Local News

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Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned

By Jeff Vorva You might say Matthew Glenn is looking for an exit strategy. Or, at the very least, an exit solution. Before the usual group of citizens spoke to harangue the Manteno Village Board on March 18 about the Gotion EV battery factory, Glenn, the principal at Manteno Elementary School, spoke first and is…

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Monee Water Main Improvement Project Bids Approved

By Karen Haave Construction bids for Monee’s water main improvement project and the new Department of Public Works facility were approved by the board of trustees on March 13. The bids approved for both projects were significantly lower than totals budgeted by the board last month. Village Administrator Ruben Bautista said during the meeting that…

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the March 18 board meeting. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget

By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, for their bimonthly board meeting, holding the meeting a day earlier than usual to accommodate voting for the 2024 general election. The mayor and all trustees, except for Tom Doyle, were present, with Trustee Justin Young attending virtually. Discussion regarding the…

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Kankakee County Auditor Jake Lee Out After 2 Terms

By Stephen Nelson Kankakee County Board member Colton Ekhoff has unseated incumbent auditor Jake Lee, results from the March 19 primary election show. Ekhoff received 67 percent of the Republican vote.  Ekhoff thanked the voters for supporting him, saying: “They wanted action and, starting in December, they will see it.” In other election news, Billy…

Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.

VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT

By Jeff Vorva Adyn McGinley is going to be a Chap. McGinley, the top scorer and all-around player for Beecher’s historic boys basketball team, committed to the College of DuPage. McGinley leaves the Bobcats program scoring 1,545 career points. The team was 93-17 in his four-year career. This year, the 6-foot guard made several all-area…

Chief Steve Malone reviews the past year’s operations after the consolidation.  –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Consolidation, Talks 2023 Data at March Meeting

By: Stephanie Irvine The Manhattan Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, where they had a brief presentation from the district’s accountant James Howard, followed by a detailed review of 2023, presented by Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper. Monthly Accounting Report Howard reported the district is well within…

Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody

On March 21, Manteno officers were dispatched to Copelands Route 50 North Bar, in the 100 block of N. Locust Street, in reference to two stabbing victims. Upon arrival, officers located two stabbing victims in the parking lot, but the offender had fled the scene on foot. During the investigation, the suspect was identified as…

Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Peotone Police Blotter: March 15 – 22

March 15, Peotone Police were dispatched for a reported personal injury accident at Wilmington/ Rathje. Both vehicles were removed from scene via tow trucks, and one subject was transported to the hospital. March 16, an Officer, while patrolling the area of Rathje and Joliet Roads, observed a vehicle facing the wrong way and stopped in…

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Longtime Crete Code Enforcement/Animal Control Supervisor to Retire

By Karen Haave Longtime Crete Code Enforcement Supervisor and Animal Control Supervisor Marty Braccio is retiring on April 30. Braccio has worked for the village for more than 17 years as the full-time Code Enforcement/Animal Control Supervisor. He also served for 21 years as EMA Director/ Coordinator, a position appointed by Village President Michael Einhorn and…

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Monee Adding Businesses

By Karen Haave Monee’s roster of restaurants serving specialty food is expanding, joining the ranks of Nad Tatrami and Labas.  “GrannyMa’s Kitchen is Monee’s newest restaurant,”  Village Economic Development Director Bill Barnes said last week. “Located at 25861 S. Governors Highway, GrannyMa’s has found a new home in the space that Cliff and Tommy’s once…

Beecher Trustee Resigns; Board Still Trying to Pare Down Price

By Jeff Vorva Beecher Trustee Ben Juzeszyn is leaving the village board after the March 25 meeting. Juzeszyn, who is the head of the Economic Development and Community Relations Committee and Youth Commission read a letter of resignation at the March 11 meeting citing family matters leading up to his leaving. He called the decision…

The new digital only version of The Panther shared its first edition in early March. –Photo courtesy Manteno High School.

New Journalism Organization ‘The Panther’ Debuts at MHS

By: Madeleine Willis A new extra curricular activity at Manteno High School offers an opportunity for students to learn about journalistic writing. Senior Bennett Hernandez took the initiative to start a student-run publication when he saw a need for students to be informed.  “I didn’t feel like there was really an adequate place where if somebody…

Village officials and contractors posed for an official picture before groundbreaking actually commences in a couple of weeks. –Photo submitted.

Peotone Village Board Discussed Increasing Spending Authority

By Andrea Arens A proposed ordinance amendment changing the village administrator’s maximum expenditure authority without board approval from $5,000 to $25,000 failed at the March 11 board meeting. Section 31.093 of the village code allows the administrator to approve expenditures up to $4,999 without board approval. The suggested change was explained by village attorney Jim…

Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Peotone Police Blotter: March 3-14

March 6: Peotone Police received a complaint of reckless driving in the area of Barton and Hickory. Peotone Officer responded to the area, finding accused vehicle legally parked and unoccupied. No additional action taken at this time. March 7: Peotone Police were requested to the 100 block of Second Street for a domestic dispute. Peotone…