An 82-year-old Michigan man, Gilbert Bernal Sr., has been charged with the murder of his wife Joan Bernal, who disappeared nearly 40 years ago in Joliet, Illinois. The case was reopened after new evidence, leading to a grand jury indictment and Bernal's arrest. The investigation revealed past domestic violence and the possibility that her body was buried under concrete, although she has never been found. Bernal is scheduled for a court hearing in January.
The measles outbreak in Chicago has spread to Will County, Illinois, with the confirmation of a positive case. The Will County Health Department is working to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles and is urging vaccination as the best protection against the disease. This comes after Lake County in the north suburbs also confirmed a measles case connected to the Chicago outbreak.
A funeral memorial service was held for seven family members allegedly shot and killed by Romeo Nance in the Joliet-area of Will County, as new details have been revealed by police on their investigation into the murder spree. The Will County Sheriff's Office disclosed that the gun Nance used to kill one of the victims is the same weapon recovered by police in Texas, where Nance took his own life following a confrontation with law enforcement. Nance's girlfriend is facing an obstruction of justice charge, and the mayor of Joliet has asked for community support to cover the funeral costs.
Joliet Police are searching for Romeo Nance in connection with the shooting deaths of seven people in two residences, and are also attempting to locate a red Toyota Camry with license plate Q730412 in connection with three separate shootings. The suspect should be considered "armed and dangerous," and anyone who sees the vehicle is urged to call 911 and report its location to law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and the area where the shootings occurred remains closed to traffic.
The Will County Health Department in Illinois has issued a warning after three bats in the area tested positive for rabies. An additional 68 bats have tested positive for rabies in the state this summer. Rabies affects the nervous system and is fatal if not treated quickly. Residents are advised to take precautions around wild animals, including not killing or releasing bats found in their homes and contacting animal control instead. Vaccinating pets against rabies and avoiding exposure to wild animals are recommended preventive measures.
The National Weather Service has issued Flash Flood Warnings for multiple counties in the Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, and Will counties. The warnings are in effect until Sunday afternoon, with potential rainfall of 1 to 3 inches. Flooding has already caused road closures on Interstate 55 and eastbound Interstate 290, and the CTA Pink Line has been temporarily suspended. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through standing water, and both NASCAR and the Chicago Cubs have delayed their events due to the weather.
