Local News

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Park Forest House Museum Celebrating Valentine’s Day, 75th Anniversary

Park Forest House Museum members invite you to “Step Back into a 1950s Valentine’s Day,” on display from February 3 – March 9. The museum is open Wednesday and Saturday, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., plus at other times by appointment, at 227 Monee Road – inside St. Mary’s Catholic Church. One room represents a…

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held January 9 for the new south wing addition, which will house the Bridges program. –Photo submitted.

CM 201-U Unveils New South Wing Addition for Bridges Program

Crete-Monee School District 201-U recently unveiled its newly constructed south wing addition to house the Bridges program. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Tuesday, January 9, with CM 201-U administration, staff, the Board of Education, and local dignitaries participating in the event. Previously located at the Monee Education Center, 5154 Main Street in Monee, the Bridges…

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Crete Creates Ordinance Regarding Unscheduled Buses

By Karen Haave The Crete Village Board has approved an ordinance establishing regulations for unscheduled intercity buses, and the discharge of passengers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors to the Village of Crete. Like those being passed in numerous other area villages, the ordinance sets strict criteria needed to control…

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Joyce Kicks-Off Seniors’ Valentine’s Day Card Drive

In an effort spread love and uplift the spirits of seniors in the 40th District, State Sen. Patrick Joyce invites residents of all ages to get creative and donate homemade or store-bought valentines. “This card drive is an opportunity for every member of our community to come together and show appreciation for our seniors,” said…

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Crete Library News

Thursday, January 18 Preschool Pals, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children enjoy spending time with other pre-schoolers, while listening to stories, learning songs and fingerplays, and playing games. Register. Knot Just for Knitters, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., ages 11/adult: Join us to socialize while working on knitting,…

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Crete Latest to Create Ordinance Aimed at Controlling Unannounced Buses

By Karen Haave Transportation firms making unscheduled deliveries of asylum seekers to train stations just outside of Chicago might want to reconsider drop-offs within the Village of Crete. A tough new ordinance aimed at controlling unannounced buses was included on Monday’s agenda for officials’ consideration during  the board of trustees meeting. Its title is a…

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Illinois Lutheran Announces Semester Honor Roll Students

Illinois Lutheran High School and Junior High School recently announced students named to its first semester honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students! High School High Honors: Tristan Biesterfeld, Morgan Hokanson, Denise Kennedy, Melinda Mercer-Podbielski, Juanita Stuenkel, Marisol Tafolla, Kailey Van Es, Kimberly Danielewicz, Mikah Harris, Sean Reposa, Azaylia Sanchez, Grace Chilo, Ashley Gunderson, Dawveed…

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Crete Library News

Thursday, January 11 Preschool Pals, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages four/five: During this independent storytime experience, children enjoy spending time with other preschoolers, while listening to stories, learning songs and fingerplays, and playing games. Register. Anime Club, from 3 – 4:30 p.m., grades sixth/12th: Join the group for a screening of “Nichijou: My Ordinary…

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From Sen. Joyce

The holidays are the perfect time for the gift of reflection, to be thankful for our loved ones and our progress during the past year. A year ago in this space, I told you about the untimely passing of my Illinois Senate colleague, Sen. Scott Bennett. Just 45 years old, Scott suffered a collapse from…

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Crete Library News

Thursday, January 4 Knot Just for Knitters, from 1 – 2 p.m., ages 11/adult: Join us to socialize while working on knitting, crocheting, or any other type of needlework project. Drop in. Friday, January 5 Retro Movie Fridays, from 2:30 – 4:45 p.m., all ages: Showing “An American Tail” (rated G). Drop in. Saturday, January…

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Crete Still Talking About Golf Carts

By Karen Haave Crete village officials last week continued discussion about legalizing the use of golf carts on local streets. Focus was on how they would be licensed and inspected, registered and regulated, and where they could and couldn’t travel. While village officials are in favor of investigating how it can work – or not…

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Joyce Law Helps Address Firefighter Shortage Beginning Next Year

A new law led by State Sen. Patrick Joyce to help solve Illinois’ firefighter shortage will go into effect January 1. “Firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, are essential first responders, and we cannot afford to continue to see declining numbers in these positions,” said Joyce. “This law is a step in the right direction to…

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Area News

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Will County, City of Joliet Begin Local Truck Traffic Talks with IDOT

Will County and City of Joliet officials began preliminary discussions with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) on reducing truck traffic on local roads. These discussions kicked-off on January 31, with a meeting between the Will County Executive Office, Mayor of Joliet Terry D’Arcy, State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., and Sec. of Transportation Omer Osman.…

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (center), State’s Attorney James Glasgow (right), and Animal Protection Services Department Administrator Anna Payton (left) celebrate the department’s expanded mission following approval of ordinance changes. –Photo submitted.

Will County Responds to National Animal Welfare Crisis

New department name reflects change in direction for county animal services. Responding to a national animal welfare crisis, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant announced a series of ordinance changes that aim to expand the role of the county’s animal services. The changes include renaming the county’s animal welfare department to “Will County Animal Protection Services…

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, right, and State Rep. Natalie Manley, left, met with Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, center, to hear updates on legislation that supports Will County’s priorities. –Photo submitted.

Bertino-Tarrant Attends White House ‘Communities in Action’ Series

Visit includes meetings with Sen. Durbin and Congressmen Jackson and Davis. Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant joined elected and community leaders from throughout Illinois at the White House to discuss the positive local impacts of federal investments from the Biden-Harris Administration. “Will County has received historic levels of federal funding under this administration,” said County…

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry’s team prepared for Early Voting, which started on Thursday, February 8, at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street, in downtown Joliet. –Photo submitted.

Early Voting Began February 8 at Will County Clerk’s Office

Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters they may begin casting ballots during Early Voting for the General Primary Election starting on Thursday, February 8, at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street, in downtown Joliet. Those who wish to vote early may do so from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on…

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Winters Sentenced to Life in Prison

Sentenced for predatory criminal sexual assault/aggravated criminal sexual abuse of five-year-old. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Vincent Winters, 58, of Joliet, was sentenced to his natural life in prison by Judge Sarah Jones for the predatory criminal sexual assault of a five-year-old girl in 2017. On November 16, 2023, a Will County jury…

Rudy Gonzalez poses with his family. –Photo submitted.

25 Participants Graduate Diversionary Courts Program

Program Alum Rudy Gonzalez tells graduates, “If you’ve been through this program, you have everything you need” State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced 25 people graduated from the Will County Problem Solving Courts in a January 25 ceremony at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. The graduation brings to 859 the total number of participants who…

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Darrius Brown Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Aggravated Domestic Battery

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman recently sentenced Darrius Brown, 42, of Plainfield, to nine years in prison for a 2018 attack on his then-girlfriend. Brown was sentenced to nine years in prison for Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class 2 felony), as well as four years for Aggravated Unlawful Restraint…

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Will County Hosting Virtual Open Houses on Long Range Transportation Plan

The Will County Division of Transportation (WCDOT) will host two virtual open houses to gather feedback on the future of transportation priorities in Will County. The feedback will be incorporated in the ongoing “Our Way Forward 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan,” which will guide the next 25 years of county-wide infrastructure projects. “This is a…

Bailey Testerman and her fiancé Kole El-Talabani of Kankakee tied the knot at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon in August. They chose the site because of its eco-friendly vibe, beautiful setting, and all-inclusive wedding space. Check out why this Forest Preserve District of Will County wedding venue is so popular during a Four Rivers Wedding Open House, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, February 3. –Photo courtesy of Bailey Testerman.

Forest Preserve’s Site Hosts February 3 Wedding Open House

When Bailey Testerman was first scouting out wedding venues, the bride-to-be said she was looking for a site that was as “green” as possible. “The health of our planet is incredibly important to me…,” she said. “I wanted to reduce the environmental impact of our wedding as much as possible. Choosing an environmentally conscious venue…

Water levels were dangerously high earlier in the week and even after warm water siphons were added, the river flooded closing streets and businesses in Wilmington. Photo by Will County EMA.

Will County Emergency Management Agency Issues Update on Flash Flooding in Wilmington

The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and City of Wilmington officials responded to flash flooding in downtown Wilmington on the evening of January 25. The flooding occurred suddenly on the North and South Islands, due to rapidly increasing water levels on the Kankakee River. Will County EMA issued a mass notification message to residents,…