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Bears Mike Singletary to Speak at USF Brown & Gold Night

Former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Mike Singletary will become the 18th Hall of Fame inductee to be featured as the guest speaker at the 45th annual University of St. Francis Brown & Gold Night. The fundraising event will be held at the Pat Sullivan Center on the campus of USF on Thursday, February 22. One-of-four…

Joliet Junior College President Clyne Namuo (center) shows the agreement with college officials Diane Urbanczyk and Stephanie Braun. –Photo by Russell Bailey.

SIU Carbondale Inks Agreement to Improve Access for JJC Students

By Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in northern Illinois with an agreement to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified Joliet Junior College students by providing the option to earn their bachelor’s degrees remotely and at a lower cost in 12 academic programs.…

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Rep. Haas Celebrates IBHE Grants for Olivet Nazarene University

Following the announcement of the recipients for this year’s Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant Program, State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement: “I am delighted Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais is receiving more than $10 million in grant funding from the Independent College Capital Investment Grant Program,” said Rep. Haas. “Olivet Nazarene is a…

USF student Will Snydersmith interviewed Olivia Minogue, a season 24 contestant of The Voice. –Photo submitted.

WCSF’s Snydersmith Interviewed Olivia Minogue of NBC’s The Voice

University of St. Francis (USF) student and WCSF 88.7 FM on-air talent Will Snydersmith recently interviewed Olivia Minogue, a contestant on season 24 of NBC’s The Voice. The in-studio interview, which covered how Minogue landed an audition for The Voice, what her experience on the show was like, exploring new foods, and her upcoming concert…

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USF Online Programs Recognized in 2024 Rankings by The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review, a national ranking agency that provides admissions resources for college and graduate school-bound students, recently recognized two online programs offered at the University of St. Francis (USF). USF’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and its online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership programs were included in The Princeton Review’s…

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Dean’s/ Chancellor’s/President’s Lists The University of Mississippi recently announced two New Lenox residents were named to its Chancellor’s Honor Roll for the fall semester – Kaitlyn Bittner, who is majoring in Risk Management and Insurance, and Addyson Cuthbertson, who is majoring in Theatre. Chloe Schliffka, of New Lenox, has been named to Arkansas’ Harding University…

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Graduations During the University of Alabama’s fall commencement at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ennis Lange was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Grace Otto received a Bachelor of Science in Education. Both graduates are from New Lenox. Amanda Marie McClellan, from Monee, was awarded a Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, in…

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Graduations More than 1,700 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University last fall. Ceremonies were held December 15-16 at Hilton Coliseum. Congratulations to the following local graduates: Manhattan – Matthew Zarnowski, Bachelor of Science, Construction Engineering; and New Lenox – Tyler Smith, Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering. Gea Alberico, of Manhattan, was among the nearly…

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Simmons Cancer Institute Accepting Research Internship Applications

Applications for the 2024 summer lab internships at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine are being accepted through February 26. Four positions will be awarded on a competitive basis to qualified undergraduate college students who plan a career in medicine or research, with a focus on cancer. Established in…

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Dean’s/President’s Lists Northern Illinois University announced its fall Dean’s List students. Area students who achieved this honor include: From Manhattan – Amanda Gerl, Owen Vaughn, and Jake Kurbis; Manteno – Wes Dwyer, Benjamin Koranda, and Emma Spagnoli; Monee – Hailey Delgado; New Lenox – Griffin Geary, Ken Harris, Michael Olson, Peyton Rimsnider, and Charlotte Rohn.…

Jessica Tilton, an SIU medical student, will vie for the Miss America title January 14. –Photo submitted.

SIU Med Student Vies for Miss America Crown January 14

On Christmas Eve 2021, Jessica Tilton saw a little TikTok video that inspired her to dream big. A young woman wearing a ruby red evening gown climbed the steps of an academic building. The onscreen text read: “Competing in pageants to help pay for medical school.” The woman passed behind a column and emerged on…

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CSU Receives Funding to Address Student Homelessness

Thanks to support of State Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. With support from State Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr., Chicago State University will receive $200,000 to address student homelessness and help provide necessities many students lack. “When students lack basic necessities, such as food or housing, they lack the stability to allow them to reach…

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Dean’s/President’s Lists Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa, recognized the 484 students who were named to the fall term Dean’s List. Congratulations to Carter Fifer and Nathaniel Knutson, both of New Lenox, plus Garrett Geigner, from Manhattan. The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater recently announced students named to its fall semester Dean’s List. Congratulations go to…

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Illinois Township Scholarships Available; Apply Now!

Attention current high school seniors: If you plan to attend an Illinois college or university and want to apply for a scholarship, visit this online link now: https://www.toi.org/2024-scholarship-application/.

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The following students achieved the Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, for the fall semester. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5, with no grade below a C. Congratulations to: Arwen Rolinitis of Manhattan; and Grant Brown, George Graefen, Rocco Greco,…

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The following residents are among 1,470 prospective candidates for degree who attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises on Sunday, December 17, in Milwaukee. Congratulations to: Sebastien Brown, Peck School of the Arts, Bachelor of Arts, from Manhattan; and from Alissa Breen, School of Education, Bachelor of Science, from New Lenox. Students at Trine University…

Jesus Ambriz, of Monee, earned a degree in construction from UW-Stout and was an all-conference football lineman. After two internships with Turner Construction of Chicago, he will begin a full-time job with the company in February. –Photo submitted.

Returning Home During COVID-19 Inspired Ambriz to Earn UW-Stout Degree, Football Honors

Graduating construction major used time with family to gain new perspective on college, shine as a UW-Stout Blue Devil, and focus on career. When Jesus Ambriz thinks back to late summer 2019, he sees a young man who was excited to begin college and play football at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, but one who also…

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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
Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Chief Steve Malone reviews the past year’s operations after the consolidation.  –Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Manhattan Fire Board Reviews Consolidation, Talks 2023 Data at March Meeting
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