Mayor Wells-Armstrong and city council have declared August 22, 2019 as “No Small Matter Day” in Kankakee County to build awareness regarding the importance of early childhood education.

Sparta, Ill. — At the World Shooting and Recreation Complex, which was shut down briefly during the previous administration’s budget impasse, Governor JB Pritzker offered a renewed commitment to the world-class site and signed a new law supporting youth outdoorsmanship.

Samuel Crews, 57, of Hampton, GA, formerly of Kankakee, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2019. Visitation is Friday, August 23, 2019, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Lax Mortuary; and again on Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 9:00 AM until the funeral service at 10:00 AM at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) learned of the death of an individual who had recently vaped and was hospitalized with severe respiratory illness. The number of cases of people reported to IDPH who have used e-cigarettes or vaped and have been hospitalized with respiratory symptoms has doubled in the past week. A total of 22 people, ranging in age from 17-38 years, have experienced respiratory illness after using e-cigarettes or vaping. IDPH is working with local health departments to investigate another 12 individuals. Affected individuals have experienced respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms worsened over a period of days or weeks before admission to the hospital.

The Village of Bourbonnais recently amended its ordinance regarding the General Discharge Prohibition section of the Municipal Code. This comes as a result of the Kankakee River Metropolitan Agency’s (KRMA) amendment on June 18, 2019 to what may or may not be discharged into the sewers. Ordinance No. 19-2164 includes two new prohibitions on discharges which include: bulk, expired, outdated or concentrated prescription or non-prescription drugs, and hazardous waste pharmaceuticals or DEA controlled substances. In response to these recent revisions, the Bourbonnais Police Department is now providing a larger prescription drop-off box to withhold higher volumes of unused or expired prescription medications for safe disposal.

Victory Lanes in Kankakee announced in a Facebook Post earlier this week they’ll be closing their business after 20 years.