Local News
Monee Police Blotter: March 1 – 5
March 1, at approximately 12:10 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 5800 block of Monee-Manhattan Road to investigate a disturbance in progress. Upon the officers’ arrival, they learned a customer was agitated because the hotel cancelled her reservation for the night. When hotel staff explained the hotel cancels the reservation when the customer…
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…
Rep. Haas Honors Local Women at Emerging Women Leaders Event
Recently, State Rep. Jackie Haas welcomed Lamekia Davis and Liz Gibson to the Emerging Women Leaders Event in Springfield. The event consisted of a brunch, listening session, and informational seminars from other women in leadership roles. Rep. Haas moderated the ‘Put Your Oxygen Mask on First’ breakout session, which focused on maintaining positive mental health,…
Monee Eighth Grader Proposes a Community Garden
By Karen Haave A Crete-Monee Middle School eighth grader told the board of trustees recently a community garden could help mitigate the absence of a grocery store there. Lauren Young offered information she learned researching her community project assignment. “We have to complete a community project as part of our graduation requirements,” she explained. “So…
History of Monee Shaped by Railroad
By Karen Haave The Village of Monee seems like a quiet little place now, but in the 1850s, it was a boomtown and the nucleus of Will County. In a presentation for the Monee Historical Society recently, MHS President Christi Holston said the village, at that time, had a general store, post office, schoolhouse, and…
Monee Police Blotter: February 28 – March 1
February 28, at approximately 7:57 a.m., Monee Officers received four burglary reports of semi-trailers at the Pilot Travel Center that had been burglarized. After investigating, they found four separate semi-trailers with locks and seals that had been cut. This occurred on the Pilot North lot. Various items were removed from the trailers of the semis.…
Polar Plunge Raises $190K-Plus!
By Andrea Arens The annual Manteno Polar Plunge, once again, surpassed its goal and raised more than $190K for Special Olympics. The Manteno Polar Plunge is an event that is conducted as a fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which is the single largest fundraising movement for Special Olympics. Police departments from Monee, Crete,…
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…
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…
CM 201-U Holds First Strategic Planning Workgroup Meeting
Crete-Monee School District 201-U held its first Strategic Planning Workgroup meeting on Thursday, February 22, with approximately 50 members participating. During the session, participants discussed the importance of strategic planning, the process that will be used to create the strategic plan, and the district’s mission and vision. The group also reviewed feedback from focus groups…
Monee Honors CREW Award Recipients
By Andrea Arens Ten Village of Monee employees were recognized for exemplary performance with semi-annual CREW awards during the February 28 meeting of the board of trustees. “CREW is an acronym that defines an employee who provides exemplary work,” Mayor Therese Bogs said, introducing the recipients. “CREW stands for Credibility, Respect, Equality/Fellowship/Identity, and Work Commitment/Personal…
Monee Police Blotter: February 19 – 24
February 19, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Javier Alvarado, 22, of Oak Lawn. Alvarado was cited for no registration and no insurance. He also was wanted for failure to appear in Will County, was secured, and transported. February 22, at approximately 9:30 a.m., a vehicle wanted for aggravated…
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Redesignated Acute Stroke Ready Hospital
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields has been redesignated as an Acute Stroke Ready hospital by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the hospital announced recently. Acute Stroke Ready hospitals serve as the first stop for patients suspected of having a stroke. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is the only hospital in the South Suburbs with the designation.…
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,…
Rep. Haas Celebrates IDOT District 79 Vehicle Procurement
Following the announcement of $57.1 million awarded in new paratransit vehicles on behalf of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement: “I am thrilled the Illinois Department of Transportation has awarded a total of 11 new vehicles to transit providers in the 79th District through their Consolidated Vehicle…
Franciscan Health Heart, Vascular Institute Echocardiography Lab Achieves Accreditation
The Franciscan Health Heart and Vascular Institute Olympia Fields echocardiography lab has achieved accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (ICA) for adult transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiography (also known as echo) is a form of non-invasive imaging used to assess different areas of the heart, which can detect heart disease or signs of serious conditions. Early detection…
Monee Police Blotter: February 12 – 16
February 12, at approximately 12:28 a.m., a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Jerrold Dunn Sr., 53, of Park Forest. Dunn was issued citations for disobeying a traffic control device, driving under the influence (DUI), and possession of cannabis less than 10g. He was released with a notice to appear via his citations. February…
Area News
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…
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…
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…
Health Department Food Bank Mobile Market March 21
The Will County Health Department is hosting a Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Market on Thursday, March 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the health departments parking lot, 501 Ella Avenue in Joliet. Anyone needing food assistance is welcome to receive free groceries. No ID, documentation, or pre-approval is needed. Distribution is on a…
From the Desk of the Will County Board Chairman:
On March 5, at 10:30 a.m., county board leadership was presented with a last-minute opinion from the State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the procedure for the special county board meeting scheduled for 10:45 a.m. that same day. The bi-partisan members voting in favor of Resolution 24-27, directing the Division of Transportation to cease moving forward with…
Will County Regional Spelling Bee March 14
This year’s Will County Regional Spelling Bee will be held at Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 Gougar Road in New Lenox, on Thursday, March 14, from 5 till 8 p.m. There will be 32 participants in grades sixth through eighth from schools across Will County. Spelling Bee officials are: Laura Yanchick, pronouncer; Chelsea Bowen, head…
Will Co. Health Department Adds 10 Naloxone Distribution Boxes Throughout County
The Will County Health Department is making access to the life-saving, overdose-reversing drug Naloxone (Narcan) easier, with the installation of 10 red naloxone distribution boxes located throughout Will County. Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and is available through the Illinois Department of Human Services/Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Access…
Radetski Sentenced to Seven Years for Child Pornography, Indecent Solicitation of a Child
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Joshua Radetski, 46, of Lake Zurich, was sentenced recently to three years in prison for Child Pornography (a Class 2 felony) and 4 years for Indecent Solicitation of a Child (a Class 3 felony). Radetski pled guilty and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak. On October 7,…
Watson Found Guilty of First Degree Murder in 2018 Shooting Death
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Elijah Watson, 28, of Joliet, was found guilty recently in the 2018 shooting death of Nathan Ballard. Watson was found guilty by Circuit Judge Vincent Cornelius of First Degree Murder and Unlawful Use of a Weapon (a Class 2 felony) following a five-day bench trial. Co-defendant Anthony…
Will Co. Board to Hold Special Meeting
The Will County Board will convene for a special meeting on Tuesday, March 5, at 10:45 a.m., to enforce Resolution 24-27 that was signed by the Will County Executive. On February 15, the Will County Board voted in a bi-partisan majority, 12-9, to pass Resolution 24-27, “Directing the Will County Division of Transportation to Cease…
Will County One-of-Five State Pioneer Regions to Establish Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team
State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Will County is one-of-five regions in Illinois to establish a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team to reduce and prevent domestic violence fatalities and near fatalities through case analysis, review, and reform. In 2023, nine women were murdered by their intimate partners or family members in Will County. The new…
Garvey Sentenced to 35 Years in Death of Eight-Month-Old Daughter
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Shanquilla Garvey, 30, of Joliet, was sentenced recently to 35 years in prison in the 2017 death of her eight-month-old daughter Cherish. Garvey pled guilty to First Degree Murder (a Class X felony) before Circuit Judge Daniel Rippy. On December 20, 2017, Garvey was living at the…