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Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick The Peotone Vedette: June 8, 1973 I certainly was not prepared for the headline that struck me as I opened the 1973 books for this week’s news – “Latest I-57 Murder Victim Is Former Peotone Resident.” Actually, I felt much the same way I did 50 years ago when my Mom told…

City of Kankakee Vehicle Sticker Tax Eliminated

Earlier this year, the city administration and the Kankakee City Council voted to eliminate the city’s vehicle sticker requirement. This means residents will not have to purchase a vehicle sticker this year. The vehicle sticker tax, enacted in 2014, was implemented at a time when the city was hit hard by the significant negative economic…

Rep. Haas Hosts June 14 Job Fair in Kankakee

To provide opportunities for job seekers in the 79th District, State Rep. Jackie Haas will host a Job Fair on Wednesday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Knights of Columbus in Kankakee, 187 S. Indiana Avenue. “I’m happy to bring back my annual job fair to connect job seekers and employers in…

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Midland States Bank Launches Community Impact Investment Statement with Area Organizations

Midland States Bank is pleased to announce the Joliet-area launch of its corporate Community Impact Investment Statement (CIIS). This initiative provides a collaborative framework for Midland’s Corporate and Regional Community Economic Development Plans to serve its communities. Midland’s CIIS focuses on takes into six key pillars: Traditional and non-traditional education, work force development, financial empowerment,…

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National Talent Fills Annual Festival’s Main Stage June 10-11

Thirty-third annual festival set for June 10 – 11 at Goold Park. Beautiful Goold Park, 308 Northern Avenue, Morris, again will be the location for this year’s Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Festival. Hosted by Hammers and Noters Dulcimer Society (HANDS) of Illinois on June 10 – 11, the festival will feature hourly performances…

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District 200-U Ends Year with Staff Recognition Assembly

Beecher School District 200-U concluded another successful school year last week with a Staff Recognition Assembly recognizing retirees Beth Hayhurst, for 28 years as an elementary school teacher, and Marcia Blouin, with 18 years as a district art teacher. Also, special recognition was given to the following teachers with 30+ years of service: Melissa Ohlendorf…

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Peotone Police Blotter: May 24 – 30

Harry Verkler, 64, of Peotone, was cited for criminal damage to property on May 24. Verkler received a notice-to-appear in court. Michael Haley, 63, of Peotone, was arrested on May 29, at 12:07 a.m., for domestic battery. Haley was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to await a court appearance. Britny Caruso, 32,…

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Kankakee Police Chief Announces Retirement

Effective Friday, June 16, City of Kankakee Police Chief Robin Passwater will retire. Chief Passwater quoted, “It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Kankakee as a police officer for the past 33 years, however, it is time for me to move on to another chapter of my life.” Additionally, Chief Passwater commented…

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church will celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 11. All are welcome to attend. –Photo submitted.

St. Paul the Apostle Church to Celebrate Corpus Christi with Procession

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 511 N. Conrad Street in Peotone, will celebrate Corpus Christi – the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – with a traditional Eucharistic Procession at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 11. Father Roger Kutzner, accompanied by members of the parish,…

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Beecher Community Library News

Call the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Wi-Fi hotspots now are available for checkout for Beecher cardholders ages 18 and over. Hotspots may be checked out for one week and are able to be taken anywhere for internet on the go! Visit beecherlibrary.org/devices for more information. Our Summer Reading Special Event, Animals…

Success By 6 Hosting Early Childhood Fair June 10

Families are invited to stop by the Kankakee County Farmer’s Market to take part in free activities and resources from local, early-childhood focused organizations. The Success By 6 Coalition is presenting an Early Childhood Fair at the Kankakee County Farmers Market this Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. – noon. This is a fun, family-friendly,…

Manteno High School student Reese Eldridge honored for "Lemon Still Life" artwork. –Photo submitted.

Manteno Student Recognized for Promise in Architecture and Design

BLDD Architects, Inc., is pleased to announce recipients of the annual Because Life Deserves Design Scholarship. The scholarship — named for BLDD’s mission “Because Life Deserves Design” — recognizes senior high school students for their creativity, artistic passion, and potential in contributing to the world of architecture, interior design, or graphic design. BLDD Principal Mark…

–Photo submitted.

WW II Airman Returns Home to Illinois after 80 Years

Eighty years ago American service members were engrossed in a great conflict pitting the United States and its Allies against Nazi-controlled Germany and the Axis powers. On August 1, 1943, a small town southern Illinoisan, 32-year-old Tech. Sgt. Harold Kretzer, was fighting in the skies over Ploiești, Romania, to starve the Nazi war machine of…

Buzz by the Pollinator Party being held on Saturday, June 24, at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville. Learn why pollinators are vital to our food supply, view live bats, watch a monarch butterfly documentary, and find out how to support pollinators at home. The Nature Foundation of Will County will be selling native plants during Pollinator Party. ­–Forest Preserve photo, Glenn P. Knoblock.

Forest Preserve Program Lineup Includes Kids Fishing Derby, Pollinator Party

No matter your age or location, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has something fun for you to do this summer, including a summer paddle in Monee Township, a Kids Fishing Derby in Bolingbrook, a bird hike in Homer Glen, a Pollinator Party in Romeoville, and more. Online registration is available on the Event…

Upcoming events

WCTA Hosting Vintage Tractor Drive Fundraiser

The Will County Threshermen’s Association (WCTA) will hold its vintage tractor drive fundraiser on Saturday, June 10, with participants driving their vintage tractors on a 50-mile route through the countryside of Will and Grundy Counties. Lunch will be served at Andy Rousonelos farm. All proceeds from the event benefit the WCTA, a non-profit organization dedicated…

State’s Attorney Glasgow presented a check to Police Chief Scott Koerner and Village Mayor Dr. Therese Bogs. –Photo submitted.

MPD Receives $5,000 for License Plate Recognition Devices

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow continued his countywide initiative to enhance community safety with high-tech Flock license plate readers with a $5,000 donation to the Monee Police Department. The contribution will allow Monee to purchase two automated license plate recognition devices that play a vital role in helping catch dangerous vehicle hijackers and other…

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Illinois LICA, U of I Extension Hosting Advanced Drainage Design Workshop

The Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA) and the University of Illinois Extension are hosting a two-day Advanced Drainage Design Workshop at Richland Community College in Decatur, June 27-28. The two-day, comprehensive drainage training will provide contractors with all the tools necessary to design and implement subsurface drainage practices. Each session includes interactive, hands-on activities.…

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Monee Budget Book Seeks to Make Finances Easier to Understand
Jeremiah Truhlar loves to compete. –Photo submitted.
Former Manhattan Resident Turned Multi-Discipline Professional Combat Sports Athlete
100th Illinois Infantry Company K Reenactors performed at Union Cemetery on Memorial Day. –Courtesy of the 100th Illinois Infantry Company K Reenactors.
Memorial Day Ceremony Held at Historic Union Cemetery
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Monee Get a Grocery Store Someday? Maybe
Bobcats take runner up and had a fantastic season. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Beecher End Season With Loss to Rockets
Dixie Barclay poses with one of her favorite gifts from the Manhattan-Peotone Fire Buddies. –Photo by Melissa Eaheart.
Dixie Gets a Visit from Project Fire Buddies
Adopt a Soldier 22 Kilometer Ruck to combat miltary suicide left Kankakee Walmart proceeding down route 50, had a rest stop at Manteno American legion and concluded at Peotone Fairgrounds on May 28th. Photo by Dan Gerber.
Ruck March 2023 Seeks to Combat Military Suicide
American flag with a canvas and paint texture
Army Strong Got One Man Stronger
manteno american legion post 755
Manteno Legion Memorial Day
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Manteno Boy Scouts
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Bobcats Punched their ticket to State
Krueger speaks at the Peotone Legion Post 392 Memorial Day ceremony. –Photo by Andrea Arens.
Peotone Legion Memorial Day Program Honors Heroes
LaMore Realty wins award in 2023. Photo by Madeleine Willis.
LaMore Realty’s Impactful Service on the Manteno Community
Monee PD raised over $5,400 for Special Olympics on Cop on a Rooftop Day. Photo submitted.
Monee Cops Raised Dough Fulls on Rooftop
Bobcats punched their ticket to state. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Bobcats Take the Pontiac Sectional
The back of the custom shirts three backyard chicken advocates wore to the March 27th board meeting. Photo by Andrea Arens.
Peotone Village Board Approves Backyard Chickens
Monee police officer Stephen Crescenti got support from his daughter Gabriella, 5, at the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Photo by Karen Haave.
L.E.A.D. Meant to Bring Positivity
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Beecher Looking for Half a Mil
Congrats to the Manteno High School Class of 2023! Photo by Madeleine Willis.
Manteno High School Announces Graduating Class of 2023
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Pontiac Indians No Match for the Bobcats