This graphic highlights the most common causes Ting identified for electrical issues in the home. –Graphic submitted.

Put a Freeze on Electrical Fires During Winter Holidays

State Farm offering free Ting device. As homeowners string decorative lights and plug in additional appliances to stay warm during the holidays, State Farm is providing tips to help keep common holiday electrical fire hazards at bay. Nearly 5,000 homeowners filed claims with State Farm related to electrical/faulty wiring issues this year (November 2022 to…

–Photo submitted.

Darrius Brown Convicted of Aggravated Domestic Battery for 2018 Attack

Brown previously convicted of aggravated domestic abuse of child’s mother, sentenced to eight years in prison. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman on Monday, November 20, found Darrius Brown, 42, of Plainfield, guilty of Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class 2 felony), Aggravated Unlawful Restraint with a Deadly Weapon (a Class…

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Bishop Mac Bomb Threat Made on Social Media

On Tuesday, November 21, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the City of Kankakee Police Department received notification that a bomb threat was made via social media to Bishop McNamara Catholic School, at 550 West Brookmont Boulevard, Kankakee. School officials, along with City of Kankakee Police, Kankakee County Police, the Kankakee Fire Department, and other law enforcement…

Bishop Mac Bomb Threat Made on Social Media

On Tuesday, November 21, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the City of Kankakee Police Department received notification that a bomb threat was made via social media to Bishop McNamara Catholic School, at 550 West Brookmont Boulevard, Kankakee. School officials, along with City of Kankakee Police, Kankakee County Police, the Kankakee Fire Department, and other law enforcement…

–Photo submitted.

Winters Found Guilty of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a jury recently found Vincent Winters, 58, of Joliet, guilty of three counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child (a Class X felony) and three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (a Class 2 felony) of a five-year-old girl in 2017. The jury returned its…

–Photo submitted.

Talbot Sentenced to Six Years in Lockport Drug Induced Homicide

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Steve Talbot, 36, of Joliet, has been sentenced to six years in prison for selling heroin and fentanyl to a 24-year-old woman, who died of an overdose in Lockport in 2016. Talbot pled guilty to one count of Drug Induced Homicide, a Class X felony, and was…

Glasgow

Francimore Guilty of Murder, Armed Robbery in 2018 Shooting Death

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a jury found Anthony Francimore, 25, of Joliet, guilty in the shooting death of Nathan Ballard in 2018. The jury deliberated for approximately three-and-a-half hours before finding Francimore guilty of First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery (a Class X felony), following a five-day trial over which Circuit…

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MPD Awarded IDOT Traffic Enforcement Grant

The Manhattan Police Department recently announced it was awarded a Federal Fiscal Year 2024 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant to conduct additional traffic safety enforcement efforts. The STEP program focuses on high-visibility enforcement and strategies aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries by reducing traffic crashes. “We’re pleased to receive this grant to step-up…

Glasgow

Christensen Sentenced to 9 Years for Impaired Driving in Fatal I-55 Crash

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Erik Christensen, 51, of Wilmington, was sentenced recently to nine years in prison for driving while under the influence of alcohol and causing a fatal crash on I-55 in November 2020 that resulted in the death of 33-year-old Nicholas Ercolini. Christensen pled guilty to Aggravated Driving Under…

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Quite a Night for Manteno as Public Works Department Burglarized

On Monday, October 16, just after midnight, a Village of Manteno Department of Public Works vehicle was stolen from the DPW facility at 10555 N. Maple Street, Manteno. The vehicle stolen was involved in a vehicle pursuit in the Village of Wilmington, where the pursuit was terminated. Manteno Police were contacted by Wilmington Police as…

Will County Offering Fire Extinguisher Recycling

The Will County Resource Recovery and Energy (RRE) Division is offering free fire extinguisher recycling, with year-round drop-off locations available in New Lenox, Peotone, and Wheatland Township. “Homeowners and businesses should frequently check the expiration date on fire extinguishers,” said County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “This service offers an environmentally friendly option for recycling those expired…

–Photo submitted.

Ware Sentenced to 25 Years

Set fire to landlord’s home with two people inside. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Dion Ware, 53, of Crest Hill, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for setting fire in 2021 to the single-family home in Crest Hill in which he was a renter. Ware was found guilty of Aggravated Arson (a…

–Photo submitted.

Harvey Sentenced to 30 Years for Frankfort/New Lenox Armed Robberies

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Dontavious Harvey, 24, of Dolton, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge David Carlson to 30 years in prison for Armed Robbery (a Class X felony) in two 2019 armed robberies in Frankfort and New Lenox. Harvey also pled guilty to Aggravated Battery (a Class 3 felony) of a…

–Photo submitted.

Chattic Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

Guilty of aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death of motorcycle passenger. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Corey Chattic, 51, of Oswego, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence (a Class 2 felony) and Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License (a Class A…

–Photo submitted.

Chavez Guilty in 2017 Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of  Girl 14

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury recently found Mario Chavez Jr., 31, of Joliet, guilty of three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (a Class 2 felony) of a then 14-year-old girl in 2017. Circuit Court Judge Daniel Rippy presided over the trial. Sentencing on the matter is scheduled for November 30.…

–Photo submitted.

Gregory Sentenced to 35 Years for Brutal 2017 Bludgeoning, Sexual Assault, and Fire

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Timothy Gregory, 43, of Joliet, was sentenced recently to 35 years in prison in the 2017 bludgeoning with a hammer and sexual assault of his brother’s girlfriend and arson of his brother’s home. Gregory pled guilty to Attempt Murder (a Class X felony), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (a…

–Photo submitted.

Former School Bus Driver Christian Shepherd Found Guilty in Second Murder for Hire Plot

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury recently found Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, guilty of four counts of Solicitation of Murder for Hire (a Class X felony), in the second case against Shepherd involving murder-to-hire plots in which he attempted to hire fellow inmates to murder a victim he was charged with…

Peotone residents Maura Culver (left) and Paula Prium (right) with Village President Peter March. –Photo by Karen Haave.
Streetscape to Start in Peotone
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