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Miranda Sirvinskas, FNP-C, Joins Riverside’s Primary Care Providers
Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome internal medicine nurse practitioner Miranda Sirvinskas, FNP-C. Sirvinskas completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degrees at Chamberlain University in Addison. In addition to her education, Sirvinskas is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.…
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…
Manteno Legion Members Spend Christmas Day at Great Lakes
Manteno Legion Commander, Sean McNamara, spent Christmas day at the Tinley Park VFW, deep frying about 10 large turkeys for Navy recruits from from Great Lakes Naval Station who couldn’t leave training to go home for Christmas. He was accompanied by Senior Vice, Ed Rafalski, and legion member Dan Gerber, who brought his Naval cruise…
Manteno Board Approves Property Tax Increase
By Stephen Nelson Manteno property taxes will go up by 1.75 percent next year following approval of a tax levy ordinance by the Manteno Village Board at their Monday, December 18, meeting. Manteno does have an existing program that allows residents to apply for a 100 percent rebate of the village portion of their property…
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…
Rep. Haas Celebrates District 79 Library Grants
Following the School District Library Grant program announcement made by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement: “I am thrilled seven libraries in District 79 have been selected to receive grants through the Illinois Secretary of State Office’s School District Library Grant program,” said Rep. Haas. “Libraries are…
Wreaths Across America Honors Heroes
By Karen Haave Disappointing weather put a damper on the Wreaths Across America ceremony in Monee on Saturday morning, but nothing would prevent the annual remembrance of the community’s military heroes. Christi Holston, president of the Monee Historical Society and the St. Paul Cemetery, where the ceremony took place, gave the opening remarks. “Welcome and,…
Asylum Seekers Arrive in the South Suburbs
By Andrea Arens The City of Chicago passed an ordinance last week allowing the city to impound and fine the drivers of buses of migrants who do not receive a permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation. As a result, buses of migrants are arriving in the south suburbs, and plenty of other home rule…
Rep. Haas Receives Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society Legislator of the Year Award
Recently, State Rep. Jackie Haas received the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society’s 2023 Legislator of the Year Award. “It is an honor to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from this organization,” said Rep. Haas. “The Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society does incredible work in advocating for Osteopathic Physicians and their patients. As a licensed clinical…
Broadway Jewelry, Rare Coins December Local Business Spotlight
For her December local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas chose to recognize Broadway Jewelry and Rare Coins in Bradley. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the community. “This month, we are honored to recognize Broadway Jewelry and Rare Coins because…
Dancing Through the Decades New Year’s Eve Gala
Join the Kankakee County Historical Society as we “dance through the decades” and boogie into the new year! Attendees will go back in time to the year 1948 when South Pacific was selling out shows on Broadway, and Polaroid cameras filled the shelves of major stores! The opening act for the evening is the Jazz…
“The Closet” Provides Manteno Students with Free, Everyday, Necessities
By Madeleine Willis A spring closet clean out has opened the door for a community project at Manteno Community School District No. 5. In March of 2022 “The Closet” inside of MHS officially opened. Originally offering free toiletries, “The Closet ” has expanded into a thrift store for students at Manteno High School and, now,…
Santa Letters from Mrs. Stolarek’s BES First Graders
Recently, the first graders at Beecher Elementary took on a very special project and a most important one, too – the annual writing of letters to that jolly man at the North Pole. After reading some of the correspondence, we think you will agree it was a most important task. This week, The Vedette is…
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
By Jeff Vorva Old gym? New gym? It doesn’t seem to matter. The results are still the same. Beecher’s boys basketball team played in its old gym for a throwback game December 8 and came away with a lopsided 81-36 River Valley Conference win over Donovan. The Bobcats wore jerseys from 2012-13, and fans were…
Manteno Woman’s Club Celebrates the Season
The Manteno Woman’s Club held their December luncheon and meeting at the Manteno Sportsman’s Club on Wednesday, December 6, with Susan Turner serving as committee chairman of the holiday meeting. The guest speaker, Carol Snyder, provided a lovely and informative flower arranging demonstration, using seasonal colors and ornaments. In addition to fresh flowers, she used…
Rep. Haas Receives Illinois CBHA Legislator of Year Award
Recently, State Rep. Jackie Haas received the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois (CBHA) 2023 Legislator of the Year Award. “I am truly honored to receive this award from such an incredible organization,” said Rep. Haas. “As a licensed clinical social worker with more than 30 years’ experience working in the community, I have been…
Contentious Manteno Board Meeting Ends with I-2 Zoning Approval
By Andrea Arens Hours of public comments led to the vote the room was packed for, ordinance 23-09 approving changing the zoning from I-1 light industrial to I-2 heavy industrial. It was approved, but not unanimously. Trustee Samuel Martin was the lone no vote. The Manteno Village Board Meeting, on Monday, December 4, was moved…
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Area News
Rotary Club Jigsaw Puzzles Available in Time for Holiday Gift-Giving
The Bradley-Bourbonnais Rotary Club is excited to announce its 2023 jigsaw puzzle now is available for purchase at these locations in: Bourbonnais – BaDa Bloom Flowers and Bourbonnais Village Hall; Bradley – King Music; and Kankakee – Joy’s Hallmark, Kankakee County Museum, Rubber Rose Books, Stefari’s West, plus the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau.…
Riverside Re-designated 2024 Military Friendly Employe
Riverside Healthcare announced recently it has earned the 2024 Military Friendly Employer designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly Employer designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,200 companies participated in the 2024 Military Friendly survey. “We are proud to announce Riverside has been re-designated as a 2024…
Kankakee Library News
Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, recently announced its upcoming programs for November. For additional information, call 815-939-4564, visit their Facebook page, or www.lions-online.org. Nurse in the Library: Through a partnership with Ascension Saint Mary, the library is hosting a Registered Nurse (RN) in the library on Friday, November 3, from 9 a.m. until…
Veterans Treatment Court to Honor Local Veterans
Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch to deliver keynote address. In honor of Veterans Day, the Veterans Treatment Court will hold it’s 10-year Reunion Celebration on November 9, at 2:30 p.m., in Room 300, at the Kankakee County Courthouse. Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch will deliver the keynote address. Treatment courts provide justice-involved veterans…
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…
Kultivator Garden Club Enjoys Charcuterie Presentation
The Kankakee Kultivators Club met Thursday, October 12, at the Kankakee Public Library. Guest speaker Jade Crawford, of Charcuterie by Jade, presented the program on how to assemble charcuterie boards. Crawford, who lives in Milford, began her business as a hobby during the pandemic shutdown, designing boards for family and friends. Co-workers encouraged her to…
Native American Heritage Month at Kankakee Library
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month: The Kankakee Public Library invites residents to celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November! Robert D. Bailey, or Heóvėhoomáhe, translated as Yellow Robe, of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, will share unique insight and knowledge on the culture and heritage of the Northern Cheyenne on Monday, November 20, at 6 p.m.,…
Clove Alliance Hosting COSMIC BINGO
Clove Alliance will host its signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Thursday, November 16, in the Expo Center, at the Kankakee Fairgrounds. Clove’s COSMIC BINGO is back and better than ever! It’s a special 18 years and older night of bingo with a cosmic twist! Laser lights, loud music, black lights, glow sticks, and prizes will…
Manteno Residents Take Gotion Fight To Kankakee County Board
By Stephen Nelson Three Manteno residents attended the Tuesday, October 10, Kankakee County Board meeting to try and influence the panel to refuse to go along with the EV Battery manufacturing plant, which would be built and run by the Chinese company Gotion in Manteno. They didn’t receive any sympathy from the board, with Commissioner…
Seeking Sponsors for COSMIC BINGO
Did you know you can help local survivors of sexual violence? Clove Alliance is hosting its signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Thursday, November 16, in the Expo Center at the Kankakee Fairgrounds and is seeking sponsors for this interactive bingo event that is out of this world. Sponsorship opportunities available include: $500 Title Sponsor –…
KCC Hosting ‘Let’s Talk Horror!’ Discussion October 25
Let’s “creep it real”! KCC students and the community are invited to “Let’s Talk Horror!” from 1:30-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 25, at Kankakee Community College, in Room L355. KCC’s Psych Club and English Department will lead the discussion on the appeal of horror in literature and film! Topics include the psychological aspects of “scary things,”…
ECDA to Host Lead Hazard Control Workshop
The City of Kankakee’s Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) will host a workshop on Tuesday, October 24, at 5:30 p.m., in the ECDA Office, 200 E. Court Street, Suite 410, Kankakee. This workshop will review what lead is and why it is a hazard, including where to look throughout your home for lead hazards.…
Kankakee Public Library News
October Soul Collections Book Discussion: Join the Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, for its monthly book discussion, Soul Collections. This group highlights Black authors and themes. On Thursday, October 26, at 5:30 p.m., the group will meet to discuss thoughts on “Homegoing,” by Yaa Gyasi. The story follows two half-sisters born in Ghana,…
Bourbonnais Library Hosting ‘A Day in the Life: A Beatles Celebration’
Join us Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., for a Magical Mystery Tour filled with groovy tributes to the Fab Four, including live music, a mesmerizing showcase of Beatles memorabilia, engaging presentations, and so much more. Whether you’re a Yellow Submarine veteran or a newcomer to Beatlemania, this celebration promises a day…