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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2 in Custody in Shooting Near Courthouse

Two people are dead and one injured after a shooting near the Kankakee County Courthouse on Merchant Street. Area police departments responded to an active shooter situation just after 9 am. The two deceased victims are Hispanic men in their 20s. A third victim was in surgery at a local hospital. A witness tells the…

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National Night Out Promotes Police-Community Partnership

By Melanie Holmes There has always been crime in Manteno. From petty theft to the likes of Al Capone hiding out in the hinterlands near here, villagers know the town has not been immune to unsavory characters, nor to tragic events. Those who have lived here several decades remember the names, though we won’t rehash…

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Police Arrest Murder Suspects

Manteno Police arrested Andre H McGraw, age 18, and Benjamin J Anderson, age 19, for the first-degree murder of 61-year-old Richard Alverson. Manteno police found Alverson stabbed at 1080 Longfellow Drive, Manteno, on June 24th. During the investigation, Manteno investigators located surveillance video from nearby residents, which was used to identify the suspects’ vehicle. Detectives…

Dixie Barclay entered a contest to win a therapy bike, and she won with the help of many votes. –Photo submitted.
Local Three-Year-Old Wins Bike in Great Bike Giveaway
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Monee Village Board Approves Pay Hikes
Wyatt Blevins is one of the children in the Fire Buddies program. –Photo submitted.
Fire Buddies Spreads Cheer
Panthers take another huge win. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Panthers Win, 19-0
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School Board Approves Cameras at High School
Easter Egg Hunt
Manteno/Bourbonnais Easter Egg Dashes
Football Ball on Grass
Devils Soccer Loses Season Opener to Mac
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Familiar Faces Speak at Beecher School Board Meeting
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Peotone Softball Looking Forward to a Great Season
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Peotone Swears in New Officers; Approves Budget
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Peotone P & Z Recommends Board Approval for Rezoning on Wilmington Road
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Demolition Stalled on 206 N. Second
March was declared CSL Behring month at the Kankakee County Board meeting. Photo courtesy the Kankakee County Board.
March Declared CSL Behring Month In Kankakee County
Police DUI Checkpoint
Fatal Crash at Peotone-Wilmington Road and Rt. 45
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IGA for Village of Beecher and BFPD Not Going Anywhere Yet
Panthers 8th grade girls volleyball had a fantastic season. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Eighth Grade Panthers Fall to Summit Hill, but Have Terrific Season!
Wiretaps show Madigan, through McClain, Forced Ally Out of Legislature to Protect Himself
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Beecher Soccer Looking for a Great Season
New police officer, Ustad Jaco, was sworn in at the March 8th village board meeting. Photo courtesy Village of Monee.
Monee Adds a New Police Officer
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Strict New Manteno Building Code Affects What Residents Can Build On Their Property