Third Week in September 2026 Recap

It was another busy week for first responders across Stephenson County, with scanner traffic ranging from fires and crashes to medical emergencies, reckless drivers and unusual calls for service.

One of the week’s more significant fire calls came from South Walnut Road in Freeport, where crews responded to a commercial trailer fire. Initial reports indicated smoke coming from the trailer before responders confirmed it was on fire. Firefighters also handled several alarm activations, smoke and gas odor investigations, a utility pole fire on Woodside Drive and a call on West John Street involving a bleach spill and electrical smoking.

Several crashes and dangerous driving complaints were reported throughout the week. On Route 26 near Old 26 in Orangeville, a 911 open line with people heard in the background was later determined to involve a motorcycle crash with injuries. A medical helicopter was requested but declined the flight, and Route 26 was temporarily closed.

Near Galena Road and Waddams Grove Road in Lena, what was initially reported as a vehicle in the ditch turned out to be a two-vehicle crash involving a mother and her young children. The other vehicle reportedly left the scene. An ambulance was requested after the mother reported neck pain, and her vehicle had to be towed.

Another notable traffic incident unfolded in Freeport when a reckless driver was reported traveling approximately 70 mph on Empire Street and approximately 100 mph on Galena Avenue. Freeport Police requested assistance from the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office.

In Pearl City, an iPhone crash detection alert led officers to an unoccupied truck involved in a crash on Silberman Road. The truck appeared to be leaking when officers arrived, and the driver’s condition was initially unknown.

Law enforcement calls included a search in Freeport for a suspect wanted in connection with domestic battery and a stolen vehicle, a possible burglary near Five Corners Road and Route 20 in Lena, multiple domestic situations, welfare checks and several 911 hang-ups or open-line calls. Addresses were withheld from some incidents because of the sensitive nature of the calls.

Medical emergencies made up a large portion of scanner traffic. Crews responded throughout the week for chest pain, difficulty breathing, falls with injuries, asthma attacks, high blood pressure, possible heart problems, seizures, unresponsive patients and other medical emergencies. One Freeport call involved a possible drug overdose where CPR had been started before responders arrived.

Mental and behavioral health-related calls also came across the scanner, including reports involving suicidal ideation, a homicidal subject, hallucinations and people in distress. Specific addresses were redacted from those calls when appropriate.

There were also some less common calls during the week. Cattle escaped their fence on Block Road near Pearl City, although they had not entered the roadway when the call was dispatched. A frantic unknown woman reportedly showed up at a home on Blumendahl Road, a deceased deer was reported in the roadway on Davis Road, and firefighters investigated several unusual odors and alarm activations.

From major incidents to routine medical calls, first responders across Freeport, Lena, Orangeville, Pearl City, Dakota, Davis, McConnell and surrounding areas stayed busy throughout the week.

This recap reflects scanner calls logged by Stephenson County Scanner from September 13 through September 19 and is not a complete list of every incident or emergency response. Information comes from initial radio traffic, and details may change as additional information becomes available.