Bailey Testifies in Xandria Harris Murder Trial, Storm Recovery Efforts, and Weekend Events - Friday, August 14th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update with Rob West, local headlines cover critical courtroom proceedings, law enforcement investigations, statewide emergency declarations, and community events across Kankakee County and the surrounding region.

Key Stories Covered in This Episode

• Xandria Harris Murder Trial: Day-by-day courtroom reporting detailing testimony from former officer Tyler Bailey, medical experts, and forensic pathologists, alongside bodycam footage presented to jurors.
• Local Law Enforcement Updates:
  • Kankakee City Police report the arrest of two individuals for robbery and battery following an altercation on West Court Street.
  • An investigation is underway following a overnight break-in and machine damage at a gaming cafe on East Court Street.
  • A Will County man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison following a conviction for transporting a minor.
• Severe Weather & Infrastructure:
  • Indiana Governor Mike Braun issues a 30-day statewide disaster emergency order following severe storm damage.
  • Updates on regional power restoration efforts by NIPSCO and ComEd.
  • Kankakee County Board updates regarding removal permits for the old State Line Bridge and planning for Highway 23 (Guertin Street) in St. Anne.
• Community Events & Local Happenings:
  • Planetarium shows at Olivet Nazarene University.
  • The 6th Annual Bourbonnais Food Truck Fest at The Grove.
  • 815 Day self-guided tours at the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee.
  • Music Under the Oaks at Cobb Park featuring the Irish Ramblers.
• Regional Sports Update:
  • Latest scores and schedules for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Sky, NASCAR, and the Chicago Bears preseason opener.

Listen to the full episode for all the details, complete audio reports, and in-depth local coverage.

Photo in episode artwork provided by Shaw Media/Tiffany Blanchette. 

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_05 0:41

Testimony continues today in the Xandria Harris murder trial. Jake Lamore reports on activities in the courtroom.

SPEAKER_01 0:48

Thirty-two-year-old Bailey, who resigned from the Bradley Police Department at the rank of sergeant, testified that because of his injuries, he has no memory of the shooting and now uses a wheelchair, suffers from seizures, and requires round-the-clock care. Dr. Tim Moran testified that Bailey survived two gunshot wounds to the head, calling his survival a miracle. Forensic pathologist Dr. James Philkins testified that Sergeant Ritmanick died from multiple gunshot wounds, specifically two gunshot wounds to the neck and skull. Jurors also viewed body cam footage showing an unconscious Bailey being evacuated from the hotel, as well as the moments surrounding Ritmanick's fatal shooting. The defense declined to cross-examine Bailey or either medical expert. The trial resumes Monday at 9 30 in the morning and is expected to last through Friday. I'm Jake Clamore.

SPEAKER_05 1:43

Kiki City Police reporting a pair of arrests after a person called to say that they'd been robbed. According to reports, it was about 8 30 Wednesday night. Officers called to the 100 block of West Court Street for a fight in progress. When they got there, officers flagged down by a woman who told them the other person in the fight was in a car that had just pulled away and that that person had robbed them. Officers stopped the car, talked to 20-year-old Zanaya M. Allen, who told them that she was the other person in the fight. The driver of the car, 20-year-old Lachelle S. Gorey, reportedly handed over the victim's cell phone and some cash that was taken from her. City police arrested both women for robbery and battery. Allen, additionally charged with resisting arrest, Gorey charged with mob action. The victim in the case turned out to have an active warrant for her arrest. She was also taken into custody for the outstanding warrants. If you're looking for something to do with the family this weekend, you might check out the Planetarium show at Olivet. Planetarium director Madeline Shepley says show times are 4 30 in the afternoon and 6 and 7 30 in the evening tomorrow night.

SPEAKER_04 2:45

The 4 30 p.m. show will be The Great Solar System Adventure, a kid-friendly exploration of the solar system. At 6 and 7 30 P.M., we will be watching We Are Aliens, an all ages exploration of the possibility of life on other worlds.

SPEAKER_05 2:59

Shepley says the doors open 15 minutes before the show starts. Tickets $5, and they only take cash. Kankakee City Police reporting someone broke into a gambling establishment overnight Wednesday night and broke into some of the machines. According to reports, it was just about five o'clock yesterday morning. Officers called to the gaming cafe in the 2200 block of East Court Street. When they got there, officers say they found broken glass on the side window of the business, and four of the gaming machines have been damaged. Reports say thieves made off with the contents of three of the machines. City police continue to investigate the incidents. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has issued a statewide disaster emergency order following severe weather across the Hoosier State. Indiana News Now's Terry D reports.

SPEAKER_02 3:45

This week, Indiana has sustained damage and destruction of homes, businesses, infrastructure, downed trees, and power lines. Governor Braun spoke from Cambridge City on what steps are next.

SPEAKER_06 4:07

Trees down everywhere. All state agencies, DNR, uh Indiana Department of Homeland Security, and others, and the assets involved will be ready to help.

SPEAKER_02 4:18

The declaration unlocks emergency resources and gives additional tools to support local response and recovery efforts for a period of 30 days. I'm Terry D. Reporting.

SPEAKER_05 4:40

Meanwhile, Comed says most of their customers in our listening area are back online, only about a thousand customers still without power, majority of those up around Beecher, where about 500 ComED customers are still in the dark. Comed says it'll be tomorrow before the power's on to some of those people. Village of Bourbon A's sixth annual food truck fest takes place tomorrow, noon to ten at the Grove behind Municipal Center off Route 102. Village Communications Manager Jacob Knox says they have all kinds of different food.

SPEAKER_07 5:08

Whatever you got a taste for, chances are we probably got it from Filipino food, fair food, Mexican food, uh barbecue to anything from desserts to dirty sodas.

SPEAKER_05 5:19

Knox says the food truck fest also includes live music and entertainment for kids. It is free to attend. There's more on the Village of Bourbonet's website or social media pages. A Will County man is going to prison for transporting a minor to Illinois to engage in sex. Ryan Zelleck was sentenced to 27 years behind bars after he pled guilty last year. Prosecutors say in 2021, Zelleck communicated with a 13-year-old girl on social media on Snapchat. Zelleck then drove to Iowa, picked the girl up outside a movie theater, and drove her to his home in Illinois where he sexually assaulted her. During yesterday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Highways, Waterways, and Buildings Committee, Committee Chair Antonio Carico gave an update on efforts to remove the old state line bridge. Also, during the meeting, County Highway Department Engineer Greg Haydn told the committee that planning is being done for the reconstruction of Highway 23, also known as Girteen Street in St. Ann. Still 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_03 6:34

On Saturday, head to the Grove in Bourbon A for the sixth annual Food Truck Fest. From noon until 10 o'clock. Enjoy 20 plus food trucks, cold drinks, live music, a kid zone, free admission, and free parking. Also Saturday, celebrate 815 Day at the B. Harley Bradley House in Kankakee. From three until six, take a self-guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's historic home for just eight dollars and fifteen cents. Then Sunday, enjoy music under the oaks at Cobb Park from four until six. Featuring the Irish Ramblers. Bring a chair, grab an ice cream, and enjoy this free concert in the park. Find more weekend fun at visitkankakeecounty.com.

SPEAKER_05 7:18

In sports, Sox and Cubs both lost yesterday while the Cardinals had the day off. Cubs lost 7-0 to the Nationals in D.C. Sox lost a home game 9-8 to the Reds. Sox are at Detroit tonight. The Cubs start a weekend series with the Cardinals at Wrigley Field this afternoon. Chicago Fire won their Leagues Cup group match against Cruz Azul last night 2-1. The Fire play Portland on Sunday. The Sky are at the Liberty on Sunday. NASCAR Cup series pulls into Richmond for the Cookout 400 tomorrow. And the Bears open the preseason at home against the Browns tomorrow. That is a check of 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.