🌱 Do you know anything about Scarlett Blanco’s 2021 disappearance?
Kankakee, Illinois Patch AM: a 4 min readHey there, Kankakee! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Do you know anything about Scarlett Blanco’s 2021 disappearance?
- What police say happened behind a South Washington Avenue business
- Why did Sen. Durbin oppose the massive new defense spending bill?
Also on today's calendar: Unplug & Play and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: More humid; a morning shower, with a high of 79 and low of 67 degrees.
- Sunday: Humid with some sun, temps: high: 88, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: Hot and humid with a t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 69 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Scarlett Blanco, 19: Disappeared In 2021 While Traveling In Illinois (ourblackgirls.com) — Kankakee police are still seeking information on 19-year-old Scarlett Joy Blanco, last seen leaving a residence on Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee in May 2021 while headed toward Momence. She frequently stayed around Kankakee and nearby towns, and investigators say many details about her disappearance remain unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact Kankakee police or Crime Stoppers. 
• Kankakee police arrest man on theft charges (shawlocal.com) — Kankakee police say they arrested a 36-year-old local man after finding him on a South Washington Avenue business property where wiring and metal were allegedly being cut and removed. Officers recovered tools and other items, and investigators later determined the claimed permission to remove a utility pole and wiring was not authorized, leading to multiple theft and trespass-related charges.
• Durbin a "no" vote on defense spending bill (audacy.com) — During a visit to Kankakee, Sen. Dick Durbin said he will vote against the new $1.15 trillion defense spending bill, citing concerns about the Trump administration’s ongoing military operations in Iran. He compared the situation to the Iraq War buildup and warned residents that prolonged conflict is already affecting everyday costs like gas prices.
📸 Around Kankakee
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Kankakee
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Live Music at BrickStone →
Brickstone Brewery, 557 William R Latham Senior Dr, Bourbonnais
8:00 pm
Saturday July 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Settles Center - Encuentros
St. John Paul II Catholic Parish Settles Center
12:00 pm -
Unplug & Play →
The Grove, 700 Main St NW, Bourbonnais
1:00 pm -
KVTA Presents: HOME (Sunday) →
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School 307, 700 W North St, Bradley
2:00 pm -
FORTITUDE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Kankakee Public Library 1st Floor A
1:00 pm -
Kankakee County NAACP Youth Council
Kankakee Public Library 3rd Floor Meeting Room
5:00 pm -
All About Housing with Prairie State Legal Services
Kankakee Public Library 3rd Floor Suite
9:30 am -
Breakfast with Books
Kankakee Public Library 2nd Floor
10:00 am
Sunday July 26
Monday July 27
Tuesday July 28
📣 Kankakee Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Baptism-Spanish Arrieola, Cortez, Lopez, Ojeda
St. John Paul II Catholic Parish JP2 Church
11:00 am -
Presentación de 3 anos- Luna
St. John Paul II Catholic Parish 956 S 10th Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
11:45 am -
Merchant Street Music Festival 2026 →
The Kankakee Train Depot, 199 S E Ave, Kankakee
5:00 pm -
Live Music at The Lush Vine →
The Lush Vine, 150 N Schuyler Ave Ste 101, Kankakee
7:00 pm
Saturday July 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Does anyone know of electrician apprenticeship programs or opportunities in the area?
I'm looking to get started and would appreciate any recommendations or advice. I have no knowledge or prior experience, but I’m looking to get into a… (Nextdoor Kankakee - Meadowview)
- Diversified Maintenance posted a job opening for Janitor in Kankakee. Apply here.
- CVS Health posted a job opening for District Support Pharmacist in Kankakee. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kankakee here.
🗞 Nearby News
Aroma Park
- Inside the Staff Room: How Top Basketball Teams Win With Hudl (hudl.com)
- Bradley Elementary hit with $7M storm damage (shawlocal.com)
- 2026 Missouri State men's soccer schedule is released (ksmu.org)
Bradley
- Bourbonnais' Lee Caddell Jr. to travel to Portugal for youth soccer tournament (shawlocal.com)
- Lake Land College 2026 Spring Graduates Announced (effinghamradio.com)
Ok Kankakee! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Open-toad (Thank you Harold W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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