Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody

On March 21, Manteno officers were dispatched to Copelands Route 50 North Bar, in the 100 block of N. Locust Street, in reference to two stabbing victims. Upon arrival, officers located two stabbing victims in the parking lot, but the offender had fled the scene on foot. During the investigation, the suspect was identified as…

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Quite a Night for Manteno as Public Works Department Burglarized

On Monday, October 16, just after midnight, a Village of Manteno Department of Public Works vehicle was stolen from the DPW facility at 10555 N. Maple Street, Manteno. The vehicle stolen was involved in a vehicle pursuit in the Village of Wilmington, where the pursuit was terminated. Manteno Police were contacted by Wilmington Police as…

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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Frustrated; Beecher Back to the Drawing Board
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Monee Honors CREW Award Recipients
Peotone’s Madi Schroeder achieved some pretty exciting accomplishments even though the season is over. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Bobcat Adyn McGinley #24 led the scoring for the night. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Bobcats Make Elite 8; Super-Sectional Action March 4
Bobcats made program history with the win at sectional over Fieldcrest. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Beecher Wins Sectional, Moves on to Elite 8
Blue Devils Girls Basketball Sectional Champions 2024. Photos by Jim Piacentini.
Devils Take a Tough, Physical Loss at Super-Sectional
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VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Officer Zairius West was promoted to Sergeant at the February 19 board meeting. –Photo courtesy of Manteno Police Department.
Manteno Park Improvement Approved by Village Board
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Peotone School Board Approves Summer Projects
The Bobcats posed with their Regional Title Plaque after another win in their books. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Two Regionals Won On the Same Night; Beecher Sitting at 32-0
The Peotone downtown streetscape plan was approved at the February 12 board meeting. Photo courtesy the Village of Peotone.
Peotone Streetscape Bid Approved for $3.47M
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Crete Tables Golf Carts
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It Might Cost Beecher, but Mayor Meyer Would Rather Keep Their Water
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Monee Village Board Not Happy About Aqua Proposed Rate Hikes
 Manteno’s Carter Watkins capped off a huge five-day stretch for the school by winning the state wrestling title at 175 in Class 1A. Manteno High School photo
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
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Manteno District 6 County Board Member Resigns
Brandy Renshaw enjoys working on the farm alongside her father, Steve Williams. –Photo courtesy of Brandy Renshaw.
Illinois Farmer Appears in New TV Show Spotlighting Women in Ag
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Chief Would Prefer No Carts for Crete
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Manteno Village Board Revises Public Participation
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Early Voting Begins on March 4 at New Locations