Local News
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…
Monee Police Blotter: March 11 – 16
March 11, at approximately 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 6600 block of Monee-Manhattan Road to investigate a theft. Upon the officer’s arrival, they learned an employee of the business allegedly stole a pair of JBL earbuds worth $299. Shondale L. Taylor, 26, of Chicago, was arrested for theft-under $500. Taylor was…
Rep. Haas: Brickstone Brewery March Local Business Spotlight
For her March local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owners with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the community. “I am honored to recognize Brickstone Brewery for my March Local Business Spotlight,” said Rep. Haas. “This local…
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…
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, April 3 and 17, from 1 to 5:30 p.m., at the Community Presbyterian Mission Building…
Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Celebrates Women’s History Month
Stories of determination/skill highlight the critical role of women in the success of every business. Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, the 19-unit full-service fitness franchise that works to bring a robust fitness experience to underserved communities, is celebrating Women’s History Month by showcasing women entrepreneurs, whose determination and business acumen have led to success in operating…
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…
Holy Week Services at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Easter Triduum March 28: Holy Thursday, no 7:15 a.m. Mass; Morning Prayer at 8 a.m.; Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m., includong the washing of feet, procession, and transfer of the Holy Eucharist to the altar of repose and silent adoration until 10 p.m. March 29: Good Friday, no 7:15 a.m. Mass; Morning Prayer…
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…
Monee Adding Businesses
By Karen Haave Monee’s roster of restaurants serving specialty food is expanding, joining the ranks of Nad Tatrami and Labas. “GrannyMa’s Kitchen is Monee’s newest restaurant,” Village Economic Development Director Bill Barnes said last week. “Located at 25861 S. Governors Highway, GrannyMa’s has found a new home in the space that Cliff and Tommy’s once…
Apply Now: Monee Police Officer Position
The Village of Monee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is accepting applications for the position of police officer with the Monee Police Department. Visit theblueline.com for details! Salary: $64,505 – $91,510 Population: 5,300 Sworn Police Officers: 23 Full-time, 2 Part-time Application deadline is March 21, at 5 p.m. Visit www.applytosserve.com The Village of Monee…
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.…
Area News
Will County’s Options For Old County Courthouse Limited
By Stephen Nelson At its Thursday, March 16, meeting, the Will County Board learned of a host of legal restrictions to any reuse of the old Will County Courthouse building. The board already has authorized significant funding to study the cost of demolition. In a memo from the office of Will County State’s Attorney James…
Will County Board Approves Election Judge Pay Increase
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry announced the Will County Board recently approved her request to immediately raise the salaries of election judges, starting with the 2023 Consolidated Election. The base pay for working on Election Day will jump to $200 from $150 for trained election judges. “Our election judges provide an incredibly important service…
Will County Early Voting Expands to 25 Locations
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds voters Early Voting for the April 4 Consolidated Election expanded to 25 locations across Will County on Monday, March 20. Early Voting at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, also continues through Monday, April 3. Hours for Early Voting vary, depending upon…
Vieni Found Guilty of Aggravated Battery, Domestic Violence Against Senior Citizen
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced a jury found Nicole Vieni, 36, of Chicago, guilty of aggravated battery of a senior citizen (Class 3 Felony), domestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor), and interfering with reporting eomestic violence (Class A Misdemeanor). The jury reached its verdict recently following a trial over which Circuit Judge John Connor…
JJC Hires New Bowling Coach
The Joliet Junior College Athletic Department is pleased to announce Jeff Bailey as the Wolves’ first men’s and women’s bowling coach. JJC will begin competitive bowling with the 2023-24 school year. Bailey, a Joliet native, brings a wealth of experience and success to the Wolves program. He has coached high school bowling in Illinois for…
County Mental Health Board Holds First Meeting
Newly created board elects first president and secretary; establishes bylaws. The Will County Community Mental Health Board held their first meeting to elect officers and establish bylaws. This marks the first key step for the newly created board to establish their plan to evaluate and improve community mental health services in Will County, including the…
Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching Quickly; Options Still Available!
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry encourages all eligible Will County residents to register to vote for the upcoming Consolidated Election and reminds everyone registration deadlines rapidly are approaching. The last day to register to vote in person or by mail was March 7, but online registration is open through Sunday, March 19. The Will…
Health Department’s Dr. Burke Named to Nationwide Mental Health/Wellbeing Commission
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced 14 county leaders have been appointed to the new commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, including Will County Health Department’s Dr. Kathleen Burke. The group, unveiled at NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., is tasked with leading the development of policy and programmatic recommendations at the federal, state,…
It’s Time to Spring Ahead!
Daylight Savings Time will return to the area at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. Before retiring on Saturday, be sure to advance clocks one hour ahead. It’s also a great time to check batteries in fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Matteson Man Pleads Guilty; Receives 34-Year Prison Sentence
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Joseph Stozek, 39, of Matteston, pled guilty recently to one count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child (a Class X Felony, Category A) in front of Circuit Judge Vincent Cornelius. Stozek was sentenced to 34 years in prison and lifetime registration as sexual predator. He also…
Will County to Develop Traffic Safety Action Plan
Federal and state funding to support path to zero fatalities on area roads. Will County will begin the process of developing its first-ever comprehensive action plan for roadway safety, aimed at reducing fatalities on county roads. The plan will be funded through a federal grant as part of a regional effort to improve traffic safety.…
Illinois State Police Unveil New Troop 3 Guidon
Reorganization results in January decrease in expressway shootings in Troop 3. The Illinois State Police (ISP) recently unveiled its new Troop 3 Guidon, or flag, in Lockport. On January 1, ISP reorganized from 21 patrol districts across the state to 11 patrol troops. In recognition of the newly formed troops, ISP is holding Guidon ceremonies…