KCHD Investigating Outbreak of Salmonella
The Kankakee County Health Department (KCHD) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, a bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning. As of May 14, KCHD has identified eight individuals with Salmonella infections who ate prepared food from Cracker Barrel, at 50 Ken Hayes Drive, in Bourbonnais.…
Liquor on Sunday Mornings, but Limited
By Jeff Vorva Liquor will be sold on Sunday mornings in Manteno. But it will be regulated. And it will be limited. At the May 6 meeting, the board allowed for alcohol to be sold Sunday mornings, but not by businesses. The board is allowing non-profit organizations to sell liquor at events from 8-to-11 a.m.…
Local Farmers Markets
To help our readers, here are some Farmers Markets that are or will soon be available for your shopping convenience. If you know of a particularly good one that we’ve not listed, please feel free to email “The Vedette,” at newsdesk@thevedette.com, so we can add it to our weekly list. Happy shopping! •Beecher: Saturdays –…
Manteno Legion to Hold Memorial Day Services
Manteno American Legion Post 755 invites and encourages the community to join its Legion Color Guard as they honor our fallen military and deceased on Memorial Day, May 27. On Memorial Day, the Color Guard will muster-up at the Manteno Legion at the crack-of-dawn to check out rifles and gear and head out in a…
Lady Panthers Squeak Past Coalers, 2-1
By Jim Piacentini On Monday, May 6, the Manteno Lady Panthers had a fight on their hands with the Coal City Coalers. It was a tight game, but the Panthers came out on top in the end, with a 2-1 home conference victory. The Panthers were led by Ava Peterson, who went 1-2, with 1…
34th Annual Rhubarb Festival May 19
The Kankakee County Museum at Small Memorial Park, 801 S. Eighth Avenue in Kankakee, will host their 34th annual Rhubarb Festival on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s festivities include a wide variety of vendors, a dime toss, kids’ zone, pie-eating contest, live entertainment, plus tours of the Taylor One-Room…
Manteno Holds Successful Inaugural Spring Showcase
The Spring Showcase: Garden and Arts Festival, a fun event for the entire family, was held on Sunday, May 5, at the Square in Downtown Manteno, much to the delight of the community. This first ever Spring Showcase was created to enable the community to come together and enjoy the beauty of spring and the…
Uplifted Care Community Grief Center Free Workshop/ Grief Support Service
The Honoring Mothers Workshop will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. This free workshop is a safe space for anyone, who has lost their mother, to be able to join others who have experienced a similar loss. Through activities and discussion, attendees have an opportunity to connect with others and…
FHOF Cardiology Hosting Free Smoking Cessation Meetings
Franciscan Health Cardiology Olympia Fields is hosting free weekly smoking cessation group meetings aimed at helping smokers kick the habit. Meetings help smokers learn proven strategies for success in quitting for good, develop a personal plan for quitting, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and begin living a new, healthy lifestyle. The group meetings are held weekly on…
Uplifted Care Community Grief Center Vet-to-Vet Café May 15
All Veterans are invited to UpliftedCare Community Grief Center to attend the Vet-to-Vet Café, from 9 – 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 15. Veterans will have an opportunity to meet other community veterans, share stories, access resources, and make new connections. Coffee and light snacks are provided. For more information or to register, please call…
KRRC Donates $800 to Manteno Legion
Recently, the Kankakee River Running Club (KRRC) donated $800 Springfest 5K Run/Walk profits to the Manteno American Legion. Springfest was held on April 13 in Manteno. The Running Club also donated a Monical’s Family Pleaser pizza and Certificate of Appreciation to the Manteno Police Department for their yearly support and route assistance during the Springfest…
River Valley Metro Ridership Milestone
On Tuesday, April 30, River Valley Metro Mass Transit surpassed 14 million rides since it began serving the community in 1999. “This number reflects the need in our community for safe and reliable public transportation,” said Managing Director Siron Sims. “Whether the need is to get to work, school, appointments, shopping, or social visits, River…
Mother’s Day Basket Bingo May 11
Mark your calendar for “Mother’s Day Basket Bingo,” the bi-annual basket bingo fundraiser for Flight Club Survivor. This fun event will be held on Saturday, May 11, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and bingo at 6 p.m., at 209 W. Dixie Highway in Grant Park. Tickets are $20 per person for the family friendly…
Healing and Investment Key to Growth in Our Communities, State
“Put yourself in their shoes. Have a heart.” As a member of the Illinois Senate’s budget committee on Health and Human Services, I work with my fellow legislators to understand the needs in our communities and try to match resources to meet those needs. These are never easy decisions because homelessness and housing costs, food…
Pickleball Boosts the Budget in Manteno
By Jeff Vorva The boost in pickleball popularity is helping to boost up the budget. The Manteno village budget shot up from $9.5 million in 2023-24 to $13.6 in 2024-25. The board approved the budget at a special meeting and public hearing on April 22, and officials said $3 million of that increase is due…
Kankakee Public Library News
Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, recently announced its programs for May. •Lawyers in the Library: In partnership with the Kankakee Public Library, Prairie State Legal Services invites members of the community to meet with a lawyer for free on the second Thursday of every month, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the…