Illinois News
Local News
L.E.A.D. Day in Monee May 18
By Karen Haave L.E.A.D. in Monee will celebrate law enforcement again on Saturday, May 18, with a parade, food, raffles, and more. Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is organized and hosted by Monee residents Tracey and John Henson, with support from a handful of volunteers. Although it is tagged L.E.A.D. in Monee, the event is open…
Another Peotone Building Bites the Dust
By Andrea Arens A special board meeting was held on April 29 to approve an agreement with KLF Enterprises for the emergency demolition of 201 N. Second Street. The meeting itself lasted seven minutes, and the expense was approved for $25,500, waiving competitive bidding, with the mayor voting in favor, Trustee Gary Hudson recusing himself,…
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Beecher vs. Manteno in a softball sectional championship matchup? That dream matchup could come to fruition as the Illinois High School Association announced its postseason seeds. The coaches picked Beecher first and Manteno second in the Sub-Sectional B portion of the 20-team Class 2A Herscher Sectional. Peotone picked up the ninth…
Monee Honors EMA Members for President’s Volunteer Service Awards
By Karen Haave Eight Monee Emergency Management Agency members were honored last week as recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA). The PVSA is a national program that recognizes exceptional volunteers whose work makes real and sustainable differences in their communities. The program honors volunteers as young as five years of age, as well…
Banquet Liquor Hour Extensions and Fence Variance Denied at Village Board Meeting
By Andrea Arens The request to extend the hours of liquor service on the only banquet hall liquor license in town, at Serendipity, was denied. Owner Calthon Whitley requested an extension to serve liquor till 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, on Friday and Sunday till 11 p.m., and on Saturday till midnight. Trustee Shelley Marevka…
Pickleball Boosts the Budget in Manteno
By Jeff Vorva The boost in pickleball popularity is helping to boost up the budget. The Manteno village budget shot up from $9.5 million in 2023-24 to $13.6 in 2024-25. The board approved the budget at a special meeting and public hearing on April 22, and officials said $3 million of that increase is due…
Park District Referendum Failure Leads to Idea of a Community Group
By Karen Haave Peotone Park officials are not feeling the love after the district’s recent failed referendum for a modest tax rate increase. The notoriously frugal community, which rarely allows rate increases for any public body, turned down the proposal in a 260 to 214 vote in the Primary Election on March 19. Park officials…
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
By Jeff Vorva Crete-Monee soccer player Omar Romo is pretty good on the field as in three years on the varsity, the junior scored 17 goals and added 15 assists in 29 games. He’s even better off the field and behind a monitor. Romo put an exclamation point on a huge season in esports. He…
Vedette Sports Report
By Jeff Vorva Playing in an independent league ballpark agreed with Crete-Monee’s baseball team and pitcher Michael Leonard. Leonard threw a shutout and struck out 13 batters to help the Warriors top Thornton Fractional South 5-0 on April 20 at Railcat Stadium in Gary, Indiana. Leonard’s record was just 1-3 after the win, but he…