Fatal Manteno Crash, Kankakee Arson Arrest, and Weekend Events Guide - Friday, July 31st, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West reports on critical local headlines, public safety updates, and upcoming weekend events across Kankakee County and neighboring communities. Key stories in this update include an official investigation into a fatal motorcycle accident near Manteno, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding his corruption conviction, and a preliminary arson arrest following car fires on South 6th Avenue in Kankakee.

This report also covers event highlights for the Kankakee County Fair and Jasper County Fair, community happenings like Bourbonnais' Cone with a Cop event, health updates regarding an FDA cyclosporiasis outbreak investigation, recent spikes in regional gas prices, and scores for Chicago sports teams.

Be sure to listen to the full episode for complete coverage and all the details on these stories.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:41

A forty six-year-old piotone man is dead following a motorcycle accident Wednesday night in the county. County Sheriff's Police say they were called to a crash at 6000 North and 3000 West in rural Mantino just after 630 Wednesday night. Reports say Everett S. Wangstrom was driving a motorcycle westbound on 6000 North Road, was unable to stop before hitting cement blocks in the roadway just west of the intersection at 3000 West. Wangstrom was taken to the hospital where he later died of his injuries, County Sheriff's Police investigating the crash. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan appealing his corruption conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court. Madigan currently serving a seven and a half year federal prison sentence after he was convicted last year. Federal prosecutors claimed he conspired with others to get Cam Ed to make monetary payments to his associates in exchange for favorable legislation. His petition to the Supreme Court comes after a Chicago Federal Appeals Court upheld his conviction earlier this year. Kankakee County Fair continues today at the fairgrounds just south of Kankakee. Jen Bauer is the office manager for the fair as a rundown of today's events.

SPEAKER_02 1:45

Today at the Kankee County Fair, admission is $10 with children ages five and under free. Live start judging competitions include the beef, goat, and horse shows, along with swine, rabbits, and the 4-8 showman and showmen. The carnival opens at 3, offering unlimited driver stands between the hours of 6 and 10 PM. Tonight's grandstand feature is our demolition journey sponsored by Fest Frontier. Don't miss the Jurassic Kingdom Ninja Experience and Kidbox Game Show performing throughout the day. John David Daly will be performing live in the Budweiser Pavilion at 8:30. Hope to see you at the Kinkee County Fair, where it's a tradition that our grandstand shows are free, going on now through Sunday.

SPEAKER_04 2:30

See a full schedule of events at the Kankakee County Fair's website. An arrest has been made in connection with an incident where two cars were found on fire earlier this week. Kankakee Fire Chief Brian LaRoche says 69-year-old Randall Reinhard was arrested Wednesday after eyewitness reports and evidence collected following the incident tied Reinhard to the fire, where two cars were found burning just after 1230 Sunday morning in the 200 block of South Sixth Avenue in Kankakee. Reinhard arrested on preliminary arson charges. Firefighters from Bourbon A called to a house fire on Briar Cliff Lane Wednesday afternoon. Fire Protection District Chief Jim Keener says they found a minor fire on the outside of the home. The fire deemed accidental in nature and caused about $2,500 worth of damage to the home, no injuries reported. Bourbon A Police Department teaming up with the Bourbon Air Queen tonight for Cone with a cop. Officer Clayton Ritter says it's their third time hosting the event.

SPEAKER_05 3:31

Some may be in plain clothes attire, some may be all dressed up as a teen or gig. All I got to say is that we're there to encourage some friendly conversation, have kids enjoy the company of Bourbon A police officers around them. There may be a few other police officers from the local agencies there as well.

SPEAKER_03 4:14

U.S. health officials have said the U.S. food supply is safe. I'm Mark Mayfield.

SPEAKER_04 4:19

As of Wednesday, there had been no cyclosporiasis cases reported in Kankakee County. Rensselaer police looking for the person of interest in a carjacking that happened yesterday morning at the Family Express near 114 in I-65, about 10 o'clock. In a Facebook post, Rensselaer police say the victim was at one of the gas pumps when she was approached by a man who implied he had a gun and told her to give up her car. Then he got into the car, took off northbound on the interstate. Reports say the car later crashed on the toll road near the Illinois-Indiana border. The thief took off on foot. There's a photo of the suspect on the Rensselaer Police Department Facebook page. They ask anyone with information to contact their office. The Jasper County, Indiana Sheriff's Department reporting an off-duty Damot police officer has died. In a Facebook post, deputy say 35-year-old Officer Dural Hale passed away Monday after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Hale worked for the Jasper County Sheriff's Office from 2015 till 2021 and part-time as a DeMont police officer from 2017 up till his death. Services for Hale will be held at noon Saturday at the Grace Church in DeMont. Plenty to do around Kankakee County this weekend with a look at a few of the events. Here's Angelina Gere, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

SPEAKER_01 5:34

The Kankakee County Fair is happening now through Sunday, August 2nd at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds. Enjoy carnival rides, daily specials, grandstand shows, free parking, and plenty of classic fair food and family fun. On Saturday, head to Local Boar Farm in Grant Park for dine on the land. This immersive farm dinner begins at 5 p.m. and features a seasonal menu inspired by ingredients grown right on the farm. Also on Saturday, stop by the Majestic Theater from two to six for summer vibes and handmade vines. Shop handmade goods from local vendors, enter raffles, win prizes, and support Still I Rise and its community programs. Then on Sunday, slow things down with music under the oaks at Cobb Park. Bring a chair, grab an ice cream, and enjoy a free performance by the Kinkey Valley Symphony Orchestra brass quintet from four until six PM. Find even more events and weekend inspiration at VisitKankake County.com.

SPEAKER_04 6:29

Wilmington Fire Protection District called out to fight a blaze at a bar on Monday afternoon. Jake Lamore has the story.

SPEAKER_00 6:35

Rob, according to a press release, firefighters arrived at a bar in the 200 block of Northwater Street around 4 30 Monday afternoon for a structure fire. When they arrived, a component on an electrical pole was on fire at Northwater Street and North Jackson Avenue, with power lines down in the alleyway south of Jackson Street. Smoke was seen coming through the windows and coming from a small vent on the front of the building. Firefighters believed the blaze was coming from the basement. Crews were able to gain access from the back of the building and began to put out the fire. The flames were quickly put out, and firefighters could see a damaged gas meter in the basement that contributed to the blaze. No injuries were reported, and none of the residents on the second floor of the building were displaced. At least two buildings remain closed at this time because of the fire. I'm Jake Clamore.

SPEAKER_04 7:38

Gas in the Kankakee area running $4.34 on average. That's up 11 cents from the week ago prices. Triple A says the average cost for gas in Iroquois County now $4.21 a gallon, $4.27 a gallon in Ford County, $426 in Grundy County, $4.33 in Will County. Across the state line, Triple A says a gallon of gas set you back $3.53 on average in Newton County, $3.56 in Benton County, $372 in Jasper County. Triple A says a gallon of gas running $3.62 on average across the Hoosier State. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has suspended that state's tax on gasoline through August 6th. And the Jasper County Fair continues today at the fairgrounds just outside Rensselaer. Fairboard President Gary Brosh has a rundown of today's events.

SPEAKER_06 8:24

Livestock auction starts at noon with a dinner, and I believe two is the livestock auction at the show arena. 7 p.m. Grandstands Popular Monster Trucks. Then on the free stage on Friday, 7 p.m. CC Clevinger.

SPEAKER_04 8:42

Jasper County Fair runs through tomorrow night at the fairgrounds just outside Rensselaer. In sports, Sox and Cubs both won yesterday. The Cardinals lost. Cubs beat the Cards 4-2 in 10 innings. Cubs take on the Yankees this afternoon. The Cards head to Toronto for a series with the Blue Jays starting tonight. White Sox earned a split of their four-game series with the Yankees with a 2-1 win in 11 innings in Chicago yesterday. The Sox visit Tampa starting tonight. Chicago Sky beat the Connecticut Sun 94-88 Thursday. Sky hosts the Aces tomorrow. Chicago Fire FC take on Charlotte tomorrow night. And NASCAR taking the weekend off. They'll be in Newton, Iowa next weekend for the Iowa Corn 350. That is a look at news and sports here on this Friday. Have a good rest of your day and a great weekend. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.