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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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Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Mark your calendars – we are back for our 10th “Rescue ME Resale.” The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its Rescue ME Crafters’ Resale on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Township Office, 230 Wabash Street, in Manhattan. This resale will feature quilting, sewing, and needlework supplies. Purchase a…

CAPITOL RECAP: Illinois Democrats hoping to host 2024 nominating convention

DeLuca Continues Work to Lower Property Taxes

Introduces plan to prohibit taxpayer-funded guaranteed income programs.  As part of his continued efforts to lower property taxes and the need to responsibly manage taxpayer dollars, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced a measure that would prohibit governments from using taxpayer money to fund guaranteed income programs. “We must focus our limited resources…

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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…

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DeLuca Works to Protect Family Farms; Supports Plan to Overhaul Estate Tax

Wanting to ensure family farms can be passed from one generation to the next without unreasonable tax burdens, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, is backing an overhaul of the state’s estate tax specific to farms. “When a loved one passes, we don’t want state taxes to force families to sell land, lose equipment, and break up…

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…

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Ecumenical Soup Suppers, Lenten Services Begin

The Peotone Ecumenical Council of Churches extends an invitation to gather together as the people of God on five Wednesdays in Lent. With the great success of the past, and the fellowship we have created as a community, residents will gather to share a simple dinner and inspiring worship on these nights. As in the…

–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…

Will County Center Econ Development

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…

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St. Patrick’s Hosting Harvest Social, Card Party

St. Patrick’s Council of Catholic Women, in Wilton Center, will host its Harvest Social and Card Party on Wednesday, November 1, at 11:30 a.m., at the Wilton Center Community Building, 14355 W. Joliet Road, Manhattan. Tickets are $10. The event features lunch, door prizes, a split-the-pot raffle, with tickets at $1 each or six for…

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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…

The Peotone High School Class of 1963 met for their 60th reunion at Brian’s Place in Monee, on August 19. Classmates who were able to attend are: Backrow: Jerry Mueller, Charlie Denby, Stan Anderson, Roger Rainford, Ron Schubbe, Don Robbins, Lanny Russell, Lane Hafele, and Ron Clausing; middle row - Sandy Yunker Teske, Pat Paterson Piepinbrink, Jane Schroeder Smith, Joy Schroeder Jacobs, Diane Nieland Toepper, Holly Younker Maves, and Dean Lohrbach; seated - Laurel Sippel Baker, Norma Cann Lehnert, Carol Waldhauser Robbins, Mary Lou Krohn Issert, Lois Miller Hamilton, and Sandy Nagel Hafele. Members of other PHS classes were invited and several joined the group. The Class of 1963 was the first PHS senior class to fly to Washington, D.C., and New York City for their class trip. Previous classes had traveled by train. –Photo submitted.

Class of ’63 Holds 60th Year Reunion

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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…

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
Adyn McGinley led the charge with 26 points, but it wasn’t enough for a win. –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
Monee Police Department took the plunge on march 2. Photo by Jim Piacentini.
Polar Plunge Raises $190K-Plus!
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Crete to Celebrate Earth Day 2024 with Week Long Celebration
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Frustrated; Beecher Back to the Drawing Board
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Monee Honors CREW Award Recipients