Local News
Local Farmers Markets
To help our readers, here are some Farmers Markets that are or will soon be available for your shopping convenience. If you know of a particularly good one that we’ve not listed, please feel free to email “The Vedette,” at newsdesk@thevedette.com, so we can add it to our weekly list. Happy shopping! •Beecher: Saturdays –…
Beecher Police Blotter: April 19
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On April 19, Sergejus Patasovas, 25, of the 11100 block of S. 84th Avenue, Palos Hills, was stopped at 730 Dixie Highway for having only one Illinois license plate and also found to have…
Beecher Community Library News
Call the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Through May 30, visit the library to view its gallery of tiny art from more than 100 Beecher patrons! Outdoor Used Book Sale: A number of used books are for sale for $1 each, and are on the front veranda, including those for children, juniors,…
Bobcat Baseball 4-1 for Week
Monday, May 6, the Beecher Bobcat baseball team began their week with a 15-3 victory over Gardner-South Wilmington. With a little help from GSW, who racked-up 7 errors, along with allowing the Bobcats 8 free passes to first, Beecher managed to score 15 runs, on only 8 hits. A.J. Snell earned the victory in 5…
34th Annual Rhubarb Festival May 19
The Kankakee County Museum at Small Memorial Park, 801 S. Eighth Avenue in Kankakee, will host their 34th annual Rhubarb Festival on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s festivities include a wide variety of vendors, a dime toss, kids’ zone, pie-eating contest, live entertainment, plus tours of the Taylor One-Room…
Bike Safety Rodeo June 1
Rain or shine, the Beecher Police Department will host it annual free Bike Safety Rodeo for children 13 years and younger, on Saturday, June 1, in the fire department parking lot. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., with the rodeo beginning at 9 a.m. (No registration after 9:15 a.m.) Come and join in the…
Board Authorizes Ordinance to Better Serve Farming Community
On April 18, the Will County Board authorized an ordinance change to better serve its farming community. This change assists farm truck drivers by making permits available that allow for the movement of agricultural commodities, without being subject to fines they may otherwise incur. Prior to the change of this ordinance, drivers faced penalties for…
FHOF Cardiology Hosting Free Smoking Cessation Meetings
Franciscan Health Cardiology Olympia Fields is hosting free weekly smoking cessation group meetings aimed at helping smokers kick the habit. Meetings help smokers learn proven strategies for success in quitting for good, develop a personal plan for quitting, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and begin living a new, healthy lifestyle. The group meetings are held weekly on…
Police Chiefs Association Holding Law Enforcement Memorial Day May 9
The 43rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day, sponsored by the Police Chiefs Association of Will County, is scheduled for Thursday, May 9. Details of the event were announced by Tracy Chapman, president of the Association and deputy director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The event will begin with a 10:30 a.m. Mass…
Collection Event to be Held May 11 in Beecher
The Will County Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery and Energy Division will host a collection event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 11, in Beecher. Electronics, hazardous waste, and liquids, including motor oil and paint, will be collected. A maximum of two TVs and 15 gallons of paint will be allowed per…
Attention Seniors: Community Nutrition Network/Senior Services Association Announce Newest Location
Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location, New Hope Christian Community Church, 4700 W. Court Street, Monee, which is scheduled for June 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association invites the community to celebrate this new partnership.…
Will County Holding Annual Textiles, Small Home Goods Collection May 6-10
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant invites residents to the annual Textile and Small Home Goods Collection Event at the Will County Office Building, 302 North Chicago Street, Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. A wide range of items will be collected for reuse and recycling during the week, including coats, shirts, pants, neckties, hats,…
Illinois News
Area News
ROE Recognizes Outstanding Talent in Art Contest Scholarship
The Will County Regional Office of Education is pleased to announce winners of its inaugural Art Contest Scholarship, showcasing the remarkable creativity and talent of students across the region. In its first year, the contest is a platform for young artists to showcase their skills and imagination, with the possibility of receiving a scholarship. Organizers…
Potts Sentenced to 10 Years for Unlawful Use of Machine Gun
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Gralon Potts, 38, of Chicago Heights, was sentenced recently to 10 years in prison for Unlawful Use of a Weapon (a Class X Felony). Potts pled guilty and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Bertani-Tomczak. On August 12, 2023, University Park Police responded to a dispatch for a disturbance…
Board Authorizes Ordinance to Better Serve Farming Community
On April 18, the Will County Board authorized an ordinance change to better serve its farming community. This change assists farm truck drivers by making permits available that allow for the movement of agricultural commodities, without being subject to fines they may otherwise incur. Prior to the change of this ordinance, drivers faced penalties for…
Police Chiefs Association Holding Law Enforcement Memorial Day May 9
The 43rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day, sponsored by the Police Chiefs Association of Will County, is scheduled for Thursday, May 9. Details of the event were announced by Tracy Chapman, president of the Association and deputy director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The event will begin with a 10:30 a.m. Mass…
Collection Event to be Held May 11 in Beecher
The Will County Land Use Department’s Resource Recovery and Energy Division will host a collection event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, May 11, in Beecher. Electronics, hazardous waste, and liquids, including motor oil and paint, will be collected. A maximum of two TVs and 15 gallons of paint will be allowed per…
$1 Million in Donor-Funded Scholarships Awarded to JJC Students in 2023-’24
The Joliet Junior College (JJC) Foundation has awarded $1,000,522 in donor-funded scholarships to students in the 2023-24 school year. The substantial amount awarded positions the JJC Foundation as one of the leading entities among Illinois community college foundations, emphasizing its commitment to fostering educational advancement and access. “Surpassing one million dollars in student scholarships is…
Cervantes-Diaz Found Guilty of Child Pornography
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Jose Ramon Cervantes-Diaz, 52, of Bolingbrook, was found guilty recently of three counts of Child Pornography (a Class 2 felony) following a bench trial before Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17. In July 2021, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago received information concerning an individual…
Will County Holding Annual Textiles, Small Home Goods Collection May 6-10
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant invites residents to the annual Textile and Small Home Goods Collection Event at the Will County Office Building, 302 North Chicago Street, Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. A wide range of items will be collected for reuse and recycling during the week, including coats, shirts, pants, neckties, hats,…
Will County Clerk Holding Lottery to Determine Political Party for Top November Ballot Position
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry will hold a lottery at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, May 7, at the Will County Clerk’s Office, to determine which political party will receive the top ballot position in the November 5 General Election. The chairs of the established political parties have been notified about the lottery, and they…
JJC Announces Outstanding Faculty Award Winners
Joliet Junior College has named Dr. Jeff Bradford and Charlotte Garrabrant the 2024 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member and Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member, respectively. Dr. Bradford is a professor in the technical department, while Garrabrant teaches in the EMS/fire science program. Both were submitted for consideration to the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) outstanding faculty…
Join Lightways Hospice/Serious Illness Care at Dino-mite 5K Family Fun Run
Proceeds support pediatric care program Runners from across the region are invited to the 11th annual Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care 5K Family Fun Run on Saturday, June 1, at the New Lenox Commons, 1 Veterans Parkway in New Lenox. The event includes a 5K run for ages 14 and older and a Dino…
Local Students Receive Scholarships and Laptops from Plainfield Non-Profit
By Stephanie Irvine Four local students were awarded laptops and scholarships from Plainfield non-profit organization, Vista Learning, at a special award ceremony held in Joliet, IL on April 25. Manhattan Junior High sixth grader Eva Tolstych, Crete-Monee High School senior Kaycee Berkley, Lincoln-Way West senior Kaylee Towson-Aldridge, and Peotone High School senior Marissa Reed…