Lee Provost

Kankakee

Reporter at Kankakee Daily Journal

All things business, politics and city hall. Part-time runner and full-time dad.

Articles

Bradley nears start of new bike path

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

BRADLEY – Foot and pedal power will be getting another location to travel along as new asphalt pathway will be soon going out to bid. The approximate 800-foot-long path will stretch from the end of West Broadway Street and travel along Herman Place, which runs in front of the small triangle park, and then to North Crosswell Avenue where it meets with the Bourbonnais Township Park District’s Perry Farm property.
Innovator in Agriculture: Heritage FS expansion taking root

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

ST. GEORGE – Helping Kankakee and Will county farmers grow their best crops is the mission of Heritage FS, located just east of the tiny St. George community in eastern Kankakee County. But don’t think the company is only working on grain production for area agriculture professionals. The company has also been busy for the past three years planting the seeds for what has been an approximate $10-million site expansion in the middle of corn and soybean production in this ag-based region.
Gilster-Mary Lee not rebuilding in Momence

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

MOMENCE – The mid-February fire which resulted in significant damage to the Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. production site in Momence has ended the company’s stay here. Gilster-Mary Lee, a Chester, Ill.-based company, which produces a variety of food products for private labels, often generic store brands, has determined it will not rebuild in Momence or anywhere within Kankakee County.
City sewer rates increase by 2%

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

KANKAKEE – Sewer charges for residential, office and commercial accounts in Kankakee will rise 2%. Those customers can breathe a sigh of relief as industrial accounts, beginning May 1, will see an increase of 7%. The rate adjustments were approved by an 11-1 vote at Monday’s Kankakee City Council meeting. The only council member voting against the rate hike was 4th Ward Alderman Lance Marczak. Alderman Danita Grant Swanson, R-4, and Larry Osenga, R-3, were not in attendance.
Indian Meadows development readies

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

KANKAKEE – The long-stalled Indian Meadows subdivision on Kankakee’s far west side is about to get a kick start for a developer seeking to construct townhomes there. Frankfort-based developer Dr. Anuja Gupta and her development company, Limestone Townhomes, LLC, are working through a development agreement to aid in this 3rd Ward subdivision which dates back to 2007.
Heard on the Street: Hideout Lounge opens in Majestic

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

KANKAKEE – With the name Larry Tapp it would only be natural this Herscher man open a lounge. And that is just what the 47-year-old Tapp has done. On March 1, Tapp opened the Hideout Lounge in the basement area of the Majestic property, 150 N. Schuyler Ave., in downtown Kankakee.
Mistie Hill Vineyard expands

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

CUSTER PARK – Big things are underway in tiny Custer Park as it relates to a 22-acre site dedicated to wine, and some beer as well. Five acres of French-American hybrid grape vines, bred for the cold climate of northern Illinois, have evolved into Mistie Hill Vineyard, owned by Rich and Debbie Strylowski, opening a 50-seat, 3,400-square-foot tasting room at the rural brewery site, that will feature a 32-seat, 1,200-square-foot outdoor patio.
New ownership scoops up PJ’s

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

MANTENO – If Tara Robinson is spotted walking along Manteno sidewalks this week doing some form of wrist exercises, do not be alarmed. She is attempting to get in shape for what she hopes will be a busy first weekend at PJ’s Ice Cream in downtown Manteno, which is a new venture for her, but a favorite one for Manteno and nearby residents. Robinson, of Peotone, is the new owner of PJ’s, 41 W.
Curtis overwhelms Walters, gains 2nd term

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

KANKAKEE – There will be no moving truck needed at the Kankakee mayor’s office. First-term Mayor Chris Curtis overwhelmed his challenger, former Kankakee schools Superintendent Genevra Walters, in Tuesday’s mayoral race to claim his second four-year term. The new term will officially begin at the council’s May 5 meeting, but there will be little fanfare as Curtis will simply carry on with the direction he has been helping take the city.
Curtis gains 2nd mayoral term

3 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Lee Provost

KANKAKEE – Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis cruised to an overwhelming victor on Tuesday. The first-term easily outpaced his Democratic Party challenger, former Kankakee schools Superintendent Genevra Walters by a lopsided 68.4% to 31.6% margin. “Sixty-eight percent is a statement,” Curtis said after thanking supporters at his victory party Tuesday night.