Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the March 18 board meeting. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget

By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, for their bimonthly board meeting, holding the meeting a day earlier than usual to accommodate voting for the 2024 general election. The mayor and all trustees, except for Tom Doyle, were present, with Trustee Justin Young attending virtually. Discussion regarding the…

Chief Steve Malone reviews the past year’s operations after the consolidation.  –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Consolidation, Talks 2023 Data at March Meeting

By: Stephanie Irvine The Manhattan Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, where they had a brief presentation from the district’s accountant James Howard, followed by a detailed review of 2023, presented by Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper. Monthly Accounting Report Howard reported the district is well within…

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Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

Join Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on “Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard – The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced,” on Saturday, April 20, from 2 – 3:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum in Small Memorial Park, 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for general admission or…

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Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Mark your calendars – we are back for our 10th “Rescue ME Resale.” The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its Rescue ME Crafters’ Resale on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Township Office, 230 Wabash Street, in Manhattan. This resale will feature quilting, sewing, and needlework supplies. Purchase a…

Manhattan FPD

From the Desk of Fire Chief Steve Malone:

The Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Peotone Fire Protection District accomplished something rare in local government. After a two-year intergovernmental agreement, the two fire districts were fully consolidated into one, effective January 1, 2023. This was a monumental task but, in the end, the citizens will see the short-term and long-term benefits from this…

–Nancy Addison, botanist and club member, presented a program on pruning and shrub care. –Photo submitted.

Kultivators Garden Club Tackles ‘Pruning/Shrub Care’

The Kankakee Kultivators Garden Club met Thursday, March 14, at the Kankakee Library. The program, “Pruning and Shrub Care,” was presented by Nancy Addison, a trained botanist and member of the Kultivator’s Club since 1998. Nancy was instrumental in the planning of the Column Garden, at the Kankakee County  Museum. Nancy’s first statement was dramatic:…

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Manteno Announces ‘Spring Showcase: Garden and Arts Festival’

Spring is in the air, and the Village of Manteno is proud to announce its first ever “Spring Showcase: A Garden and Arts Festival” set for Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Spring Showcase, an all-day community celebration of spring and the arts, was created with the intent to enable the…

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Manteno’s Veterans Home Hosting Volunteer Fair

Your help is needed! As part of National Volunteer Week, the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno is inviting veteran service providers, community organizations, and individuals to a volunteer fair to learn more about volunteer opportunities, while enjoying refreshments from local food trucks. The fair will include volunteer representatives and volunteers to share their experiences at…

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Register for Springfest 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk

Area residents are invited to register for the Kankakee River Running Club’s Spring 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk, on Saturday, April 13, beginning and ending at Manteno American Legion Post, 117. N. Walnut. Opening ceremonies are at 8:40 a.m. and include the playing of the “National Anthem” and Posting of Colors by Boy Scout Troop 382,…

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‘Brave, Bold, and Believed’ Art Show Holding Opening Night

Join Clove Alliance for the opening night of its fourth annual Brave, Bold, and Believed Art Show, as they celebrate and honor survivors’ journeys, as well as their efforts to end sexual violence. Opening night will be held on Thursday, April 4, from 4:30 -6:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum. The evening features works…

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Semi-Annual Craft Show at Veteran’s Home May 3-4

Mark your calendars now for the semi-annual Manteno Illinois Veterans’ Home Craft Show on Friday and Saturday, May 3 – 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Veterans Hall at the home. There will be craft and décor items for all seasons, patriotic, beach, and holiday items, wreaths, garden and yard décor, and so…

Dr. Autorino is seeing patients in Kankakee. –Photo submitted.

Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD, Joins Riverside Urology Specialists

Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-certified urologist Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD. Dr. Autorino brings more than 20 years of experience to Riverside’s team of urology specialists, who treat a variety of urologic conditions, including prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, kidney and bladder stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and more. He completed his Doctor of Medicine…

Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold to attend FBI Command Course. –Photo submitted.

Police Chief Wold Selected for FBI Command Course

Among select group chosen nationwide. Manhattan Chief of Police Jeff Wold was selected, along with 99 other police chiefs from across the nation, to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Command Course (NCC) in Quantico, Virginia, May 6 – 10. Wold was notified of the prestigious honor in a recent letter from the…

Manhattan FPD swore in eight new full time firefighters on March 5. –Photo courtesy the Manhattan FPD & JLT Photography.

Manhattan FPD Swore in Eight Full-Time, Two Part-Time Firefighters

On Tuesday, March 5, the Manhattan Fire Protection District proudly swore in eight full-time and two part-time firefighters, after they each completed one year of probation! Congratulations to full-time firefighters Lou Helis, Thomas Kerrigan, John Marek, Kadin Phelon, John Slattery, Shaun Stapinski, Jacob Walsh, and Troy White, plus part-time firefighters Ryan Bernabei and Chris Golden.

CAPITOL RECAP: Illinois Democrats hoping to host 2024 nominating convention

DeLuca Continues Work to Lower Property Taxes

Introduces plan to prohibit taxpayer-funded guaranteed income programs.  As part of his continued efforts to lower property taxes and the need to responsibly manage taxpayer dollars, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced a measure that would prohibit governments from using taxpayer money to fund guaranteed income programs. “We must focus our limited resources…

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Preserving Legacies of Love Key Part of February

We all strive to be remembered for making a difference, and for showing others we appreciate all they have done to help us be successful. I had two important opportunities to show that legacy of love during the past month.   As I have written here many times, I am proud to be an Illinois…

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Clove Alliance Hosting Cosmic Bingo

Clove Alliance is excited to announce the return of their signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Friday, March 22, at the Kankakee Fairgrounds Expo Center. This unique bingo night, with a cosmic twist, is for adults 18 and older! With laser and black lights, loud music, and glow sticks, this interactive bingo event promises to be…

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the March 18 board meeting. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget
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Kankakee County Auditor Jake Lee Out After 2 Terms
Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Chief Steve Malone reviews the past year’s operations after the consolidation.  –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Consolidation, Talks 2023 Data at March Meeting
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Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing
Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing
Peotone Police Blotter: March 15 – 22
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Longtime Crete Code Enforcement/Animal Control Supervisor to Retire
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Monee Adding Businesses
Beecher Trustee Resigns; Board Still Trying to Pare Down Price
The new digital only version of The Panther shared its first edition in early March. –Photo courtesy Manteno High School.
New Journalism Organization ‘The Panther’ Debuts at MHS
Village officials and contractors posed for an official picture before groundbreaking actually commences in a couple of weeks. –Photo submitted.
Peotone Village Board Discussed Increasing Spending Authority
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing
Peotone Police Blotter: March 3-14
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Green Garden Moving Ahead with Renovations
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VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
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Monee Eighth Grader Proposes a Community Garden
Pics from the Monee Historical Soc. presentation on the railroad and history of Monee.  Christi Holston is standing and Rachel White is seated on the left. Photo by Karen Haave.
History of Monee Shaped by Railroad
Crete PD posed before their run in the Manteno Lake. –Photo by Karen Haave.
Crete, Monee Take the Plunge
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Thies Park Improvement Bid Won by Bourbonnais Company
Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Bobcats Made History