New Manteno Police Department –Photo submitted.

Village of Manteno Police Department Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility to Enhance Public Safety

The Village of Manteno and Manteno Police Department announce the opening of its brand-new, cutting-edge facility, designed to provide enhanced public safety services. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the village’s commitment to serving and protecting its growing community and citizens. Village Administrator Chris LaRoque describes the new facility as “A major investment…

New Manteno Police Department –Photo submitted.

Village of Manteno Police Department Unveils State-of-the-Art Facility to Enhance Public Safety Saturday

The Village of Manteno and Manteno Police Department are proud to announce the opening of its brand-new, cutting-edge facility, designed to provide enhanced public safety services. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the village’s commitment to serving and protecting its growing community and citizens. Village Administrator Chris LaRoque describes the new facility as…

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Criminal Detained for Damages to Mayberry Junction

By Madeleine Willis James Steele reported damages to local business Mayberry Junction on July 21. This is not the first account of vandalism reported this summer. Manteno has seen various reports of criminal activity, including the knocking over of a porta john and the kidnapping incident that occurred earlier in July. At approximately 12:20 a.m., Steele…

Officer Tyler Bailey is driven home, to the Bradley Police Department by his father. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.

Officer Tyler Bailey Welcomed Home

By Andrea Arens It’s not every day you see law enforcement supported, but there was a huge turnout for Officer Bailey’s Welcome Home Parade, as Law Enforcement from municipalities far and wide followed Bailey’s transport home. The procession started roughly at Rt. 50 in Monee and followed Bailey to the Bradley Police Department, where he…

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Great Turnout at ‘I Got Your Six 5K’

By Eric Peterson Perry Farm appeared to be bursting at the seams during the inaugural “I Got Your Six 5K,” hosted by Bradley Police Officer Branden Jensen and Bradley resident Chris James on Sunday, May 22. Many sponsor banners surrounded the park for the event, with the title sponsor being A.N. Webber, Inc., who also…

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MPD Holding Eight-Week Citizens Police Academy; Register Now!

By Eric Peterson Many residents of the Manteno Community are no strangers to the Manteno Police Department. One does not have to look far on social media to find posts of stories from residents recalling instances where Manteno officers randomly paid for their bills at a grocery store or gas station, how progressive they have…

Photo courtesy Manteno Police Department.

MPD Goes 1 and 2 in Battle of the Badges Tournament

The Manteno Police Department participated in a Battle of the Badges Tournament on Sunday April 24th. All proceeds of the tournament went to benefit the families of fallen Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and recovering Officer Tyler Bailey. Manteno Police Department reported they had a ton of fun, great camaraderie and there were no injuries. They…

Manteno Fire Department Lieutenant Jeff Turrell. Photo by Stephen Nelson.

First Responders Luncheon

By Stephen Nelson The Manteno Rotary International Club held its annual luncheon honoring community first responders on Monday, April 25, at noon, at the Leo Hassett Community Center. Two Manteno Firefighters received certificates of appreciation for their efforts in Community Risk Reduction programs that include distribution of free smoke alarms, carbon dioxide alarms and batteries,…

Photo by npr.com.

Orbeez Challenge Hits Manteno

By Eric Peterson Social media challenges have been a way for massive amounts of people to raise awareness and generate much-needed funds for causes. According to ALS.org, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” generated $115 million for the national office of the ALS Association in 2014. However, the negative aspects of social media challenges find participants engaging…

Photo courtesy Manteno Police Department.

MPD Makes Local History With All Female Shift

By Eric Peterson The Manteno Police Department unintentionally decided to get ahead in celebrating Women’s History Month, celebrated in March, by creating some female-driven history of their own. MPD had their first shift run completely by female police officers on Saturday, February 19. The shift was staffed by Officers Miranda Sinadinos, Jessica Rourke, and Karen…

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Man Arrested After Alledgely Firing Gun Shots

Shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15, Kankakee County Sheriff’s Deputies received a call of shots being fired in the parking lot at a warehouse distribution center, in the 1100 block of Sycamore Road in Manteno. Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by officers from Manteno and Grant Park Police Departments. Police quickly ascertained no one…

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Correction

Correction: The picture caption in last week’s paper erroneously identified one of the officers at the police benefit at the Legion as Manteno Police Chief Alan Swinford. It should have identified the three officers as Kankakee County Deputies.

Attending the fundraiser were, front row: Lyn Stua (wife of Marlene Rittmanic), Jen Whitaker (niece), Littie Whitaker (great-niece), and friends and Kankakee County Deputies Megan Lanie and Teresa Lanie; back row - Jason Lingo (Legion member), Joe Gaca (Legion Commander), and Jim Carmean (Legion Adjutant). – Photo by Dan Gerber

Manteno Legion Holds Benefit for Bradley Officers

The Manteno American Legion held a benefit on Saturday, January 22, for Bradley Police Officers Marlene Rittmanic and Tyler Bailey. In late December, while answering a call for unattended dogs barking at a local hotel, Officer Bailey was critically wounded, while his partner, Sgt. Rittmanic, suffered fatal injuries resulting from a shooting. The officers’ families,…

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Familiar with Manteno’s Snow Ordinance?

According to the Manteno Police Department, here is the Village of Manteno’s snow ordinance – in case you forgot or just didn’t know. Yes, there are some “odd and even dates, as well as sides of streets,” plus “after 48 hours rules” – but let’s make it really simple. If your car is in the…

Kankakee Co. Sheriff Office received over 50 packages and held up a sign from a local elementary school.

Local Police Departments Shown Care with Packages

By Eric Peterson In the aftermath of the event that took place on December 29th, 2021 that claimed the life of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and seriously injured Officer Tyler Bailey, there have been a number of fundraisers throughout Kankakee County raising the much-needed funds for the families of both police officers. A local…

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Crime in Manteno, Surrounding Areas

By Melanie Holmes Emotions run high in the face of crime. No one should have to face the wrong end of a gun barrel just for doing their job, but it does happen – as this area knows full well in light of the recent loss of Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and the critical injury to…

Pictured are Manteno PD officers (left to right): Lt. Brian Lockwood, Jonathan Dokter, Miranda Sinadinos, Jacob Nelson, Sgt. Steve Skelly, and Chief Alan Swinford. Photo submitted.

Manteno Police Officers Graduate ISP Academy

By Melanie Holmes Congratulations go to three recent hires for the Manteno Police Department who completed the Illinois State Police (ISP) Academy in November, including Jonathan Dokter, Miranda Sinadinos, and Jacob Nelson. These officers completed 560 hours (14 weeks) of intensive training – a standard of training that has increased during the past few decades,…

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Devils Lose to Wildcats
Bobcat Tyler Kramer against Gibson City. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Gibson City Beats Beecher in Opening Round of Purple Pool Play
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Beecher 200U Finances Not Out of the Woods Yet
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Beecher Road Projects Taking Longer Than Expected
Devils Lose to Wildcats
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Peotone Village Board Approves Another Liquor License
Dr. Kara Coglianese speaks to the crowd at the Toast To Crete. Photo by Jim Piacentini
Fully Staffed Crete Police Department Will Focus on Traffic Enforcement
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Monee Looking to Purchase Immediate Care Facility
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The Barn on Rte. 45 Investigated
A memorial tribute to former Devil Alex Cardenas was held on field before the game. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Devils Take Tough Loss to Wildcats, While Mourning One of Their Own
Some area service members who have lost their lives to PTSD are honored. Photo by Dan Gerber.
Teal Star Run 2023
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Panthers Beat Streator, 47-26
This is an example of the kind of murals the village board has decided to allow. It was displayed during a board meeting, using the west wall of the Village Inn on Main Street. Not actually painted on the wall, just superimposed. The property is adjacent to the village police department, so it depicts an "old time" police car. Photo submitted.
Monee Village Board Approved Ordinance Regulating Murals
Front row: Bill Mort, Dean Heisner, Alice Brandau Niemeyer, Mary Knickrehm Rogers, Carol Bickel Gibbons, Randy Murray, Wilma Mort Swanson, Laura Hofer Ruhbeck, Jo Anne Koomar Hege, Tony Hardwick, and Greg Dralle; middle row: Gary Krapf, Tom Mudro, Nancy Rehberg Beckman, Cheryl Carstens Crumrine, Joy Nickel Weber, Gary Mausehund, Pam Werner Heinsch, Kathy Gainous Keys, Rita Helt Kincheloe, Kate Morrison Lindemann, Sandie Burns Swartz, Karen Clemens Dralle, and Mike Nestlehut; back row zig-zag: Frank Mausehund, Marv Siekman, Dan Culpepper, Pat Goodwin, Bob Arseneau, Jeff Oliver, Edra Bleu Self, Randy Wischover, Gary Zybak, Alice Warning Wasney, Larry Herz, Diane Breitbarth, Arlene Kuse Kline, Wayne Becker, Pat Smith, Sue Christiansen McClain, Jean Pierce Oliver, Nancy Darling Jaffe, Craig Long, and Jim Kasher. –Photo by George Kwain.
PHS Class of ’73 Reunion
Panthers gave it a great effort but just couldn’t beat the Bobcats. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Bobcats Rule Over Panthers
Pictured is senior Devil Ashley Veltman when the Blue Devils faced Grant Park. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Devils Turned It Around with Win Against Dragons
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Devils Beat the Bulldogs
The Peotone Old Mill Fest annually celebrates and shares the history of the mill. Photo submitted.
Old Mill Fest 2023 Looks to Give Visitors a Glimpse of the History
Mayor Therese Bogs and the Board of Trustees were part of the Monee Fall Fest parade. –Picture by Karen Haave.
Monee Fall Fest: Bigger and Better Than Ever
Niko Akiyama finished with 165 yards in 16 carries for a Panther win. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Panthers Pull Out a Win Over the Tigers