spotters have saved many lives. The National Weather Service has several devices for detecting severe thunderstorms, including Doppler radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks. However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter. By providing observations, SKYWARN spotters assist National Weather Service staff in their warning decisions and enable the National Weather Service to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property. Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensable part of the severe local storm warning program. This basic training session provides a brief overview of the National Weather Service organization and their responsibilities, severe weather safety, and basic severe weather meteorology- including how thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods form. Anyone can become a severe weather spotter for the National Weather Service. SKYWARN training is free and open to the public. After the National Weather Service Chicago Spotter Training Course, stick around for a surprise presentation from Danny Neal, a man who has 26 years of in-the-field weather experiences, and has documented 133 tornadoes across the country. Learn the journey he took from being afraid of storms to actively pursuing and being within a few hundred yards of tornadoes. He will go more in depth on spotter safety tips through his experiences. He will guide you through his journeys in the field and show you the best- and worst, Mother Nature has to offer and why decisions were made to either keep him safe, or put him deeper into harm's way. This interactive presentation will be filled with Danny's pictures and video. You don't want to miss this exciting look inside the world of in-the-field weather documentation! Registration is requested, but not required. The registration link and more information about the program is available at 

National Weather Service Chicago Severe Weather Spotter Training in Watseka Tickets, Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite