Fourth Week in September 2026 Recap

It was another busy week for first responders across Stephenson County, with scanner traffic from September 20–26 including crashes, fires, medical emergencies, power and utility problems, reckless drivers and a number of unusual calls.

Several crashes caused traffic problems during the week. On September 24, a two-vehicle crash at Route 26 and Route 20 in Freeport blocked the northbound lanes. Initial scanner traffic indicated the crash appeared minor, although injuries were unknown.

Later in the week, a one-vehicle crash at Baileyville Road and Cranes Grove Road left a vehicle on its side in a ditch. A utility pole was damaged in the crash, ComEd was requested, and both roads were closed while emergency and utility crews worked.

On September 26, emergency crews responded to a crash with injuries on Route 20 west of Lena, where the roadway was shut down. Other traffic-related calls during the week included a motorcycle and tree down near River Road and Rock City Road in the Ridott area, several car-versus-deer crashes, a van-versus-e-bike crash in Freeport and a golf cart accident near Greenfield Road and Lamm Road.

Reckless driving complaints also kept law enforcement busy. Reports included a vehicle traveling erratically on South Rock City Road, a reckless driver on Route 20 near Springfield Road, another along Route 20 near Crossroads Road, and a silver SUV reportedly swerving on Route 75.

One traffic stop in Dakota escalated when a motorcycle reportedly fled from officers. Scanner traffic later indicated the incident resulted in an arrest. In Freeport, another traffic stop in the High Street and Carroll Avenue area turned into a low-speed pursuit.

Fire departments responded to numerous alarms, smoke investigations and possible gas leaks. Calls included an electric pole on fire near Cedarville Road and Rink Road, reported black smoke on Commercial Drive, a grease fire at a restaurant on West Galena Avenue that prompted an evacuation, and an illegal debris fire on West Ordway Street that was producing heavy smoke.

Crews also investigated natural gas odors on several occasions, including one reported both inside and outside the Freeport Public Library. Carbon monoxide alarms, commercial fire alarms and reports of smoke inside residences were also heard throughout the week.

Utility problems were another recurring theme. A tree blocked Lily Creek Road near North Bolton Road on September 20, wires were reported down at several Freeport locations, and a tree branch later pulled down power lines on West Pleasant Street. Cedarville also experienced a power outage affecting more than 500 customers after reports of a transformer and wires down in the area.

Medical calls made up a large portion of scanner traffic, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, possible strokes and heart attacks, seizures, falls with injuries, high and low blood sugar readings, unconscious patients and medical-alert activations. EMS also responded to a burn victim in Dakota and a child in Freeport who was reported to be vomiting blood and Styrofoam.

Several mental-health and welfare-related calls were also dispatched during the week. Those included welfare checks, evaluations, reports of suicidal ideation and domestic situations. We continue to redact specific addresses from sensitive calls when appropriate.

Some of the week’s more unusual calls included cattle outside their fence near Pearl City, horses in the roadway on Brick School Road, a suspicious SUV on East Winneshiek Road, a vehicle missing a tire on Pearl City Road, and a semi that became stuck at Rock Grove Road and Henderson Road near Orangeville. Rock Grove Road was temporarily blocked while Henderson Road remained passable.

Wildlife was also a recurring issue. In addition to several deer-related crashes, an ambulance itself struck a deer on Cedarville Road near Unity. With deer activity increasing this time of year, drivers are being reminded to slow down and stay alert, especially around dawn and dusk.

From Freeport to Lena, Dakota, Pearl City, Cedarville, Orangeville, Rock City, Ridott and surrounding rural areas, first responders handled a wide variety of calls throughout the week.

This Week in Review covers scanner calls logged by Stephenson County Scanner from September 20 through September 26. It is not a complete record of every incident in the county. Information is based on initial radio traffic, and details may change as additional information becomes available.