Heat Advisory Issued, Amazon Truck Fire, and Skywatching with Olivet Planetarium - Monday, July 27th, 2026

This episode of the WVLI News Update with Rob West covers critical weather alerts, local public safety reminders, community news, and regional sports. A Heat Advisory is currently in effect for the area, with heat index values expected to reach up to 110 degrees. The Kankakee County Sheriff's Department reminds drivers to check the backseat and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

Additional news coverage includes soaring Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots reaching nearly $1.5 billion combined, an arrest following an attempted theft at a Kankakee car wash, and an Amazon semi-truck fire on Interstate 57 in Monee. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new point-of-care laboratory at Hypocrates Medical Clinic in downtown Kankakee. Later in the episode, Madeleine Shepley, Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet Nazarene University, previews upcoming celestial events, followed by a roundup of Chicago baseball, NFL training camp news, and NASCAR results.

Listen to the full episode for complete details, full interviews, and comprehensive coverage of these stories.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:42

National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. It is in effect for us till nine this evening. Weather Service says that we should have high temperatures today right around 90. The heat index, though, running 110 or so. They say that that kind of heat can cause heat illnesses. They remind you to drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun in air conditioned areas as much as possible. They also suggest you check on your neighbors and relatives to make sure they're doing okay with the heat. With the high heat and humidity today, Kankakee County Sheriff's Department reminds you to keep an eye on the little ones and the pets.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Never leave a child or pet unattended inside a parked vehicle, even for just a few minutes. On a warm day, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes, even with the windows cracked open. Heat related illnesses can happen quickly, and children and pets are especially vulnerable because their bodies heat up much faster than adults. Before you lock your vehicle, always take a moment to check the back seat. If you see a child or a pet alone inside a parked vehicle, don't assume someone will be right back. If the situation appears to be an emergency, call 911 immediately. Your quick actions could save a life. A few extra seconds can make all the difference. This summer, help us keep our families and our four-legged family members safe by remembering one simple phrase Look before you lock.

SPEAKER_04 1:54

That's Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Pikowski. On average, 37 children die each year in the United States after being trapped in a hot car. Jackpots for the Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries continue to soar. Mark Mayfield has the numbers.

SPEAKER_03 2:08

Nearly one and a half billion dollars is going to be up for grabs this week. Saturday night's Powerball drawing failed to produce a big winner, so an estimated six hundred and thirty-three million dollars is on the line for Monday night. Meanwhile, Tuesday's Mega Millions jackpot jumped to $800 million since no tickets matched all six numbers in Friday's drawing. I'm Mark Mayfield.

SPEAKER_04 2:28

Kankakee City Police say they've arrested a man after he allegedly tried to steal wire and other metal from a car wash. City police say officers were called to the business in the 1100 block of South Washington Avenue on Thursday evening, July the 16th, where they were told someone was cutting wire and other metals from the property. When they got there, officers say they could hear a grinder cutting metal and found one person on the property. Second suspect took off on foot. Officers say they detained 36-year-old Paul M. Conklin of Kankakee. He allegedly told them he'd been given permission by an employee of the business to remove the utility pole and detached wiring from the property. The property owner said they were unaware of any agreement. After further investigation, city police arrested Conklin on various charges, including theft by deception and possession of burglary tools. If your Amazon package is late, we might know why. Moni Firefighters called out early Sunday morning to a semi that was on fire on I-57 at Monique Manhattan Road. Firefighters say they were called out just after 3 30 yesterday morning. When they got there, they found fire and a rear set of tires had gotten into the trailer that was carrying packages from Amazon. Took about 45 minutes to put out the fire. U.S. Senate Democratic whip Dick Durbin was in town Friday for a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new point of care laboratory at Hippocrates Medical Clinic in downtown Kankakee.

SPEAKER_00 3:46

It's really a breakthrough because this is a clinic which struggles to serve people who are uninsured and underinsured. They don't have a lot of money, but clearly they've been recognized nationally as a valuable asset to this community.

SPEAKER_04 4:16

Manhattan firefighters were called to a rollover crash Saturday in the 13,000 block of Smith Road. When they got there, firefighters say they found a car that had gone off the roadway was laying on its roof with the driver trapped inside. Firefighters got the driver out of the car, took them to the hospital in critical condition, caused the crash under investigation. Let's find out now what's going on overhead this week with our notable night sky news. Here's Madeline Shepley, astronomy professor and director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet.

SPEAKER_01 4:44

This evening would be a great time to observe the garnet colored star Moosephii, a star in the house-shaped constellation of Sephius. You can see it in the bottom of the house-shaped configuration with the naked eye under good conditions, but binoculars or a telescope can help you better see the interesting color. Then, Wednesday is the full moon of the month, and if you want to truly appreciate the features of the moon, binoculars or simple telescope will bring them out well. Then, the mornings this week will be an excellent time to view the pre-dawn Delta Aquarium Meteor Shower, a meteor shower from a comet. However, the full moon will make it harder to see them and make it even more imperative to be in a dark area to spot them. If you have trouble with these or don't like waking up early, you can also try for the brighter Alpha Capricorned meteor shower this week in the evenings, which are more prone to fireballs. Then finally, on Saturday, Saturn will return to the evening sky. From Olivet Nazarene University, this is Madeline Shepley.

SPEAKER_04 5:46

In sports, White Sox won Sunday, Cubs and Cards both lost. Sox beat the Astros 12-3, salvaging the last game of that three-game set in Chicago. Cubs lost 8-7 to the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The Cards lost 5-3 in ten innings to the Reds. Cubs take on the Cards starting tonight in St. Louis. Sox host the Yankees. NFL training camps hit full swing this week. The Bears veterans report to camp tomorrow. WNBA still off on their all star break. The sky returned to action Thursday as they host the sun. And Corey Helm won yesterday's Brickyard 400 NASCAR race. That is a look at news and sports here on this Monday. Have a good rest of your day. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.