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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…

Nolan Hall, a senior at L-W West, has been awarded an IASCW scholarship to attend a cultural program in Ireland. –Photo submitted.

IASCW Announces Summer Exchange Student Scholars.

The Irish Life Experience (ILE) is a 25-day cultural academic program offered to American and Canadian high school students that consists of a wide variety of classes, workshops, and tours based in three locations throughout Ireland. The goal of the ILE High School Program is to introduce North American students to the essential characteristics and…

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Dueling Pianos FUNdraiser April 13

Gather friends and join in a High Energy, All Request, Sing-Along, Clap-Along, Rock-N-Roll, Comedy Piano Show, where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers! Child Network and Ascension Saint Mary are bringing The FUN Pianos! Show back to Kankakee County on Saturday, April 13, at the Quality Inn…

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Garvey Sentenced to 35 Years in Death of Eight-Month-Old Daughter

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Shanquilla Garvey, 30, of Joliet, was sentenced recently to 35 years in prison in the 2017 death of her eight-month-old daughter Cherish. Garvey pled guilty to First Degree Murder (a Class X felony) before Circuit Judge Daniel Rippy. On December 20, 2017, Garvey was living at the…

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Riverside Expands Primary Care Team in Manteno

Jenna Cella, DO, specializes in family medicine. Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-certified family medicine physician Jenna Cella, DO. Dr. Cella completed her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, then completed her family medicine residency at Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields. In addition to her…

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Legion Fish Fry March 9

Area residents are invited to Peotone American Legion Post 392’s monthly all-you-can-eat fish fry on Saturday, March 9, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., or until sold out. Tickets are $15 for perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. You might also want to try a special dessert for only $2,…

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Rep. Haas Celebrates IDOT District 79 Vehicle Procurement

Following the announcement of $57.1 million awarded in new paratransit vehicles on behalf of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement: “I am thrilled the Illinois Department of Transportation has awarded a total of 11 new vehicles to transit providers in the 79th District through their Consolidated Vehicle…

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Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary!!

Very special happy birthday wishes to: March 10: Myron Somersett!! March 12: Matthew Moore!! March 13: Ralph Nagel Jr.!! March 14: Bruce Biesterfeld and Gionna Quick!! March 15: Andy Russell and Steve Schmidt!! Extra special happy anniversary wishes to: March 16: Tom and Courtney Bettenhausen!!

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Industry Leaders Oppose Governor’s Budget Proposal to Divert Road Funds to Public Transit Operating Costs

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, in conjunction with the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association, the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers, and the Associated General Contractors of Illinois, released the following statement in response to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal to divert road funds to pay for…

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‘Battles and Triumphs: The Human Condition’ Closing Soon

Local artist Brian Marcotte is inviting the community to join him at the Kankakee County Museum, 801 S. Eighth Avenue, on March 9, from 3-5 p.m., for a closing reception and last chance to see his art show – “Battles and Triumphs: The Human Condition,” currently on display in the George Grey Barnard Exhibit. This…

Molly Dobin was born at 12:41 a.m. on February 29 – Leap Day – at Franciscan Health Crown Point, weighing 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces and measuring 19 inches in length, to parents Carly and Matt Dobin of DeMotte, Indiana. Carly’s grandfather, who passed away last February, was also a Leap Day baby and would have been 96 on February 29. –Photo submitted.

Franciscan Health Family Birth Centers Welcome Leap Day Babies

Franciscan Health Family Birth Centers in Northwest Indiana had some extra special deliveries on Thursday, with the arrival of Leap Day babies. One Mom with a baby born this Leap Day has a special Leap Year birthday connection. Carly Dobin, of DeMotte, gave birth to her daughter, Molly, just after midnight on this Leap Day…

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Franciscan Health Heart, Vascular Institute Echocardiography Lab Achieves Accreditation

The Franciscan Health Heart and Vascular Institute Olympia Fields echocardiography lab has achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (ICA) for adult transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiography (also known as echo) is a form of non-invasive imaging used to assess different areas of the heart, which can detect heart disease or signs of serious conditions. Early detection…

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Kankakee River Valley Regatta Seeking Sponsors for Summer Event

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey! After a 10-plus year hiatus, the Kankakee River Valley Regatta is making its triumphant return, August 30 – September 1. The event is promising a massive gathering of more than 35,000 spectators, a sea of boating enthusiasts, passionate fans, and fearless race drivers with their dedicated teams.…

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Visit Chicago Southland Releases New Visitors Guide

The 2024 Chicago Southland Visitors Guide has been released, so it’s time to dust off those calendars, gather family, colleagues, and friends, and plan the perfect activity or getaway! “Our marketing team and community partners have done another fantastic job in putting our Visitors Guide together,” said Jim Garrett, President/CEO of Visit Chicago Southland. “Everything…

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30th Annual Irish Fest March March 1 – 2

Manhattan is getting ready to explode Friday and Saturday with the 30th annual Manhattan Irish Fest, March 1 and 2. The Irish American Society of County Will (IASCW), once again, is the official fest host, in cooperation with the Village of Manhattan. Here are the highlights: Live entertainment under the main tent Friday night, from…

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Sip Your Way Through Kankakee County!

Visit Kankakee County is excited to introduce the newest adventure awaiting exploration in the area: The Kankakee County Craft Beverage Trail. This unique experience invites locals and visitors alike to embark on a journey through 13 local establishments, each showcasing their own inventive craft beverages, ranging from meticulously crafted cocktails and espresso delights to refreshing…

Pritzker set to consider signing more than 500 bills in the next three months

Illinois Chamber Responds to State of the State/Budget Address

Springfield – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is aligned with the Governor’s goal of expanding opportunities for the growth of businesses of all sizes and to continue the expansion of our state’s gross domestic product that has surpassed $1 trillion. We are, however, disappointed by the Governor’s proposal to extend the cap on business net…

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
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