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.…

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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.…

Manteno High School Students lined the entrance of the high school on Monday morning to show their appreciation for the teachers at the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Many were holding signs and teacher faces and encouraged people to honk as they drove by. Photo by Dan Gerber.

Manteno Appreciates Its Teachers

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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 American legion Color Guard marching down Main Street in Manteno to Legion Park. Photo by Dan Gerber.

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…

Panther continue their quest for wins. Photo by Jim Piacentini.

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…

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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…

Everyone had a fun time - did we say fun - at the recent Spring Showcase in Manteno. –Photo by Dan Gerber

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…

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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…

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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…

The KRRC presented the Manteno American Legion with an $800 check from profits obtained at the Springfest 5K Run/Walk. Pictured, left to right, are: Alan Toronjo, Dan Gerber, Legion Commander Sean McNamara, Dave Bolke, and Mark DuFrain. –Photo by Amelia Toronjo.

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…

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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…

–Graphic submitted.

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Crete’s Officer Hunt Retires
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Building Committee Creates Historical Overlay District
Realtor and property owner Jared Gordon talked with Robinson Engineering at the Streetscape Open House.  About 80 people came out for the open house during the worst weather of the week. Photo by Andrea Arens.
Streetscape Construction About to Begin
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Building Committee Declines to Hire Additional Employees
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Behold, Beecher Police Station Will Be Built
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Pritzker’s Grocery Tax Elimination Has Crete President Displeased
Community members exhausted by the number of crashes at 50 and 12000N decided to make a sign in the hopes it would save a life. Photo by Jake Smith.
Two Dead After Another Crash at 50 and County Line
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Vedette Sports Report
Village Board Deciding to See What Turns Up
Save the Gemini Giant Organizer Ryan Jandura posed with Greg Peerbolte, president of the Joliet Area Historical Society upon their successful campaign to keep the Giant in Wilmington. –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Gemini Giant to Stay in Wilmington, New Home on South Island
Monee/St. Paul's Dartball team membersDirk Wieringa, Ron Mansmith and Bob Paterson show off their trophy. Photo submitted.
Dartball Making a Comeback; Local Team Crowned Champions
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Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned
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Monee Water Main Improvement Project Bids Approved
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
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