Major I-57 Drug Bust, Bradley Property Evictions, and Illinois State Capital Complex Lockdown - Wednesday, May 27th, 2026

Stay informed with the latest regional headlines on this episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West. This update covers critical local developments, law enforcement actions, and community events across Bradley, Kankakee, and the surrounding areas.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Bradley Village Board Updates: Insights into the recent resolution passed regarding properties near Northfield Square Mall and future redevelopment plans.
• Significant Highway Drug Arrest: Details from the Illinois State Police regarding a high-stakes traffic stop on I-57 that led to a major narcotics seizure.
• Local Safety and Investigations: Updates on a recent lockdown at the State Capital complex in Springfield and ongoing police investigations into reported threats in Kankakee.
• Community Events and Tax Deadlines: A look ahead at upcoming summer events in Bradley, including the Bradley 315 Fest, plus important property tax details for Iroquois County residents.
• Regional Sports Report: Recaps and upcoming schedules for local baseball, basketball, and hockey teams.

For full details, context, and comprehensive reporting on each of these stories, listen to the complete episode.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:46

Tuesday afternoon, Bradley police posted on Facebook asking for help to find seventeen year old Isaiah Rios Ritchie, who had been last seen in the area of the Perry Farm headed toward Coin Street in Bourbon A. The post said Rios Ritchie was thought to be endangered.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

And uh it'd been cited by the EPA years ago for having an excessive tire pile there. It's been cleaned up. I think the same owners that had it before his passing, um under the help with the IEPA to clean up it at that time were uh required to not allow any more debris. Well, obviously that's happened. And so now that burden that's in the village of Bradley, ultimately, if it were to be abandoned, it would fall on the village of Bradley to clean it up anyways. And uh this way we own the property and we were primed for potential redevelopment of it as well.

SPEAKER_03 2:12

Mayor Watson said the village has bought the two properties for $300,000. Memorial Day marked the start of the summer travel season and a dangerous spike in road fatalities, Mark Mayfield explains.

SPEAKER_02 2:24

June, July, and August are known as the 100 deadliest days. State troopers say speeding, drunk driving, and distractions drive up crashes this time of year. Teen drivers are especially at risk. Officials urge everyone to buckle up, obey speed limits, and never drive impaired. I'm Mark Mayfield.

SPEAKER_03 2:42

Illinois State Police report a drug arrest Friday night on I-57 near Kankakee. According to reports, troopers tried to pull over the SUV for moving violation near Mantino about eight o'clock Friday night. Instead of holding over, the driver took off, leading troopers on a chase that ended when the SUV crashed, and both the driver and passenger were taken into custody. Search of the SUV allegedly turned up between one and two pounds of suspected fentanyl. Troopers arrested the driver, Yasha Austin and a passenger, Billy Walker, for possession of a controlled substance and manufacture and delivery of between 400 and 900 grams of fentanyl. Austin was also charged with fleeing and eluding a police officer. At a recent Kankakee County Board Criminal Justice Committee meeting, State's Attorney Jim Rowe talked about recent funding cuts. Kankakee School District 111 has made to his offices after school and summer programs for kids.

SPEAKER_04 3:33

You know, it's been a successful program so far. I think we're our fifth five or six years into it. A lot of families depend on it. And it really $130,000 is a lot of money. But in the realm of a, you know, $50, $60 million, whatever their budget is, we were surprised that that was one of the things they chose to pull back on.

SPEAKER_03 3:56

Rose said he's still trying to figure out funding, and he hopes there are some grants available to help that type of program for area youth through his office. An investigation is underway in Springfield after the Stratton Building and Illinois State Museum had to be placed on a lockdown. Secretary of State's office says the Secretary of State Police identified a suspicious device yesterday morning in the parking lot in the Capitol Complex. A lockdown was issued for the Stratton Building and the Illinois State Museum. Both buildings were deemed safe. The Capitol Complex was reopened. Kankakee City Police investigating after a man allegedly threatened some juveniles with a gun over the weekend. According to reports, it was just after 8 30 Sunday night. Officers called to an address on Patrick, where a group of juveniles said a man in an SUV approached them, showed a firearm, and allegedly threatened to shoot up the whole block. City police couldn't find the SUV matching a description of the one given by the kids. They say they continue to investigate the incidents. This year's Iroquois County property tax bills have been mailed out. Jake Lamore has that story.

SPEAKER_05 4:58

Rob, according to a press release from Iroquois County Treasurer Kurt Albers, the due date for the first installment of property taxes is July 10th. The second installment will be due September 11th. After the due dates, there is a 1.5% penalty added for each month you don't pay. Iroquois County property owners can pay their bill online by mail at the Treasurer's Office or at any bank in Iroquois County. I'm Jake Lamour.

SPEAKER_03 5:25

Kankakee County Sheriff's Police looking into the theft of a camping trailer from an address in Pembroke Township. With our Crime Stopper's tip of the week, here's Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski.

SPEAKER_06 5:36

Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a theft call in Pembroke Township on Tuesday, May 19th, near 17500 East and 4750 South Road. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the victim, who stated that their white-colored 1996 scamper pop-up trailer had been removed from the property. The victim, who lives out of the area, was unable to provide specific date, but stated that they nor the neighbors in the area have seen it in quite some time. Sheriff's investigators are asking anyone that may have information to call into Crime Stoppers by calling 815-93 Crime.

SPEAKER_03 6:06

Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous could result in a cash reward. A 21-year-old St. Anne woman's been identified as the second person killed in a crash in Moments early Sunday morning. Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner says Alani Camargo was a passenger in the pickup driven by Luis Barrera when the truck hit a tree in the area of Maple and Washington in Moments. Two other people were taken from the crash in critical condition, no word in their conditions yet. Moments police have asked those visiting the makeshift memorial to the victims of the crash, keep the streets clear in the area. Hoosier motorists hope Governor Mike Braun's break on the gas tax continues. Indiana News now's Terry D. has more.

SPEAKER_01 6:47

Last week, Braun said he could have the authority to extend the tax suspension under Indiana's energy emergency law. He issued two executive orders to suspend the state's seven percent gasoline use tax. Braun says he expects to make a decision before the current suspension expires on June 7th. I'm Terry D. reporting.

SPEAKER_03 7:06

It's approaching a busy time of the year for the Village of Bradley. During last night's village board meeting, Mayor Mike Watson noted the Bradley 315 Fest is June 4th through the 6th at Northfield Square Mall. Tickets are still available at Bradley315.org. Mayor Watson also pointed out the village wide garage sale will be running June 5th and 6th. He said some 70 households have been signed up to be a part of the sale this year. In sports, Cubs, Sox, Cards all lost Tuesday. Cubs dropped their tenth game in a row, a 12-1 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh. White Sox dropped a 5-3-11 inning decision to the Twins. The Cards lost 6-0 to the Brewers. It's the Cubs and Pirates in Pittsburgh again tonight. The Sox host the Twins. Cards wrap up their series in Milwaukee this afternoon. Chicago Sky aimed to avoid a third straight loss as they host the Toronto Tempo tonight. In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Spurs last night 127-114, take a 3-2 lead in that best of seven series. Game six is Thursday in San Antonio. In the NHL, the Golden Knights punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals, completing a four game sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, 2 1 last night in the Western Conference Finals. Eastern Conference Finals continue tonight, Canadians hosting the Hurricanes. That is a look at news and sports here on this Wednesday. Have a good rest of your day. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.