A group of Kankakee County military veterans, mainly Marines, continue their call for service well into retirement years.

In the days following the March 10 tornado in Kankakee County, the Grace Christian Academy teacher discovered she was capable of more than she knew; that teacher was Christine Johnson.

The Aroma Park Fire Protection District was put to test after the March 10 tornado that tore through the small Kankakee County community, as this storm hit so close to home for them and their families. Yet the department of 25 personnel, including both part-time and paid on-call.

Kankakee cross country coach Rich Olmstead and soccer coach Vincent Mkhwanazi, though not originally from the Kankakee area, have seen the community they love and now call home come together in an inspiring way following March's devastating tornado.

A bar owner who opened her doors during a tornado. A veteran turned trauma therapist. A paraeducator who said she’d never leave her kids. Meet the Kankakee Daily Journal’s 2026 Everyday Heroes, nominated by our readers

Whether it is doing his job as a lieutenant with the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, or as a coach of a traveling baseball team, Russell Belcher is well versed in team work.

The Daily Journal honors the everyday heroes making a difference in Kankakee County through their hard work, kindness and dedication.

Veterans Day events are planned across Kankakee County and beyond to honor local veterans on and before the Nov. 11 holiday.

Momence Superintendent Shannon Anderson found a solution to his aimlessness and struggles in high school through the Marine Corps.