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

Fatal Crash In Wilton Township

Will County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on March 22 that on 3/21/24 at 4:23pm, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Wilmington-Peotone Road, 1 mile east of Cedar Road, for a two-vehicle personal injury crash with passenger entrapments. Initial reports indicate that the 21 year-old female driver of a Ford Escape, was traveling eastbound on…

Will County EMA Issues Update on Wilmington Flash Flooding

Kankakee River Update: January 27 A significant reduction in water levels has been reported on the Kankakee River, as most ice jams have cleared between the City of Wilmington and the Des Plaines River confluence. Water levels were recorded at 6.89 feet at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 27. The National Weather Service has expired…

Will County EMA Issues Update on Flash Flooding in Wilmington

January 26 Kankakee River Update: The ice jams have cleared on the river, but water levels remain high, and a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect. Rt. 53 currently is open to traffic, but this is subject to change dependent on river conditions. Residents still are urged to monitor conditions and be cautious about possible…

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Southwestern Will County

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flash Flood Warning for southwestern Will County, with an elevated risk of flooding along the Kankakee River. The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is anticipating an imminent break-up of the Kankakee River ice jam, which will create increased flood conditions from the City of Wilmington to…

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Gunfire Exchanged and Robberies in Peotone Township

People in the country are experiencing more and more thefts and crime lately. Will County Sheriff’s had to issue two press releases in one week with regards to criminal activity in the country, just outside of Peotone. The first was on  August 7, at 3:50 a.m., when Will County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report…

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Former School Bus Driver Sentenced to 76 Years in Murder for Hire Plot

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, was sentenced recently to 76 years in prison by Circuit Judge David Carlson. Shepherd was sentenced to 39 years in prison for solicitation of murder for hire and 37 years for solicitation of murder, both Class X felonies, to be served consecutively.…

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One Deceased in Manhattan Crash

Will County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release that at 8 a.m., on Thursday, April 27, deputies responded to a vehicle crash with a semi truck on Wilmington-Peotone Road and Cedar Road in Manhattan. Manhattan Fire personnel were on scene and advised that a 65-year-old female showed no signs of life and was being extricated…

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Will County Sheriff’s Office Police Blotter: March 7 – 13

New Lenox/Frankfort March 7 •N. Cedar and Lenox Street, New Lenox: Daniel R. Reyes, 47, of Lockport, was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. •W. Laraway and Nelson Road, New Lenox: Brandon Sanchez Montoya, 24, of Joliet, was cited for speeding, no valid driver’s license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.…

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Will County Sheriff’s Office Police Blotter: March 14 – 20

South Townships March 15 •S. Spencer and Delaney Road, Manhattan: Jorge Mejia, 21, of Houston, Texas, was cited for speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid driver’s license. March 17 •W. Stripmine and S. Rt. 129, Wilmington: John Segerberg, 34, of 470 E. Mesa Drive in Godley, was arrested for DUI, driving while…

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Peotone Man Charged with 19 Counts of Child Pornography

By Stephen Nelson A Peotone man was arrested by Bourbonnais Police on Monday, January 9, and faces 19 counts of child pornography. If convicted, 35-year-old  Michael L. Mathis faces anywhere from six-to-30 years in prison for each count. Fifteen of the 19 counts are for dissemination which are class X felonies, which are considered to…

Will County Sheriff Police

Crete Township Murder Arrest

Sheriff Mike Kelley announced Friday January 6th that detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a fourteen-year-old juvenile in connection to the 12/30/2022 murder investigation that occurred in Crete Township. On 12/30/2022, at approximately 9:05 PM, Deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were sent to the 1100 block of E. 263rd Street…

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Will County Sheriff’s Police Blotter: December 13 – 19

Frankfort/New Lenox December 13: S. Frankfort Square Drive and W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort; Mark Obregon, 62, of Homewood, was cited for disobeying a traffic control device. December 14:  S. Harlem and W. 194th Street, Frankfort; Gregory Beasley, 51, of Chicago, was cited for driving while license suspended. December 18: 23000 block of S. 80th…

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Safe-T Act Ruled Unconstitutional

Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington ruled late Wednesday that the elimination of cash bail provision in the controversial Safe-T Act was unconstitutional. Cunnington ruled the Safe-T Act was unconstitutional on the basis that it violates the Separation of Powers Clause, violates the Victim Rights Act, and unconstitutionally amends Article I Section 9 of the Constitution…

Will County Sheriff Police

Will County Sheriff’s Office Blotter: December 6-12

South Townships December 7, I-55 and W. Coal City Road, Reed: Eduardo Medina-Perez, 19, of St. Louis, Missouri, was cited for no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving with suspended registration and aggravated speeding. December 7, S. Rt. 53 and W. South Arsenal Road, Wilmington: Michael F. Culbreath, 55, of Wilmington, was cited…

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Morgan Found Guilty on First Degree Murder Charge

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Circuit Court Judge Vincent Cornelius found Blaique Morgan, 26, of Joliet, guilty of two counts of First-Degree Murder in the death of Robert Bielec, his next-door neighbor, in 2016. The verdict follows a bench trial that concluded October 31. On January 7, 2016, the Will County Sheriff’s Office…

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Will County Sheriffs Warn of Bitcoin Scam

Scam Alert: Bitcoin payments being requested. During the past week, the Sheriff’s Office has taken reports from victims who stated they were contacted regarding being in violation of requirements to register as a sex offender. The fraudulent phone number being used is 815-374-1921. The scammer identifies himself as Sergeant Johnson from the Will County Sheriff’s…

Will County Sheriff Police

Will County Sheriff’s Apprehend Fugitive

Sheriff Mike Kelley announced the capture of Omar Turner Jr., 21, of Joliet, who was safely apprehended in the 400 block of Jessie Street in unincorporated Joliet Township. On July 18, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit, who are also members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Great Lakes Regional Fugitive…

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen celebrated a birthday just before the Village board meeting on April 1. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Budget, Property Lines, and Safety Topics at Village Meeting
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Crete’s Winter Coat Drive Unnecessary After All
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Outdoor Lighting Might Not be a Problem in Monee Anymore
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VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Former trooper seeks restoration of driving privileges nearly 16 years after fatal crash
Peotone Police Blotter: March 29-April 3
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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