Murder Trial Testimony Continues, Local Burglary, and School Safety Updates- Tuesday, August 11 2026

In this episode of the WVLI News Update, host Rob West covers key local headlines and regional updates. Defense cross-examination continues in the trial of Xanderia Harris regarding the line-of-duty death of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and the wounding of Officer Tyler Bailey. Kankakee City Police investigate a residential burglary on West Walnut involving missing airsoft guns, and local firefighters respond to a blaze at a U-Haul facility on Kennedy Drive. Meanwhile, the Bradley Village Board considers a special use permit for an auto sales business on Route 50 and approves a backup generator for Fire Station 2. Additionally, the update highlights back-to-school safety tips from the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department, insights on back-to-school anxiety, the growing Powerball jackpot, and local sports scores for the Cardinals, Sky, and upcoming Chicago team matchups. 

Listen to the full episode for complete reporting, audio clips, and detailed coverage on all of these stories.

Photo credit: Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchett

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:41

Testimony continues today in the Xandria Harris murder trial. Harris standing trial for her part in the December twenty ninth, twenty twenty one shooting that took the life of Bradley police sergeant Marlene Ritmanick and wounded her then partner officer Tyler Bailey. Yesterday afternoon, defense attorney Sierra Norris finished her cross examination of Bradley Patrolman Matt Baxter, who was the evidence officer for Bradley P. D the night of the shooting. Her questions had to do with the Bradley Police Department policies when it comes to in the line of duty deaths and the policy of death investigations. Jurors yesterday afternoon also heard from Kyle Bente, who was the Cancom dispatcher the night of the shooting. The state then called Bradley Police Officer Megan Laney to the stand. Officer Laney was working with the Kinkakee County Sheriff's Department the night of the shooting and stopped a car that had Alexandria Harris inside, but let the car go since at the time she didn't know of Harris's involvement in the shooting. Harris's then boyfriend, Darius Sullivan, has already been found guilty of the shooting and sentenced to life in prison. Harris's trial is expected to last through August 21st. Kankakee City Police looking into an alleged burglary to a home on West Walnut in the city. According to reports, it was just after 10 o'clock Sunday night. The officers were called to the home by the owner, who said she had reason to believe that someone had burglarized the home. When they got there, officers say they found an open window in the basement. The owner told police two black airsoft guns were missing. She believed everything else was still in place. City police continue to investigate. And the Powerball jackpot moving closer to $1 billion. More on that from Mark Mayfield. A man's been found guilty of murder in a deadly Iroquois County house fire from last year. Christopher Burton was convicted in Iroquois County Court yesterday. Authorities arrested Burton earlier this year after Ashley Taylor was killed in the October 2025 house fire near Grant Avenue and Frederick Street in Milford. The 53-year-old Burton was convicted of setting the fire that severely burned at Tucker October the 16th. She died three days later at Loyola University Hospital in Chicago. An ordinance that would have granted a special use permit to Bradley Auto Sales for a building on Route 50 was tabled by Bradley trustees at last night's village board meeting, Bradley Mayor Mike Watson.

SPEAKER_00 3:11

There's a lot in between them and that uh the old uh collision auto body. I'm not sure the name of it. Uh they've done a nice job, same company, of fixing that building up, uh exterior facade. And uh so they say they're gonna do the same on this other one. Um let's just see if we can get everything together so that the concerns of the board and the neighborhood, and you know, the board seem willing to at least look at it uh one more time before a final decision is made.

SPEAKER_04 3:40

The proposed site is in the 200 block of North Route 50 in Brandley. It's expected the permit will be voted on at the next village board meeting. And it's back to school time. There's anxiety for kids, but they're not the only ones. Bree tennis has more.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

Psychology Today calls it the back to school blues, with nearly 87% of parents experiencing stress and anxiety when the kids go back to class. They say it's the loss of lazy days of summer and the return to more structured routines, and then there's the fact that your kids are gone. But they say the academic schedule becomes routine after about two weeks, with kids and parents adjusting to the new school year. So hang in there. I'm Bree Tennis.

SPEAKER_04 4:21

Kankakee City Fire Department personnel called out to a fire at the U Hall on Kennedy Drive Monday afternoon. According to reports, firefighters called out just before 1230 yesterday afternoon, and when they got there, they found flames showing from an outside container spreading to two adjacent units. Kankakee Fire Chief Brian LaRoche says the fire was quickly put out with the help of firefighters from Bradley and Bourbon A. He adds a suspect was caught and was being questioned in a possible connection to the blaze. No injuries were reported. During last night's village board meeting, Bradley trustees voted to buy a backup generator for the village's second fire station by Northfield Square Mall. Mayor Mike Watson says the generator wasn't included in the original rehab of the building because of the cost involved.

SPEAKER_00 5:03

At the time, we were seeking to get uh a cost estimate as to adding that on. Uh it came to me uh in a verbal sense of $250,000.

SPEAKER_04 5:16

The total for the generator voted on by trustees last night was $76,000. Students around the area returning to school over the next couple of weeks, some starting as early as today or later this week, others not till next week or later this month. Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski reminds you to be careful as students head back to the classroom.

SPEAKER_02 5:37

We're asking all motors to be especially alert as you travel through school zones and residential areas. Watch carefully for children walking or riding bicycles to school. Be prepared for increased traffic around schools, and please slow down and follow all posted speed limits. Most importantly, remember that when a school bus stops, children may be getting on or off the bus. Never pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended. Give yourself extra time, be patient, and remember that a few extra seconds could make the difference in protecting a child. The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office will be increasing our patrol presence in and around school zones as the new school year begins. Our goal is simple. To help make sure our children get to and from school safely. Let's all do our part to make safety a priority of the school year. Slow down, stay alert, and watch out for our kids.

SPEAKER_04 6:20

In sports, Cardinals lost last night. Sox and Cubs both had the day off. Cards lost 6-5 to the Phillies in St. Louis last night. Same two teams there tonight. Cubs start a series in Washington against the Nationals tonight. Sox open a three-game series at home against the Reds. Chicago Sky lost 97-88 last night to the Seattle Storm. Sky visit the Valkyries on Wednesday. Chicago Fire FC continue Leagues Cup play Thursday night. And Chicago Bears training camp continues with an open practice Thursday before their first preseason game Saturday at Soldier Field. That is a look at news and sports here on this Tuesday. Have a good rest of your day. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.