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Illinois Office of Tourism Names Cranky Mike’s Popcorn to Illinois Made Program4
Governor J.B. Pritzker, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), elected officials, and industry leaders, proudly unveiled the latest inductees into the Illinois Made program, including Cranky Mike’s Popcorn in Momence. This year marks a significant milestone, as 48 exceptional small businesses, often referred to as ‘Makers,’ have been welcomed into the…
New State-of-the-Art Election Equipment Demonstration Planned
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry is inviting the public to a demonstration of new state-of-the-art election equipment that will be used to cast and count ballots in next year’s Primary and Presidential Elections. County Clerk Staley Ferry and her team will conduct demonstrations of the new ballot counters, ADA-compliant ballot-marking devices, and poll books…
Kankakee County Museum Presents Gallery of Trees and More
The Kankakee County Museum, 801 S. Eighth Avenue, Kankakee, invites area residents to the annual Gallery of Trees. Celebrating 45 years of this beloved local tradition, this year the Museum is filled with more than 35 trees decorated by area non-profit organizations, based on favorite themes from the past 45 years. Traditionally, more than 3,000…
Sen. Joyce: Modernizing Thinking, Technology to Power Future
Creating public policy requires constantly adapting what we have done before to what we need to do today and for tomorrow. Sometimes, that means rethinking a position that can hit close to home. Since 1987, Illinois has had in place a moratorium on additional construction of nuclear power generation facilities. Concerns about the hazards of…
Monee Police Blotter: November 20 – 21
November 20, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Monee Police responded for a report of a subject at the Pilot Travel Center who was battered at the truck gas lane. The victim said he pumped gas, went inside Pilot to get Mc Donald’s. When he came back to his commercial truck, a Black male (offender) yelled “hey…
It Was a Banner Year in Monee
By Karen Haave As the Village of Monee approaches its 150th birthday in 2024, it has marked a banner year in 2023, according to the annual State of the Village address. In giving the summary, Monee Mayor Therese Bogs said village finances are enviable, infrastructure improvements are underway, new programs – like the property tax…
Crete Country Christmas is Coming to Town This Weekend!
Organizers have so much in store for the community at the Crete Country Christmas, December 1 – 3, and hope you’ll join them to celebrate the season. It seems there’s something for everyone – young and old, including a Grinch 5K, Breakfast with the Grinch, Santa visits, a Cocoa and Cookie Crawl, Holiday House Walk,…
‘Step Back into a 1950s Christmas and Hanukkah’
Plus 75th Anniversary of Park Forest exhibits at the 1950s Park Forest House Museum. The 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, Park Forest, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, invites you to “Step Back into a 1950s Christmas and Hanukkah,” which will be open from November 29, through January 3. Also available to view…
Monee Police Blotter: November 14 – 19
November 14, at approximately 5:15 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of W. Monee-Manhattan Road and S. Ridgeland Avenue for an accident with injuries. Ariyonna L. Pernell, 20, of Homewood, was cited for following too closely and driving while license suspended. Pernell was bonded and released. November 14, at approximately 8 p.m., officers responded to…
Helping Hands Seeking Donations for Christmas Holiday Meals
Helping Hands Food Pantry, the local pantry serving 650 people per month in need of assistance, still is seeking the community’s help in providing approximately 90 holiday meals during Christmas. This organization, composed of volunteers from various churches and the community, provides basic essentials twice each month to approximately 80-90 households. For every $1 the…
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without children who reside within the boundaries of the Peotone School District and are in need of food assistance) on Wednesdays, December 6 and 20, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian Mission Building…
‘Miracle on 8th – a Kris Kringle Market’ December 9
The Community Arts Council of Kankakee County and the Kankakee County Historical Society are excited to bring the community a magical experience this holiday season! Mark your calendars for “Miracle on 8th: A Kris Kringle Market” being held on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the museum grounds, 801 S. Eighth…
Monee Police Blotter: November 4 – 11
Disclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely an accusation, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. November 4, at 12:39 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Amazon Warehouse, 6605 W. Monee-Manhattan Road, in reference to a theft. Upon their arrival, they were met by the loss prevention officer and…
A Veterans Day to Remember in Monee
By Karen Haave Monee’s Veterans Day Ceremony celebrated not only our nation’s military heroes, but others who provide essential day-to-day services, as well. Leading the annual program at the Veterans Memorial Park, on the grounds of the village hall, Monee American Legion Commander David Batzek said, “We thank our military past and present as they…
Wreaths Across America
By Karen Haave The Sauk Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring its annual Wreaths Across America sale this month. Volunteers will place them on gravesites of American military veterans buried in St. Paul Cemetery in Monee during a ceremony on December 16. The program this year is themed Serve and…
Charges Pending for Student Involved in Crete-Monee Lockdown
By Karen Haave A student has been identified and charges are pending in the hoax last week that had Crete-Monee High School students running for safety and dozens of area First Responders rushing to help. An early afternoon report of a firearm in a classroom proved to be unfounded, but before police could lift the…
Thanksgiving Early in Monee
Monee’s Provision Lab, Inc., distributed 500 Turkey Dinners Saturday morning to help area families get a jump on Thanksgiving. Organizers sent “a big thanks to the Village of Monee, Amazon, Northern Illinois Food Bank, the GSU Soccer team, and Monee’s amazing Emergency Management team!” Mayor Therese Bogs and Trustee John Henson also were there to…
State Report Cards Reveal Chronic Absenteeism a Concern
By Andrea Arens The state report cards were released this week and, while there were gains in academic achievement, it revealed the state still has a chronic absenteeism issue. Pre-pandemic absenteeism was at 17.5 percent. Currently, the rate is 28.7 percent, which is down slightly from last year’s 30 percent. Illinois state superintendent Tony Sanders…
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Area News
Will County Launches Long Term Planning Effort for Transportation
“Our Way Forward” plan will serve as a 25-year roadmap for transportation projects. Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Division of Transportation announced the county is embarking on a long-term planning effort to guide the next 25 years of transportation projects. The “Our Way Forward 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan” will incorporate…
Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo Appointed to Association of Community College Trustees Advisory Committee
Dr. Clyne G. H. Namuo, 10th president of Joliet Junior College, recently was appointed to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Advisory Committee of Presidents. The ACCT advisory committee of presidents was established to ensure chief executives have a voice in recommending and evaluating educational programs offered by ACCT and is represented by four…
Seeking Public Input for Future Wilmington-Peotone Road Improvements
By Karen Haave Planners for the Will County Department of Highways don’t know exactly what improvements will be needed for Wilmington-Peotone Road in the future, but they are pretty sure something will be needed. To that end, they are seeking input from residents and those who frequently travel the 22-mile corridor from Drecksler Road in…
O’Brien Sentenced to 10 Years in 2019 Wife’s Attempted First Degree Murder Stabbing
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Patrick O’Brien, 63, of Naperville, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge John Connor to 10 years in prison in the attempted first degree murder of his wife. O’Brien was found guilty August 29, of Attempt First Degree Murder (a Class X felony) and Aggravated Domestic Battery (a Class…
Will County Coordinating with Municipalities, State on Texas Bus Arrivals
The Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is working to provide information and coordinate with municipalities and state agencies as the Chicagoland region is experiencing an increase in buses transporting asylum-seekers from the State of Texas. “Our municipalities have seen an increase in buses from Texas disembarking passengers at Metra stations and other locations throughout…
Solar Farm Near Frankfort Rejected By Will County Board
By Stephen Nelson After listening to an hour and a half of negative public comment from residents near a proposed solar farm on West 104th Street at the end of Kuse Road in Green Garden Township, the Will County Board at its December 21 meeting, voted almost unanimously (16-1) to deny a special use permit for…
Former School Bus Driver Christian Shepherd Sentenced to 74 Years in Murder-for-Hire Plot
Shepherd previously sentenced to 76 Years in second murder-for-hire plot. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, was sentenced recently by Circuit Judge David Carlson to 74 years in prison in a murder-for-hire plot in which he attempted to hire a fellow inmate to murder a victim he was…
Will County Seeks Public Input on Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is asking the public to participate in a survey that will help the county identify infrastructure needs for electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. The survey results will support a comprehensive plan to prepare the county to proactively meet growing demand for sustainable transportation options. “There is a fast-growing demand…
Emma Rannells Receives AAIM Service Award
State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Victim Witness Advocate Emma Rannells has received the Diane Mains Award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) for her dedication in assisting impaired driving crash victims and their families. “In addition to prosecuting impaired driving cases, my office provides victims much-needed support throughout the criminal justice process,” Glasgow…
Will County Animal Control Offering Free Microchipping in December
The Will County Animal Control Department is offering free microchipping services to dogs and cats owned by county residents throughout December as part of their “Home for the Holidays” Program. “We’re hoping to incentivize pet owners to microchip their pets,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “Having pets microchipped, with updated tags, helps ensure they…
Will County Clerk Holds Lottery Determining Primary Top Candidate Ballot Spots
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry held a lottery on Wednesday, December 13, to determine which candidates will appear in the top ballot position in certain races in the March 19, Primary Election. The lottery, held in the Will County Board Room, involved those candidates who filed petitions simultaneously at the start of the business…
Rockett Sentenced to 12 Years in Fatal Girlfriend Shooting
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Ben Rockett, 71, of Joliet, was sentenced recently to 12 years in prison in the 2021 shooting death of Sonja Underwood. Rockett pled guilty to Armed Habitual Criminal (a class X felony) before Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman. On the evening of March 30, 2021, Rockett and girlfriend Underwood…