Letter to the Editor: Crime in Our Townships
Dear Community: Unfortunately, there is increasing crime in our townships. A few years ago, it was mostly illegal dumping and occasional thievery. BUT, in the past few years and, most recently, thieves are becoming more daring and uncaring. Several residents in Will Township have had their sheds, garages, barns, and driveways pilfered but not for…
Letter to the Editor: Mayor Peter March
Dear Editor and All Village Residents: As we move into 2023, I feel it is important for all to see what their village government has accomplished for them in the past year. There was a great deal done with our limited budget and small staff. Here is an accounting of some of our accomplishments in…
Letter to the Editor: Richards
Dear Editor: I am very excited to announce that I have submitted my petition packet and have decided to run for a two-year term for Peotone Trustee. As for my background, I have been a resident of Peotone for 15 years and graduated Peotone High School in 1991. After high school, I graduated from Eastern…
Editorial: Thankful Thoughts
I embarked on this journey just about a year ago. With no experience other than a degree in Journalism I had hardly ever used, I took over as editor and reporter for my community and a few others. I kept my day job as special education teacher, because frankly, I’m just not ready to quit…
Letter to Editor: Zonta Club
Dear Editor: Globally, one-in-three women experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, evidence has shown all types of gender-based violence, particularly domestic violence, has escalated. From November 25 – December 10, the Zonta…
Letter to Editor: March
I encourage voters on November 8 to re-elect Judy Ogalla to the Will County Board. Judy has been a tireless advocate for Eastern Will County. We need a representative in Joliet who is not afraid to speak up to protect our way of life in our part of the county. Please vote to re-elect Judy…
Letter to the Editor: Turay
Dear Editor: Gas prices over 60 percent above two years ago nationwide with some places even double two years ago. Food costs up double digits, with many items even much more. Utility bills ever climbing with the winter heating months just ahead. Health care providers at an all time minimum, with appointments harder and harder…
The Not-So-Quick and the Dead
By Scott Reeder There is little sympathy for a rat. On July 25, a giant inflatable rat rose 15-feet in front of Staab Funeral Home in Springfield, and a woman came out of the business and repeatedly stabbed the rodent with a knife. The rat was intended to call public attention to companies employing nonunion…
‘Horsemeat,’ aka ‘Beef Tenderloin’
By Scott Reeder “If you eat horsemeat, Daddy, I’m going to throw-up right in front of you.” So decreed my 14-year-old daughter this month, as we sat across from one another in a restaurant in Iceland. I’d never tasted horseflesh before, but over the years I’ve written quite a bit about the debate in the…
Thoughts on Electing Extremists
By Scott Reeder Mary Miller frightens me. Yes, I’m talking about the member of Congress from Southern Illinois who is running against Rodney Davis for the Republican nomination in the 15th Congressional District. She is not pitching policies. She is selling anger. But I could also say it is the same about a whole host…
Letter to the Editor: Peotone Fire Consolidation
Opinion on the referendum to consolidate with the Manhattan Fire Protection District Shall the Peotone Fire Protection District Dissolve and be consolidated into the Manhattan Fire Protection District? The answer is No! A close look at the information that has been spoonfed to the public by the Peotone and Manhattan Fire Districts will show you…
Letter to the Editor: Peotone Fire Protection District Consolidation
To Peotone Fire Protection District Residents: Fire districts throughout the state and the country are facing very serious staffing and resource challenges, placing their mission to keep communities safe in serious jeopardy. There is a critical shortage of available firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics, forcing departments like ours to rely on a part-time staffing model that…
Letter to the Editor: Fire Department Consolidation
Dear Editor: I am writing this letter in support for a YES vote for the referendum question about the consolidation of the Peotone Fire Protection District with the Manhattan Fire Protection District in the upcoming election. With due respect to all the candidates on this ballot, I feel this is the most important issue for…
A Word About Jim Ryan
By Scott Reeder He was a tough-as-nails-prosecutor, who rose to become a two-term Illinois Attorney General. Despite his success at the ballot box, he was not a natural politician. He hated the glad-handing part of retail politics. When reporters interviewed him, he was often stiff and uncomfortable, but more significantly, Jim Ryan suffered from the…
The Vets in My Life – What an Experience!
By Scott Reeder SPRINGFIELD – As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself contemplating the veterinarians in my life. You see, I’ve been blessed with two veterinarians – my father and my wife. Growing up, I was always “Doc Reeder’s boy.” Together we would ride from farm-to-farm across Knox and Warren Counties. I observed and helped…
Memorial Day: Remembering Butterflies?
SPRINGFIELD — Memorial Day has me thinking about of all things – butterflies. I remember, when I was in grade school, I took an elective science class over the summer. It was pretty cool for an 11-year-old boy. We got to dissect mice, capture snakes, and taxidermy fish. But the best part of the class…
Letter to the Editor: Nagel, Memorial Day
Dear Editor: As the wife of a Vietnam-era Army veteran, I hold a special place in my heart for the parents, siblings, spouses, and friends of those who served. I can’t help but think of all the men and women who have gone to fight for this great nation and didn’t return home. While we…
