Rep. Haas' bill addressing childcare shortages passes from House. –Photo submitted.

House Passes Rep. Haas’ Bill Addressing Childcare Shortage

House Bill 4059, filed by State Rep, Jackie Haas, recently passed the House with a unanimous vote of 104-0. “The passage of House Bill 4059 is the first step in addressing the critical shortage of licensed daycare providers in the State of Illinois,” said Rep. Haas. “This bill ensures the Department of Children and Family…

Rep. Jackie Haas –Photo submitted.

Rep. Haas Passes Bill Supporting Law Enforcement

Recently, House Bill 5174, filed by State Rep. Jackie Haas, passed the House floor with a unanimous vote of 108-0. “Today’s passage of House Bill 5174 is a huge win for law enforcement officers and school safety,” said Rep. Haas. “This bill will incentivize retired law enforcement officers to return to work as school safety…

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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,”…

Rep. Haas honored Poppin Plates Culinary Incubator and owner Fershawnda Green as the April Local Business Spotlight winner. –Photo submitted.

Poppin Plates Culinary Incubator Recognized as April Local Business Spotlight

For April’s local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Poppin Plates Culinary Incubator in Park Forest. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owner with a certificate of appreciation for her contributions to the community. “I am honored to recognize Poppin Plates Culinary Incubator for my April Local Business Spotlight,” said…

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…

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Crete Library News

Thursday, May 2 Knot Just for Knitters, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages 11/adult: Join us to socialize while working on knitting, crocheting, or any other type of needlework project. Drop in. Friday, May 3 Retro Movie Fridays, from 2:30 – 4:45 p.m., all ages: Showing “The Goonies” (rated PG). Drop in. Saturday, May 4…

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Legion Post 392 Fish Fry

Peotone American Legion Post 392 will host its last of the season monthly all-you-can-eat fish fry, on Saturday, May 11, from 4:30 to 6:30p.m. or until sold out. Tickets are $15 for either perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. Don’t forget delicious desserts, from the Legion Auxiliary, are available…

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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…

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Rep. Haas Co-Hosts Rx Drop-Off Event

In conjunction with other community partners, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) is co-hosting a prescription drop-off event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Northfield Square Mall East parking lot, 1600 N. State Rt. 50 in Bourbonnais. “I invite all District 79 area residents to come by and drop off…

St. Agnes students, in Chicago Heights, recently raised more than $1,600 for FHOF's diaper pantry for new moms. –Photo submitted.

St. Agnes Students Raise Funds for Diaper Pantry

Students at St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights raised $1,650 during their Lenten service project to purchase diapers for Franciscan Health Olympia Fields’ diaper pantry for new moms in need. The project, “For the Sake of New Life,” spanned two weeks during Lent, when students filled baby bottle banks with money they earned by giving…

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WCCHC Offering Primary Care Services in Monee

The Will County Health Department and Community Health Center will begin offering primary care medical services at its Eastern Branch Office in Monee, 5601 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, beginning in April. Primary care services at the Eastern Branch office will be available from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., every Wednesday, effective immediately. Appointments are highly recommended…

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Crete Library News

Thursday, April 25 Preschool Pals, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children enjoy spending time with other preschoolers, while listening to stories, learning songs and fingerplays, and playing games. Register. Manga Club for Teens, from 3 – 4 p.m., grades sixth/12th: Join us to talk about “One-Punch Man: Vol.…

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Crete Township Board to Hold Special Town Meeting of Electors May 14

Crete Township Board has called for a Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., at the Sertoma Star building, 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Crete. The purpose of the meeting is for the electors (registered voters of Crete Township) to consider acquiring the Sertoma Star (formerly New Star) property, consisting of…

Franciscan Health Olympia Fields –Photo submitted.

Franciscan Health Outpatient Therapy Hosting Fall Prevention Seminar

Franciscan Health Outpatient Therapy is hosting a free fall prevention seminar in Frankfort in May. The event will feature Franciscan Health Doctor of Physical Therapy Ramil Reyes and Franciscan Health Physical Therapy Assistant Mohamed Rashad, who will discuss how aging impacts musculoskeletal and balance systems, share tips on how to maintain an active lifestyle, and…

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,…

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Angel’s Helping Hands Now an Alternative

By Karen Haave The Crete Police Department and Crete-Monee School officials have joined forces with Angel’s Helping Hands to offer at-risk youth an alternative to school discipline or arrest. “Angel’s Helping Hands is a pilot diversion program tailored for at-risk youth,” CPD Chief Scott Pieritz explained. “We partnered with them through the Crete-Monee High School…

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Rep. Haas Passes Multiple Bills Through Committee

Recently, State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) passed four bills through committees, with all scheduled to be read and debated on the House floor. “I am proud to say four bills I filed have moved out of committee this week,” said Rep. Haas. “All of these bills received unanimous, bipartisan support. These bills will support law…

Manteno High School Students lined the entrance of the high school on Monday morning to show their appreciation for the teachers at the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Many were holding signs and teacher faces and encouraged people to honk as they drove by. Photo by Dan Gerber.
Manteno Appreciates Its Teachers
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing
Peotone Police Blotter: May 4-8
Third graders stop by with a check for Helping Hands. Photo courtesy Helping Hands Food Pantry.
PES Competition Once Again Raises Big Money For Helping Hands
Everyone had a fun time - did we say fun - at the recent Spring Showcase in Manteno. –Photo by Dan Gerber
Manteno Holds Successful Inaugural Spring Showcase
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L.E.A.D. Day in Monee May 18
One last picture of the dilapidated building before the owner demolished it on May 1 . –Photo by Ed Nelson.
Another Peotone Building Bites the Dust
Beecher softball out on top. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Monee EMA Presidential Service Award Honorees. Photo courtesy the Village of Monee.
Monee Honors EMA Members for President’s Volunteer Service Awards
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Solar Farm Closer to Beecher
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Crete Chief Warns of Gypsy Scammers
The Dunkin Grand Opening was celebrated on April 26. A donation check of $500 was given to Victory Reins and lots of other giveaways. Photo by Ed Nelson.
Banquet Liquor Hour Extensions and Fence Variance Denied at Village Board Meeting
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Pickleball Boosts the Budget in Manteno
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Park District Referendum Failure Leads to Idea of a Community Group
Brad (left), Karen (middle), and Dylan (right) Bothwell pose for a picture in their greenhouse. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Farmer’s Market Begins at Manhattan’s Bothwell Farms
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VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
District Attorney John Motylinski explains how the GEMT program works with ambulance rates. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
MFPD Fire Station Updates on Schedule
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Traffic Study and Planning Dominate Village Discussion
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Vedette Sports Report
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Crete Community to Host Clean Up Day
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No More Potholes on Blue Devil Drive