A serial car burglar was sentenced in Grundy County this week. Zach Palmer, 22, of Wilmington pled guilty to Theft of a Motor Vehicle, a class three felony and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding Police, a class four felony. He was sentenced to four and half years in prison on each charge. He was also sentenced to four and half year on three counts of the unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, all class two felonies in Kankakee County in October of 2022.

Will-Grundy Medical Clinic (WGMC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant for the Housing, Healthcare, Hope (HHH) Program.

WCSJ News Reporter Tina Morrison has this  Senator Sue Rezin was a guest on WCSJ’s People R Talking to give local listeners a status update on some topics in legislation, one being the recent passing of an abortion bill that, she says, is just one more example of lawmakers taking advantage during a lame duck session. 

A 34-year-old Minooka man was arrested on a Will County warrant, driving while license suspended and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon by the Minooka Police Department after a traffic stop in the 2,000 block of Ninovan Lane around 8:30 a.m. on January 24th.

The Village of Dwight is close to hiring a new Finance Director.

U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood and Mike Quigley, both members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, announced that they are exploring and intend to introduce legislation to implement stronger enforcement for mishandling of classified documents. 

A Joliet man’s 90-year prison term won’t be reconsidered by a Will County Judge. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office said Matthew Edwards, 30, of Joliet shot Josh Terdic in the head during a home invasion at a Channahon apartment in July of 2009. Terdic died from his injuries 10 days later. Lauren Vasilakis was also shot in the head but survived. Edwards was convicted and sentenced to 50 years on the murder charge as well as consecutive 40 years on the attempted murder charge in 2013.

A four-year long court case came to a conclusion in Grundy County on Thursday, January 26th. The Grundy County Sheriff’s Department said a vehicle driven by Jonathon Loveland, 40, of Braidwood was traveling northbound on Route 53 near Braceville at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate a curve when he lost control, striking a utility pole on the west side of the road. The crash occurred on Christmas Eve of 2018.  

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men after a high speed chase that occurred on Interstate 80 around 10:30 p.m. on January 24th.

Note to Readers:  Information presented here is obtained from the city police and sheriff's departments. Individuals listed in reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Illinoisans will be turning up their thermostats to stay warm for the rest of the winter season, which brings an increased risk for home fires and carbon monoxide incidents. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms.

This week, Speaker Kevin McCarty appointed Congressman Darin LaHood to serve as a member of the House Select Committee on China.

Minooka High School Superintendent Robert Schiffbauer recently spoke with WCSJ about the diversity equity and inclusion initiative that was presented during last week’s School Board Meeting.  

The Village of Dwight is looking to hire a new Village Administrator.

Illinois Senate Republicans on Wednesday introduced Senate Resolution 27 that calls on the Illinois Senate to protect the will of Illinois voters and reject any progressive income tax measure that is introduced in the 103rd General Assembly.

A 39-year-old Coal City man was arrested after a single vehicle rollover crash.

A 35-year-old Morris woman is facing six charges in Grundy County. Ashley Thomas was charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery/Police Officer, both class two felonies; two counts of the unlawful possession of a controlled substance, both class four felonies and two counts of resisting an officer.

A Will County man with a history of DUI’s was sentenced in Grundy County on Monday, January 23rd.

A Peoria man was sentenced to prison for dealing drugs.  Police Officials say 25-year-old Jerome Alexander and 26-year-old Dangelo Williams sold around 260 grams of grams of meth to an undercover officer in the South Streator area on August 18th of 2022.  

Note to Readers:  Information presented here is obtained from the city police and sheriff's departments. Individuals listed in reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Community Foundation of Grundy County Executive Director Julie Buck was on WCSJ’s People R Talking to let local listeners know, and spread the word, about two new $10K scholarships now available to Grundy area graduates entering junior or senior university year in one of these two fields of study. 

38th District State Senator Sue Rezin was on WCSJ’s People R Talking sharing her opposition to the supplemental budget that was passed by lawmakers in the lame duck session. 

A Livingston County man was recently sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a pursuit that occurred around 10 p.m. on January 23rd.

The city of Morris will be paying more for their liability insurance. Alderman Julian Houston and Mayor Chris Brown spoke about the item at the city council meeting last week.

A new wind farm could be constructed outside the city limits of Dwight.

Note to Readers:  Information presented here is obtained from the city police and sheriff's departments. Individuals listed in reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Senator Sue Rezin was on WCSJ’s People R Talking this week sharing her perspective on how recent legislation in some recent bills may impact residents and properties in local communities.

Community Foundation of Grundy County Executive Director Julie Buck was on WCSJ’s People R Talking and shared some exciting news for residents aged 70 ½ and older who want to be charitable with their IRA’s. 

A 33-year-old Mazon man was arrested in the 200 block of North Route 47 around 2 a.m. on January 21st.

A 49-year-old Montgomery man was arrested by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office in the 4200 block of Route 47 around 3:40 p.m. on January 19th.

Verizon pays Seneca a yearly rental fee of $14,136 for the cell tower located near the village boat launch. Since May of 2007, the village board has discussed giving a donation from this money to the Seneca Parks and Recreation board. This week, the monthly donation has become a reality. Public Commissioner Mark Victor bought up the issue for discussion and approval of a ten percent monthly donation.

The Marseilles City Council last week heard that the St. Patrick's Day will be happening for a third year in a row. The Marseilles Tourism and Parks Committee will host the parade on Saturday, March 11th at 6:00 p.m. Green-lit floats, cars and trucks will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the line-up at 200 Riverfront Dr.

A 21-year-old Joliet man was arrested after fleeing police in Grundy County around 10:20 a.m. on January 21st.

Note to Readers:  Information presented here is obtained from the city police and sheriff's departments. Individuals listed in reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Taxpayers are encouraged to use Illinois Department of Revenue improved, free tax-filing system.  IDOR will begin accepting 2022 state individual income tax returns on Monday, January 23, the same date that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins accepting federal individual income tax returns.

Morris YMCA officials were in our studios last week providing more details about their future new 50,000 square foot facility. To further grow its impact in the community, the Y announced plans in 2018 for the development of the new facility in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers.

The Morris Police Department arrested a man who is facing eight charges. Douglas Claypool, 69, of Morris was charged with two counts of Aggravated Domestic Battery, both class two felonies; four counts of Aggravated Battery, all class three felonies and two counts of domestic battery.

A long serving member of Morris Hospital retired last week. After 34 years of service as an Environmental Services Associate at Morris Hospital, Howard Burton retired at the age of 95.

Note to Readers:  Information presented here is obtained from the city police and sheriff's departments. Individuals listed in reports who have been charged with a crime have not been proven guilty in court.

Grundy Transit System Director, Amanda Olvera, was a guest on WCSJ’s People R Talking to share some announcements of local interest with listeners.

Village of Channahon Mayor Missey Moorman Schumacher spoke with WCSJ recently about the upcoming State of the Village Address.

A local lawmaker gave his weekly update on Friday regarding several topics.

State Rep Jackie Haas is launching her third annual “Valentines for Veterans” program to bring joy to local veterans in her 79th District. Haas invites all area residents to participate in making handmade valentine greetings with well-wishes to our veterans. These Valentines will be accepted at her district office, 370 E. Court Street in Kankakee, until February 10th. The cards will be delivered to veterans at the Manteno Veterans Home in time for Valentine’s Day. For questions about this event contact her district office at 815-523-7779.

The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man wanted on a warrant on Wednesday, January 19th.

The family of Samuel Jenkins (42) of Morris is urging the public to contact The Morris Police Department with any information which could help locate Sam.