The Manhattan School District, recently named a defendant in not one but two federal sexual harassment lawsuits, is pressing forward with its search for a new superintendent. The school district was named a defendant in a civil rights case filed by former HR Director Chris Ruddy on August 30, 2024, alleging discrimination and sexual harassment. […]
Author Archives: Stephanie Irvine
Posted inVedette Top News
St. Joe’s Sprinklers Center of Political Feud
The St. Joseph School sprinklers, a hot topic discussed at the last board meeting, came up again, this time at the behest of Paula Gibbs, a member of the public. The topic dominated the last board meeting and spilled over in the days that followed, with social media sparring between trustee candidate Tom Biscan, who […]
Posted inVedette We/Us
MFPD Project Fire Buddies Makes an Impact
The Manhattan Chapter of Project Fire Buddies made the rounds to its six fire buddies from within the District over the Christmas holiday, making sure each Fire Buddy felt extra special. The Manhattan Fire Protection District started its chapter in 2022 and has been brightening the lives of its buddies ever since. The fire buddies […]
Posted inVedette We/Us
Drone Service Huge Help in Finding Lost Dog
Drones have gotten a bad rep lately, with no shortage of peculiar UFO-type sightings and conspiracy theories coloring the perception of low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles. What people may not realize, however, is the FAA-licensed drone flying above might be on a special mission to bring a lost pet home. At least, that was the case […]
Posted inVedette New News
Manhattan Parks Approve Tax Levy, Executive Director’s Contract
The Manhattan Park District passed its tax levy for the upcoming year, which reflects a 6.67% percent increase over last year’s tax revenue. The Park District Board also approved Executive Director Jay Kelly’s three-year contract for $144,432 for 2025, with incremental increases between four and six percent each year of the contract. Kelly’s new contract […]
Posted inVedette Top News
Board Debates Removing Fire Sprinkler Requirement for School
The Manhattan Board engaged in a spirited debate about whether St. Joseph School should be held to the village’s ordinance on fire suppression sprinklers or whether the village should re-write its code to exempt the school and others that may find themselves in similar positions. Village Attorney Jeff Taylor explained that village codes cannot have […]
Posted inVedette New News
Manhattan Welcomes Another New Business: Crafty Nook
Business is booming in Manhattan, and another new business has opened its doors. The once half-empty Manhattan Station strip mall is finally filling up with new businesses, much to the delight of residents who had gotten used to the vacant units. The Crafty Nook, a consignment craft store showcasing local crafters’ wares, began welcoming customers […]
Posted inVedette New News
MFPD Sees Increase in Calls in 2024
By Stephanie Irvine The Manhattan Fire Protection District has had a busy year — up nearly 400 calls for service over last year’s total. Chief Steve Malone reported that as of the December meeting, the district had responded to 2,631 calls for service. With tones going off during the meeting, that number will undoubtedly rise […]
Posted inVedette New News
Manhattan Solar Development Advances
A solar development proposed for Smith and Cedar Roads in Manhattan gained approval from the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, December 17. The commission voted 6-1 to pass the project to the Will County Board’s Land Use Committee. Commissioner Karen Warrick was the lone vote against it. Public comments mostly were composed, […]
Posted inVedette We/Us
Tattooing Hope, One Areola at a Time
Manhattan woman Kelsey Cowan is doing her part to help recovering cancer patients ease into the healing process by offering free paramedical tattoos that make them feel a little more like themselves. “I don’t really have it in me to charge people for that,” Cowan said. Not all shops “pay with a smile” for those […]