As the first full week of 2026 begins, take a look back at Kankakee County’s top news and feature pictures from 2025, selected by Daily Journal photo editor Tiffany Blanchette.

One year ends and another begins, there is no better time to reflect on the news stories that inspired happy feelings in 2025.

Bourbonnais residents and longtime basketball officiating partners Tom Hahs and Joe Ewers are among the latest members of this year's Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame class.

Santa will roll past the downtown Herscher grain bins once again for the 30th annual Christmas in Herscher celebration on Friday evening, Dec. 19.

Candidates of established political parties delivered their petitions.

Search our table to see what designation your Kankakee County school received on the 2025 school report card.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the Herscher School District’s project to replace its aging facilities.

11th annual Boilermaker games celebrate inclusion and friendship at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School.

Girls and boys runners from several local schools competed in the All-Area cross country meet at Kankakee Community College on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Timely rains and plenty of sunshine are delivering what could be a record Kankakee County corn and soybean harvest this autumn.

Already this year, Herscher School District has reported 43 stop arm violations to the Herscher Police Department Chief Kurt Quick said.

While some may be skeptical, numerous examples of progress within Kankakee County municipalities were shared Thursday at the county's first-ever State of Municipality luncheon.

As the glow of sundown faded in the sky, attention turned to the illuminated gridiron on Friday night as the Bishop McNamara Fightin’ Irish and the Herscher Tigers took to the field at Herscher’s Seebach Stadium.

The village of Herscher hosted hundreds once again for its 104th annual Labor Day Celebration on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.

Small town communities and long-running annual celebrations seem to go hand in hand. The village of Herscher fully embodies that notion, having hosted its 104th annual Labor Day Celebration over the weekend - the longest running annual event in Kankakee County.

A Herscher man sustained serious injuries when his pickup truck crashed into an unoccupied vehicle and an occupied house in Herscher Sunday.

Former six-term Hersher Mayor Ray Schneider will run for a Kankakee County Board seat in western Kankakee County.

Former 6-term Herscher Mayor Ray Schneider will be honored as Herscher's Labor Day parade grand marshal.

The annual Herscher Labor Day Celebration kicks off Saturday and activities run through Monday, highlighted by the Grand Parade at 10:30 a.m.

The energetic cadence of a drumline and the cheers of cheerleaders greeted the second through fourth graders arriving for their first day of school at Herscher Intermediate School on Tuesday morning.

Second through fourth grade students were greeted with fanfare at Herscher Intermediate School as they arrived for their first day of school on Aug. 19, 2025.

James A. Martin, of Herscher, died in a single-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours on Aug. 5 at 1000S Road and 8000W Road, Kankakee County Sheriff’s department said.

About 4,000 hot dogs were served up on Tuesday night during the annual National Night Out at Perry Farm Park in Bradley.

Mike Janssen always enjoys coming back to Kankakee County. On his most recent trip home, the Herscher High School graduate and WGN-TV weatherman was feeling alright as his BBQ competition team, Squealin’ Alright, collected some hardware at the Squeals Showdown on July 12.

The smell of fresh-roasted sweet corn will fill downtown Herscher on Friday as the 49th annual Corn Bowl returns to South Main Street from 5-11 p.m.

Kankakee County school leaders react to the $6 billion federal education funding freeze and what effects it may have on local schools. The withheld funds include an estimated $240 million that was expected to go out to Illinois K-12 schools on July 1.

The American Red Cross is urging donors to give blood or platelets at these upcoming Kankakee County events.

During an initial hearing presided over by Circuit Judge Lindsay Parkhurst on Monday, Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe asked for 30 days for the two sides to work on a settlement.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe filed a complaint in circuit court Wednesday regarding Prime Healthcare testimony before a state agency regarding the sale of St. Mary’s Hospital.

From the first Cruis'n the Square in downtown Kankakee to a Frank Lloyd Wright birthday party, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

From the Sunset Stroll to the Strawberry Jazz Fest, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Across Kankakee County, communities are taking time to honor fallen service members with special Memorial Day events and observations over the holiday weekend.

From the annual Pembroke Rodeo to the inaugural Momence Farmers Market, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

The annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony honors the 21 fallen Kankakee County officers that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony honoring Kankakee County officers was held on the lawn of the Kankakee County Courthouse on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Celebrating Bourbonnais' 150th birthday and eating some pie at the 35th annual Rhubarb Festival are two options from our 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

The annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony honoring Kankakee County officers is set for 11 a.m. Thursday on the lawn of the Kankakee County Courthouse.

Herscher High School teacher Rebecca Williams loves mathematics

From enjoying flowers and raising mental health awareness to celebrating Mother's Day, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

From a National Day of Prayer to the Kankakee County Speedway and the Kankakee Farmers' Market season openers, check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Check out these 5 things to do in Kankakee County this weekend.

Hundreds of participants took to the trails of Perry Farm Park to collect 12,000 prize-filled eggs during the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning. A few more chances to fill a basket remain.

Herscher School District is one of only nine school districts in the entire state of Illinois to currently hold a certification from Great Place To Work.

Check out these 5 things to do in and near Kankakee County this weekend.

Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick said Hannah Kroesh, 26, of Herscher, was arrested by Iowa Stare Patrol Monday for possession of stolen vehicle from Herscher.

Robert Miller, president of Riverside from 1964 to 1993, and Ira Collins, director of Shapiro from four decades, who both significantly impacted Kankakee County and beyond, died this year

Clark Griswold, of the National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” fame, has nothing on the residents of Leiser Street in Herscher

Children lined the street in downtown Herscher on Friday as they awaited the arrival of Santa Claus for the 29th Christmas in Herscher celebration