Local News

Panthers Softball. Photo submitted.

Manteno Softball Looking Forward to a Great Season

By Dennis Bowling Manteno Coach Josh Carlile will have one of the best teams in this area. Carlile has three outstanding hurlers in junior Alyssa Dralle, plus sophomores Ava Peterson and left-hander Macy Iwanus. “Alyssa is a three-year varsity player and can help to run this team,” said Carlile. “Her spin pitches are a real…

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Beecher Village Board Candidate: Ronald S. Mazurek

Why did you decide to run for trustee? I’m running for Beecher Village Trustee to start a serious discussion on the aging village infrastructure, business recruitment, and fiscal spending. Have you held Public Office before? Yes, I was elected twice as a Washington Township Community Building Board Manager serving the community for eight years. A…

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Beecher Village Board Candidate: Erik Gardner

Why did you decide to run for trustee? In short, because I love my Town! I was raised here, went to school here, and my family is here. My Wife and I made the decision to raise our son here in Beecher. I truly want what’s best for this town and the people. I’m at a…

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Beecher Village Board Candidate: Joseph Gianotti

Why did you decide to run for trustee? I have served as an appointed trustee for 20 months and feel that I want to continue the work I have started in that time. I also want to give back to a community that has given me so much. Beecher offered me a safe environment to…

back row: Chloe Hartt, Alexis Herman , Adyson Kosmos, Jillian Richards, Alexis Reed, Katia Veltmanfront row: Kennedy Spada, Mollie Pusateri, Yaretzi Navarro, Grace Kozlowski, Katelyn Leitelt

Peotone Seventh Grade Girls Volleyball Wins Regional Championship

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Crete Township to Address Community Center at Annual Town Meeting April 11

The Crete Township Annual Town Meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at the New Star Building, 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue in Crete. New Star Building During a Special Town Meeting on June 29, 2021, Crete Township electors voted in favor of authorizing the Township Board to purchase and improve the…

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Devils Basketball Seniors

Lucas Gesswein is the son of Melissa and Ralph Gesswein and is a four-year member of the basketball program. Lucas’ favorite memories from basketball are all of the experiences he’s had with his teammates. After high school Lucas plans to attend Joliet Junior College, where he would like to pursue a degree in communications. William…

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Beecher Board Discusses School Referendum

By Jeff Vorva The nice and neighborly thing for the Village of Beecher’s Board of Trustees to do is throw its support to School District 200U and its referendum. But, legally, the village’s hands could be tied. During its Feb. 27 meeting, the board kicked around the idea of public support for the school district’s…

The happy kitchen crew was tired, but delighted to serve over 500 Mardi Gras Beef Dinners. Photo by Karen Haave.

St. Paul’s Mardi Gras Beef Dinner Celebrated Golden Anniversary

By Karen Haave St. Paul the Apostle’s festive Mardi Gras Beef Dinner returned with a flourish as hundreds of hungry diners flocked to the Peotone Atrium for the annual pre-Lenten feast. The event marked its Golden Anniversary, one of the longest-running and most popular church-sponsored dinners in the village. “This Mardi Gras dinner was special…

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Monee’s Furst House Officially an Historic Structure

By Karen Haave Monee’s century-old Furst house is officially an historic structure. “As the previous county board representative for the Village of Monee, it’s very exciting to have a resident seeking historical status for their property,” Christina Holston, Monee Historical Society President, said after the meeting. “Having been friends with the owner of the Furst…

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Village Board Plans for Monee’s 150th Birthday

By Karen Haave The Village of Monee is having a significant birthday next year, turning 150, and plans are underway for a special celebration. Trustee Heidi Gonzalez told the board of trustees last week the first planning meeting for the sesquicentennial will take place on Thursday, March 23, at 5 p.m., at village hall. “All…

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Kankakee County Proposes Retail Sales Tax Referendum to Support Mental Health

By Madeleine Willis When Rhonda Showers needed to support her loved ones, she found it challenging to find services in Kankakee County, where the ratio for mental health providers to residents is 1 to 660. “That’s like going to the grocery store, filling your cart with things you need, and then there are 660 people…

Lilly from the Crete PD gets a treat at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge in Manteno on February 4th. Photo by Jim Piacentini.

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

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Peotone Village Trustee 4-Year Term Candidate – Julie Sluis

1. Why did you decide to run for trustee? I have decided to run again for the trustee position so I can continue working for the Village of Peotone. I am very passionate about the current projects I am working on. Furthermore, I would like to continue to be involved in the decision-making process and address…