Emma Bialko has been recognized as a State FFA Proficiency Winner and a District Star Winner. –Photo submitted.

Emma Bialko Takes FFA’s State Proficiency, District Star Wins

A member of the Peotone FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA, Emma Bialko was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science Placement. Illinois FFA recognizes students in 48 different areas based on their work-based learning (SAEs). FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership, and scholastic…

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Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

Join Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on “Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard – The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced,” on Saturday, April 20, from 2 – 3:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum in Small Memorial Park, 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for general admission or…

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Clove Alliance Hosting Cosmic Bingo

Clove Alliance is excited to announce the return of their signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Friday, March 22, at the Kankakee Fairgrounds Expo Center. This unique bingo night, with a cosmic twist, is for adults 18 and older! With laser and black lights, loud music, and glow sticks, this interactive bingo event promises to be…

PJHS Present Annie Jr.

PJHS to Present ‘Annie JR.’ March 2-3

Peotone to learn important lessons: ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed without a Smile’ and ‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.’ Leaping Lizards! Peotone will “stick up its chin and grin and sing ‘Tomorrow!  Tomorrow!’” when Peotone Junior High performs Annie JR., it was announced by Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International (MTI). Based on the…

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PHS Senior Scholarships Available; Deadlines Approaching

The following scholarships recently were announced and are available for Peotone High School seniors. All application links are online on the PHS website. Go to the Student Services tab and click on “Scholarship Opportunities” to view all scholarships and qualifications. The deadline for most scholarships is March 8, unless otherwise indicated. •Alec J. “Mugs” Mulvihill…

–Photo courtesy of Illinois STAR.

January News from the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration Team

A Message from Caroline Wade, STAR Executive Director… Happy New Year from the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) team! The year is flying by as we continue to ramp up and prepare for the launch of enrollment later this spring. It will be an exciting year with the development of a new, enhanced version…

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Helping Hands

Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without children who reside within the boundaries of the Peotone School District and are in need of food assistance) on Wednesdays, February 7 and 21, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian Mission Building…

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Seeking Organizations for Summer ‘24 Internship Program

Has your organization struggled to find talent; have you tried to launch your own intern program, but with difficulty; or are you looking to engage more of your community? The Will County Center for Economic Development is seeking organizations interested in participating in its summer 2024 internship program. The program is designed to give students…

GSU: Potpourri Lecture Series October 12

The Knowledge Exchange recommends the Potpourri Lecture Series through the Park Forest Library, which offers stimulating and thought provoking as well as entertaining programming. This Thursday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m. and in person at the Park Forest Library, “The Wild West,” with Art Burton, will be featured. Please call the library at 708-748-3731 with…

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Ogalla Statement on Asylum Grant Application

By Judy Ogalla As the Chair of the Will County Board, I support Mayor D’Arcy’s request to have Joliet Township withdraw their asylum grant application. I am very concerned the County’s Health Department, the Sheriff’s Department, as well as many other county departments can efficiently and monetarily support thousands of asylum seekers. In my opinion,…

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Manteno Veterans’ Home Invites Volunteers to Support Its Programs

The Veterans’ Home at Manteno invites volunteers to join its force of more than 50 volunteers to assist with a wide range of services and programs for residents. Opportunities include serving food, escorting residents to appointments, leading projects, playing games, and maintaining and organizing donated goods. Immediate needs include transporting residents to church services on…

St Paul Peotone

St. Paul the Apostle Pet Blessing October 1

The community is invited to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church’s annual Pet Blessing on Sunday, October 1, at 1 p.m. It will be held in the church parking lot, 511 N. Conrad Street, in Peotone. Bring all your pets, great and small, for this special blessing. Pet blessing services are a way for people…

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New State Law Forces Townships to Report Efficiency

By Karen Haave A new state law requiring townships to create a committee to evaluate their own levels of efficiency is getting mixed reviews from local officials.  Signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in mid-June, the Decennial Committee on Local Government Efficiency Act requires Illinois townships, road districts, and township multi-assessment districts to create committees to…

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Helping Hands Food Distribution June 30!

Helping Hands Food Pantry will be distributing food on Friday, June 30, rather than Wednesday, July 5, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian Mission Building, Crawford and First Streets in Peotone. The line forms on West Street at the alley entrance. The date has been changed because of the July 4 holiday…

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Save the Date: Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute

The Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute (ILLI) is a combined effort from the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Illinois Beef Association (IBA) that provides an opportunity for young men and women to become actively involved in the livestock industry and all of agriculture. This program, sponsored by the two aforementioned organizations, is administered by…

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Homeowners/Small Businesses ‘Solar Power Hour’ in Peotone

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant invites residents to attend a free “Solar Power Hour” in Peotone to learn about the benefits of using solar energy and how to participate in a group buy to reduce costs. “Solar Power Hour” educational events are part of Grow Solar Chicagoland, previously known as Solarize Chicagoland, which offers free hour-long…

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Pork Grant Opportunities Available Now!

Pig farmers in Illinois have the opportunity to take part in another round of tree buffer grants. The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is offering this incentive for farmers to implement fresh landscaping on their pig farms. To date, Illinois pig farmers already have planted more than 3,700 trees with this program. “Tree buffers are…

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
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Monee Adding Businesses
Beecher Trustee Resigns; Board Still Trying to Pare Down Price
The new digital only version of The Panther shared its first edition in early March. –Photo courtesy Manteno High School.
New Journalism Organization ‘The Panther’ Debuts at MHS
Village officials and contractors posed for an official picture before groundbreaking actually commences in a couple of weeks. –Photo submitted.
Peotone Village Board Discussed Increasing Spending Authority
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing
Peotone Police Blotter: March 3-14
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Green Garden Moving Ahead with Renovations
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VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
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Monee Eighth Grader Proposes a Community Garden
Pics from the Monee Historical Soc. presentation on the railroad and history of Monee.  Christi Holston is standing and Rachel White is seated on the left. Photo by Karen Haave.
History of Monee Shaped by Railroad
Crete PD posed before their run in the Manteno Lake. –Photo by Karen Haave.
Crete, Monee Take the Plunge
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Thies Park Improvement Bid Won by Bourbonnais Company
Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Bobcats Made History
Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold to attend FBI Command Course. –Photo submitted.
Police Chief Wold Selected for FBI Command Course