Illinois News
Local News
Crete Chief Warns of Gypsy Scammers
By Karen Haave Crete Police Chief Scott Pieritz is issuing a warning about “Gypsy Scams.” Pieritz said during last week’s village board meeting that spring seems to bring out a proliferation of fraudulent contractors, scams, and ruses. “It is that time of year when we begin to see contractor scams, commonly known as Gypsy Scams,”…
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…
Farmer’s Market Begins at Manhattan’s Bothwell Farms
By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Manhattan currently doesn’t have an official farmer’s market, but the Bothwell family does the work to ensure there is a local market for people to enjoy, stating they just do it for something fun for the community. Beginning April 27, Bothwell Farms will host a weekly farmer’s market at…
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…
MFPD Fire Station Updates on Schedule
By Stephanie Irvine The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board met on April 15, whereupon the board discussed regular business and updates regarding the Manhattan and Peotone fire stations. Peotone Remodel/Manhattan New Construction Updates District Fire Chief Steve Malone reported the district is officially in Phase 2 of the Peotone Station 81 remodel, expected to be…
Traffic Study and Planning Dominate Village Discussion
By Stephanie Irvine Traffic studies and a comprehensive plan for the village dominated discussion at the Manhattan Village board meeting. The board was set to approve an updated boundary agreement with the Village of Frankfort that would extend the boundary agreement another 20 years, which is typical of boundary agreement durations. “Previously, the boundary agreement…
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…
Crete Community to Host Clean Up Day
By Karen Haave The Crete Police Department, Trinity Lutheran Church, and Crete Park District will join forces on Saturday, April 27, to sponsor a Community Clean-up Day and luncheon to mark Earth Day Week. Residents can sign up for the clean-up event at Trinity Lutheran, 1393 Elizabeth Street, at 8:30 a.m. Participants will be given…
No More Potholes on Blue Devil Drive
By Andrea Arens The meme is there’s two seasons in Illinois – winter and construction. That also will hold true for the Peotone School District but, unlike Chicago, many will appreciate the improvements. Blue Devil Drive, the street in front of the junior high that also provides access to the football field, baseball fields, and…
Dangerous Intersection A Topic at Board Meeting
By Jeff Vorva The outcry was heard. Manteno Village Board Trustee Diane Dole reported at the April 15 board meeting that there have been a few safety changes at the intersection of 12000 North Road and Illinois Rt. 50, which is north of Manteno but not in the village. “Everyone is thankful to all of…
No Golf Carts For Crete
By Karen Haave Last week, Crete officials voted down a proposed ordinance that would have allowed operating golf carts on village streets. The proposal had been discussed repeatedly and at length for months and met with unwavering opposition from Police Chief Scott Pieritz. His opposition, he said, was based on public safety, golf cart safety,…
Beecher School Board Tosses Around Idea of a Referendum
By Jeff Vorva Members of the District 200U board are weighing their options on a possible referendum regarding the makeup of the seven-member board. For decades, the rules for the makeup of the board has consisted of at least two members coming from unincorporated areas and no more than five from incorporated areas. At the…