Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the March 18 board meeting. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.

Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget

By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, for their bimonthly board meeting, holding the meeting a day earlier than usual to accommodate voting for the 2024 general election. The mayor and all trustees, except for Tom Doyle, were present, with Trustee Justin Young attending virtually. Discussion regarding the…

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

By: Stephanie Irvine The Manhattan Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees met on Monday, March 18, where they had a brief presentation from the district’s accountant James Howard, followed by a detailed review of 2023, presented by Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper. Monthly Accounting Report Howard reported the district is well within…

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Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

Join Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on “Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard – The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced,” on Saturday, April 20, from 2 – 3:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum in Small Memorial Park, 801 South Eighth Avenue in Kankakee. Tickets are $10 for general admission or…

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Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Mark your calendars – we are back for our 10th “Rescue ME Resale.” The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its Rescue ME Crafters’ Resale on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Township Office, 230 Wabash Street, in Manhattan. This resale will feature quilting, sewing, and needlework supplies. Purchase a…

Manhattan FPD

From the Desk of Fire Chief Steve Malone:

The Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Peotone Fire Protection District accomplished something rare in local government. After a two-year intergovernmental agreement, the two fire districts were fully consolidated into one, effective January 1, 2023. This was a monumental task but, in the end, the citizens will see the short-term and long-term benefits from this…

–Nancy Addison, botanist and club member, presented a program on pruning and shrub care. –Photo submitted.

Kultivators Garden Club Tackles ‘Pruning/Shrub Care’

The Kankakee Kultivators Garden Club met Thursday, March 14, at the Kankakee Library. The program, “Pruning and Shrub Care,” was presented by Nancy Addison, a trained botanist and member of the Kultivator’s Club since 1998. Nancy was instrumental in the planning of the Column Garden, at the Kankakee County  Museum. Nancy’s first statement was dramatic:…

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Manteno Announces ‘Spring Showcase: Garden and Arts Festival’

Spring is in the air, and the Village of Manteno is proud to announce its first ever “Spring Showcase: A Garden and Arts Festival” set for Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Spring Showcase, an all-day community celebration of spring and the arts, was created with the intent to enable the…

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Manteno’s Veterans Home Hosting Volunteer Fair

Your help is needed! As part of National Volunteer Week, the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno is inviting veteran service providers, community organizations, and individuals to a volunteer fair to learn more about volunteer opportunities, while enjoying refreshments from local food trucks. The fair will include volunteer representatives and volunteers to share their experiences at…

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Register for Springfest 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk

Area residents are invited to register for the Kankakee River Running Club’s Spring 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk, on Saturday, April 13, beginning and ending at Manteno American Legion Post, 117. N. Walnut. Opening ceremonies are at 8:40 a.m. and include the playing of the “National Anthem” and Posting of Colors by Boy Scout Troop 382,…

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‘Brave, Bold, and Believed’ Art Show Holding Opening Night

Join Clove Alliance for the opening night of its fourth annual Brave, Bold, and Believed Art Show, as they celebrate and honor survivors’ journeys, as well as their efforts to end sexual violence. Opening night will be held on Thursday, April 4, from 4:30 -6:30 p.m., at the Kankakee County Museum. The evening features works…

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Semi-Annual Craft Show at Veteran’s Home May 3-4

Mark your calendars now for the semi-annual Manteno Illinois Veterans’ Home Craft Show on Friday and Saturday, May 3 – 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Veterans Hall at the home. There will be craft and décor items for all seasons, patriotic, beach, and holiday items, wreaths, garden and yard décor, and so…

Dr. Autorino is seeing patients in Kankakee. –Photo submitted.

Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD, Joins Riverside Urology Specialists

Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-certified urologist Riccardo Autorino, MD, PhD. Dr. Autorino brings more than 20 years of experience to Riverside’s team of urology specialists, who treat a variety of urologic conditions, including prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer, kidney and bladder stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and more. He completed his Doctor of Medicine…

Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold to attend FBI Command Course. –Photo submitted.

Police Chief Wold Selected for FBI Command Course

Among select group chosen nationwide. Manhattan Chief of Police Jeff Wold was selected, along with 99 other police chiefs from across the nation, to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Command Course (NCC) in Quantico, Virginia, May 6 – 10. Wold was notified of the prestigious honor in a recent letter from the…

Manhattan FPD swore in eight new full time firefighters on March 5. –Photo courtesy the Manhattan FPD & JLT Photography.

Manhattan FPD Swore in Eight Full-Time, Two Part-Time Firefighters

On Tuesday, March 5, the Manhattan Fire Protection District proudly swore in eight full-time and two part-time firefighters, after they each completed one year of probation! Congratulations to full-time firefighters Lou Helis, Thomas Kerrigan, John Marek, Kadin Phelon, John Slattery, Shaun Stapinski, Jacob Walsh, and Troy White, plus part-time firefighters Ryan Bernabei and Chris Golden.

CAPITOL RECAP: Illinois Democrats hoping to host 2024 nominating convention

DeLuca Continues Work to Lower Property Taxes

Introduces plan to prohibit taxpayer-funded guaranteed income programs.  As part of his continued efforts to lower property taxes and the need to responsibly manage taxpayer dollars, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, has introduced a measure that would prohibit governments from using taxpayer money to fund guaranteed income programs. “We must focus our limited resources…

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Preserving Legacies of Love Key Part of February

We all strive to be remembered for making a difference, and for showing others we appreciate all they have done to help us be successful. I had two important opportunities to show that legacy of love during the past month.   As I have written here many times, I am proud to be an Illinois…

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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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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,…

National News

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Illinois News

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Bills in state Senate would further regulate battery storage and disposal
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Prisoner Review Board chair, member resign in wake of boy’s fatal stabbing by released inmate
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Highest-ranking woman in state police history reflects on experience as force looks to diversify
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again
Judge rips Blagojevich’s ‘publicity stunt’ bid to get court’s approval to run for office again
Officials say state veterans homes have reformed after deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, but staffing challenges remain
Officials say state veterans homes have reformed after deadly 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, but staffing challenges remain
Former governors see 2024 primaries as mostly uneventful
Former governors see 2024 primaries as mostly uneventful
Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip
Capitol Briefs: Insurance reforms advance as Pritzker announces California trip
State awards local food infrastructure grants as advocates seek program’s extension
State awards local food infrastructure grants as advocates seek program’s extension
For the most part, incumbents beat back challengers amid low primary turnout
For the most part, incumbents beat back challengers amid low primary turnout
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans
After being rebuffed by regulators, utilities file slimmed-down spending plans

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Area News

Primaries Faced Low Voter Turnout

By Andrea Arens Once again, voter turnout was low. In Peotone, 17.5 percent of registered voters actually voted. Green Garden also hit 17 percent. Monee averaged 15 percent, while Manhattan averaged 14 percent voter turnout. Low voter turnout didn’t help referendums that were on the ballot. The Peotone Park District referendum for a “0.0547 percent…

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Resolution 24-27 Update

Resolution 24-27 “Directing the Will County Division of Transportation to Cease Moving Forward with the 143rd Street Expansion Road Project as Currently Planned” previously was passed by the Will County Board on February 15, in a bipartisan vote, and signed by the Will County Executive on February 16. Four days later, on February 20, the…

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Health Department Announces Positive Case of Measles

The Will County Health Department has confirmed a positive case of measles in Will County. The Will Count Health Department’s Communicable Disease staff is working to collect additional details to identify and notify people who may have been exposed to measles, provide education, and recommend appropriate measures. Additionally, the health department is in close contact…

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Fate Of 143rd Street Widening Project May Still Be Decided In Court

By Stephen Nelson Following a narrow (12-11) vote by the Will County Board in February to cancel a widening project for 143rd Street in the vicinity of New Lenox to five lanes, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant exercised her authority to overturn that cancellation with a veto. She got heat from New Lenox residents as…

Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Fatal Crash In Wilton Township

Will County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on March 22 that on 3/21/24 at 4:23pm, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Wilmington-Peotone Road, 1 mile east of Cedar Road, for a two-vehicle personal injury crash with passenger entrapments. Initial reports indicate that the 21 year-old female driver of a Ford Escape, was traveling eastbound on…

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Will County Regional Spelling Bee Winners Announced

Ribhu Chaher, a student at Channahon Junior High, is the champion of the Will County Regional Spelling Bee sponsored by the Regional Office of Education and Exxon-Mobile. His winning word was ignominious. The competition, involving 32 spellers from 32 local schools, lasted 17 rounds. Honorable mention went to the second and third place winners: Second…

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Ad Hoc Old Courthouse Committee Meets

Members of the Ad Hoc Old Courthouse Committee met Tuesday, March 19. During the meeting it was noted a lot of misinformation about plans for the site of the Old Courthouse, currently under demolition, are out there in the public. To clarify, the committee wanted to inform the public that, at this time, no plans…

The Will County Emergency Management Agency hosted their inaugural Public Preparedness Workshop on March 9, providing attendees with emergency and disaster preparedness information. –Photo submitted.

Will County EMA Hosts Inaugural Public Preparedness Workshop

The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) hosted their inaugural public preparedness workshop on March 9 at Joliet Junior College to increase awareness about emergency preparedness. The workshop is part of Will County EMA’s efforts to provide residents with increased knowledge and training on how to prepare for and respond to disasters. “Increasing disaster preparedness…

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SBA Offers Disaster Loans to Businesses/Residents Impacted by Kankakee River Ice Jam Flooding

County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Allison Anderson issued the following statements in response to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announcing low-interest disaster loans will be available to residents and businesses impacted by the Kankakee River ice jam flooding in January. “I encourage all residents and business owners…

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WCHD Hosting Five Food Bank Mobile Markets

The Will County Health Department will host five Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Markets between March and July. The Mobile Markets are scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 21, April 18, May 16, June 14, and July 12, and will be held in the parking lot of the Will County Health Department’s main…

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JJC Freshman Wins NJCAA Women’s Bowling Championship

JJC freshman Madi Lave makes history. The JJC Wolves men’s and women’s bowling teams recently competed in the 2024 NJCAA Bowling Championship at Royal Scot Golf and Bowl in Lansing, Michigan, where Madi Lave earned the Women’s Singles National Title with a final score of 633 after three games of competition. “I haven’t completely wrapped…

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Homer Glen Residents in Passionate Battle with Will County Executive

For several months, the citizens of Homer Township and Homer Glen have been fighting to maintain their quality of life. When you drive between Bell and Lemont Roads on 143rd Street, you get a feeling of rural America – horse farms, large properties, beautiful trees lining the road. There is a sense of calm and…