On April 26th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Neil J. McClanahan, age 49, of Thawville. According to police reports, McClanahan was wanted on two outstanding Iroquois County warrants charging him with aggravated driving under the influence and driving while license revoked. Deputies made contact with McClanahan, and he was taken into custody. McClanahan was eventually transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he awaits his next court date.

On April 27th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Randy S. Dillon, age 43, of Danville. According to police reports, Dillon was being held at the Vermilion County Jail on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Dillon was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 27th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Nicholas J. Nunamaker, age 36, of Kankakee. According to police reports, Nunamaker was found at the Iroquois County Courthouse. Nunamaker was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with residential burglary. Nunamaker was escorted to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 27th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Kylen O. Wells, age 26, of Beaverville. According to police reports, Wells was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of criminal trespass to land. Deputies made contact with Wells. He was taken into custody and also charged with resisting a peace officer. Wells was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he awaits his next court date.

On April 27th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Heather N. Scott, age 25, of Milford. According to police reports, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Scott for traffic violations. Scott did not initially stop for deputies. After finally stopping, Scott was taken into custody and charged with fleeing/attempting to elude a peace officer, driving while license suspended, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and child restraint violation under 8. Scott was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 28th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Justin R. Kuehne, age 49, of Kankakee. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for suspicion of burglary. Kuehne was found to be the driver. Through the course of their investigation, deputies located burglary tools and suspected methamphetamine. Kuehne was taken into custody and charged with burglary to a building, two counts of criminal damage to property, possession of burglary tools, and possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Kuehne was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he awaits his next court date.

On April 28th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Cara D. Wheeler, age 47, of Kankakee. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for suspicion of burglary. Wheeler was found to be a passenger. Through the course of their investigation, deputies located burglary tools and suspected methamphetarnine. Wheeler was taken into custody and charged with burglary to a building, two counts of criminal damage to property, possession of burglary tools, and possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Wheeler was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 28th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Michael J. Ashley Jr., age 34, of Bradley. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for suspicion of burglary. Ashley was found to be a passenger. Through the course of their investigation, deputies located burglary tools and suspected methamphetamine. Ashley was taken into custody and charged with burglary to a building, two counts of criminal damage to property, possession of burglary tools, and possession of methamphetamine less than 5 grams. Ashley was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 22nd, 2026, Annabelle L. Gordon, age 23, turned herself into the Iroquois County Jail. According to police reports, Gordon was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant, charging her with failing to appear for domestic battery, and failing to appear for expired registration. Gordon was released with a notice to appear.

On April 23rd, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Dawn D. Williams, age 49, of Thawville. According to police reports, Willams was wanted on a Kankakee County warrant, charging her with possession of a controlled substance. Willams was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on a notice to appear.

On April 23rd, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Megan A. Green, age 32, of Kankakee. According to police reports, Green was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for driving while license suspended. Green was taken into custody and transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on time served.

On April 24th , 2026, Jeffery A. Shives, age 47, of Chatsworth, turned himself into the Iroquois County Jail. According to police reports, Shives was sentenced to 10 days in the Iroquois County Jail, for the charge of driving while license revoked.

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency was notified by the US National Weather Service’s (NWS) Chicago office that a third tornado has been confirmed to have touched down in Iroquois County during the severe weather outbreak that occurred during the storms Friday night, April 17th.

After further review by the NWS of previous data and damage assessment by Iroquois County EMA, the damage that was sustained from Woodland- extending northeast to south of Watseka, has been designated as an EF-0 tornado.

The storm damage path through Watseka is still being reviewed as satellite imaging is being looked over. Currently the damage is being designated as straight line wind damage.

Iroquois County residents are also being advised to keep weather aware on Monday as the potential for severe weather will once again be in our area. Be prepared for multiple waves of severe weather possible throughout the day, during the evening, and into the overnight hours. These predicted storms may contain high winds, large damaging hail and the possibility for tornadoes exist.

As we always recommend, please have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts. Having multiple sources to receive emergency weather warnings is critical because no single system is guaranteed to reach you every time. Power outages, poor cell service, or simply being asleep can cause you to miss an alert if you rely on only one method. Using a combination of tools—such as National Weather Service alerts, NOAA Weather Radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the Regroup app, and local media—helps ensure you receive timely warnings no matter the situation, giving you more time to take action and stay safe.

Scott Anderson, Director

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency was notified by the US National Weather Service’s (NWS) Chicago office that a second tornado has been confirmed to have touched down during the severe weather outbreak that occurred Friday night (04/17).

After further review of data and site visits by the damage assessment team from the NWS, the damage that was surveyed at the Knauth Farm outside of Milford has been designated as a tornado, and as the path continued east into Darrow, the tornado sheared fairly new power poles off at the base just south of US Highway 24 near Effner, at the Newton County, Indiana, line. The strength of the wind required to fell the poles in that way earned the tornado an EF-2 rating. The tornado continued into Newton County.

As future data is received and analyzed and as further in person damage assessments are made, other areas of damage may also be designated as tornadoes. Updates and subsequent press releases may be issued as needed.

Scott Anderson, Director

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency is working with the US National Weather Service’s (NWS) Chicago office to identify potential tornadoes within areas of damage that occurred following the severe line of storms that occurred Friday night (04/17).

Earlier Friday afternoon a damaging line of storms was identified, and the NWS issued a tornado watch for Iroquois County at 3:31 pm that would expire at 11:00 pm. Late Friday evening, a severe squall line- capable of producing both tornadoes and damaging straight line winds, was headed for all areas within Iroquois County and this prompted the NWS to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for the western half of the county at 9:05 pm. As this line continued to move east, there were significant areas of embedded circulation identified, and the NWS issued a tornado warning at 9:15 pm for the western half of the county. This was significantly earlier than the storm was due to pass into the area, but the NWS decided to issue the warning at that time to prepare the residents and to keep them informed. The sirens were sounded by ICOM dispatch in the western half of the county- per EMA protocol, at the time of the warning. This combination was to make sure residents were aware of the approaching dangerous situation. As the line began to pass through the county, the NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the eastern half of the county at 9:46 pm. No tornado warning was issued by the NWS for the eastern half of the county. As the severe winds hit Watseka, EMA Director Anderson gave the order to sound the sirens for the eastern half of the county, including Watseka. Due to the very rapid eastward pace of the line of winds, along with the time it takes the ICOM dispatch center to activate all the sirens on the eastern half, the Watseka sirens sounded just after the severe winds passed through. The sounding of the sirens on the east side of the county were not only for the line of severe wind, but they were for what very easily could have been for an imbedded tornado within the front as it passed through.

Significant damage within the county was reported, and the NWS confirmed that an EF-1 rated tornado was responsible for the destruction in the Buckley area. Members of the Paxton ERS assisted EMA with spotting duties as well as damage assessment in the Buckley area. Heavy damage was also reported in Woodland, with outbuildings, trees and power poles knocked down or destroyed. For the second time in a year, the Knauth farm in Milford suffered significant damage to their cattle buildings and trees, but no animals were harmed. The City of Watseka had a concentrated area of major tree damage, all on the southeast quadrant of the city. The severe line exited the county and continued its path of damage into Kentland, Indiana. Other areas of damage within the county may be reported later, The NWS will continue to receive other data and may update the severity level of the storm track within the next few days.

No injuries were reported with any of the weather-related incidents. No residential structures were reported to have been destroyed. Several outbuildings or grain storage structures were identified as significantly damaged or destroyed within the areas of this report.

Scott Anderson, Director

Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency

On April 12th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Sundav L. Pettigrew, age 25, of Urbana. According to police reports, Pettigrew was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with failure to appear for driving while license suspended. Pettigrew was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 13th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Angelica Q. Simpson, age 37, of Chicago. According to police reports, Simpson was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging her with possession of a controlled substance. Simpson was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where she was later released with a notice to appear.

On April 13th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Zachary C. Kalb, age 39, of Chebanse. According to police reports, Kalb was wanted on an outstanding Iroquois County warrant charging him with theft over $500 and driving under the influence of alcohol. Kalb was transported to the Iroquois County Jail where he was later released with a notice to appear.

The Iroquois County Sheriffs Office has arrested and charged 22-year-old Jason L. Ruiz of Watseka, ll. with first-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the death of his one-month-old son, Jace.

On April 10, 2026, Watseka Fire and EMS were dispatched to 1631 N Blue Bell Bend Rd in rural Watseka in reference to a 3-week-old baby not breathing. The infant, later identified as Jace, was transported from the scene to Iroquois Memorial Hospital and later to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, ll. Jace was pronounced deceased on 4/13/26.

Jason Ruiz was taken into custody in Chicago, ll. on 4/16/26, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force.

The investigation remains active. Out of respect for the ongoing legal proceedings and the victim's family, no additional information will be released at this time.

The Watseka Police Department has recently received numerous reports of damage to utility trailers across the city in which the wiring is being cut and the copper wire stolen.  Additionally, it was reported to Ameren CIPS today that several utility poles in the area of N. Jefferson St. and W. North St. had the copper ground wires removed from them overnight.

If observed, the police department reminds you to please call 911 and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Jenna Strouble, the St. John, Indiana, woman who is accused of the March shooting deaths of her boyfriend, Jacob Lambert, and his mother and stepfather, Stacy and Patrick Forde, pleaded not guilty Friday in a Will County courtroom.

Strouble has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder in the March 23 killings of the Crete Township family, which prosecutors say she had “no real motive for other than a general dislike for them.”

Lambert was the father of Strouble’s two children, aged 4 and 3, and she expressed “frustration” both with how he communicated with her and how he talked to the children, according to prosecutors.

Lambert allegedly confessed to the shootings to Will County sheriff’s police, according to prosecutors.

Lambert’s body was found lying face down on the passenger seat of a car parked outside his family’s house with a gunshot wound to the head when police conducted a wellness check at the residence, sheriff’s police said.

Police reported that Patrick Forde was found near the front door of the home with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Stacy Forde was found behind her husband on the stairs, also with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso, sheriff’s police said.

About 2 a.m. on March 23, sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident on Norway Trail in Crete Township.

Strouble’s sister reported receiving a call from Strouble, who told her she had shot Lambert and his parents, according to prosecutors.

Officers on March 24 found Strouble in her St. John, Indiana, residence, and she handed them a bag containing a loaded Glock 19 handgun fitted with a suppressor, according to prosecutors.

In court on Friday, Strouble’s attorney, David Drwencke, waived a hearing of the indictment against his client and entered a plea of not guilty, while Strouble stood silently in handcuffs at his side.

Strouble did not address Judge Amy Christiansen directly.

The next pre-trial hearing is slated for April 20.

Initial discovery for the prosecution is due on April 24, with initial discovery for the defense expected by May 8.

On April 5th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Amanda L. Cunningham, age 39, of Kentland IN. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Lincoln and Hamilton in Iroquois on a vehicle being driven by Cunningham for traffic violations. Cunningham was taken in to custody and charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and methamphetamine possession less than 5 grams. Cunningham was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on a notice to appear.

On April 5th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Corey A. Renwick, age 23, of Momence. According to police reports, Renwick was wanted on several Kankakee County warrants, charging him with unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, and four counts of driving while license revoked. Deputies located Renwick in the 300 block of north second street where he was taken into custody. Renwick was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released to Kankakee County.

On April 7th , 2026, Iroquois County Sheriffs Police arrested Noel L. Swartz, age 30, of Gilman. According to police reports, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Swartz for traffic violations in rural Milford. During the duration of the stop, Swartz showed signs of impairment. Swartz was taken into custody and charged with driving while under the influence of drugs or combination of drugs. Swartz was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where she was later released on a notice to appear.

On April 7th, 2026, Iroquois County Sheriff's Police arrested Jose A. Andrade, age 35, of Onarga. According to police reports, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Andrade in the 100 block of north second street. Andrade was taken into custody and charged with driving while license revoked. Andrade was transported to the Iroquois County Jail, where he was later released on a notice to appear.

The Bradley Police Department requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 to investigate an officer involved shooting.

On April 8, 2026, at approximately 12:46 p.m., Bradley Police Department officers responded to a well-being check in the 600 block of Jonette Avenue in Bradley. ? The officers encountered a male armed with a bladed weapon. ? The suspect reportedly disobeyed officers’ orders to stop and continued to advance on the officers, at which time the officers discharged their weapons striking the suspect. ? The officers rendered aid until EMS arrived on scene. ? The suspect was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased. No officers were injured. ? ?

ISP Special Agents will complete a thorough, timely, and independent investigation, and once complete, the case will be turned over to the Kankakee County State’s Attorney for review. ? The investigation is active and ongoing, and no additional information is available at this time. 

On March 23, at 3:35 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of S 3rd Street/W Walnut Street for a disturbance. According to reports, Wood, Brandon J., 42 of Watseka, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Aggravated Assault. Wood was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On March 31, at 8:13 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 300 block of E Elm Street for a disturbance. According to reports, Gillespie, Kyle J., 32 of Watseka was arrested for Aggravated Domestic Battery and Resisting Arrest. Perez-Gutierrez, Bobbie J., 38 of Watseka was also arrested for Assault. Gillespie and Perez-Gutierrez were both transported separately to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 4:44 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 200 block of E Fairman Avenue for a disturbance. Frye, Katelynn M., 32 of Watseka, was arrested for an outstanding Iroquois County Warrant. Frye was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 2:33 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 500 block of W Walnut Street for a trespasser. Barrone, Barry D., 38 of Watseka, was arrested for Criminal Trespass to Property. Barrone was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 4:18 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 800 block of E Walnut Street for a fight in progress. According to reports, Tucker, Christopher M., 43 of Watseka, was arrested for Aggravated Battery and Disorderly Conduct. Tucker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 3, at 6:22 p.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 100 block of W Oak Street for a male subject trying to fight people. According to reports officers located the suspect in the alley near the 200 block of S 2nd Street. Baker, David L., 44 of Watseka, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. Baker was transported to the Iroquois County Jail without incident.

On April 5, at 8:51 a.m., the Watseka Police Department was dispatched to the 400 block of N 8th Street for a domestic. According to reports, Chavez, Eduardo J., 33 of Watseka, was arrested for Domestic Battery. Additionally, Torres, Erica G., 43 of Watseka, was arrested for an outstanding Kankakee County Warrant. Both subjects were transported separately to the Iroquois County Jail.