On May 21 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Gregory Stakulo-Stolte, 18, of Lyons. According to police reports, Stukalo-Stolte was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and speeding. Staukalo-Stolte was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond and was released.

On May 20 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Tyler Hamlin, 30, of Watseka. According to police reports, Hamlin was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hamlin was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

On May 16, 2022, the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (KAMEG), arrested Tanairi Cintora, a 31-year-old of Kankakee, IL, for Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (500 – 2000 grams), Unlawful Use of a Weapon and No FOID card.

On Monday, May 16, 2022, at approximately 12:35 p.m., KAMEG Agents, On Monday, May 16, 2022, at approximately 12:35 p.m., KAMEG Agents executed a search warrant in the 300 block of W. Williams Street in Kankakee. The search was in conjunction with an ongoing narcotics investigation. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of one loaded handgun, three rifles, hundreds of rounds of various caliber ammunition, approximately 26 grams of cocaine, approximately 75 suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 120 Alprazolam pills, 27 LSD stamps, approximately 170 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, approximately 1,500 grams of cannabis, over 40,000 grams of THC infused products, United States Currency, and multiple items of drug paraphernalia.  Cintora was transported to and detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center, Kankakee County.

KAMEG reminds the public to call KAMEG at (815) 933-1710 to report non-emergency information about drug dealing and gang problems. We recognize our partnership with the public is important for quality of life issues for citizens and children.

KAMEG is comprised of personnel from the Bourbonnais, and Kankakee Police Departments, as well as the Illinois State Police, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office.

 An inmate at the Iroquois County Jail suffered a medical incident and died, officials said. 

The person's name has not been released. Police said he was from Hoopeston, Illinois and was arrested Wednesday by Iroquois County deputies during a traffic stop due to having an outstanding warrant. The warrant was out of Newton County, Indiana for failure to appear on an aggravated battery to a public official charge. 

While he was at the jail, police said he suffered a medical incident. Corrections officers and deputies attempted to save him and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. 

He passed away at the hospital. 

State police said an autopsy has been completed and results are pending.

Per policy, the Illinois State Police are investigating the incident. They were notified about the death by Iroquois County investigators at about 1 a.m. Thursday. 

A Gary man in transit from one jail to another Wednesday managed to escape and get a gun, resulting in a shootout between him and police, according to Indiana State Police.

Jayme Lopez, 36, was being moved Wednesday from Iroquois County Jail in Illinois to Newton County Jail in Indiana, according to the Indiana State Police. Lopez has an active warrant out of Newton County causing his need for transportation between jails.

Upon arrival just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Newton County Jail, Lopez escaped from the transport vehicle, police say.

According to police, officers from around the area responded quickly and set up a perimeter to begin searching for Lopez.

Two and a half hours later, troopers with ISP located Lopez at an apartment at 707 E. Lincoln St. in Kentland. Police first safely evacuated the apartment building of other people and set up a perimeter. Lopez had obtained a firearm at some point after he escaped and entered an apartment, police say. JASPER COUNTY SHERIFF’S TACTICAL SQUAD WAS CONTACTED, ACCORDING TO POLICE. THE SQUAD IMMEDIATELY ARRIVED TO NEGOTIATE WITH LOPEZ. HE FIRED MULTIPLE SHOTS FROM INSIDE THE APARTMENT TOWARD OFFICERS, POLICE SAY. ONE OF THE SQUAD OFFICERS RETURNED FIRE, STRIKING LOPEZ. HE THEN SURRENDERED TO OFFICERS WHO IMMEDIATELY GAVE MEDICAL AID TO LOPEZ.

A helicopter later took Lopez to a South Bend area hospital. Lopez’s condition was unknown, police say.

The news release from the state police did not give the name of the officer who shot Lopez.

Police also did not say how Lopez managed to escape from the transport vehicle.

Police continued Wednesday night to investigate.

On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group (KAMEG), the Pledge for Life Partnership, Riverside Healthcare, State Representative Jackie Haas and local Law Enforcement partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at the Northfield Square Mall. KAMEG Director Clayt Wolfe reported the event was an overwhelming success with approximately 800 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs turned in for disposal in Kankakee County alone. 

KAMEG would like to thank area residents for their continued support and for assisting in the event to make our communities safer.    

KAMEG reminds the public to call KAMEG at (815) 933-1710 or visit www.kameg.org to report non-emergency information about drug dealing and gang problems. We recognize our partnership with the public is important for quality of life issues for our citizens and children.

KAMEG is comprised of personnel from the Bradley, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee Police Departments, as well as the Illinois State Police, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office.

On April 28 Anna R. Munoz, turned herself in at the Iroquois County Jail Munoz was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a domestic battery charge. Munoz posted the required bond and was released.

On April 29 Randy D. Sheppard, 58, Watseka, turned himself in at the Iroquois County Jail to serve a sentence for domestic battery.

On April 28 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested James A. Meyer, 48, of Gilman. According to police reports, Meyer was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for violation of an order of protection. Meyer was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he posted the required bond.

On April 29 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Jenny L. Loree, 24, of Cissna Park. According to police reports, Loree was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on a possession of methamphetamine charge. Loree was transported to the Iroquois County Jail in lieu of bond.

On April 28 Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police investigated a two-vehicle accident on State Route 49 and Prairie Lane in Cissna Park. According to police reports, a vehicle driven by John P. Faber, 50, of Cissna Park, as westbound on Route 29. Another vehicle being driven by Wayne E. Brown, 61, of Watseka, was also westbound on Route 49. Brown was slowing down to turn left onto Prairie Lane when Faber rear-ended Brown’s vehicle. There was more than $1,500 in damage to each vehicle. No injuries were reported and no citations were issued.

County Treasurer, Kurt Albers, has announced that the 2021 payable 2022 real estate tax statements have been mailed to the taxpayers of Iroquois County. The first installment is due June 9th and the second installment is due September 9th. After the due dates, a 1 ½ percent penalty must be added each month it remains unpaid, according to Illinois State Statutes. Taxpayers must include their tax bill when paying or a $1.00 fee will be charged.

The Treasurer’s Office is open 8:30 – 4:30 Monday through Friday. To avoid waiting in line, you may also pay by mail or at any bank in Iroquois County including Iroquois Federal, Commonwealth Credit Union and the First State Bank of Forrest in Onarga. Taxpayers paying in person at the Treasurer’s Office or at the local banks should bring the entire bill if they would like a receipt. Upon payment, the appropriate stub of the bill will be removed and then the date will be stamped on the back of the remaining part of the tax bill. If you mail your payment and wish to have a receipt, you must enclose the entire bill plus a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Remember that a drop box has been installed at the Administrative Center near the 911 Center so that taxpayers can drop their payments during non-office hours.

Credit/Debit card payments and E-checks will be accepted with additional fees. To pay online, please visit iroquoisil.devnetwedge.com.

Members of any United States Armed Forces Reserve Unit can defer their real estate tax payment until 180 days after they return from active duty. This option is available if you are called to active duty for deployment outside the continental United States and if you are on active duty on the due date of any installment of taxes.

If you have any questions about exemptions, assessed valuations, or address changes, please contact the Assessment Office at (815) 432-6978.

If you have any questions regarding the tax rates, please contact the County Clerk’s Office at (815) 432-6960.

If there are any questions about your tax statements, feel free to call the Treasurer’s Office at (815-432-6985.

Thrivent Action Team in Watseka hosted an event to help defray the upfront cost of the fundraiser by purchasing items needed to offset the cost of the annual pancake, sausage, biscuits and gravy breakfast.

The event took place on April 23rd at St. Edmund’s Catholic Church in Watseka from 6:00 til 10:00 AM. The action team helped defray the upfront cost of the breakfast hosted by the Watseka Kiwanis Club. The breakfast is one of the club’s main fundraising efforts during the year. The action team was led by Thrivent member Janice Lubben. The motto of Kiwanis is to serve the children of the World.

This event was hosted by Thrivent Action Teams, a local group led by a member of Thrivent Financial. Thrivent Action Teams allow members to quickly identify a need, receive resources and put a plan together to help others in their community. The mission of Thrivent is to serve members and society by guiding both to be wise with money and live generously.

“The action team program began in July 2014. During 2021, there were a total of 123,823,” said Larry Burton, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial. “We’re proud to be able to serve our community and are grateful for Thrivent’s support.” For more information about Thrivent membership, please call the Watseka office at 815-432-0355.

www.thrivent.com

About Thrivent Financial Thrivent Financial is a financial services organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. As a membership organization, it offers its nearly 2.4 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance from financial representatives nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com/why. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Three people were sent to the hospital after a DUI crash, on Saturday. 

According to police on April 30, officers investigated a two-vehicle accident in the 700 block of W. Seminary in Onarga, IL. 

Police reports indicate a vehicle driven by Ernesto A. Espinoza, 24, of Thawville was traveling westbound on W. Seminary when he began to veer into the eastbound lane of traffic and collided with an eastbound traveler. 

Authorities say Nicholas Munoz, 29, of Onarga was the eastbound traveler and he and an additional passenger were transported to Riverside Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries sustained from the crash. 

Espinoza was transported to St. Mary's Hospital, also with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Police say Espinoza showed signs of alcohol impairment and charged him for driving under the influence and for driving on the wrong side of the roadway. 

 Illinois State Police (ISP) District 21 Commander, Captain Don Aaron Harsy, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford Counties during April. 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 55 Child Restraint Citations 3 Total Citations 94 Total Written Warnings 46 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.