Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 22-year-old Edward A. Lohman II of Bourbonnais, IL for Child Pornography – Solicits Child for Performance – Live or Film (Class 2 Felony), Child Pornography – Exhibit, Reproduce, Disseminate Film, Video, Photo (Class X Felony), Child Pornography – Excretion or Urination (Class 2 Felony), and Child Pornography – Possess Visual Reproduction on Computer – Victim Under the Age of 13-years-old (Class 3 Felony).

 

On November 20, 2024, ISP agents executed a search warrant at Lohman’s residence on Big Chief Drive in Bourbonnais and collected electronic evidence. The evidence was analyzed and revealed child exploitation materials.

 

On November 26, 2024, ISP agents arrested Lohman on the above-mentioned charges, Lohman was transported to the Kankakee County Jail for a detention hearing. There is no additional information.

 

The Illinois State Police provides resources for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery.  Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.  To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources.

 Jenny (Musk) DeLahr, current Alderwoman for the 3rd Ward, is pleased to announce her candidacy for re-election in the upcoming Watseka city election. Over the past four years, Alderwoman DeLahr has championed transparency, responsible fiscal management, and open communication in city governance, consistently advocating for residents’ interests. Reflecting on her tenure, Alderwoman DeLahr stated, “I’m proud to have helped bring more transparency to city council discussions by ensuring meetings are recorded and available to the public. This allows our community to stay informed and engaged.” She continued, “However, too many decisions have been made without full council input. If re-elected, I’m committed to challenging the status quo and dismantling networks of favoritism to create a more inclusive and accountable government.” Alderwoman DeLahr has been a strong advocate for responsible budgeting, focusing on fiscal discipline to reduce Watseka's tax burden. “I believe in a budget that stays within our means,” DeLahr said. “By managing resources wisely, we can minimize tax increases and protect the community’s best interests.” DeLahr expressed appreciation for those entering the race, stating, “It’s inspiring to see community members like Bridget Tobeck, Chris Meredith, and Peggy Cahoe running for alderman, and Scott Anderson for mayor, all sharing a vision for meaningful change. This election represents a refreshing opportunity for a council truly committed to the people of Watseka.” DeLahr continued, “During my time on the council, I often found myself as a single voice for transparency and collaboration among a council of more singular viewpoints and personal agendas before Alderman Anderson was seated in his chair for fourth ward. This election represents a refreshing opportunity to build a council dedicated to serving the people of Watseka.” As she seeks re-election, Jenny DeLahr invites her 3rd Ward neighbors and all residents to join her in creating a more open, responsible, and community-driven city government.

 Mitigation projects and activities that can prevent injuries and fatalities while maintaining vital services for Iroquois County residents will be the main topic of discussion at the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meeting at the MABAS 37 Building, 103½ Main St., Crescent City (behind Ailey’s Welding Shop), at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12. The Committee began work in January 2024 to update the County’s All Hazards Mitigation Plan. This Plan details the past severe weather events that have impacted the County and identifies mitigation projects and activities that can be taken before a severe weather event occurs to protect residents and critical services and infrastructure. “Obtaining FEMA’s approval of our updated Plan will make all of the participants eligible to receive federal grant money for mitigation projects and activities,” explained Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Scott Anderson. Projects identified by Committee members at this meeting will become part of the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. While the committee has provided input on portions of the Plan, the entire Plan will be presented for public review and comment before it is submitted to the state and federal government for approval. “A public forum will be conducted February 13, 2025 for interested persons to review the Plan update and ask questions of Committee Members. A two-week public comment period will be held following the public forum to accommodate interested persons who are unable to attend. We want to make sure that anybody who is interested has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Plan update,” added Anderson. Interested persons can submit questions and comments to the Committee members or directly to the Iroquois County EMA Office.

An Illinois State Police (ISP) investigation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Manuel Perez of Watseka, Illinois for possession of child sexual abuse material.

 

After receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), ISP conducted an investigation into possession of child sexual abuse material, which led to an arrest warrant for Perez. 

 

On November 18, 2024, officers took Perez into custody and he is being held pending an arraignment hearing in Iroquois County, Illinois.  Perez is charged with five counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony).

 

This investigation is a collaborative effort between the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office, the Watseka Police Department, the Iroquois County State’s Attorney’s Office, and ISP.

 

Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse material can also be reported through the NCMEC CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com. To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org ; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources .

A Watseka firefighter is waging the biggest battle of his life, and the public is being asked to help him quell at least some of the flames.

Dakota Schroeder, 24, of Watseka, was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 brain cancer.

Britney Schroeder, Dakota’s sister-in-law, said she and other wives of Watseka fighters have been planning this benefit.

The Dakota Strong Bingo Benefit is set for 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the Watseka Elks Lodge 1791.

The benefit is intended to raise money to pay Dakota’s medical bills and transportation costs to and from Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

 

Dakota has been out of work for about a month. He is only able to do part-time work because of the current treatments he’s undergoing.

He was first diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 9. He had the tumor removed. At the age of 14, Dakota had another tumor. Both early tumor were non-cancerous.

It was in late August that her family found out that Dakota had a brain tumor for the third time, Britney Schroeder said. His family took him to Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee that month where they then discovered he had a golf-ball sized brain tumor.

On Sept. 3, Dakota had surgery to remove the tumor. The tumor returned in October, although at this point smaller, about the size of a pencil eraser, than the tumor which had been removed in September.

Doctors decided to have Dakota undergo chemotherapy and radiation.

It wasn’t until the middle of October that the family found out it was Stage 3 brain cancer.

The Elks of Watseka have let the family of Dakota use their banquet hall for the bingo benefit fundraiser. The bingo benefit can hold up to 125 players at a time.

With the help of the community, the family will be able to get the help they need to support Dakota.

Born and raised in Watseka, Dakota was first a cadet with the fire department and then was hired as a part-time firefighter since 2019.

“His dream has been to be a firefighter since I’ve known him, since he was two,” Britney said.

“I still remember Dakota running around in his little firefighter costume when he was a kid,” she said.

Dakota’s father was also involved with the fire department.

“He’s been a dedicated and amazing firefighter so far,” Britney said.

Dakota was on his way to being in the fire department full-time when the family learned of the devastating news of his cancer.

Dakota still goes to the fire department to support the crew as he goes through cancer treatments.

“The amount of donations we have so far has been just amazing,” she said.

Other benefits may be planned. There may be a benefit on Facebook such as a silent auction in December and then another fundraiser early next year, she said.

Dakota has been recovering at home.

“We have a team of us who is getting him back and forth to the doctors to make sure he is there for his treatments,” she said.

In support of Dakota, there was a head-shaving ceremony at Dakota’s house as treatment caused Dakota’s hair to fall out. His dad and two of his friends from the fire department shaved their head in solidarity.

Regarding the benefit, doors open at 5 p.m. Bingo will start at 6 p.m., at the Watseka Elk Lodge, 111 N. 3rd St., Watseka.

There will be bingo, raffle baskets, silent auction, and more. Space is limited. Tickets in advance are $20. Tickets at the door are $25.

To reserve your seats, call 815-644-4110.

 A one-car accident on Thursday in rural Beaverville resulted in the death of a St. Anne man.

Robert Hubert, 68, of St. Anne, died in the accident, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

At approximately 1:38 p.m., deputies were dispatched to 3200N Road near 3130E Road for an accident involving injuries involving a single vehicle.

Initial investigation indicates a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Hubert was traveling east on 3200N Road near 3130E Road, when for unknown reasons, the vehicle went into the north ditch striking a tree stump, causing the vehicle to roll.

 

The vehicle came to rest on the passenger’s side.

St. Anne and Beaverville fire departments and Riverside EMS were able to get Hubert out of the vehicle.

Lifestar Helicopter from Joliet transported Hubert from the scene, but Hubert died while en route to the hospital.

The crash remains under investigation.

Police were called to the 400 block of E Ash Street for a domestic battery at 9:33 pm. Guynn, Richard M., 28 of Watseka, was arrested for Domestic Battery. Guynn was transported to jail without incident.

 

Police were out in the 500 block of E Walnut Street for a disturbance at 9:16 am. Penley, Faith N., 21 of Watseka, was arrested for Domestic Battery. Penley was transported to jail without incident.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 arrested 19-year-old Juan F. Diaz of Kankakee, IL for Possession of Child Pornography – Moving Depiction (Class 2 Felony), Possession of Child Pornography – Victim Less than 13-years-old (Class 2 Felony), and Possession of Child Pornography – Images (Class 3 Felony).

 

In January of 2023, ISP agents executed a search warrant at Diaz’s residence in the 1900 block of Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee and collected electronic evidence. The evidence was analyzed and revealed child exploitation materials.

 

On October 30, 2024, ISP executed a search warrant at the same address. Agents arrested Diaz on the above-mentioned charges, based off the evidence collected during the January of 2023 search warrant. During the arrest, agents collected more electronic devices belonging to Diaz. Diaz was transported to the Kankakee County Jail for a detention hearing. There is no additional information.

 

The Illinois State Police provides resources for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery.  Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.  To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources.