By Stephanie Irvine Family Dollar Day kicked off the 121st annual Will County Fair in Peotone on Wednesday. Opening day weather for the County Fair was more than fair — it was perfection. Abundant sunshine and blue skies with daytime temps in the mid-70s made it comfortable for not just attendees but the horses and […]
Author Archives: Andrea Arens
Posted inWill County
Land Use Decisions Dominate Will County Board Meeting
By Stephen Nelson At the Thursday, August 15, Will County Board meeting, the board approved a zoning map amendment from agricultural to industrial for a parcel of land located in Green Garden Township at what is commonly known as 11401 W. Manhattan-Monee Road. After approving the zoning request, the board approved a special use permit […]
Posted inBeecher
Election Packets Available August 20 in Beecher
By Jeff Vorva The Village of Beecher’s Board of Trustees granted a special-use permit to a U-Haul rental business in the historic district at its August 12 meetinig. The U-Haul facility will be at 759 W. Indiana Avenue with the proviso that only four trucks will be allowed on the property. One of the trucks will […]
Posted inKankakee, Manteno Vedette New News, Vedette New News
Gotion Already Boosting Local Tax Revenues
By Stephen Nelson At the Tuesday, August 13, Kankakee County Board meeting, Chairman Andy Wheeler provided an update on the tax abatement agreement between local taxing bodies and Gotion, the China-owned company building an EV battery manufacturing plant in the former K-Mart distribution center in Manteno. Wheeler said 2023 taxes due on the empty building […]
Posted inBeecher, Vedette Schools
200-U Budget Tentatively $1.5M in the Black
By Jeff Vorva The Beecher 200-U School District tentative budget is $1.5 million in the black, according to Superintendent Jack Gaham. Even though the district has gone through a financial crisis in recent years, don’t expect him to turn cartwheels just yet. A sort of a smile will have to do. “I can tentatively, quasi, […]
Posted inPeotone
Money for Millie: Village to Repair Rotting Mill
By Stephanie Irvine The Village of Peotone’s historic mill, affectionately called “Millie,” suffered damage after rotten crossbeams collapsed and fell on August 6. The mill is an iconic structure in the village. Formerly known as the H.A. Rathje Mill, the historic mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Will Country […]
Posted inManhattan, Manteno Vedette Mayhem, Vedette Mayhem
Manhattan Police Blotter: August 8-15
On August 13, police arrested Nikkio Dickerson, 22, of Richton Park, after conducting a traffic stop for speeding at 270 West North. Dickerson also was cited for obstructed windows, operation of uninsured motor vehicle, and operation of vehicle with suspended registration.
Posted in1-Draft
Farmland Prices Climb; Rental Rates Set Record
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek Farmland values continue to rise but show signs of cooling off compared to increases in recent years. The farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $4,170 per acre for 2024, up $200 (5 percent) per acre from 2023, according to USDA’s […]
Posted inPeotone
PHS Class of 64 to Celebrate Reunion
By Karen Haave Peotone High School Class of 1964 will celebrate their 60-year Class Reunion with an Open House at the Peotone American Legion, on August 24, beginning at 5 p.m. “I personally feel our Class of 1964 is special because we have many lifelong connections and friendships that are cherished by many classmates,” said […]
Posted inMonee
Monee Historical Society President Steps Down from Post
By Karen Haave Monee Historical Society President Christi Holston has stepped down from the post, citing a desire to scale back her demanding schedule. Holston has worked tirelessly on behalf of the MHS for 13 years, when she and her husband, David, implored the Monee Village Board to reconsider its plans to demolish the 159-year-old […]