Notable Night Sky News

Time now to find out what's happening overhead this week.

MSMF Scholarship Winners

The Merchant Street Music Fest Music Education Scholarship Winners were announced Saturday at the fest in Kankakee. King said they received over 30 applicants for the music education scholarship this year and plan to offer the scholarships again next year.

Heat Advisory again today

A heat advisory goes into effect for us at noon today and runs through eight tonight. The National Weather Service says we can expect a heat index today somewhere between 105 and 109. The hot temperatures and high humidity could cause heat-related illnesses. Experts say you should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room when possible, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly. Remember your pets during the hot weather as well, they should not be left outside for extended periods of time and make sure they have access to plenty of water.

State could owe Feds millions

It looks like the State of Illinois could be on the hook for several hundreds of millions of dollars owed to the federal government. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema says it's all because of possible mismanagement of the State's SNAP program. The SNAP program provides food benefits to low income families to help them with their grocery budgets. Balkema says the problem with the program is "payment accuracy". Balkema's 53rd District includes a good portion of our southern and western listening area.

Drought concerns deepen

Despite recent rains, drought concerns continue to worsen across the county. The latest map released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor now puts 10 percent of Kankakee County in the "severe drought" category, with just over 70 percent of the county in "moderate drought" and the remaining 20 percent listed as "abnormally dry". That's a significant change from last week when about 50 percent of the county was considered in "moderate drought" and none of the county was listed as in "severer drought". Today's map lists 80 percent of Iroquois County as "abnormally dry" with the other 20 percent without any drought concern at all, an improvement over last week's numbers. Meanwhile, about 15 percent of Ford County is considered to be in "Moderate Drought", 70 percent listed as "abnormally dry" and the rest of the county without any drought concerns at all. About 89 percent of Grundy County is considered to be in moderate drought with the rest of the county listed as "abnormally dry". More than 70 percent of Will County now falls into the "severe drought" category.

Across the state line, nearly 40 percent of Newton County, 85 percent of Benton County and 39 percent of Jasper County are considered to be in "moderate drought" with the remainder of those counties listed as "abnormally dry". The latest map includes data gathered through Tuesday of this week.

Braidwood Police report auto theft arrest

The Braidwood Police Department reports an arrest in connection with a car theft yesterday. Officers were called to the 500 block of West Anndon Street yesterday for a report of a stolen car. Officers were able to track the car using license plate recognition technology to the Joliet area, where the stolen car was seen heading southbound on Larkin Avenue at McDonough Street just after 1:30 yesterday afternoon. The car then entered westbound I-80 and transitioned to southbound I-55. Officers from the Grundy County Sheriff's Department Pro-Active Unit followed the car onto New River Road in Wilmington, where the car pulled into a hunting area. The driver of the car, identified as Gabriel Alvarez of Braidwood, reportedly rammed the car into an unmarked police vehicle in an attempt to flee, but was ultimately boxed in. Alvarez then allegedly fled on food before being detained by officers. Alvarez is charged with Motor Vehicle Theft and Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer among other charges.

What to do around Kankakee County this weekend

Time now to find out what events and activities are happening in the area this weekend

Merchant Street Music Festival kicks off tonight

Merchant Street Music Fest kicks off late this afternoon at the Harold and Jean Minor Festival Square in Kankakee. The fest runs through Saturday in Downtown Kankakee. More info and tickets at merchant street music fest dot com.

Another of the "ComEd 4" sentenced

A ComEd lobbyist and confidant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is going to prison. Michael McClain was sentenced Thursday to two years behind bars for helping run a scheme to benefit Madigan and get legislation for ComEd. The 77-year-old defendant is the third of four co-defendants to be sentenced in the case. Madigan has officially filed an appeal of his federal corruption conviction.

New Restaurant to open in downtown Kankakee

A new restaurant is set to open soon in Downtown Kankakee. At Monday night's City Council meeting, aldermen approved a Class G Liquor license for the new spot. Mayor Curtis added they hope the new Mexican restaurant will open in the next 90 to 120 days. The new business will occupy the former 815 Lounge location at 239 East Court Street. A name of the new bar and eatery was not given.

City buys equipment to help with street repairs<

Jasper County Fair continues today in Rensselaer

The Jasper County fair is running all this week in Rensselaer Indiana. With a look at today's events. The fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Rensselaer.

Kankakee Municipal Band summer concert series continues tonight

The Kankakee Municipal Band Summer Concert Series continues tonight at the Palzer Band Shell in Bird Park. The free concert starts at seven tonight at the Palzer Band Shell in Bird Park. The Municipal Band's summer concert series runs through August 7th.

Dangerous heat continues

Dangerously hot weather continues across the area today. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for us, it runs until 10 tonight. Highs are expected in the 90s again today, with heat index values near 105. Experts say you should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly and very young. Also, don't leave your pets out too long in this heat. Make sure they have plenty of water and keep them inside if possible.