Vedette logo

Ryan Marion Appointed Manteno County Board Representative

By Stephen Nelson At the Tuesday, April 9, Kankakee County Board meeting, Chairman Andy Wheeler announced the appointment of Ryan Marion to fill the vacated seat formerly held by Ray Fairchild, who resigned his board seat in February without offering the board any official reason for his decision. The county board voted 19-4 to appoint…

–Graphic submitted.

Clove Alliance Welcomes Community at Business Before Hours April 24

Clove Alliance is opening its doors to the community for “Business Before Hours,” a casual networking event coordinated with the Kankakee Country Chamber of Commerce. On Wednesday, April 24, from 7:30-9 a.m., guests can tour Clove Alliance’s main office building at 1440 West Court Street in Kankakee, enjoy coffee and rolls, and network with other…

Upcoming events logo

Rotary Jigsaw Puzzles Still Available

In need of a gift? The Bradley-Bourbonnais Rotary Club still has their annual jigsaw puzzle available for purchase, with a limited number of puzzles available at Joy’s Hallmark, Ba Da Bloom Flower Shoppe, the Kankakee County Museum, King Music, Rubber Rose Books and Prints, the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Stefari’s West, as well…

Upcoming events logo

Merchant Street MusicFest Announces Music Education Scholarships

Merchant Street MusicFest, in collaboration with King Music and the Dave King Memorial Music Fund, is pleased to announce the inaugural MSMF Music Education Scholarship to be awarded at this year’s fest on Saturday, July 27. The scholarship award is for eight free weeks of music lessons, after which the recipient will have the option…

Community News Logo

News for Uplifted Care Community Grief Center

The free Chain of Blessings Workshop will be held on Saturday, April 20, from 10 – 11:30 a.m., and provides an interactive experience for individuals and families to remember the blessings their loved ones gave them. Participants will make a chain of things their loved ones taught them, special characteristics they had, and anything else…

–Graphic submitted.

Riverside Healthcare Presents Baby and Beyond Fair: A Celebration of Growing Families

Riverside Healthcare is excited to announce the upcoming Baby and Beyond Fair, an event tailored for expectant parents, those planning future pregnancies, and families with young children. The fair offers many resources, interactive presentations, and community engagement opportunities, all aimed at supporting families on their journey from pregnancy through early childhood. The Baby and Beyond…

Allie Kohl, of Herscher, received her second Coca-Cola scholarship in as many years. –Photo submitted.

Allie Kohl Receives Second Coca-Cola Scholarship

For the second time, Allie Kohl, of Herscher, has been selected to receive a Coca-Cola academic scholarship. Last year, Kohl received a $1,000 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship. This year, she earned $1,500 as a Gold Scholar on Coca-Cola’s 2024 Academic Team. The award stems from Kohl’s score in the All-USA Academic Team Competition. Kohl…

–Graphic submitted.

BPL Hosting Interview, Book Signing with Amy Kemp

Join us on Monday, April 29, at 6 p.m., as library director and long-time Bourbonnais resident Kelly McCully interviews local author Amy Kemp about her new book, “I See You: A Guide for Women to Make More, Have More, and Be More — Without More Work.” Bring your books to have them signed or purchase…

The high speed pursuit ended on Rte. 50 in Peotone right in front of Terry’s Ford after continuing through multiple municipalities. Photo by Andrea Arens.

High Speed Pursuit Ends in Peotone with One in Custody

PURSUIT OF STOLEN SUV THROUGH SEVERAL TOWNS RESULTS IN MULTIPLE COLLISIONS, ONE IN CUSTODY Kankakee County Sheriff’s issued a statement that on April 5, 2024, shortly after 2 p.m, agents from the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force located an SUV that had been reported stolen out of University Park at a residence in Momence. Several…

Upcoming events logo

April 14 Native American Ministries Sunday

Native American Ministries Sunday is April 14 and will be celebrated at Grace Community United Methodist Church, 735 Main Street NW, in Bourbonnais. The authentic American Indian church service will begin at 9:45 a.m., with a “smudge” as one enters the church doors, led by the Dayspring Native American United Methodist Church from East Peoria.…

Roirie Bartucci draws blood from Dominique Schultz during a medical laboratory class at KCC, while, on left, is Lamanda Baade, professor and director of the Medical Laboratory Technology program. –Photo submitted.

KCC Medical Laboratory Technician Program Receives National Accreditation – Again!

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences has awarded the Kankakee Community College Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree Program continued accreditation until 2029. Seeking accreditation is voluntary, but KCC’s MLT program has been accredited by NAACLS since 1981. There are 240 accredited MLT programs in the U.S. and 10 in Illinois. To continue accreditation,…

Register now for the Superhero 5K and two-mile walk on May 4. –Photo submitted.

Be a Superhero for Families with Sick Children!

A Superhero 5K and two-mile walk will be held on Saturday, May 4, at 8 a.m., at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 years. Costumes are encouraged. Registration and race information may be found at www.runforjoy.org. Register by April 13 to guarantee a race t-shirt. Honored…

–Logo submitted.

KPL Hosting ‘An Evening with Rodney Freeman’

Librarian, archivist, filmmaker, and former Kankakee resident Rodney Freeman will be speaking at the Kankakee Public Library on Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. Freeman’s documentary “Are You a Librarian: The Untold Story of Black Librarians” is set for release in early 2025. Amidst the rising challenges of book banning and censorship, Freeman’s documentary sheds…

–Logo submitted.

BPL Hosting Spring Book Sale

The Bourbonnais Public Library is hosting its spring book sale on Wednesday, April 17, from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, April 18, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Friday there will be a special bag sale, which offers a bag of books for only $5. The…

–Graphic submitted.

Clove Alliance SAAM April Event Calendar

April is dedicated to raising awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). It’s important to acknowledge a significant number of individuals have been impacted by sexual assault in their lifetimes. Throughout April, Clove Alliance aims to promote awareness and prevention of sexual violence, harassment, and abuse and believes, supports, and empowers survivors of sexual violence.…

Theodis Pace (center) will serve as honorary chair of ACS Relay for Life of Kankakee County. –Photo submitted.

Pace Serves as ACS Relay for Life of Kankakee County Honorary Chair

The Kankakee County Relay’s Event Leadership Team has selected Theodis Pace to serve as their honorary chair for the Relay for Life of Kankakee County, presented by Riverside Healthcare and Riverside Cancer Institute. It will be held at Bishop McNamara Catholic School on June 8, from 2 – 10 p.m. This year’s theme is Every…

–Chanel Smith joins Riverside Team. –Photo submitted.

Riverside Welcomes Chanel Smith, FNP-C, to Team of Immediate Care Providers

Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-certified nurse practitioner Chanel Smith, FNP-C, to its team of immediate care providers. Smith completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing at Governors State University in University Park. Immediate care is intended to provide care for non-life-threatening injuries and ailments, such as colds,…

Sports logo
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Dixie’s Special Day. Photo submitted by Project Fire Buddies.
Project Fire Buddies Holds Spa Day for Peotone Girl Amid Father’s Cancer Battle
An example of the design of the Hometown Heroes banner for Manhattan. –Image by Village of Manhattan.
Manhattan Honors Veterans with Banner Program
Vedette logo
Angel’s Helping Hands Now an Alternative
Peotone residents Maura Culver (left) and Paula Prium (right) with Village President Peter March. –Photo by Karen Haave.
Streetscape to Start in Peotone
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen celebrated a birthday just before the Village board meeting on April 1. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Budget, Property Lines, and Safety Topics at Village Meeting
Vedette logo
Crete’s Winter Coat Drive Unnecessary After All
Vedette logo
Outdoor Lighting Might Not be a Problem in Monee Anymore
Sports logo
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Former trooper seeks restoration of driving privileges nearly 16 years after fatal crash
Peotone Police Blotter: March 29-April 3
Vedette logo
Crete’s Officer Hunt Retires
Vedette logo
Building Committee Creates Historical Overlay District
Realtor and property owner Jared Gordon talked with Robinson Engineering at the Streetscape Open House.  About 80 people came out for the open house during the worst weather of the week. Photo by Andrea Arens.
Streetscape Construction About to Begin
Vedette logo
Building Committee Declines to Hire Additional Employees
Vedette logo
Behold, Beecher Police Station Will Be Built
Vedette logo
Pritzker’s Grocery Tax Elimination Has Crete President Displeased
Community members exhausted by the number of crashes at 50 and 12000N decided to make a sign in the hopes it would save a life. Photo by Jake Smith.
Two Dead After Another Crash at 50 and County Line
Sports logo
Vedette Sports Report
Village Board Deciding to See What Turns Up
Save the Gemini Giant Organizer Ryan Jandura posed with Greg Peerbolte, president of the Joliet Area Historical Society upon their successful campaign to keep the Giant in Wilmington. –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Gemini Giant to Stay in Wilmington, New Home on South Island